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Excellence Project
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ixx6tGz4oA...ll_collage.jpg
Introduction We all have them, our favorites. Whether it is because we saw them in person as a child or because we heard of their legends from others, we all have the preconceived theory of who the greatest baseball team is of all time. In the only sport that spans the generations of your great grandfathers, the debate is deep rooted and comes from all corners of our nation. Passion of generations and their heroes are held more tightly then a sacred family recipe as their era, those they rooted for, are their own definition and identity of greatness. Somewhere or someday when we are all gone; when that meteor finally hits us and we are in our Einstein youth picking up sticks again, will there be peace. Maybe at that time in a place loosely called heaven, the greatest of this old game can assemble together again, and have it out for one last fight to really see who was the best. Whose legend was the most valid and real. It does little good to debate who the best player of all time was as it could never be fair or sensible to compare a pitcher to a right fielder, or a closer to a base stealer. The point to all of these greats and what they are made of comes down to wining, winning the greatest prize of them all which is that pennant and a chance at World Series glory. All great players had them, even Ernie Banks and Ryne Sandberg, that one team that may have not won it all, but is still considered legendary and good enough to be in consideration. It is all about team and not about records, stats, or comparisons. It is in the end about the win, about the winning side that for 150 or more games reached their goal. No one but no one can argue with a winner. So the winners need to take their place, need to play things out and prove their greatness against others like them, others just as keen and confident. A legend versus legends is the only way to solve this ultimate test. The quest is to prove to you and to myself that there is a measuring stick and there are moments that can be tested to see the definition of greatness. It can not be found in the stats or the theories, it can only be found on the field of play, with a wooden bat and a ball, the same rules that have been for 120 years, this is the only judge that everyone will accept, the only mechanism to determine our answers. For on the diamond there can be no debate, a winner wins but a legend keeps winning. This will be an analysis as well. This process is all too important to rush through or to get instant gratification from. It has to be enjoyed, like a fine wine or a long tale that can be unfolded in layers before the ultimate answer. All great things need to be worked at and this endeavor is definitely great and deserves all the focus we can give to it. |
Format of Finding the Greatest
The initial thinking of all competitions is to create a tournament or playoff to determine the winners. It is faster and more clean and in many ways more dramatic for some; although I would tend to disagree. Still baseball is a different type of game; it is a game of longevity and patience. Baseball is a game of seasons that lead up to a moment rather then immediate matchups and results. A season is so important in an undertaking like this because it keeps things the way the participants know it and excel in, a pennant race. A pennant race for all of 162 games will determine the best team every time, there is no room for flukes or hot streaks, this is about the cream rising to the top, this is the way baseball has always been. The format for the season will also help provide a very intriguing side of things. We will be able to track and compare all the teams in a 162 game schedule and will be able to create our won leader boards and record book. The hallowed numbers of .400 or 56 straight games can be chased by the greatest. Batting titles will be played out and records in direct competition by the likes of Ty Cobb vs. Pete Rose and Barry Bonds vs. Babe Ruth will create themselves. So in an inadvertent way, we are able to measure individual greatness under a familiar measuring stick while keeping the overall focus on the ultimate finding of the greatest team. So each and every team will be inserted into a pennant race. The schedule for all will be 162 games and the participants in each group will be random but only after a seeding. With 512 teams there will be 64 seasons, each season consisting of 8 teams. The 512 teams will be will be separated into two groups of 256 teams. Each season will consist of four teams from the two groups of 256. In this manner a maximum of 4 “high” seeds can be in one group at one given season. The 64 seasons will be played out and the top four teams of each season will advance to the next round. So after the first 60 seasons there will be 256 teams left. The 256 teams will be seeded again to produce 32 seasons of 8 teams. Again the top four teams will advance leaving 128 teams. The 128 teams will then be placed into 16 seasons groups of eight. The top four teams of each group will advance to leave 64 teams. The 64 remaining teams will play a best of seven seriies against eachother leaving 32 teams. One final season will then be played to crown the all-time champion including a full playoff and wildcard. One issue that came forth was rather to use injuries of not. There are two sides to this debate; one is that injuries shouldn’t play a role in a perfect world where you are trying to find the best team based on skill and merit alone. I would argue however that we are not trying to find the best team on skill alone, but rather on everything else that incorporates a champion including endurance, stamina, and conditioning in a long season. So for this reason injuries will be included, I will however curtail them a bit in hopes that they won’t be too frequent. But make it known from now; at some point the engine will create an injury that greatly impacts a team and a season or pennant race. On a final note of course the process isn’t perfect, but I can not think of a better way then to play out seasons to determine greatness. Will luck have a part of things? Surely to some extent, but with the marathon of the process the hope is that the standard deviation for any outliners will be greatly reduced and we will have a conclusive champion of all time. For what would baseball be without a little intervention from the baseball Gods? |
1 Attachment(s)
The Team List Can be found in this File. Teams will be drawn at random for the season from this list.
