Biographical

Portrait of Darryl Strawberry

Darryl Strawberry RFMets

Mets Player Cards | Mets Team Audit | Mets Depth Chart

Career Summary
Years PA AVG OBP SLG TAv WARP
17 6326 .259 .357 .505 .310 41.6
Birth Date3-12-1962
Height6' 6"
Weight200 lbs
BatsL
ThrowsL

Standard

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB BB SO HBP SF SH RBI SB CS AVG OBP SLG TAv VORP FRAA WARP
1983 NYN 21 122 473 420 63 108 15 7 26 215 47 128 4 2 0 74 19 6 .257 .336 .512 .298 26.5 0.0 2.8
1984 NYN 22 147 602 522 75 131 27 4 26 244 75 131 0 4 1 97 27 8 .251 .343 .467 .288 27.8 -5.6 2.4
1985 NYN 23 111 470 393 78 109 15 4 29 219 73 96 1 3 0 79 26 11 .277 .389 .557 .328 42.6 -3.7 4.1
1986 NYN 24 136 562 475 76 123 27 5 27 241 72 141 6 9 0 93 28 12 .259 .358 .507 .321 43.6 -9.0 3.6
1987 NYN 25 154 640 532 108 151 32 5 39 310 97 122 7 4 0 104 36 12 .284 .398 .583 .342 72.4 0.4 7.2
1988 NYN 26 153 640 543 101 146 27 3 39 296 85 127 3 9 0 101 29 14 .269 .366 .545 .340 57.4 -0.8 6.2
1989 NYN 27 134 541 476 69 107 26 1 29 222 61 105 1 3 0 77 11 4 .225 .312 .466 .291 24.5 6.2 3.3
1990 NYN 28 152 621 542 92 150 18 1 37 281 70 110 4 5 0 108 15 8 .277 .361 .518 .320 45.0 -6.2 4.1
1991 LAN 29 139 588 505 86 134 22 4 28 248 75 125 3 5 0 99 10 8 .265 .361 .491 .310 42.8 -11.0 3.4
1992 LAN 30 43 177 156 20 37 8 0 5 60 19 34 1 1 0 25 3 1 .237 .322 .385 .276 4.6 -1.5 0.3
1993 LAN 31 32 120 100 12 14 2 0 5 31 16 19 2 2 0 12 1 0 .140 .267 .310 .230 -2.3 -2.3 -0.5
1994 SFN 32 29 113 92 13 22 3 1 4 39 19 22 0 2 0 17 0 3 .239 .363 .424 .279 4.9 3.8 0.8
1995 NYA 33 32 99 87 15 24 4 1 3 39 10 22 2 0 0 13 0 0 .276 .364 .448 .295 7.2 0.3 0.7
1996 NYA 34 63 237 202 35 53 13 0 11 99 31 55 1 3 0 36 6 5 .262 .359 .490 .276 9.8 -2.0 0.7
1997 NYA 35 11 32 29 1 3 1 0 0 4 3 9 0 0 0 2 0 0 .103 .188 .138 .112 -5.2 -0.0 -0.5
1998 NYA 36 101 345 295 44 73 11 2 24 160 46 90 3 1 0 57 8 7 .247 .354 .542 .308 20.1 -0.1 2.0
1999 NYA 37 24 66 49 10 16 5 0 3 30 17 16 0 0 0 6 2 0 .327 .500 .612 .373 8.9 0.0 0.8
Career1583632654188981401256383352738816135238531100022199.259.357.505.310430.6-31.641.6

