I initially created Baseball Graphs to develop new and better ways of presenting baseball statistics. The 2003 season was my first full-season attempt, and it turned out pretty well. I now spend a lot of my time creating and formatting the baseball stats at The Hardball Times.

Along the way, I've also picked up the writing bug. I spend most of my energy writing for THT, but sometimes I like to write about more geeky stuff, baseball research and things like that. That's what this blog is for.

I'm very interested in graphics and other information display, so I'll probably post links to creative stuff like that. I also plan to write historical articles that complement the historical graphs. And I have inexplicably developed an interest in baseball win-related stats, such as Bill James's Win Shares and something called Win Probability Added. So you can expect a few posts about that stuff too.

If you're interested, I've created a complex spreadsheet full of WPA logic, which you can download at ftp.baseballgraphs.com/wpa. If you'd like to read more about Win Shares, try these links:

Win Shares Intro
What They're Good For
Mathematical Details
Archives
December, 2008
April, 2008
March, 2008
January, 2008
January, 2007
December, 2006
November, 2006
October, 2006
September, 2006
August, 2006
July, 2006
June, 2006
May, 2006
April, 2006
March, 2006
February, 2006
January, 2006
October, 2005
September, 2005
July, 2005
May, 2005
April, 2005
March, 2005
February, 2005
January, 2005
December, 2004
November, 2004
October, 2004
September, 2004
August, 2004
July, 2004
June, 2004
May, 2004
March, 2004
February, 2004
January, 2004
December, 2003
November, 2003
October, 2003


To view a list of all articles, click here.
Or Search the Articles...

Search:

Advanced Search

If there is any aspect of WPA, Win Shares or baseball graphics you're interested in, drop me an e-mail and I'll look into it. Syndicate Baseball Graphs:

Dang

October 20, 2006

Mets’ fan talking here.

When I saw that catch by Endy Chavez, I figured it was fate.  I mean, I know I’m supposed to be a baseball analyst and all, but I’m a fan first and foremost.  Well, from a WPA viewpoint that catch was the second-biggest play of the game, behind Molina’s home run.  But back to the fan thing: what a great start by Oliver Perez.  With Perez in a groove and Chavez channeling Tommie Agee, I really believed the Mets would win, right up to the Molina homer.  Then I changed.

Even when the Mets loaded the bases in the ninth, I wasn’t there.  My analytic mind had taken over, knowing that their WPA with the bases loaded, two out and two runs behind was only 17%.  Yes, the catch made me a fan, but the home run turned me back into a geek.

It’s ironic, I think, that the Mets’ flaw in this series was their offense, not really their inury-racked starters.  I’m personally hoping they move Heilman to the rotation next year, a role in which one floating changeup might not hurt as much.

Ah, I’m rambling incoherently.  I’m in shock.  I’m depressed.  It’s 5:00 a.m. and I can’t sleep.  For a more literate and coherent Mets’ requiem, I recommend Jessica’s blog entry.  Maybe I’ll go back to bed, or maybe I’ll just get back to work on the THT Annual.  Either way, I won’t feel quite the same as I did a few hours ago.  There will be a little bit less to look forward to.

Following Jessica’s lead, let me be the second to congratulate the Mets’ on their 2007 World Series victory.

Name:

Submit the word you see below:

<<Previous Article:  WPA Curiosities

Next Article:  Holy Cow, Sean Forman>>