The Rookies

Coaching third: Someone about to get spiked.

Albert Pujols’ amazing start to the 2009 season has brought renewed interest in the Triple Crown (leading the league in home runs, RBIs, and batting average) in one season. This achievement, which hasn’t been accomplished in over 40 years, is undoubtedly a mark of a tremendous season. The Triple Crown, however, is a fairly arbitrary stat—why not use slugging percentage, for instance? It also ignores a large portion of the game: The lead-off hitters and base stealers have little chance in this competition, yet their value to a team is far from negligible.

Enter the Small Ball Triple Crown. Read the rest of this entry →

Jeff Kent is recovering at home after his misadventure at the LA Zoo.

Jeff: That sure was a lot of paperwork those nice police officers made me fill out. Did you know that Los Angeles had such strict beastiality laws Davey? Read the rest of this entry →