Fire Joe Morgan!

LeiterFanatic · 05-06-2006, 02:45 AM

I dont know if anyone ever linked this blog, but I like it.
http://firejoemorgan.blogspot.com/
He deconstructs Joe's ESPN q and a's with fans. Fun reading (for me; your mileage may vary, mr critical)

Joe Morgan: Sorry for the delay, I'm traveling back form the Sports Emmy Awards and I've got about about 15 minutes so let's roll!

Ken Tremendous: I sure hope you didn’t win another Sports Emmy, Joe. Because that would be ridiculous. I am going to go ahead and assume you did not win another Sports Emmy. I am going to put my faith in the logic and reason of the Sports Emmy voters, and pray that you did not win another Sports Emmy. What’s that? You totally won another Sports Emmy? Fantastic. Great work, everyone.

Scott: (Boston, MA): How long will the Red Sox let Clement and DiNardo lose games until they consider putting Papelbon in a starting role, or would they bring up someone from AAA to start before moving Papelbon?

Joe Morgan: I always said that a good starter is better than a good closer. He'll give you more innings and production and you need to get the the closer with the lead, anyway. I would get him in the rotation.

KT: A good player who plays 225 innings is better than a good player who plays 75 innings. Congratulations on your Sports Emmy. Also, Papelbon has like a .5 WHIP and zero runs in 15 IP, and is 10-10 in saves…and since the Sox’ starting pitching has been pretty good, the Sox would be crazy to start Papelbon right now, I think. Next year, maybe, but right now? If it ain’t broke…

Hogcard (St. Louis, Mo.): Joe: Being that Albert Pujols is now entering into his prime, how do you think he compares with some of the other greats (Mays, Musial, Gwynn...) at the same stage of their careers?

Joe Morgan: It's hard to compare eras because of differences in pitching, parks and balls.

KT: Ah, but that’s where you are wrong, Multiple-Sports-Emmy-Winning-Analyst Joe Morgan!!! There are machine-generated statistics that do just that!!! Aren’t machines amazing?

But I see the best hitter in the game when I look at Pujols in terms of average –

He’s second to Helton. A computer told me that!

--power –-

Just for fun, I’m going to assume you mean Adjusted OPS+, even though you don’t. He’s second, behind Bonds.

-- run production.

RsBI? A stupid stat. I refuse to give you the active leaders.

But numbers are easier to come by today.

Yes, but OPS+ is adjusted for that, dummy.

I won my second MVP with 110 RBI and that wouldn't be top-10 today.

Oh, did you win two MVPs? I have never ever ever heard you mention that ever in history ever.

Steve Dallas, TX: Joe, with the Rangers 6-run 7th inning on Sunday in front of you and Jon, will they be able to be around for September and possibly October?

Joe Morgan: I can only go by what Showalter told me, and that is that if they get everyone healthy they will have a good team. He thinks they can hang in and that some -- including myself -- overrated the A's in the West. It seems Oakland might not be the best and Texas should hang in if they stay healthy.

KT: Why in holy hell would you base a prediction for a team on what the manager says, instead of what you see with your own eyes (plus what a computer might tell you)? The guy even points out that you called the freaking game the other night, Joe. This is a low point even for you. Seriously. “I can only go by what Showalter told me?”

1999 Ken Tremendous: Hey Joe, should I buy Qwest stock?

1999 Joe Morgan: Well, I can only go by what Joe Nacchio tells me, and he says everything is awesome.

1999 Ken Tremendous: But the stock is plummeting, and these charts show some serious accounting issues.

1999 Joe Morgan: Well, Joe Nacchio has run the company for a long time, and he seems to think we may have overrated GE.

1999 Ken Tremendous: You’re fired as my financial advisor.

1999 Joe Morgan: Fair enough.

Brian (Indy): HEY JOE! Are you suprised with the REDS start, and do you think they can keep it up?

Joe Morgan: I am surprised because of the Griffey injuries. If he had been in there it would be different.

KT: What does that mean? When? Now? What?

Arroyo is 5-0 but won't go 20-0, but if they get Griffey back and stay healthy they'll stay in the race, but I still think St. Louis is the class of the division.

