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mtw · 06-13-2003, 06:11 AM

Paul Molitor--Final Year 1998 with Minnesota: .724 OPS as a DH. 1998 American League average OPS: .774. Also had little of his once tremendous speed, but what could you expect at age 42?

Dave Kingman--One of my all-time favorite players, and an interesting example, having hit 35 HR's in his final season (1986). However, I remember this guy and his situation well--no one wanted to sign him. I was dying to see the Cubs bring him back for one more go in LF. We had just signed Dawson, and Kingman at the opposite corner would have been very entertaining, in a painful sort of way. However, when you'll be 39 and you just batted .210 for the season with a .258 OBP as a DH, striking out 1 in 4 at bats (a contact hitter by today's standards, but a windmill in 1986), and are slow-footed and incompetent defensively, 35 homers isn't enough to land you a job, even on the hapless Cubs. His final year OPS was .689 (the lowest in a full season for his career), compared to a league .740. Also, his retirement was forced, not voluntary, and his game at the end was very suspect.

Joe DiMaggio--An interesting example, and one I'd considered, but dismissed. His performance dropped off dramatically during his final year to the lowest output of his career, though still above league average at .787 OPS, compared to a league .727. However, when you factor in pitcher hitting, his performance was probably at best average among position players, and was very much in the middle of the pack among CF's in 1951. At 37, a healthy and focused Joe DiMaggio probably could have played a couple more years at a competent level, with health being the key. In any event, his production and defense were no better than an average CF when he retired.

06-13-2003, 06:11 AM	#8
mtw All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 653	Paul Molitor--Final Year 1998 with Minnesota: .724 OPS as a DH. 1998 American League average OPS: .774. Also had little of his once tremendous speed, but what could you expect at age 42? Dave Kingman--One of my all-time favorite players, and an interesting example, having hit 35 HR's in his final season (1986). However, I remember this guy and his situation well--no one wanted to sign him. I was dying to see the Cubs bring him back for one more go in LF. We had just signed Dawson, and Kingman at the opposite corner would have been very entertaining, in a painful sort of way. However, when you'll be 39 and you just batted .210 for the season with a .258 OBP as a DH, striking out 1 in 4 at bats (a contact hitter by today's standards, but a windmill in 1986), and are slow-footed and incompetent defensively, 35 homers isn't enough to land you a job, even on the hapless Cubs. His final year OPS was .689 (the lowest in a full season for his career), compared to a league .740. Also, his retirement was forced, not voluntary, and his game at the end was very suspect. Joe DiMaggio--An interesting example, and one I'd considered, but dismissed. His performance dropped off dramatically during his final year to the lowest output of his career, though still above league average at .787 OPS, compared to a league .727. However, when you factor in pitcher hitting, his performance was probably at best average among position players, and was very much in the middle of the pack among CF's in 1951. At 37, a healthy and focused Joe DiMaggio probably could have played a couple more years at a competent level, with health being the key. In any event, his production and defense were no better than an average CF when he retired. __________________ Over-Zealous Apologist Last edited by mtw; 06-13-2003 at 06:15 AM.