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SEASON 1
Introducing the first 8 teams to compete: 1. 1936 New York Yankees http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...newyork_01.gif Rank: #33 Record: 102-51 Finish: Word Champion Manager: Joe McCarthy Ball Park: Yankee Stadium WAR Leader: Lou Gehrig (9.1) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1936.shtml 2. 1986 California Angels http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...ifornia_01.gif Rank #333 Record: 92-70 Finish: Lost in ALCS Manager: Gene Mauch Ball Park: Anaheim Stadium WAR Leader: Mike Witt (6.1) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CAL/1986.shtml 3. 1921 New York Yankees http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...newyork_01.gif Rank: #182 Record: 98-55 Finish: Lost in WS Manager: Miller Huggins Ball Park: Polo Grounds WAR Leader: Babe Ruth (12.5) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1921.shtml 4. 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...angeles_01.gif Rank: #381 Record: 93-69 Finish: 2nd in NL West Manager: Tom Lasorda Ball Park: Dodger Stadium WAR Leader: Brett Butler (5.1) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/1991.shtml 5. 2014 San Francisco Giants http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...ancisco_01.gif Rank: #76 Record: 88-74 Finish: World Champions Manager: Bruce Bochy Ball Park: ATT Park WAR Leader: Buster Posey (5.4) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2014.shtml 6. 1977 Texas Rangers http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...7_texas_01.gif Rank: #372 Record: 94-68 Finish: 2nd in AL West Manager: Billy Hunter Ball Park: Arlington Stadium WAR Leader: Bert Blyleven (5.8) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/1977.shtml 7. 1993 Atlanta Braves http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...atlanta_01.gif Rank: #202 Record: 104-58 Finish: Lost in ALCS Manager: Bobby Cox Ball Park: Fulton County Stadium WAR Leader: Ron Gant (6.5) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1993.shtml 8. 2014 Washington Nationals http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...hington_01.gif Rank: #333 Record: 96-66 Finish: Lost in NLDS Manager: Matt Williams Ball Park: Nationals Park WAR Leader: Anthony Rendon (6.6) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2014.shtml |
Season 1
April https://i.imgur.com/ao4N00S.png https://i.imgur.com/vUsAwXf.jpg April Hitter of the Month Babe Ruth - 1921 Yankees (.396, 5 HR, 20 RBI) Pitcher of the Month Steve Avery - 1993 Braves (6-0, 2.95 ERA, 26 K, 61 IP) |
Season 1
May https://i.imgur.com/qBjhdla.png https://i.imgur.com/OSMkrF4.jpg May Batter of the Month Babe Ruth - 1921 Yankees (.411, 11 HR, 40 RBI, 47 R, 3.5 WAR) Pitcher of the Month Doug Fister - 2014 Nationals (5-6, 3.18 ERA, 53 K, 1.4 WAR) Major Injuries Wally Pipp - 1921 Yankees (concussion) 3 months Frankie Crosetti - 1936 Yankees (Calf) 4 months Ryan Vogelsong - 2014 Giants (knee) 3 months |
Season 1
June https://i.imgur.com/WE4g9AS.png https://i.imgur.com/V6c4CDT.jpg Batter of the Month Babe Ruth - 1921 Yankees (.395, 16 HR, 66 RBI) Pitcher of the Month Tom Glavine - 1993 Braves (13-4, 3.38 ERA, 74 K, 2.9 WAR) Major Injuries Donnie Moore - 1986 Angels (Thumb) 4 weeks Myril Hoag - 1936 Yankees (Groin) 3 weeks |
GIANT NO HITTER
https://thehuskyhaul.com/wp-content/...07/7502624.jpg Tim Lincecum pitched a gem and a first for the excellence project. The charismatic left hander pitched the first no hitter defeating the rival Los Angeles Dodgers from 1991 1-0. "The Freak" struckout six and walked only one in a dynamic effort at Dodger Stadium. Lincecum has been forced into the 2014 Giants rotation after a long term injury to ace Madison Bumgarner. Lincecum is 9-9 with an impressive 3.10 ERA. |
Season 1
July https://i.imgur.com/3K7imIF.png https://i.imgur.com/R71o8YK.jpg Batter of the Month Babe Ruth - 1921 Yankees (.382, 22 HR, 87 RBI, .505 OBP, 8 SB) Pitcher of the Month Greg Maddux - 1993 Braves (16-6, 3.06 ERA, 127 K, 6.2 WAR) Major Injuries Tim Belcher - 1991 Dodgers (Forearm) - 3 weeks Joe DiMaggio - 1936 Yankees (Hip) - 2 months Vito Tamulis ) 1936 Yankees (Elbow) - Season Frankie Crosetti - 1936 Yankees (Calf) - 9 weeks Madison Bumgarner - 2014 Giants (Forearm) - 3 weeks |