Advanced

'opp' stats - quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
YEAR Team Lg G PA TAv oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG oppTAv BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ FRAA BRR BVORP BWARP VORP WARP
1980 KNG Rk 44 180 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .327 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1981 LYN A+ 123 513 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .310 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1982 JAC AA 129 548 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .346 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1983 NYN MLB 122 473 .298 .253 .314 .373 .000 .306 96 18 12.8 -4.7 0.0 2.4 26.5 2.8 26.5 2.8
1983 TID AAA 16 71 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .444 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1984 NYN MLB 147 602 .288 .254 .312 .368 .000 .285 95 16.6 16.1 -5 -5.6 -0.4 27.8 2.4 27.8 2.4
1985 NYN MLB 111 470 .328 .249 .312 .367 .000 .295 93 32.1 12.8 -3.4 -3.7 0.6 42.6 4.1 42.6 4.1
1986 NYN MLB 136 562 .321 .253 .315 .383 .000 .304 96 35 15.6 -5.7 -9.0 -2.6 43.6 3.6 43.6 3.6
1987 NYN MLB 154 640 .342 .258 .321 .402 .000 .299 96 56.2 18.9 -7 0.4 4.3 72.4 7.2 72.4 7.2
1988 NYN MLB 153 640 .340 .250 .306 .369 .000 .277 94 48.7 16.8 -6.2 -0.8 -1.0 57.4 6.2 57.4 6.2
1989 NYN MLB 134 541 .291 .245 .303 .362 .000 .226 98 16.4 14.1 -5.2 6.2 -0.8 24.5 3.3 24.5 3.3
1990 NYN MLB 152 621 .320 .255 .314 .379 .000 .282 98 37.1 16.7 -6.1 -6.2 -1.7 45.0 4.1 45.0 4.1
1991 LAN MLB 139 588 .310 .247 .309 .368 .000 .297 97 29.4 15.9 -5.9 -11.0 2.8 42.8 3.4 42.8 3.4
1992 LAN MLB 43 177 .276 .251 .303 .364 .000 .271 98 2.7 4.6 -1.7 -1.5 -1.1 4.6 0.3 4.6 0.3
1993 LAN MLB 32 120 .230 .258 .319 .396 .000 .115 101 -3.8 3.4 -1.2 -2.3 0.1 -2.3 -0.5 -2.3 -0.5
1993 ABQ AAA 5 21 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .385 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1994 SFN MLB 29 113 .279 .259 .315 .393 .000 .265 95 2.4 3.4 -1.2 3.8 1.7 4.9 0.8 4.9 0.8
1994 PHX AAA 3 11 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .250 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1995 NYA MLB 32 99 .295 .263 .326 .411 .000 .339 102 3.8 3.0 -1.4 0.3 0.6 7.2 0.7 7.2 0.7
1995 TAM A+ 2 10 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .167 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1995 COH AAA 22 101 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .305 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1996 NYA MLB 63 237 .276 .273 .339 .433 .000 .302 101 4.4 7.3 -3.1 -2.0 1.0 9.8 0.7 9.8 0.7
1996 COH AAA 2 8 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1997 NYA MLB 11 32 .112 .275 .345 .453 .000 .150 101 -5.2 0.9 -0.4 -0.0 -0.4 -5.2 -0.5 -5.2 -0.5
1997 TAM A+ 0 17 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .538 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1997 NRW AA 0 2 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1997 COH AAA 0 46 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .227 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1998 NYA MLB 101 345 .308 .270 .334 .431 .000 .269 96 18.1 9.4 -5.9 -0.1 -0.8 20.1 2.0 20.1 2.0
1999 NYA MLB 24 66 .373 .269 .340 .431 .000 .433 97 8.7 1.8 -1.2 0.0 -0.4 8.9 0.8 8.9 0.8
1999 COH AAA 0 84 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .304 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
CareerMLB6326.310.254.315.382.254.28296320.6173.5-65.3-31.64.2430.641.6430.641.6