KT: That’s like five "buts" in one sentence. Also, why do you think Griffey is the key to this team? This team has so many people who are more important than Ken Griffey. You are living in 1995, and it’s not charming.

David (Grand Rapids, MI): Can the Tigers keep up the hot streak all season long and make a run either at the wild card or central divison title.

Joe Morgan: I've only seen highlights so far.

KT: That makes sense. The Tigers are the biggest story in baseball right now, along with the Reds, so it makes sense that an Emmy-Award-Winning-ESPN-Flagship-A-Team Analyst would not have watched even one of their games.

They have some good players but I'm still surprised because I thought it would take Jim Leyland a little longer to settle in and start to turn things around. But they are defnitely better than I thought they would be.

KT: Yes. Their success is definitely due to Jim Leyland settling in. Not their four great young pitchers or HR onslaught. It’s Jim Leyland “settling in.”

Ryan (Fargo): Joe, what's going on with the Twins pitching staff? I keep waiting for them to turn it around, but that last series in Detroit was embarrassing. Not that I'm asking for it, but can you see a shakeup in the dugout (manager or otherwise) anytime soon? Thanks!

Joe Morgan: If they keep playing like they did in Detroit there will have to be some shakeups. They've played well at times and are not a bad club so there must be something wrong there. I just haven't seen them enough to put my finger on it yet.

KT: Twice in two questions, Emmy Award Winning Sports Analyst begs off a question about baseball because he has not watched enough baseball.

Joe Morgan: I'm sorry to have to cut things short, but travel difficulties have moved my schedule around. Thanks for the questions and I look forward to spending a lot more time with you all next week!

KT: Thanks, Joe. Congrats on your Emmy! I love that no one took his heavily-dropped hint from his intro and asked him whether he won a Sports Emmy.

QuestGAV · 05-06-2006, 03:03 AM

That site used to be funnier.

Jason Moyer · 05-06-2006, 07:50 AM

I think part of the reason it's less funny is that Joe has toned down his absurdity to a small degree. Most of the comments in the above blog post just seem like nitpicking rather than any sort of witty or intelligent deconstruction of Joe's interview.

darkenigma510 · 05-06-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Moyer

I think part of the reason it's less funny is that Joe has toned down his absurdity to a small degree. Most of the comments in the above blog post just seem like nitpicking rather than any sort of witty or intelligent deconstruction of Joe's interview.

I would agree. When I first read it, I actually found it annoying because he is simply attacking every sentence Joe is saying and it becomes more nitpicky as you said rather tahn telling me anything new.

After awhile, we get the idea that this person subscribes to SABRmetrics while Joe Morgan is more old school and does not. Once you understand this, the site becomes very boring.

QuestGAV · 05-06-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Moyer

I think part of the reason it's less funny is that Joe has toned down his absurdity to a small degree. Most of the comments in the above blog post just seem like nitpicking rather than any sort of witty or intelligent deconstruction of Joe's interview.

Yeah, that's definitely my biggest problem with what the site has become. They're under so much pressure to try and find fault with everything Morgan says or does that they're unloading on the stuff that makes a reasonable amount of sense.

LeiterFanatic · 05-06-2006, 11:44 AM

I guess its possible to focus on that kind of thing in the blog, I more enjoy him exposing Joe's fishing for compliments about his Emmy and how he hasn't watched enough baseball to make a comment, when most casual fans see Baseball Tonight and can make a more informed opinion. Plus I like how the guy hates Joe so much that anything he says he finds fault with. But whatever, to each his own.

Skipaway · 05-06-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkenigma510

I would agree. When I first read it, I actually found it annoying because he is simply attacking every sentence Joe is saying and it becomes more nitpicky as you said rather tahn telling me anything new.

After awhile, we get the idea that this person subscribes to SABRmetrics while Joe Morgan is more old school and does not. Once you understand this, the site becomes very boring.

Yeah, that's why I didn't like the blog and didn't visit it after the first few visits.

Everyone can be nitpicked, and honestly I think most of the writings on that site is really shallow. It's like a pre-med student laughing at how a lot of alternative medicines have no scientific proof. I am more interested in why Joe Morgan would think what he think, and what he really means by what he said. I think there are a lot of good stuff in old school thoughts, just that they are not as well-organized as sabermetrics because of the way they were developed. It's more interesting to see how old school ideas actually match sabermetrics, and how old school ideas can inspire new thinkings in sabermetrics.