SEASON 1
August https://i.imgur.com/6I6Box1.png https://i.imgur.com/R9ujqJa.jpg Batter of the Month Babe Ruth - 1921 Yankees (.390, 30 HR, 111 RBI, 8.7 WAR) Pitcher of the Month Tim Lincecum - 2014 Giants (11-6, 2.90 ERA, 117 K) Major Injuries Steve Avery - 1993 Braves (Arm) - Out for season Wally Schang - 1921 Yankees (personal leave) - 3 weeks Stephen Strasburg - 2014 Nationals (Rotator cuff) - 4 weeks |
Season 1
Recap Injuries Derail Yankees As Rangers Stun https://i.imgur.com/0s5HsL2.png The first season of our project brought a dominant team and a huge upset. The 1993 Atlanta Braves took control of this season and won 106 games to grab the pennant and send notice. The Braves had their big three pitchers win 20 games each and an MVP candidate in 21 year old Chipper Jones who drove in a league leading 150 runs. It is a testament to manager Bobby Cox how well this Braves team played including going 61-20 at home and scoring 986 runs. The 2014 Washington Nationals can be proud of their second place finish after winning 92 games. Two breakout stars came to the fore with Jordan Zimmerman winning 23 games and anchoring a good rotation while Denard Span proved gold. The speedy outfielder scored 141 runs and won the batting title proving that stars can come from anywhere. The team hit .315 collectively and Anthony Rendon drove in 137 runs. Another 2014 club, the Giants will be moving on after an 85 win season despite losing their ace Madison Bumgarner for most of the season. Tim Lincecum filled in well with 13 wins and a 3.34 ERA including a no hitter against the Dodgers. Mike Morse their first baseman was the only Giant to drive in over 100 runs and hit 20 home runs. Jean Machi had 29 saves for a good bullpen. The surprising 1977 Texas Rangers may not deserve what they achieved with only 77 victories but their sweep of the 1921 Yankees to end the season saw them finish in 4th place and knock off a legendary club. Bert Blyleven was great when he needed to be winning 21 games along with Gaylord Perry who won 20. The club stayed healthy and worked around thier lack of power with players like Toby Harrah and Jim Sundberg who both drove in over 100 runs in the middle of the order. A great success for a club few expected anything from. You never want to make excuses but the 1936 Yankees had it all working against them. The injuries the team suffered couldnt be overcome as they started the season challenging for the pennant and finish out of the top four. Joe Dimaggio played only 90 games and was gone with a hip injury while Frankie Crosetti tore a calf muscle in August. Once starter Vito Tamulis was on the shelf for the year, the pitching couldnt hold its own and a team ERA of 5.43 was far from good enough. The Yanks still fought and came close, but a poor final weekend saw the Rangers pass them in the standings a shock the baseball world. Seventy four wins for a club many had among the favorites. Of course the 1921 Yankees were all about Babe Ruth who for most of the season flirted with the triple crown. Ruth did produce with a 9.0 ERA and 1.16 OPS. Ruth as expected was a one man show but the big fella seemed to fade later in the season when pitchers just plain avoided him. His 35 home runs did lead the league. This Yanks team had the worse ERA in the league and couldnt help the 1936 team one bit as they were swept in the final weekend of the season by the 1977 Rangers. A lack of scoring runs in California as the 1986 Angels couldnt make a run. Gary Petis had a nice season leading the league in steals with 32 and setting the table hitting .335. Brian Downing also showed his ability hitting .341 but where was little else after them. The pitching had no clear ace, and even the best defensive efficiency in the league couldnt help Gene Mauch and this team from losing 91 games. Tom LaSorda and the 1991 Dodgers rounded the bottom of this group. The club couldnt generate enough from their offense and were last in the league in runs. Darryl Strawberry did have a nice season hitting 32 home runs and staying healthy while Bret Butler was among the best leadoff men. The signature Dodger pitching however just wasnt there either as Orel Hersisher lost 21 games. As a team only nine wins in April and six in August told the story even as the club finished September stronger. https://i.imgur.com/mWgKtfh.jpg |
