Quote:
Originally Posted by uruguru
Unfortunately, I don't think we can just compare the player editor power ratings for Maris and Mantle and call it a day. Mantle was a switch-hitter and Maris was a lefty. This meant that Maris benefits from the very advantageous HR park factor for LHB in Yankee Stadium every single home at-bat, but Mantle only gets it against righties.
I'm not saying it makes the difference because I don't know. But I do know that it has to be considered and it will have the effect of giving Maris a very high HR boost, around 40%, over Mantle against LHP in Yankee Stadium.
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Well this is an interesting issue. For starters Mantle was much more effective against LHP than RHP. I think he should have realized being a switch hitter wasn't working. The typical advantage for LHB facing RHP is in the vicinity of 20 - 25 points on BA (I'm typing this from memory, I did a study of this years ago and the data may be on my old computer. Note I don't have data on obp and slg)
Here's what we have for Mantle on career splits
vs RHP 281/419/547
vs LHP 330/424/576
Had Mantle experienced the typical 20-25 point disadvantage in batting RHB vs RHP he could have hit 305-310 batting right against right.
The slg number isn't much higher batting RH and this might be due to the Yankee Stadium effect you mentioned.
However the stadium effects don't help Maris in comparison with Mantle. Mantle was a much better hitter right handed and Maris wilted against LHP. The park didn't help him. Here's Maris for 1961
vs RHP 286/384/683
vs LHP 232/347/475
And career
vs RHP 274/359/506
vs LHP 219/307/390
One after the other for easy comparison, career number
vs LHP 330/424/576 Mantle
vs LHP 219/307/390 Maris
Anyway, Mantle having to bat RH due to a LHP was a huge disadvantage for Maris.