tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624254435992330014.post8505620881163417716..comments2023-10-28T08:31:25.462-04:00Comments on Subway Squawkers - A Yankees-Mets Rivalry Blog: A-Rod, Roger Clemens, Javy Vazquez, and the latest in YankeelandSubway Squawkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04156896665605326549noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624254435992330014.post-31950558781441507702010-08-23T15:33:17.777-04:002010-08-23T15:33:17.777-04:00Thirteen games is a relatively small sample size. ...Thirteen games is a relatively small sample size. That's the whole point of my post, Mike. Some people are apt to dismiss A-Rod's contributions because they're basing their opinion off of such a short period's worth of data (which happens to also be a culmination of the team's stats).<br /><br />The value of a player (WAR) fluctuates greatly over such a short span. Conservatively speaking, 13 games only equates to approximately 40 at bats (give or take). That's why a crappy offensive replacement (like Pena) can sometimes be disguised as an interim solution and masked by the other members of the team.<br /><br />The point is stats like Yankees being 13-0 while A-Rod is on the DL, are completely arbitrary. They don't tell anything of substance because they're based off such small samplings. <br /><br />It's like me saying the Yankees are better off without Pettitte because during his trip to the DL the replacement starters have gone 4-1 (making up numbers here). That may be the case, but over the long run, stats assessed over an appropriate period of time will provide a more objective story.Matt Wardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15977973579882166975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624254435992330014.post-32051134506626953932010-08-23T14:26:54.357-04:002010-08-23T14:26:54.357-04:00Thirteen games is not a small sample. Especially ...Thirteen games is not a small sample. Especially when you're 6 1/2 games out with 37 to go like the Red Sox -- or 11 games out with 38 to go like the Mets.<br /><br />Which brings up an interesting point. Remember the movie "Major League"? Manager Lou Brown noted that the Indians were 60-61, and figured that they needed to win 32 of the last 41 to make the Playoffs -- and they did. The Mets are 62-62. Maybe it's time to give Jobu some rum!Uncle Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11618876073064128027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624254435992330014.post-73001349498611669552010-08-23T12:31:08.919-04:002010-08-23T12:31:08.919-04:00"Statistics are like bikinis, what they revea..."Statistics are like bikinis, what they reveal can be nice, but what they don't reveal can be more important."<br /><br />Don't pin this on stats, Mike. Anyone with any degree of understanding statistics or the law of large numbers will be the first to tell you that small sample sizes <> valid conclusions.Matt Wardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15977973579882166975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624254435992330014.post-12454387348850612712010-08-23T11:04:17.513-04:002010-08-23T11:04:17.513-04:00I just figured out a way to get all the A-Rod hate...I just figured out a way to get all the A-Rod haters to start liking him: Have him testify at Clemens' trial and rat him out.<br /><br />So let me get this straight: When the Yankees have A-Rod, they usually win; when they don't have him, they always win. Now that's what I call "New Math"!<br /><br />Of course, that 13-0 stat, while apparently overwhelming, comes with a big honking asterisk, and I was there in Baltimore to see it. The next he was jackin' 'em out in batting practice, and then couldn't make a play at third base in the 1st inning, and had to leave the game and have Pena put in at third -- and, more importantly, in the cleanup spot in the order.<br /><br />Suddenly, that 13-0 looks a whole lot like the 10-0 Aaron Small gave us in 2005 -- and then he lost a Division Series game against the Angels, and never won another game in the majors, and was done at 34.<br /><br />I forget who said it, but there it is: Statistics are like bikinis, what they reveal can be nice, but what they don't reveal can be more important. Sorry for the semi-sexist comment, Lisa, but in this case it backs up the A-Rod supporters!Uncle Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11618876073064128027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624254435992330014.post-83939093449903243452010-08-23T10:24:03.804-04:002010-08-23T10:24:03.804-04:00I actually address the whole notion of being bette...I actually address the whole notion of being better without A-Rod on my blog.<br /><br />http://mattonearth.blogspot.com/2010/08/yankees-better-without-rod.html<br /><br />Honestly, if fans claim that to be the case (especially NY fans), they clearly don't have much understanding of baseball.<br /><br />Also, SI had an interesting article pertaining to Clemens. Basically, his personality type is fairly narsassitic. Knowing this, he probably genuinely believes he was set up. <br /><br />It's hard hating a guy who is delusional. It's mostly just pathetic at this point. It's a good thing this what our Congress' resources are being allocated too.Matt Wardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15977973579882166975noreply@blogger.com