Season 1
Awards Clubs Advancing 1. 1993 Atlanta Braves 2. 2014 Washington Nationals 3. 2014 San Francisco Giants 4. 1977 Texas Rangers Most Valuable Player Award http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp...up-rutgers.jpg Chipper Jones - 1993 Atlanta Braves (.377, 34 HR, 150 RBI, .447 OBP, 116 R, 8.6 R) Cy Young Award https://www.bleachernation.com/wp-co...ls-300x225.png Jordan Zimmerman - 2014 Washington Nationals (23-11, 3.51 ERA, 248 K, 9.5 WAR, 1.27 WHIP) |
SEASON 2
1. 2006 Oakland Athletics http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...oakland_01.gif Rank: #468 Record: 93-69 Finish: Lost in ALCS Manager: Ken Macha Ball Park: McAfee Coliseum WAR Leader: Barry Zito (4.4) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2006.shtml 2. 2016 Chicago Cubs http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...chicago_01.gif Rank: #51 Record: 103-58 Finish: World Champions Manager: Joe Maddon Ball Park: Wrigley Field WAR Leader: Kris Bryant (7.4) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2016.shtml 3. 1915 Chicago White Sox http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...chicago_01.gif Rank: #229 Record: 93-61 Finish: 3rd in American League Manager: Pants Rowland Ball Park: Comiskey Park WAR Leader: Eddie Collins (9.4) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/1915.shtml 4. 2013 St. Louis Cardinals http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...stlouis_01.gif Rank: #139 Record: 97-65 Finish: Won NL Pennant; Lost World Series Manager: Mike Matheny Ball Park: Busch Stadium WAR Leader: Matt Carpenter (6.5) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2013.shtml 5. 1982 Atlanta Braves http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...atlanta_01.gif Rank: #478 Record: 89-73 Finish: Lost in NLCS Manager: Joe Torre Ball Park: Atlanta Fulton County Stadium WAR Leader: Dale Murphy (6.1) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1982.shtml 6. 1949 Boston Red Sox http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o..._boston_01.gif Rank: #198 Record: 96-58 Finish: 2nd in American League Manager: Joe McCarthy Ball Park: Fenway Park WAR Leader: Ted Williams (9.1) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1949.shtml 7. 1919 New York Giants http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...newyork_01.gif Rank: #263 Record: 87-53 Finish: 2nd in National League Manager: John McGraw Ball Park: Polo Grounds WAR Leader: Art Fletcher (5.3) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYG/1919.shtml 8. 1936 New York Giants http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.o...newyork_01.gif Rank: #328 Record: 92-62 Finish: Won AL Pennant; Lost in WS Manager: Bill Terry Ball Park: Polo Grounds WAR Leader: Carl Hubbell (10-1) https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYG/1936.shtml |
SEASON 2
April https://i.imgur.com/b1p7dZV.png https://i.imgur.com/lRa4nOY.jpg Batter of the Month Ted Williams - 1949 Red Sox (.354, 11 HR, 27 RBI, 15 R) Pitcher of the Month Kyle Hendricks - 2016 Cubs (4-0, 35 K, 0.74 ERA 48 IP) |
Season 2
May https://i.imgur.com/n6PGfEl.png https://i.imgur.com/3U4r25z.jpg Batter of the Month Kris Bryant - 2016 Cubs (.340, 18 HR, 45 RBI, 47 R, 2 SB) Pitcher of the Month John Lester - 2016 Cubs (8-4, 2.67 ERA, 93 K, 91 IP) Major Injuries Red Faber - 1915 Cubs (Bicep) 4 weeks Benny Kauff - 1919 Giants (ankle) 4 weeks Rob Johnson - 2013 Cardinals (rotator cuff) season |
Season 2
June https://i.imgur.com/YMYZPVs.png https://i.imgur.com/UKNJPyv.jpg Batter of the Month Ted Williams - 1949 Red Sox (.359, 29 HR, 78 RBI, 60 R, 22 2B) Pitcher of the Month John Lackey - 2016 Cubs (12-3, 2.21 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 104 K) Major Injuries Ed Walsh - 1915 White Sox (Shoulder) Season Bill Hubbell - 1919 Giants (Elbow) Season George Smith - 1919 Giants (Shoulder) 3 weeks |
Season 2
July https://i.imgur.com/lR6AdjJ.png https://i.imgur.com/iZyKlg9.jpg Batter of the Month Matt Holliday - 2013 Cardinals (.344, 26 HR, 78 RBI, 31 game hit streak) Pitcher of the Month John Lester - 2016 Cubs (16-7, 2.47 ERA, 199 K, 0.98 WHIP) Major Injuries Hal Chase - 1919 Giants (Oblique) 5 weeks |
