The demise of WAR

Brad K · 09-14-2020, 10:02 PM

Not a long time in the future
In a baseball galaxy nearby

FanGraphs, a sports statistics site, announced today it would be no longer provide baseball WAR on its website. FanGraphs is the last sports stat site to drop the statistic; Baseball Reference dropped it last year while Baseball Prospectus dropped it in 2039.

The Baseball Prospectus decision six years ago was controversial. The action of Baseball Reference in 2044 to drop the stat re-ignited the controversy. Some fans argued that there was still a need for a stat to adjust offense for defensive obligations even with DHs occupying four spots in an NL lineup and five in the AL. However with the 2045 rule change providing for completely separate offensive and defensive lineups, WAR is truly moot.

WAR always had its detractors. Some said the position adjustments were pure guesswork, pointing to the preponderance of outfielders in lists of top WAR producers as proof. Others said it over rated old time stars due to differences in talent distribution. A non baseball fan mathematician laughed at the idea of a proportional value system when one of the values - the defensive value of a DH - was zero.

So WAR is dead, never having fulfilled its potential, killed not by its detractors but by unlimited universal substitution. In a few years it will join the best part of baseball: the fondly mis-remembered good old days.

dkgo · 09-14-2020, 10:08 PM

are you on mushrooms?

Déjà Bru · 09-15-2020, 10:40 AM

Yes, what was the point of this, Brad? I don't like wasting even a minute of my time on trick posts. I thought you had a meaningful point to make. If so, it's too far buried in subtlety. One (at least, this one) does not know whether you are attacking or defending WAR.

Ugh, another minute lost just typing this response.

Brad K · 09-15-2020, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Yes, what was the point of this, Brad? I don't like wasting even a minute of my time on trick posts. I thought you had a meaningful point to make. If so, it's too far buried in subtlety. One (at least, this one) does not know whether you are attacking or defending WAR.

Ugh, another minute lost just typing this response.

How much fun can you have with such pressure to optimize your leisure time?

Brad K · 09-15-2020, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkgo

are you on mushrooms?

Only on pizza or in spaghetti sauce. I think they're gross in salad or on hamburgers.

CBeisbol · 09-15-2020, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad K

Only on pizza or in spaghetti sauce. I think they're gross in salad or on hamburgers.

Mushroom as hamburger

But a portabella mushroom, turn it upside down, fill it full of tomato, bell pepper, chili, cheese. Bake it. Put it between some bread. Delicious

Brad K · 09-15-2020, 11:01 PM

I appreciate the cooking advice but that sounds advanced. I'm a beginner cook, having been motivated by extra time and fewer dining options resulting from COVID 19.

Fortunately I have phone tech support available from my GF. I didn't realize at the time we got together how important her being a banquet chef would be.

AnotherAlias · 09-16-2020, 02:59 PM

Ahhh, magic mushrooms. Brings me back to the 70s, again.

Lots of laughter related to those, from what I can recall.

Déjà Bru · 09-17-2020, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad K

How much fun can you have with such pressure to optimize your leisure time?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad K

Only on pizza or in spaghetti sauce. I think they're gross in salad or on hamburgers.

Two gracious responses save the thread. Sorry for my peevishness.

Brad K · 09-17-2020, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Two gracious responses save the thread. Sorry for my peevishness.

Thank you.

I intended it as a fun post while providing some material for discussion.

Brad K · 09-17-2020, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherAlias

Ahhh, magic mushrooms. Brings me back to the 70s, again.

Lots of laughter related to those, from what I can recall.

Now, if people would just laugh over the idea of a lineup with 5 DHs...

Westheim · 09-17-2020, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad K

Not a long time in the future
In a baseball galaxy nearby

FanGraphs, a sports statistics site, announced today it would be no longer provide baseball WAR on its website. FanGraphs is the last sports stat site to drop the statistic; Baseball Reference dropped it last year while Baseball Prospectus dropped it in 2039.

