Thursday Trivia: Getting on Base
 

Since Barry Bonds in 2004, and excluding the shortened 2020 season, which five players have posted the highest on-base percentage in a single season?

Be willing to bet Votto is on the list, probably Trout

Trout, Judge, Votto, Soto, Cabrera?

Soto is #2 - .4648 in 2021
Trout is #5 - .4596 in 2018

The others don't make the cut. Votto would be #1 (he had a .474 OBP in 2012) but fell just short of qualifying that year.

Those are just ridiculous OBPs. How about Goldschmidt? Helton? Harper?

They really are! Goldy's best was .435 - also awesome but not in the top 5.

Judge?

Someone already guessed Judge. I would have thought he would be one of the 5 for sure.

Albert Pujols.

Gorditadogg already guessed them, but Helton and Harper?

Betts?

Big Papi.

Sheesh. How did we miss Pujols?

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Pujols is correct! He's #3 on the list - .4618 in 2008

Harper is #4 - .4602 in 2015.

Helton, Betts and Papi are great guesses but a bit further down the list.

Only #1 remains...

Acuna.

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It's going to be someone early, not late, in the period. I've been over everyone who it could be since 2010 and everyone I can think of is either named or guessed already. I'll say ARod, but I don't think he would have walked enough and his really big BA years were pre 2004. Same for ManRam.

You're probably right. Maybe one of the Cabreras, Melky or Miguel.

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Miggy was guessed already.

Oops. I'm going to think of old juicers. How about Giambi?

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Still no... Giambi had some great OBP years but they were earlier.

Is it a trick question? Is it post-2004 Bonds?

Yep, not a trick question. I'm surprised no one has guessed it.

OK let's go through the 90s rookie cards and apply logic here.
Ortiz, already guessed.
Rolen, no chance.
Vlad, no chance.
A. Jones, no chance.
Beltran, no chance.
A. Rod, already guessed.
Jeter, no chance.
Helton, already guessed.
Manny, already guessed.
Lofton, no chance.
Nomar, Some really high BAs but I doubt enough walks.
IRod, no chance.
Bagwell. Hmmmm. I wouldn't have thought so, but maybe one outlier season? I'll guess him.
C. Jones. Hmmmm. He did have that one late batting title with a big number. I'll guess him too.
Did I miss someone, I know the RCs pretty well?

OJ Simpson?
Juice Newton?
Manny Ramirez?

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Peter, you got it. It's Chipper Jones. .470 OBP in 2008.

Well done everyone!

Good guess, Peter. I never would have guessed him.