|
|
|
|
|
|
The First-ever Baseball Prospectus Futures Guide - now just $6.86 at Amazon ( bbp.cx/fg ) |
|
|
Dan Fox |
| << Previous Author Entries | No More Author Entries |
August 4, 2011 9:00 am
The BP Wayback Machine: Beautiful Theories and Ugly Facts |
Revisiting historical HBP rates in the wake of Alex Avila's plunking by Jered Weaver's hand.
While looking toward the future with our comprehensive slate of current content, we'd also like to recognize our rich past by drawing upon our extensive (and mostly free) online archive of work dating back to 1997. In an effort to highlight the best of what's gone before, we'll be bringing you a weekly blast from BP's past, introducing or re-introducing you to some of the most informative and entertaining authors who have passed through our virtual halls. If you have fond recollections of a BP piece that you'd like to nominate for re-exposure to a wider audience, send us your suggestion.
As Jered Weaver prepares to serve his six-game suspension, take in some trends in HBP rates over time, which originally ran as a "Schrodinger's Bat" column on May 4, 2006.
April 28, 2011 9:00 am
The BP Wayback Machine: The Myth of the Golden Age |
Is the quality of play in baseball better than it's ever been?
While looking toward the future with our comprehensive slate of current content, we'd also like to recognize our rich past by drawing upon our extensive online archive of work dating back to 1997. In an effort to highlight the best of what's gone before, we'll be bringing you a weekly blast from BP's past, introducing or re-introducing you to some of the most informative and entertaining authors who have passed through our virtual halls. If you have fond recollections of a BP piece that you'd like to nominate for re-exposure to a wider audience, send us your suggestion.
Baseball may seem best when you're 10 years old, but before you start building a time machine, take another look at Dan Fox's investigation of baseball's changing talent level over time, which originally ran as a "Schrodinger's Bat" column on January 18, 2007.
April 17, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Opus 100 |
Reaching a statistical landmark, and changing gears in the pursuit of applied research.
"Scientists don't immerse themselves in particulars only for the grandiose (or self-serving) reason that such studies may lead to important generalities. We do it for fun."
--Stephen Jay Gould, "Opus 100", reprinted in The Richness of Life: The Essential Stephen Jay Gould
April 10, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Defense and Pitch Classification |
A new season brings a new batch of PITCHf/x data from which to learn.
"With me, being a hard thrower ... no matter what, they're defending that heater, man. So the more confidence I have to throw that [changeup] in any count, I'm going to throw it. I'm just going to. I don't care anymore. It's going to help me and I realize that."
--A.J. Burnett on his pitch selection. PITCHf/x has confidence in his fastball as well.
This is a BP Premium article. To read it, sign up for Premium today!
April 3, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Reminiscing with SFR, the Sequel |
A continuing stroll through the defensive data of yesteryear with SFR, covering 1957-83.
"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."
--Harry Caray, on a Jorge Orta feat in the field.
|
Already a subscriber? Click here and use the blue login bar to log in. |
This is a BP Premium article. To read it, sign up for Premium today!
March 27, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Reminiscing with SFR |
Unleashing Simple Fielding Runs on an eleven-year span, from 1988 to 1998.
"He (Ozzie Smith) plays like he's on a mini-trampoline or wearing helium kangaroo shorts."
--Andy Van Slyke
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Premium article. To read it, sign up for Premium today!
March 20, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Clearing the Decks |
It's a topic grab bag with looks at bunting, preventing free bases, and more.
"When I came up, you couldn't play if you couldn't bunt, but home runs have pretty much taken over the game today... Bunting has become a lost art."
--Kirby Puckett
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
March 13, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Spring Fling |
A trip to Arizona produces some news and notes from four spring training camps.
"It's designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything is new again..."
--A. Bartlett Giamatti
This is a BP Premium article. To read it, sign up for Premium today!
March 6, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Hitters v. Clemens |
Whlie Roger Clemens is in the news about his alleged off-field antics, Dan talks to Jonathan Mayo, author of a new book about Clemens' on-field success.
"No athlete goes through what Roger Clemens has put himself through in terms of conditioning and hard work not to win. Whatever your opinion of Clemens, there's never been any doubt about his competitive nature.
--from the Introduction to Facing Clemens by Jonathan Mayo
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Premium article. To read it, sign up for Premium today!
February 25, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: What Would Bacon Do? |
In answering the decade-old question about Derek Jeter's defensive value, what would one of science's great philosophers have to say?
"It is the peculiar and perpetual error of the human understanding to be more moved and excited by affirmatives than by negatives."
--Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Premium article. To read it, sign up for Premium today!
February 21, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Flashing Leather Down on the Farm |
Rating the outfielders in the minors, plus seeing how well the system evaluates some scouting touts.
"It is the peculiar and perpetual error of the human understanding to be more moved and excited by affirmatives than by negatives."
--Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
This is a BP Premium article. To read it, sign up for Premium today!
February 14, 2008 12:00 am
Schrodinger's Bat: Wrapping it Up |
Putting the finishing touches on the better (fielding) mousetrap.
"Baseball is Darwinian in its results but Newtonian in its processes. With rigorous empiricism fielders built up a solid foundation of knowledge through generations of trials and thousands of errors. Their peer-reviewed results quickly became standard operating procedures."
--Cait Murphy, describing the evolution of defensive play in Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History
The remainder of this post cannot be viewed at this subscription level. Please click here to subscribe.
| << Previous Author Entries | No More Author Entries |
|
Baseball Prospectus Home | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Customer Service | Newsletter | Masthead | Glossary | Contact Us Copyright © 1996-2013 Prospectus Entertainment Ventures, LLC.
|
Schrodinger's Bat: Reminiscing with SFR, the Sequel
Surprise Me!