Spielman · 05-06-2006, 01:21 PM

It's often funnier when they rip someone else, now.

They have succeeded in pointing out to me that Morgan is a doofus about actually saying anything. His insistence that he knows more than statheads because he watches baseball games is humerous, when he apparently doesn't watch much baseball beyond the games he's commentating on.

And the Emmys are ridiculous.

Skipaway · 05-06-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeiterFanatic

I guess its possible to focus on that kind of thing in the blog, I more enjoy him exposing Joe's fishing for compliments about his Emmy and how he hasn't watched enough baseball to make a comment, when most casual fans see Baseball Tonight and can make a more informed opinion. Plus I like how the guy hates Joe so much that anything he says he finds fault with. But whatever, to each his own.

Anti-fan sites are out of flavor these days. There used to be a lot of anti-Britney Spears kind of sites doing what you described here.

Skipaway · 05-06-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spielman

It's often funnier when they rip someone else, now.

They have succeeded in pointing out to me that Morgan is a doofus about actually saying anything. His insistence that he knows more than statheads because he watches baseball games is humerous, when he apparently doesn't watch much baseball beyond the games he's commentating on.

And the Emmys are ridiculous.

I can respect how he would resist stats though. If you talk to older workers, they always have stories just like Joe Morgan and insist on how their way is better than the new computerized system, and how they are the ones who actully had the hand-on experience. They'd probably tell you how dumb the new college grad who got hired to supervise them is.

I personally respect them, and would admire what they have to contribute, despite them having no clue about the big picture. I don't think it's really their fault.

piperclap · 05-06-2006, 01:36 PM

To be fair, Joe Morgan does deserve to die a painful, lonely death for his constant bashing of Ryne Sandberg.

sean-patin · 05-06-2006, 03:45 PM

I really almost want to mute my TV whenever I watch games on ESPN that he announces!

Dagrims · 05-06-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piperclap

To be fair, Joe Morgan does deserve to die a painful, lonely death for his constant bashing of Ryne Sandberg.

The quality of Ryno's column for Yahoo! Sports is about the same caliber (or worse) as Joe Morgan's commentary.

twins15 · 05-06-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuestGAV

Yeah, that's definitely my biggest problem with what the site has become. They're under so much pressure to try and find fault with everything Morgan says or does that they're unloading on the stuff that makes a reasonable amount of sense.

I agree with a lot of that, but this is funny:

Steve Dallas, TX: Joe, with the Rangers 6-run 7th inning on Sunday in front of you and Jon, will they be able to be around for September and possibly October?

Joe Morgan: I can only go by what Showalter told me, and that is that if they get everyone healthy they will have a good team. He thinks they can hang in and that some -- including myself -- overrated the A's in the West. It seems Oakland might not be the best and Texas should hang in if they stay healthy.

KT: Why in holy hell would you base a prediction for a team on what the manager says, instead of what you see with your own eyes (plus what a computer might tell you)? The guy even points out that you called the freaking game the other night, Joe. This is a low point even for you. Seriously. “I can only go by what Showalter told me?”

1999 Ken Tremendous: Hey Joe, should I buy Qwest stock?

1999 Joe Morgan: Well, I can only go by what Joe Nacchio tells me, and he says everything is awesome.

1999 Ken Tremendous: But the stock is plummeting, and these charts show some serious accounting issues.

1999 Joe Morgan: Well, Joe Nacchio has run the company for a long time, and he seems to think we may have overrated GE.

1999 Ken Tremendous: You’re fired as my financial advisor.

1999 Joe Morgan: Fair enough.

Sven Draconian · 05-06-2006, 09:53 PM

As has been said, he has funny moments, but believe it or not, every sentence he uses is not filled iwth idiocy. Anybody could be nitpicked....

As to the whole SABR vs oldschool thing (Thread de-railment coming).

My favorite part of this years baseball prospectus was the interview at the end with some scout.

I enjoyed it because, well, the scout made the BB guys look rather stupid. One of the funniest lines was soemthing to the extent of "You mean OBP is important, Nope all of us baseball guys are too big and stupid to realize walks are important".

