Gray Ink/Black Ink Test ?

redranger · 12-31-2002, 12:25 PM

Can someone please explain these to me?

LivnLegend · 12-31-2002, 01:21 PM

Black-Ink Test

Named so because league leading numbers are traditionally represented with Boldface type. The definition for the test that I'm using here was written up in Bill James's The Politics of Glory, p. 65-67. The essential point is to measure how often a player led the league in a variety of "important" stats. This method penalizes more recent players as they have 14-16 teams per league, while the older players had just 8. To get a point you must lead the league in that category.

Batting Statistics
Four Points for home runs, runs batted in or batting average
Three Points for runs scored, hits or slugging percentage
Two Points for doubles, walks or stolen bases
One Point for games, at bats or triples
Pitching Statistics
Four Points for wins, earned run average or strikeouts
Three Points for innings pitched, win-loss percentage or saves
Two Points for complete games, lowest walks per 9 innings or lowest hits per 9 innings
One Point for appearances, starts or shutouts
Note that Hall of Famers have a wide variety of values for the Black Ink Test, and the method is unforgiving of positional differences, but it is a neat little metric.

Gray-Ink Test

Essentially the same as the Black-Ink above, but it counts appearances in the top ten of the league. For each appearance the values are below.

Batting Statistics
Four Points for home runs, runs batted in or batting average
Three Points for runs scored, hits or slugging percentage
Two Points for doubles, walks or stolen bases
One Point for games, at bats or triples
Pitching Statistics
Four Points for wins, earned run average or strikeouts
Three Points for innings pitched, win-loss percentage or saves
Two Points for complete games, lowest walks per 9 innings or lowest hits per 9 innings
One Point for appearances, starts or shutouts

Baseball Reference Page

redranger · 12-31-2002, 04:09 PM

Outstanding! I appreciate the response. Now that I understand it, it really is a great metric.

12-31-2002, 12:25 PM	#1
redranger All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 600	Gray Ink/Black Ink Test ? Can someone please explain these to me?

12-31-2002, 01:21 PM	#2
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	Black-Ink Test Named so because league leading numbers are traditionally represented with Boldface type. The definition for the test that I'm using here was written up in Bill James's The Politics of Glory, p. 65-67. The essential point is to measure how often a player led the league in a variety of "important" stats. This method penalizes more recent players as they have 14-16 teams per league, while the older players had just 8. To get a point you must lead the league in that category. Batting Statistics Four Points for home runs, runs batted in or batting average Three Points for runs scored, hits or slugging percentage Two Points for doubles, walks or stolen bases One Point for games, at bats or triples Pitching Statistics Four Points for wins, earned run average or strikeouts Three Points for innings pitched, win-loss percentage or saves Two Points for complete games, lowest walks per 9 innings or lowest hits per 9 innings One Point for appearances, starts or shutouts Note that Hall of Famers have a wide variety of values for the Black Ink Test, and the method is unforgiving of positional differences, but it is a neat little metric. Gray-Ink Test Essentially the same as the Black-Ink above, but it counts appearances in the top ten of the league. For each appearance the values are below. Batting Statistics Four Points for home runs, runs batted in or batting average Three Points for runs scored, hits or slugging percentage Two Points for doubles, walks or stolen bases One Point for games, at bats or triples Pitching Statistics Four Points for wins, earned run average or strikeouts Three Points for innings pitched, win-loss percentage or saves Two Points for complete games, lowest walks per 9 innings or lowest hits per 9 innings One Point for appearances, starts or shutouts Baseball Reference Page __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

12-31-2002, 04:09 PM	#3
redranger All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 600	Outstanding! I appreciate the response. Now that I understand it, it really is a great metric.