Statistics For All Levels

Year Team Lg PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO TAv VORP FRAA WARP
1980 KNG Rk 180 27 42 5 2 5 20 20 39 5 1 .268 .354 .420 .153 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1981 LYN A+ 513 84 107 22 6 13 78 82 105 31 8 .255 .383 .429 .174 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1982 JAC AA 548 93 123 19 9 34 97 100 145 45 22 .283 .423 .602 .320 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1983 TID AAA 71 12 19 4 1 3 13 14 18 7 1 .333 .465 .596 .263 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1983 NYN MLB 473 63 108 15 7 26 74 47 128 19 6 .257 .336 .512 .255 .298 26.5 0.0 2.8
1984 NYN MLB 602 75 131 27 4 26 97 75 131 27 8 .251 .343 .467 .216 .288 27.8 -5.6 2.4
1985 NYN MLB 470 78 109 15 4 29 79 73 96 26 11 .277 .389 .557 .280 .328 42.6 -3.7 4.1
1986 NYN MLB 562 76 123 27 5 27 93 72 141 28 12 .259 .358 .507 .248 .321 43.6 -9.0 3.6
1987 NYN MLB 640 108 151 32 5 39 104 97 122 36 12 .284 .398 .583 .299 .342 72.4 0.4 7.2
1988 NYN MLB 640 101 146 27 3 39 101 85 127 29 14 .269 .366 .545 .276 .340 57.4 -0.8 6.2
1989 NYN MLB 541 69 107 26 1 29 77 61 105 11 4 .225 .312 .466 .242 .291 24.5 6.2 3.3
1990 NYN MLB 621 92 150 18 1 37 108 70 110 15 8 .277 .361 .518 .242 .320 45.0 -6.2 4.1
1991 LAN MLB 588 86 134 22 4 28 99 75 125 10 8 .265 .361 .491 .226 .310 42.8 -11.0 3.4
1992 LAN MLB 177 20 37 8 0 5 25 19 34 3 1 .237 .322 .385 .147 .276 4.6 -1.5 0.3
1993 ABQ AAA 21 3 6 2 0 1 2 2 5 1 0 .316 .381 .579 .263 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1993 LAN MLB 120 12 14 2 0 5 12 16 19 1 0 .140 .267 .310 .170 .230 -2.3 -2.3 -0.5
1994 PHX AAA 11 3 3 0 0 2 3 0 4 0 0 .300 .300 .900 .600 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1994 SFN MLB 113 13 22 3 1 4 17 19 22 0 3 .239 .363 .424 .185 .279 4.9 3.8 0.8
1995 TAM A+ 10 1 2 1 0 1 2 1 2 0 0 .222 .300 .667 .444 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1995 COH AAA 101 20 25 3 1 7 29 15 17 1 1 .301 .414 .614 .313 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1995 NYA MLB 99 15 24 4 1 3 13 10 22 0 0 .276 .364 .448 .172 .295 7.2 0.3 0.7
1996 COH AAA 8 3 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 0 0 .375 .375 1.500 1.125 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1996 NYA MLB 237 35 53 13 0 11 36 31 55 6 5 .262 .359 .490 .228 .276 9.8 -2.0 0.7
1997 TAM A+ 17 2 7 1 0 0 4 1 3 0 0 .438 .471 .500 .062 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1997 NRW AA 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1997 COH AAA 46 8 11 3 0 6 19 8 10 0 0 .289 .413 .842 .553 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1997 NYA MLB 32 1 3 1 0 0 2 3 9 0 0 .103 .188 .138 .034 .112 -5.2 -0.0 -0.5
1998 NYA MLB 345 44 73 11 2 24 57 46 90 8 7 .247 .354 .542 .295 .308 20.1 -0.1 2.0
1999 COH AAA 84 12 21 5 1 4 15 11 13 1 2 .288 .381 .548 .260 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
1999 NYA MLB 66 10 16 5 0 3 6 17 16 2 0 .327 .500 .612 .286 .373 8.9 0.0 0.8

Injury History beta

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
1997-04-07 1997-08-15 60-DL 130 114 Left Knee Cartilage Injury Patellar Cartilage - -

Compensation

Year Team Salary

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status

Details

BP Annual Player Comments

No BP Book Comments have been found for this player.

BP Articles

Darryl Strawberry is referenced in the following articles.

