The World's Stupidist Stat

[Archive]

Posted By: Andrew Parks

Daniel,

"Tough call Andrew July 19 2007, 8:05 PM


on batting average....


Career leaders all time batting average:

1. Ty Cobb+* .3664 L
2. Rogers Hornsby+ .3585 R
3. Joe Jackson* .3558 L
4. Lefty O'Doul* .3493 L
5. Ed Delahanty+ .3459 R
6. Tris Speaker+* .3447 L
7. Ted Williams+* .3444 L
8. Billy Hamilton+* .3443 L
9. Dan Brouthers+* .3421 L
10. Babe Ruth+* .3421 L

Fair list of players I would have thought . Only one non HOF'er (and one should-be based on results, not politics) and a reasonably handy buch of hitters."

I never said good players do not ever hit for high average. All I said is that it is overrated and too much emphasis is placed on it. With regards to the above ten players, every one of them did other things to help their cause. They just weren't "punch and judy" hitters who hit singles everywhere for a high average.

The point is this: batting average does very little to prove how valuable a player is offensely. The poster who used the Riggs Stephenson versus Darrell Evans analogy hit the nail on the head.