The Baseball Prospectus decision six years ago was controversial. The action of Baseball Reference in 2044 to drop the stat re-ignited the controversy. Some fans argued that there was still a need for a stat to adjust offense for defensive obligations even with DHs occupying four spots in an NL lineup and five in the AL. However with the 2045 rule change providing for completely separate offensive and defensive lineups, WAR is truly moot.

WAR always had its detractors. Some said the position adjustments were pure guesswork, pointing to the preponderance of outfielders in lists of top WAR producers as proof. Others said it over rated old time stars due to differences in talent distribution. A non baseball fan mathematician laughed at the idea of a proportional value system when one of the values - the defensive value of a DH - was zero.

So WAR is dead, never having fulfilled its potential, killed not by its detractors but by unlimited universal substitution. In a few years it will join the best part of baseball: the fondly mis-remembered good old days.

Please sit down and talk to us. We are all very worried.

CBeisbol · 09-17-2020, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad K

Now, if people would just laugh over the idea of a lineup with 5 DHs...

Sounds awesome

Also #KillTheBattingOrder and we're getting somewhere

Brad K · 09-17-2020, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBeisbol

Sounds awesome

Also #KillTheBattingOrder and we're getting somewhere

I'm for all or none.

Brad K · 09-17-2020, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westheim

Please sit down and talk to us. We are all very worried.

Relax. I'm medicated for your safety.

One Great Matrix · 09-24-2020, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad K

Relax. I'm medicated for your safety.

Some of us have even been to hell (just to take a look at all the Christian demons there) and back.

09-14-2020, 10:02 PM	#1
Brad K Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2016 Location: St Petersburg Florida USA Posts: 6,655 Infractions: 0/2 (3)	The demise of WAR Not a long time in the future In a baseball galaxy nearby FanGraphs, a sports statistics site, announced today it would be no longer provide baseball WAR on its website. FanGraphs is the last sports stat site to drop the statistic; Baseball Reference dropped it last year while Baseball Prospectus dropped it in 2039. The Baseball Prospectus decision six years ago was controversial. The action of Baseball Reference in 2044 to drop the stat re-ignited the controversy. Some fans argued that there was still a need for a stat to adjust offense for defensive obligations even with DHs occupying four spots in an NL lineup and five in the AL. However with the 2045 rule change providing for completely separate offensive and defensive lineups, WAR is truly moot. WAR always had its detractors. Some said the position adjustments were pure guesswork, pointing to the preponderance of outfielders in lists of top WAR producers as proof. Others said it over rated old time stars due to differences in talent distribution. A non baseball fan mathematician laughed at the idea of a proportional value system when one of the values - the defensive value of a DH - was zero. So WAR is dead, never having fulfilled its potential, killed not by its detractors but by unlimited universal substitution. In a few years it will join the best part of baseball: the fondly mis-remembered good old days.

09-15-2020, 10:40 AM	#3
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,278	Yes, what was the point of this, Brad? I don't like wasting even a minute of my time on trick posts. I thought you had a meaningful point to make. If so, it's too far buried in subtlety. One (at least, this one) does not know whether you are attacking or defending WAR. Ugh, another minute lost just typing this response. __________________ - Bru

09-14-2020, 10:08 PM	#2
dkgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,152	are you on mushrooms?

09-15-2020, 11:01 PM	#7
Brad K Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2016 Location: St Petersburg Florida USA Posts: 6,655 Infractions: 0/2 (3)	I appreciate the cooking advice but that sounds advanced. I'm a beginner cook, having been motivated by extra time and fewer dining options resulting from COVID 19. Fortunately I have phone tech support available from my GF. I didn't realize at the time we got together how important her being a banquet chef would be.

09-16-2020, 02:59 PM	#8
AnotherAlias Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I'm back...for now Posts: 4,190	Ahhh, magic mushrooms. Brings me back to the 70s, again. Lots of laughter related to those, from what I can recall.