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  Title Author Date
This article requires BP Premium accessPunk Hits: Road GamesIan Miller2013-04-16
Perfect Game Presents: 2013 Rookie of the Year CandidatesDavid Rawnsley2013-03-29
This article requires BP Premium accessPebble Hunting: The 30-Second Story of the San Francisco GiantsSam Miller2013-02-27
Overthinking It: The Best of Baseball's New Old VideosBen Lindbergh2013-02-25
Rumor Roundup: Phillies Give Astros a BrownoutDaniel Rathman2013-02-22
This article requires BP Premium accessProspect Profile: Domonic BrownHudson Belinsky2013-02-14
This article requires BP Premium accessWestern Front: Three Former AstrosGeoff Young2013-02-12
Punk Hits: Top Team Cookbooks, Part 2Ian Miller2013-02-05
This article requires BP Premium accessPainting the Black: The Second Half of Ryan Braun's HOF CareerR.J. Anderson2013-01-14
This article requires BP Premium accessBaseball ProGUESTus: Anatomy of a Trade: The 1990 Padres-Blue Jays BlockbusterBrent S. Gambill2012-12-04
What You Need to Know: Monday, October 1Daniel Rathman2012-10-01
This article requires BP Premium accessIn A Pickle: Free to Be WeJason Wojciechowski2012-09-27
Future Shock Blog: Draft Day Dream CrushingKevin Goldstein2012-06-04
Wezen-Ball: Soviet Scouts Take in a GameLarry Granillo2012-05-11
Wezen-Ball: The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant All-StarsLarry Granillo2012-02-19
The BP Broadside: The Kid's Biggest MomentSteven Goldman2012-02-17
This article requires BP Premium accessInside The Park: Why We Want Players to Remember the PastBradford Doolittle2012-01-26
Western Front: A Haphazard History of Halos at the Hot CornerGeoff Young2012-01-17
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Analysis: May 12-15, 2002Christina Kahrl2011-11-06
Wezen-Ball: Player Rankings for Type A/B Calculations, 1982-1984Larry Granillo2011-11-02
The Lineup Card: 9 Baseball Movies That Should Be MadeBaseball Prospectus2011-09-21
The Lineup Card: 12 Favorite Basebrawls and Individual Performances in BasebrawlsBaseball Prospectus2011-08-10
Prospectus Hit and Run: The Yankees' Virgin SpringJay Jaffe2011-06-27
This article requires BP Premium accessOverthinking It: The Over/Under-30 All-StarsBen Lindbergh2011-05-19
This article requires BP Premium accessDivide and Conquer, NL West: Everyone Was Young and Promising OnceGeoff Young2011-03-15
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit and Run: Class of 2011: Don't Stop The RockJay Jaffe2011-01-03
B-Warned: Adam DunnBrandon Warne2010-12-02
This article requires BP Premium accessSeidnotes: A Triple Short of Driving Me InsaneEric Seidman2010-09-30
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: SwaptacularJay Jaffe2010-08-05
This article requires BP Premium accessAnother Look: George SteinbrennerBob Hertzel2010-07-20
One-Hoppers: Bluster and Luster: George Steinbrenner (1930-2010)Jay Jaffe2010-07-13
This article requires BP Premium accessAhead in the Count: Production and the DraftMatt Swartz2010-06-07
One-Hoppers: Ken Griffey Jr. Bows OutJay Jaffe2010-06-02
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Dodgers Top 11 ProspectsKevin Goldstein2010-02-08
This article requires BP Premium accessKiss'Em Goodbye: Atlanta BravesBaseball Prospectus2009-10-04
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock Blog: August 6Kevin Goldstein2009-08-06
This article requires BP Premium accessSpeed and Power: Who's Got It and Who Doesn'tChristina Kahrl2009-03-25
The Week In Quotes: March 2-8Alex Carnevale2009-03-09
This article requires BP Premium accessYou Could Look It Up: Fun With PECOTA Comparables IIISteven Goldman2009-02-20
The Week In Quotes: February 9-15Alex Carnevale2009-02-16
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Giants Top 11 ProspectsKevin Goldstein2009-01-20
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Reds Top 11 ProspectsKevin Goldstein2008-11-13
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: Notes on ALCS Game ThreeJohn Perrotto2008-10-14
Prospectus Preview: Saturday's Games to WatchCaleb Peiffer2008-09-27
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Preview: Tuesday's Games to WatchCaleb Peiffer2008-09-23
This article requires BP Premium accessEvery Given Sunday: Scoops of all Sizes from Around the Major LeaguesJohn Perrotto2008-09-07
This article requires BP Premium accessEvery Given Sunday: Impact Call-UpsJohn Perrotto2008-04-13
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: White Sox Top 11 ProspectsKevin Goldstein2007-11-07
This article requires BP Premium accessPlayoff Prospectus: ALCS Game Seven ReportJohn Perrotto2007-10-22
This article requires BP Premium accessYou Could Look It Up: Joe Torre in a BoxSteven Goldman2007-10-22
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: High School Draft All-StarsKevin Goldstein2007-05-25
This article requires BP Premium accessThe Class of 2007: The Hitters, Part TwoJay Jaffe2007-01-08
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Analysis: August 10-14Christina Kahrl2006-08-15
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Matchups: League DominanceJim Baker2006-06-30
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: NL Draft NotebookKevin Goldstein2006-06-09
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Today: Firing BulletsJoe Sheehan2006-01-27
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Matchups: Headed for the HallJim Baker2006-01-20
This article requires BP Premium accessThe Class of 2006: Starting PitchersJay Jaffe2005-12-16
This article requires BP Premium accessThe Class of 2006: The HittersJay Jaffe2005-12-12
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Matchups: 40-40, and 20Jim Baker2005-09-13
Prospectus Notebook: Thursday EditionBaseball Prospectus2005-08-11
This article requires BP Premium accessUnder The Knife: HeroesWill Carroll2005-07-29
This article requires BP Premium accessUnder The Knife: The Right to Remain SilentWill Carroll2005-07-18
This article requires BP Premium accessDoctoring The Numbers: The Draft, Part TwoRany Jazayerli2005-05-19
The Class of 2005: The HittersJay Jaffe2004-12-16
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Matchups: The Class of '05Jim Baker2004-11-30
One Man is an Island: Barry Bonds and His TeammatesJay Jaffe2004-10-04
Au Revoir, Mes Amours: Saying Goodbye to the ExposJonah Keri2004-09-29
This article requires BP Premium accessRational Exuberance: Meet the Mets: A Decade Without a PlanJonah Keri2004-08-13
This article requires BP Premium accessTeams: A Critical Guide: It's Saturday and I Have to Take My Daughter to See ''Shrek 2'' EditionSteven Goldman2004-06-26
This article requires BP Premium accessLies, Damned Lies: Southpaw Stories, Part INate Silver2004-05-27
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Analysis: February 24-26, 2004Christina Kahrl2004-02-27
Prospectus Triple Play: Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, New York MetsBaseball Prospectus2004-02-18
The Class of 2004: Analyzing the HittersJay Jaffe2004-01-06
2004 Internet Hall of Fame: The Results Are InNeal Traven2004-01-05
Breaking Balls: The GriffeysDerek Zumsteg2002-10-03
Rany On The Royals: The EndRany Jazayerli2002-04-09
This article requires BP Premium accessLarry Walker and the Hall of Fame: Larry Walker and the Hall of FameJohn Brattain2002-03-08


BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2009-12-15 14:00:00Which BJ Upton do you think we see in 2010? I say this is the breakout where the glimpses of greatness far outweigh the stretches of inconsistency - thoughts?
(Walter from Tampa Bay)		Talk about one of the most maddening players in the game today. If you had to pick between Upton, Chris B. Young, and Delmon Young, I might still pick Upton as the most frustrating, not just because he's been frustrating for longer, but because of those same flashes of greatness and the expectation that there's a big corner that, once turned, will give us one of the game's best stars. At this point, he's not even Darryl Strawberry or Darin Erstad, former standards of high expectations not meeting actual performance as often as we might have liked. Which is the problem--if he "only" gets back to his 2008 level of production, people will keep anticipating more, when that's very good. That said, he's only just heading into his age-25 season, so I think there are more years like 2007 in him. I just don't expect it to be flipped on, like a switch. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-12-11 13:00:00Which pairing represents the silliest comp in the prospect hype machine from the last 12 months? A) Martin Perez & Johan Santana, B) Dee Gordon & Jose Reyes, C) Smoak & Teixiera, and D) Starlin & Hanley? Which is most realistic? I know you like to avoid comps yourself, but do see any now that just seem realistic (likely not my list of outlandish ones)? Thank you.
(Randy from Camden County)		I'm going of the board and picking the Dom Brown (Phillies) = Darryl Strawberry one. Easily the laziest of the current comps. Yes, he's LH, African-American, tall and lanky, but that's about it. Go look at what Daryl did at the same age as Brown. (Kevin Goldstein)
2009-09-17 14:00:00Thanks for the chat, Kevin. If Darryl Strawberry is a cheap comp for Domonic Brown, how far away is Brown from Strawberry, and in what direction? Do you have a better comp in mind?
(myshkin from Santa Clara, CA)		I really don't like comps unless they are obvious. Let me put in this way: We can all agree that Brown had a fine year this year in the minors. When Straw was the same age, he was the NL Rookie of the year with nearly twice as many HRs as Brown hit in High- and Double-A. That's not to knock Brown by any sense, as on pure tools, Strawberry is a historic talent. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-12-23 14:00:00What baseball related items do you hope to find in your stocking or under your tree this season?
(mhixpgh from Pittsburgh)		Heehee... I may as close on this note because I have to get back to working on the book and working out what we might do to cover Teixeira's signing, but I'm always hopeful that I get a copy of Light's "Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball" some year. Sokolove's book on Darryl Strawberry ("The Ticket Out"?) has always been on my wish list as well. I'd also love to get a copy of Dan Levitt's biography of Ed Barrow and Lowenfish's bio of Branch Rickey. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-09-16 13:00:00Where do the Cubs improve next year? Sign a pitcher and somehow fix Fukudome while platooning Johnson/Pie in CF? Furcal at SS?
(jklein from TP)		Can we let them win this year's championship first? I'm not ready to look that far down the road for them yet. Ever listen to Mets Extra on the radio back in the 80s when Howie Rose used to do it? He'd be screaming at the callers after wins.

