Comments for Baseball: Past and Present http://baseballpastandpresent.com A Historical Look at the National Pastime Tue, 22 May 2012 15:57:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Does he belong in the Hall of Fame? Billy Pierce by Chuck Moe http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/22/belong-hall-fame-billy-pierce/#comment-21606 Chuck Moe Tue, 22 May 2012 15:57:08 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4053#comment-21606 No disagreement with your position on Billy Pierce's HOF qualificaitons. Mr. Pierce pitched just before I started watching baseball so I cannot judge his capability on "other" factors (like I do on Mickey Lolich who I think definitely belongs in the HOF but I digress). I only wonder what would have happened if Whitey Ford, another prominent lefty, and Billy Pierce somehow switched teams. Who would be in the HOF then? No disagreement with your position on Billy Pierce’s HOF qualificaitons. Mr. Pierce pitched just before I started watching baseball so I cannot judge his capability on “other” factors (like I do on Mickey Lolich who I think definitely belongs in the HOF but I digress). I only wonder what would have happened if Whitey Ford, another prominent lefty, and Billy Pierce somehow switched teams. Who would be in the HOF then?

]]> Comment on Any player/Any era: Kenny Lofton by brendan http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/17/playerany-era-kenny-lofton/#comment-21602 brendan Tue, 22 May 2012 04:07:07 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4049#comment-21602 bstar: My comment about Lofton’s flat career arc was meant only as a compliment. Like you, I am somewhat puzzled by all the buzz about peak value. Lofton’s later years were anything but average. Look at his 2005 season, which I suspect compares well to just about any Hall of Famer’s age 38 year. bstar:
My comment about Lofton’s flat career arc was meant only as a compliment. Like you, I am somewhat puzzled by all the buzz about peak value. Lofton’s later years were anything but average. Look at his 2005 season, which I suspect compares well to just about any Hall of Famer’s age 38 year.

]]> Comment on Any player/Any era: Kenny Lofton by bstar http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/17/playerany-era-kenny-lofton/#comment-21601 bstar Tue, 22 May 2012 01:06:28 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4049#comment-21601 While Lofton's career is indeed an impressive one, I don't think he's a guy, unfortunately, who most baseball writers think of when they think of a Hall of Famer. The fact that his career arc, as someone mentioned above, is relatively flat means that he was very consistent for his career but unfortunately it also means that he doesn't have a well-defined peak in his career. If Lofton did have a peak, it was in his first three or four years with the Indians. Peak value seems to have gotten a lot of love here in recent years, especially from sabermeticians, but to me consistency over the long haul is a more impressive feat. Lofton also had a reputation for being a bit of a problem in the clubhouse. Although this may have not been the main reason for his many trades over his career, it had to at least be a contributing factor. I don't know the specifics of any one incident, however, so all that could just be hearsay. Lofton came to my Braves in 1997, hit .333, but had a strange year otherwise. He was successful on only 27 of 47 steals that year, and he was gone after his 1-year free agent contract expired. The comparison to Raines is an apt one. Both players managed to stay productive late into their careers but were clearly not as good as they were in the start of their career. The more average seasons you put up at the end of your career, the less people remember how great you were in your prime. Look at Tim Raines-I think this is exactly what happened to him, and what will happen to Andruw Jones as he continues to pile on seasons that are mere whispers of who he used to be. While Lofton’s career is indeed an impressive one, I don’t think he’s a guy, unfortunately, who most baseball writers think of when they think of a Hall of Famer. The fact that his career arc, as someone mentioned above, is relatively flat means that he was very consistent for his career but unfortunately it also means that he doesn’t have a well-defined peak in his career. If Lofton did have a peak, it was in his first three or four years with the Indians. Peak value seems to have gotten a lot of love here in recent years, especially from sabermeticians, but to me consistency over the long haul is a more impressive feat.

Lofton also had a reputation for being a bit of a problem in the clubhouse. Although this may have not been the main reason for his many trades over his career, it had to at least be a contributing factor. I don’t know the specifics of any one incident, however, so all that could just be hearsay.

Lofton came to my Braves in 1997, hit .333, but had a strange year otherwise. He was successful on only 27 of 47 steals that year, and he was gone after his 1-year free agent contract expired.

The comparison to Raines is an apt one. Both players managed to stay productive late into their careers but were clearly not as good as they were in the start of their career. The more average seasons you put up at the end of your career, the less people remember how great you were in your prime. Look at Tim Raines-I think this is exactly what happened to him, and what will happen to Andruw Jones as he continues to pile on seasons that are mere whispers of who he used to be.

]]> Comment on Any player/Any era: Kenny Lofton by Albert http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/17/playerany-era-kenny-lofton/#comment-21594 Albert Mon, 21 May 2012 12:03:24 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4049#comment-21594 Brendan - Agree with your assessment of how Lofton could fit on the Red Sox. I also think they'd make exceptions for someone as prolific as him. It's worth stealing bases if you're going to do it at a near 80% success rate. Benjamin- Thanks for the comment. The more I look at Lofton, the more shocked I am at how dominant he was without many really calling him dominant. Alvy- great point that I didnt touch on - Lofton had a very good defensive reputation and played a premium position for awhile. Brendan – Agree with your assessment of how Lofton could fit on the Red Sox. I also think they’d make exceptions for someone as prolific as him. It’s worth stealing bases if you’re going to do it at a near 80% success rate.