This blog isn't that unique in that, there is a huge SABR group that just picks apart "old-school" guys relentlessly. I am somewhat resistant too advanced sabermetrics, because I think there are a lot of things built of assumptions and "fitted". When you start leaving out out-liners, then use that same stat too help with a new one and take out those "out-liners" and then do it again...eventually things get skewed. Likewise, I've always thought the "sample size" excuse was thrown out too much when something doesn't fit right and you get the same problem as before.

With all that said, I just find it interesting how vehimantly some SABR members are now attacking old-school guys. So many leading analysts admit that they use the stats paired with scouting and traditional stats....yet you get so many people like this. Just strange.

Skipaway · 05-06-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven Draconian

A
My favorite part of this years baseball prospectus was the interview at the end with some scout.

I enjoyed it because, well, the scout made the BB guys look rather stupid. One of the funniest lines was soemthing to the extent of "You mean OBP is important, Nope all of us baseball guys are too big and stupid to realize walks are important".

I think you are hugely mistaken that it made the BP guy looked stupid. That was the whole point of the article, and the whole point of the interview. The article was about how it's actually all pretty much the same thing from different view points, and stats and scouting are aboth data that would be beneficial if used correctly.

I would say both the guy interviewed and Gary Huckabay sounded pretty intelligent and got the right ideas in that article. I don't know how you failed to see that. I would say your comment made you looked stupid.

Skipaway · 05-06-2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven Draconian

This blog isn't that unique in that, there is a huge SABR group that just picks apart "old-school" guys relentlessly. I am somewhat resistant too advanced sabermetrics, because I think there are a lot of things built of assumptions and "fitted". When you start leaving out out-liners, then use that same stat too help with a new one and take out those "out-liners" and then do it again...eventually things get skewed. Likewise, I've always thought the "sample size" excuse was thrown out too much when something doesn't fit right and you get the same problem as before.

With all that said, I just find it interesting how vehimantly some SABR members are now attacking old-school guys. So many leading analysts admit that they use the stats paired with scouting and traditional stats....yet you get so many people like this. Just strange.

This is just the same way some not really bright oldschool guys kept picking on stats guys. I often found people who got little understanding of how statistics works laugh at ideas like "sample size" as if it's some excuse, and ignoring the whole science behind it.

Also it's stupid to use stats the wrong way, then come back to blame statistics. You gotta learn more about how "out-flyers" mean in stats.

ELDoro · 05-07-2006, 03:55 AM

I actually enjoy listening to Joe.... that might be because I have to put up with George Grande and Chris Welsch "The crafty lefty" on fox sports net ohio all the time...... worst announcers EVER. Grande might be alright at the HOF but as for doing games I hate him. Chris Welsch......could go on for days

mikev · 05-07-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELDoro

worst announcers EVER.

Hudler and Physioc say hi.

The Funk · 05-08-2006, 12:26 AM

According to Joe, one of the reasons the Phillies are winning at the moment is because they're playing good baseball.