Season 2
August https://i.imgur.com/fU18zfU.png https://i.imgur.com/4toduUN.jpg Batter of the Month Jack Fournier - 1915 White Sox (.363, 13 HR, 94 RBI, 170 H, 51 K) Pitcher of the Month Lance Lynn - 2013 Cardinals (17-7, 3.70 ERA, 223 K, 217 IP) Major Injuries Ross Youngs - 1919 Giants (Back) 5 weeks Babe Young - 1936 Giants (Knee) 4 weeks |
Season 2
Final CARDS TAKE PENNANT BY SINGLE GAME; FAVORITES PROGRESS https://i.imgur.com/hpDqUEi.png It came down to the final weekend and the 2013 St. Louis Cardinals closed a furious pennant race to top season two. The Cards were lead by their top starters as Adam Wainwright and Shelby Miller won 20 games. Matt Holliday even in his advanced age hit .339 including a 31 game hit streak and paced this team that finished second in runs. Tony LaRusa found a way to do it his way. The Joe Maddon lead 2016 Cubs have to feel irked for losing out to their rivals, but they still had an excellent season. John Lester and Kris Bryant were just wonderful all season. Bryant had 49 long balls as the team hit an amazing 225 of them. Lester won 27 games while striking out 321 batters. The Cubs lead the league in defense as well and had an amazing bill of health all season with no significant losses. But to lose to St. Louis.... Ted Williams as expected lead the 1949 Red Sox to a strong third place finish. Williams had more then 20 RBI than anyone else at 147 and faded a bit to hit "only" ,339. Mel Parnell was the star on the mound winning 25 games and logging 292 innings. Vern Stephens also belted 40 home runs while Bobby Doerr drove in 91 runs. The Sox won 51 times at Fenway. Rounding off the top four strongly were the 1915 White Sox. All they did in the process was run. The team stole 559 bases (!) and Eddie Collins lead the way with 128 (remember these are 1986 settings). Even with all the speed the Sox finished only 6th in runs and needed good pitching from a 20 game winner Jim Scott as well and the needed efforts of the dependable Ed Walsh. Joe Jackson was not part of this roster. The 2006 Athletics made some noise early in the season but could not keep up the pace of the top four. The A's known for their pitching didnt get the job done as the curve of Barry Zito lost him 20 games. Jay Payton had a big year at the plate and Nick Swisher hit 37 home runs even if he wasn't the best teammate. Thirty eight year old Frank Thomas drove in 98 runs and was a pleasant addition this season. Not all that much was expected from the 1982 Braves but they were competitive for the most part. Bob Horner hit some bombs with 38 home runs while Dale Murphy was a bit of a let down driving in 90 runs while hitting .279. Larry McWilliams won 21 games and the Braves pen was actually the most stingy in the league lead by a young Steve Bedrosian (18 saves). The club had a tough time away from home losing 50 times. Not a good season for the Giants and the 1936 club lost 104 games. The pitching at the Polo Grounds just wasn't what one expected with even Carl Hubbell having a losing record with 17 losses. Mel Ott hit 27 home runs and hit .340 and the club as a whole hit .287. Just not enough outs for the Giants were well in the hole after a 9-20 month of May. John McGraw surely had some choice words for his 1919 Giants that lost 106 games and took the bottom floor. The team did fight the most injuries in the league and couldnt find a starting pitcher at this level to save their lives; a 6.15 team ERA says it all. Benny Kauff was a star in his won right hitting .356 with 31 doubles. This team really should have been better than their record showed but late games also tended to slip away much too often. https://i.imgur.com/oSiwd1R.jpg |
Season 2
Recap Teams Advancing 1. 2013 St. Louis Cardinals 2. 2016 Chicago Cubs 3. 1949 Boston Red Sox 4. 1915 Chicago White Sox Most Valuable Player https://i.imgur.com/gl6R1cb.png Ted Williams - 1949 Boston Red Sox (.339, 44 HR, 147 RBI, 40 2B, .455 OPB. 10.4 WAR) Cy Young https://i.imgur.com/GKbyCTf.png John Lester - 2016 Chicago Cubs (27-9, 2.33 ERA, 297 IP, 321 K, 98 BB) |
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