Benjamin- Thanks for the comment. The more I look at Lofton, the more shocked I am at how dominant he was without many really calling him dominant.

Alvy- great point that I didnt touch on – Lofton had a very good defensive reputation and played a premium position for awhile.

]]> Comment on Willie Mays turns 81 by mikeyjax http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/09/willie-mays-turns-81/#comment-21593 mikeyjax Mon, 21 May 2012 10:55:08 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4042#comment-21593 Great tribute .....though........ for the record....... the game you link to from 1961 was in Milwaukee. They moved to Atlanta in '66! Thanks .... Great tribute …..though…….. for the record……. the game you link to from 1961 was in Milwaukee. They moved to Atlanta in ’66!

Thanks ….

]]> Comment on Any player/Any era: Kenny Lofton by Alvy http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/17/playerany-era-kenny-lofton/#comment-21587 Alvy Sun, 20 May 2012 05:29:57 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4049#comment-21587 In addition to his offensive stats, Lofton was an excellent fielder too, which should help his chances to get in the HOF In addition to his offensive stats, Lofton was an excellent fielder too, which should help his chances to get in the HOF

]]> Comment on Any player/Any era: Kenny Lofton by BENJAMIN RAUCHER http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/17/playerany-era-kenny-lofton/#comment-21586 BENJAMIN RAUCHER Sat, 19 May 2012 21:56:44 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4049#comment-21586 I had not thought of Lofton as a Hall of Famer until I mulled over the statistics you cited. Those are impressive. BENJAMIN RAUCHER I had not thought of Lofton as a Hall of Famer until I mulled over the statistics you cited. Those are impressive.

BENJAMIN RAUCHER

]]> Comment on Any player/Any era: Kenny Lofton by Brendan http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/17/playerany-era-kenny-lofton/#comment-21581 Brendan Fri, 18 May 2012 21:17:16 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4049#comment-21581 Albert: Lofton was an amazing player. I especially like his nearly flat career arc: he was very productive throughout his long career. I agree that he would be a valuable addition to the Red Sox teams of the past decade. He would elevate those teams, especially if he could replace Trot Nixon or Coco Crisp, as you suggest. A look at the home-away splits of the past ten years shows that the Red Sox at home are very different from the Red Sox on the road. They are more productive offensively at home, especially in that they hit many more doubles, but they also hit fewer home runs and attempt fewer stolen bases at home. In my view, Lofton could easily adapt to the dual role of hitting singles and stealing bases on the road and hitting doubles (and with his speed perhaps also a lot of triples) at Fenway. Albert:
Lofton was an amazing player. I especially like his nearly flat career arc: he was very productive throughout his long career. I agree that he would be a valuable addition to the Red Sox teams of the past decade. He would elevate those teams, especially if he could replace Trot Nixon or Coco Crisp, as you suggest.
A look at the home-away splits of the past ten years shows that the Red Sox at home are very different from the Red Sox on the road. They are more productive offensively at home, especially in that they hit many more doubles, but they also hit fewer home runs and attempt fewer stolen bases at home. In my view, Lofton could easily adapt to the dual role of hitting singles and stealing bases on the road and hitting doubles (and with his speed perhaps also a lot of triples) at Fenway.

]]> Comment on Any player/Any era: Hugh Casey by Michael Casey Kocijan http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2011/08/14/playerany-era-hugh-casey/#comment-21576 Michael Casey Kocijan Fri, 18 May 2012 00:20:52 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=3642#comment-21576 I am the son oh Hugh Casey.Yes the Dodge relief pitcher. I did find your article respectful and paid attention to the facts. Most of all it is nice to see him remembered. He lost more than two years to the US Navy during WW2 which impacted his career game. For example playing in a world series before the war and after. Would he have played in 1943, 1944, 1945. What would it been like for his career? Would it be a World Series? Again it is nice he is remembered. Mike I am the son oh Hugh Casey.Yes the Dodge relief pitcher. I did find your article respectful and paid attention to the facts. Most of all it is nice to see him remembered. He lost more than two years to the US Navy during WW2 which impacted his career game. For example playing in a world series before the war and after. Would he have played in 1943, 1944, 1945. What would it been like for his career? Would it be a World Series?

Again it is nice he is remembered.

Mike

]]> Comment on Any player/Any era: Kenny Lofton by Albert http://baseballpastandpresent.com/2012/05/17/playerany-era-kenny-lofton/#comment-21574 Albert Thu, 17 May 2012 19:05:16 +0000 http://baseballpastandpresent.sportsblognet.com/?p=4049#comment-21574 Thanks for the comment, Tom. Lofton truly is one of those athletes that kind of transcends sports and eras. He should have got a lot more credit during his career. Thanks for the comment, Tom. Lofton truly is one of those athletes that kind of transcends sports and eras. He should have got a lot more credit during his career.

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