05-06-2006, 02:45 AM	#1
LeiterFanatic All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,353	Fire Joe Morgan! I dont know if anyone ever linked this blog, but I like it. http://firejoemorgan.blogspot.com/ He deconstructs Joe's ESPN q and a's with fans. Fun reading (for me; your mileage may vary, mr critical) Joe Morgan: Sorry for the delay, I'm traveling back form the Sports Emmy Awards and I've got about about 15 minutes so let's roll! Ken Tremendous: I sure hope you didn’t win another Sports Emmy, Joe. Because that would be ridiculous. I am going to go ahead and assume you did not win another Sports Emmy. I am going to put my faith in the logic and reason of the Sports Emmy voters, and pray that you did not win another Sports Emmy. What’s that? You totally won another Sports Emmy? Fantastic. Great work, everyone. Scott: (Boston, MA): How long will the Red Sox let Clement and DiNardo lose games until they consider putting Papelbon in a starting role, or would they bring up someone from AAA to start before moving Papelbon? Joe Morgan: I always said that a good starter is better than a good closer. He'll give you more innings and production and you need to get the the closer with the lead, anyway. I would get him in the rotation. KT: A good player who plays 225 innings is better than a good player who plays 75 innings. Congratulations on your Sports Emmy. Also, Papelbon has like a .5 WHIP and zero runs in 15 IP, and is 10-10 in saves…and since the Sox’ starting pitching has been pretty good, the Sox would be crazy to start Papelbon right now, I think. Next year, maybe, but right now? If it ain’t broke… Hogcard (St. Louis, Mo.): Joe: Being that Albert Pujols is now entering into his prime, how do you think he compares with some of the other greats (Mays, Musial, Gwynn...) at the same stage of their careers? Joe Morgan: It's hard to compare eras because of differences in pitching, parks and balls. KT: Ah, but that’s where you are wrong, Multiple-Sports-Emmy-Winning-Analyst Joe Morgan!!! There are machine-generated statistics that do just that!!! Aren’t machines amazing? But I see the best hitter in the game when I look at Pujols in terms of average – He’s second to Helton. A computer told me that! --power –- Just for fun, I’m going to assume you mean Adjusted OPS+, even though you don’t. He’s second, behind Bonds. -- run production. RsBI? A stupid stat. I refuse to give you the active leaders. But numbers are easier to come by today. Yes, but OPS+ is adjusted for that, dummy. I won my second MVP with 110 RBI and that wouldn't be top-10 today. Oh, did you win two MVPs? I have never ever ever heard you mention that ever in history ever. Steve Dallas, TX: Joe, with the Rangers 6-run 7th inning on Sunday in front of you and Jon, will they be able to be around for September and possibly October? Joe Morgan: I can only go by what Showalter told me, and that is that if they get everyone healthy they will have a good team. He thinks they can hang in and that some -- including myself -- overrated the A's in the West. It seems Oakland might not be the best and Texas should hang in if they stay healthy. KT: Why in holy hell would you base a prediction for a team on what the manager says, instead of what you see with your own eyes (plus what a computer might tell you)? The guy even points out that you called the freaking game the other night, Joe. This is a low point even for you. Seriously. “I can only go by what Showalter told me?” 1999 Ken Tremendous: Hey Joe, should I buy Qwest stock? 1999 Joe Morgan: Well, I can only go by what Joe Nacchio tells me, and he says everything is awesome. 1999 Ken Tremendous: But the stock is plummeting, and these charts show some serious accounting issues. 1999 Joe Morgan: Well, Joe Nacchio has run the company for a long time, and he seems to think we may have overrated GE. 1999 Ken Tremendous: You’re fired as my financial advisor. 1999 Joe Morgan: Fair enough. Brian (Indy): HEY JOE! Are you suprised with the REDS start, and do you think they can keep it up? Joe Morgan: I am surprised because of the Griffey injuries. If he had been in there it would be different. KT: What does that mean? When? Now? What? Arroyo is 5-0 but won't go 20-0, but if they get Griffey back and stay healthy they'll stay in the race, but I still think St. Louis is the class of the division. KT: That’s like five "buts" in one sentence. Also, why do you think Griffey is the key to this team? This team has so many people who are more important than Ken Griffey. You are living in 1995, and it’s not charming. David (Grand Rapids, MI): Can the Tigers keep up the hot streak all season long and make a run either at the wild card or central divison title. Joe Morgan: I've only seen highlights so far. KT: That makes sense. The Tigers are the biggest story in baseball right now, along with the Reds, so it makes sense that an Emmy-Award-Winning-ESPN-Flagship-A-Team Analyst would not have watched even one of their games. They have some good players but I'm still surprised because I thought it would take Jim Leyland a little longer to settle in and start to turn things around. But they are defnitely better than I thought they would be. KT: Yes. Their success is definitely due to Jim Leyland settling in. Not their four great young pitchers or HR onslaught. It’s Jim Leyland “settling in.” Ryan (Fargo): Joe, what's going on with the Twins pitching staff? I keep waiting for them to turn it around, but that last series in Detroit was embarrassing. Not that I'm asking for it, but can you see a shakeup in the dugout (manager or otherwise) anytime soon? Thanks! Joe Morgan: If they keep playing like they did in Detroit there will have to be some shakeups. They've played well at times and are not a bad club so there must be something wrong there. I just haven't seen them enough to put my finger on it yet. KT: Twice in two questions, Emmy Award Winning Sports Analyst begs off a question about baseball because he has not watched enough baseball. Joe Morgan: I'm sorry to have to cut things short, but travel difficulties have moved my schedule around. Thanks for the questions and I look forward to spending a lot more time with you all next week! KT: Thanks, Joe. Congrats on your Emmy! I love that no one took his heavily-dropped hint from his intro and asked him whether he won a Sports Emmy.

