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
An e-mail from my brother, the big-time Dodger fan.
I wrote about Greg Maddux’s 330th win yesterday in today’s THT Daily. My brother, who has been following the Dodgers closely for approximately 80 gajillion years, sent me the following e-mail with a great description of Maddux’s performance:
Maddux’ performance yesterday was far better than anyone has expressed. In addition to what you mentioned, consider:
1. The Dodger bullpen was in shock after the long extra inning game the night before, so Maddux averaged something like 10 pitches an inning and rescued the entire pitching staff.
2. Maddux singled home the first run of the game with two out and took second on the throw on what should have been a close play.
3. Maddux started two double plays, one on a spectacular stab.
4. Maddux squeezed home a run!
5. In the bottom of the 7th, Maddux made an amazing play that even Vin Scully didn’t really fully appreciate. With two out and men on (I forget exactly), the batter lined sharply to Nomar, who seemed likely to glove it for the final out. I relaxed, Scott relaxed, and I’m sure that Vinny relaxed. But not Maddux! When the ball skipped off Garciaparra’s glove, Normar picked it up but was too far from first to beat the runner. BUT MADDUX WAS THERE! Maddux had run hard to cover first even though it seemed obvious to everyone that Nomar would catch it.
6. When Maddux walked off the field after this play, over 30,000 Angelos rose and gave him a standing ovation. If you’re from New York or Boston or Chicago or St. Louis, you won’t understand how important this last point is, but having lived in LA for 36 years, I can tell you that it was huge. We don’t do things like that. Maddux has revitalized the fans to the point where cheers break out without the organ helping us (sort of like they do in the East). From that point of view, he’s replaced Eric Gagne as the adopted hero of the fans, and I think you’ll see that this new level of support will help the team substantially.
Good stuff, Dave and Woody. Thanks. I saw most of the above plays on TV last night and got shivers watching him. Although we love our stats, most of us enjoy baseball more for these types of moments. In fact, we were all attracted to the joys of the game by playing and watching it well before we got into the numbers. Understanding the latter has just made it that much better!
Very true, Rich. Maddux has always done everything well, particularly in the field. He’s been a joy to watch for a long time, and it’s great that he’s having such success with the Dodgers.
I was at the game as well, and Woody has really captured the essence in his outline. The standing ovation was awesome, and as Woody says something not often seen at Dodger Stadium. One of those nights that reminds me why I love Baseball and why for me it towers above the other spectator sports (although the Agassi match was pretty darn good last night!).
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