Surprisingly low WAR

[Mungo Hungo]

Jesus Alou played 15 years, had a .280 batting average and more than 1200 hits -- but a WAR of just 0.8.

When you look at the other numbers, it makes sense. He had very little power, rarely walked, didn't steal bases and was sub-par defensively. The only thing he did well -- hitting singles -- made him look good in some of the traditional stats, but that's not nearly enough for a good WAR.

You have to wonder whether any other position players have played for 15 years without reaching even a 1.0 WAR.

[tod41]

Originally Posted by Mungo Hungo

Jesus Alou played 15 years, had a .280 batting average and more than 1200 hits -- but a WAR of just 0.8.

When you look at the other numbers, it makes sense. He had very little power, rarely walked, didn't steal bases and was sub-par defensively. The only thing he did well -- hitting singles -- made him look good in some of the traditional stats, but that's not nearly enough for a good WAR.

You have to wonder whether any other position players have played for 15 years without reaching even a 1.0 WAR.

Jerry Morales - 15 years - primarily with the Cubs - made one all star team - A career negative 2 war.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Here's an ignorant question about WAR -- for all of baseball, is it a zero sum game such that all players collectively add to zero?

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Here's an ignorant question about WAR -- for all of baseball, is it a zero sum game such that all players collectively add to zero?

No, because the root comparison is the performance of a fictional hypothetical minor leaguer, not league average.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Here's an ignorant question about WAR -- for all of baseball, is it a zero sum game such that all players collectively add to zero?

Maybe WAA (Wins above Average) would net to zero?

[packs]

He's famously terrible but Bill Bergen played 11 seasons and appeared in more than 900 games. He finished his career as a 170 hitter with a 21 OPS+ and a career WAR of -6.9.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by packs

He's famously terrible but Bill Bergen played 11 seasons and appeared in more than 900 games. He finished his career as a 170 hitter with a 21 OPS+ and a career WAR of -6.9.

Amazing!