Quote:
Originally Posted by tedzan
The key to hitting .400+ is WALKS. Ted Williams lead the AL with 147 Walks in the 1941 season when he hit .406 and in 1957 when he flirted with .400, he had 119 Walks.
These batters nowadays don't have the patience to wait out the pitcher. Therefore, I think Ted's .406 may never be surpassed. As I do not think DiMaggio's 56-game streak
will ever be equaled.
TED Z
T206 Reference
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Gotta disagree with this assessment Ted. In 1941 Major leaguers walked in 9.2% of their plate appearances. In 2016 the rate was 9.1 % there's some variance of course but no noticeable trend in walks/plate appearance in either direction.
I would argue lack of contact is a much bigger issue. 1941 Major Leaguers K's in 9.1% of their PA's in 2016 it was 21.1%. Advanced stats seem to indicate this is a more successful way to play the game, but I have to wonder. Contact obviously leads to more opportunities for success then no contact. Supposedly the power increase makes up for the contact decrease.
Also FWIW Lajoie had only 24 walks in his .400 season Sisler only walked 46 and 49 times respectively in his .400 seasons Joe Jackson was 56 times, Bill Terry was 57, Harry Heilmann was 73, Hornsby was in the 80's which is healthy, Cobb was right around 100. I don't think this shows that walks are essential to hitting .400.
If we look at their K numbers they definitely support my hypothesis.