The Hidden Game of Baseball by John Thorn

Author:John Thorn [Thorn, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 1984-05-04T04:00:00+00:00

Table VII, 1. Average Batting Skill

In the 1981 Baseball Research Journal, William D. Rubinstein drew additional conclusions from Cramer’s study, conclusions “so astonishing that many SABR members will not believe them,” he wrote.

“In the three tables below,” Rubinstein continued, “I have detailed the following information: the ‘real’ lifetime batting averages (in terms of 1976 NL play, the standard used by Cramer) of nearly 50 of the top batting stars of past and present; secondly, the top ‘real’ single season batting averages, by era, since 1876, again in terms of 1976 NL play; and, thirdly, the top ‘real’ single season slugging averages between 1920 and 1979, in the same terms.

“Compiling the lifetime BA information is somewhat complicated, since each single season BA has to be weighed into the total by proportion of lifetime ABs. Nevertheless, its findings are remarkable in the extreme. Given that average batting skill rose by 120 points between 1876 and 1979, one would naturally expect today’s lifetime BAs to rise, but these calculations reveal that if Ty Cobb’s career had taken place under the conditions of the NL in 1976, his lifetime BA would have been only 289. Rogers Hornsby and Joe DiMaggio achieve identical 280 marks. Bill Terry, Lou Gehrig, and Tris Speaker are average-to-mediocre hitters at .271, .269, and .265 respectively. The Babe’s .262 is a disappointment, though he hits better than Al Simmons (.260) or Harry Heilmann (.257). If he had been playing today, Honus Wagner would certainly wear a ‘good field-no hit’ (lifetime .251) label! And as for the likes of Pete Browning (.248), Dan Brouthers (.238), or Billy Hamilton (.236)—it looks like Salt Lake City for them!

“On the other hand, today’s players, even those who are not true superstars, appear to be veritable supermen in comparison. Tony Perez outbats Hornsby and DiMaggio by three points; Al Oliver (through 1979) outhits Ty Cobb by thirteen. Rod Carew (.341 through 1979), George Brett, Bill Madlock, and others among today’s top hitters easily outhit those of yesterday by many points. Only Stan Musial (.315), Roberto Clemente (.313), and Ted Williams (.310) among recent stars of the past do really well.

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