CALLER: Howie, I'm a bit worried about Darryl Strawberry. He struck out three times today and seems kind of off.

ROSE: He's got 28 home runs! He hit one of them in the game!

CALLER: Yeah, but it seems like the Mets might really get hurt by the holes in his swing.

ROSE (screaming, shrill): THEY'RE LEADING THE DIVISION BY 18 GAMES!!!! AAAAAAAAAAGH!

I feel a little like that with this question about the Cubs. (Steven Goldman)
2008-09-10 13:00:00I don't recall exactly when Eric Davis retired, and I have to acknowledge that his career numbers don't come close to HOF material. However, he stands out to this Reds fan as one of the most exciting players of his era, and I'll forever wonder what might have been had he stayed healthy. What's your top-5 list of "coulda shoulda" players?
(BelongstotheReds from Seattle)		No joke, I got all verklempt when I wrote up Davis' blurb for a JAWS piece a couple years back. The man possessed the most electrifying speed/power combo to hit the majors between Willie Mays and Barry Bonds, period. What I wouldn't give to see him play at his peak again...

Davis and his childhood pal Darryl Strawberry make a good strat to a top five for the Hall of Should aWouldaCoulda, and you can't mention the straw without calling upon Dwight Gooden too. Add David Cone and Fernando Valenzuela and you've got an easy five from me, though I'm certain there are others I could include particularly from other eras. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-05-20 13:00:00Why do I keep reading about how much trouble the Yankees are in? Hasn't this been the story for three years running now? Slow start, fast finish. Do you see anything to make you think this year will be different from 2005-2007?
(Joe from Tewksbury, MA)		Yes. Everybody in the lineup, including Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada is a year older, and with the exception of Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano, they're a year further away from their statistical primes, to say nothing about the fact that Cano looks pretty lost right now. The bench is weak even for a team that's done poorly in that area in the recent past. Seriously, I'd take Chili Davis, Darryl Strawberry, Luis Sojo and Ron Coomer circa 2008 over some of the stiffs they have lying around.

There's that, plus a weak pitching staff where the back of the rotation has been a thorough disaster thus far and the bullpen situation is considered so fragile that there's actually a question about whether they'll move Joba Chamberlain to a starting role this year. Add to that the fact that the AL East has gotten tougher and I think there's no longer any guarantee that the Yankees will contend, let alone win the division.

The other thing in play is the new manager. Through the early season debacles of the last few years, Torre was able to absorb the front office's slings and arrows and still give off a sense of calm confidence that things would eventually turn around. Girardi is protected from the barbs of Hank Steinbrenner at the moment -- his focus appears to be on forcing Brian Cashman out -- but Little Joe is the kind of guy who seems more likely to go Billy Martin bonkers as things get worse, and I don't think that's going to help. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-05-20 13:00:00Jay, I was recently talking to a friend about the most "feared" hitters who are not in the Hall of Fame. I know that term was really beaten into the ground this past winter when discussing Jim Rice but still, there are some hitters that strike fear into you--either as a fan or an opposing pitcher. Who was the best and/or "most feared" hitters, in your subjective opinoin (in order): Dave Parker, Dick Allen, Darryl Strawberry, Jim Rice, Gary Sheffield, Edgar Martinez or Albert Belle?
(AlexBelth from Bronx, NY)		Yo, Alex! All of the hitters you mention certainly had the fear factor going for them in their prime, but as you say, that's a subjective thing, and subjectivity isn't really the way to go when it comes to sorting them out.

Neither Rice nor Parker had the plate discipline to keep them on the level with the rest of this group, so I'd put the two of them towards the back. Martinez is probably the toughest out, but lacking a bit of raw power relative to the rest of them. I'd put him and Strawberry in the middle. That leaves Allen, Shef, and Belle. Having never seen the former, I'm not sure I can fully grasp the visceral experience of watching him hit, I can only go by the numbers, and his numbers, compiled in an era of lower offense, suggest he was the best. But I'd quake in my boots at facing any of those three. (Jay Jaffe)


BP Roundtables

No BP Roundtables have mentioned this guy.