05-06-2006, 07:50 AM	#3
Jason Moyer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,088	I think part of the reason it's less funny is that Joe has toned down his absurdity to a small degree. Most of the comments in the above blog post just seem like nitpicking rather than any sort of witty or intelligent deconstruction of Joe's interview. __________________ "I pretty much popped everything cold turkey. We were doing steroids they wouldn't give to horses." -- Tom House "I was very fortunate to have a pitching coach by the name of Tom House...Tom, I really miss those days that we spent in the weight room and out on the field working together." -- Nolan Ryan's HoF Induction Speech

05-06-2006, 01:21 PM	#8
Spielman All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,668	It's often funnier when they rip someone else, now. They have succeeded in pointing out to me that Morgan is a doofus about actually saying anything. His insistence that he knows more than statheads because he watches baseball games is humerous, when he apparently doesn't watch much baseball beyond the games he's commentating on. And the Emmys are ridiculous. __________________ Spielman was at one time the smartest person on these boards. http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...martest+Person I don't believe in AnotherAlias.

05-07-2006, 03:55 AM	#18
ELDoro All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 535	I actually enjoy listening to Joe.... that might be because I have to put up with George Grande and Chris Welsch "The crafty lefty" on fox sports net ohio all the time...... worst announcers EVER. Grande might be alright at the HOF but as for doing games I hate him. Chris Welsch......could go on for days __________________ MLNB Commish: https://statsplus.net/mlnb/ Last edited by ELDoro; 05-07-2006 at 03:57 AM.

05-08-2006, 12:26 AM	#20
The Funk All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Watford Posts: 903	According to Joe, one of the reasons the Phillies are winning at the moment is because they're playing good baseball. __________________ Talkin' 'bout the issues but keepin' it funky!

05-06-2006, 03:03 AM	#2
QuestGAV Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,008	That site used to be funnier.

05-06-2006, 11:44 AM	#6
LeiterFanatic All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,353	I guess its possible to focus on that kind of thing in the blog, I more enjoy him exposing Joe's fishing for compliments about his Emmy and how he hasn't watched enough baseball to make a comment, when most casual fans see Baseball Tonight and can make a more informed opinion. Plus I like how the guy hates Joe so much that anything he says he finds fault with. But whatever, to each his own.

05-06-2006, 01:36 PM	#11
piperclap All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 671	To be fair, Joe Morgan does deserve to die a painful, lonely death for his constant bashing of Ryne Sandberg.

05-06-2006, 03:45 PM	#12
sean-patin Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 205	I really almost want to mute my TV whenever I watch games on ESPN that he announces!

05-06-2006, 09:53 PM	#15
Sven Draconian Major Leagues Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 432	As has been said, he has funny moments, but believe it or not, every sentence he uses is not filled iwth idiocy. Anybody could be nitpicked.... As to the whole SABR vs oldschool thing (Thread de-railment coming). My favorite part of this years baseball prospectus was the interview at the end with some scout. I enjoyed it because, well, the scout made the BB guys look rather stupid. One of the funniest lines was soemthing to the extent of "You mean OBP is important, Nope all of us baseball guys are too big and stupid to realize walks are important". This blog isn't that unique in that, there is a huge SABR group that just picks apart "old-school" guys relentlessly. I am somewhat resistant too advanced sabermetrics, because I think there are a lot of things built of assumptions and "fitted". When you start leaving out out-liners, then use that same stat too help with a new one and take out those "out-liners" and then do it again...eventually things get skewed. Likewise, I've always thought the "sample size" excuse was thrown out too much when something doesn't fit right and you get the same problem as before. With all that said, I just find it interesting how vehimantly some SABR members are now attacking old-school guys. So many leading analysts admit that they use the stats paired with scouting and traditional stats....yet you get so many people like this. Just strange.