Monday, April 14, 2014

The best Left Fielders in New York Yankee history

The Yankees have had a number of good outfielders in franchise history, with many playing more than one spot. But who are the best left fielders? I took a look at who played the most games at the position, and put up good offensive as well as defensive numbers. Contribution to championship teams was also taken into consideration when ranking the players. Here are the top five Yankee Left Fielders of all time:

5) Lou Piniella: Playing in over 450 games in left field during his eleven seasons, Piniella was a decent fielder with a strong arm. He was a .295 hitter during his time with the Yankees and produced a number of key hits in crucial games while contributing to World Series titles in 1977 and 1978.

4) Hideki Matsui: Matsui manned left field in over 550 games for New York. He was steady defensively, and averaged .284 while driving in over 100 runs in four seasons during his seven years with the Yanks. Matsui was named the MVP of the 2009 World Series.

3) Bob Meusel: Playing 626 games in left field from 1920 to 1929 (he also played right field and third base for a total of 1,294 games in his Yankee career), Meusel contributed to three World Series titles. He ranks eighth all time on the Yankees with a .311 batting average; is tenth with 338 doubles; and twelfth 1,005 RBI.

2) Charlie Keller: Keller played in 870 games in left field during eleven seasons with the Yankees, from 1939-1949. His on-base percentage of .410 ranks fourth in team history, behind only Ruth, Gehrig, and Mantle. He is also eighth in slugging percentage with a .518 average, and his .982 fielding percentage in left is higher than the league average of .974 at the time. Keller also drove in 18 runs in 19 World Series games, contributing to three titles.

1) Roy White: Appearing in 1,521 games in left field during his fifteen years with the team, White delivered a number of key hits throughout his career and was an important contributor to the Yankees' championship teams of 1976, 1977, and 1978. While he didn't have a great arm his .987 fielding percentage was higher than the American League left fielders average of .978 at the time. On the all-time records' lists for the Yankees White ranks seventh in games played with 1,881, eighth in walks with 934, fifth in stolen bases with 233, second in sacrifice flies with 69, and fourth in the power-speed category with a number of 189.7, behind only Jeter, Mantle, and Williams. White's steady play makes him the best Left Fielder in Yankees history.


source for statistics: http://www.baseball-reference.com/

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Who are the best Third Basemen in New York Yankee history?

The third base position in baseball is called the 'hot corner' because when a right handed batter pulls the ball he's got a lot of power behind it, and the ball gets to the third baseman very fast. A player who is great defensively will stand out at third base, and the Yankees have had several at the position. Here are the top five:

5) Scott Brosius: Appearing in 540 games during four years with the team, his .956 fielding percentage was better than the league average of .950 during his playing career. He was a decent hitter, with a .267 average and driving in about 70 runs a year. Brosius held down third base during the Yankees three consecutive World Series championships from 1998-2000.

4) Clete Boyer: An excellent fielder who led the American League's third basemen in range factor each season from 1961-66, Boyer appeared in 1,068 games during eight years with the Yankees. He was a steady player on championship teams in the early 1960's.

3) Red Rolfe: Playing his entire ten years, 1,175 games, in the majors with the Yankees, Rolfe was a fixture at third during the team's championship seasons in the 1930's. He batted a respectable .289 with an on-base percentage of .360 during his career. Rolfe's fielding average of .956 was higher than the league average of .943.

2) Alex Rodriguez: Appearing in 1,189 games at third base in ten years with the team, Rodriguez put up big numbers even during what were considered down years for him. Winner of three MVP awards with the Yankees, he was also a decent defensive player, with his .965 fielding average above the .956 league average for third basemen during the time period.

1) Graig Nettles: Playing in 1,535 games during his eleven years with the Yankees, Nettles won two Gold Gloves for his defensive excellence, and his fielding average of .961 is higher than the league average of .953. Practically single handedly saving the 1978 World Series for the Yanks with his outstanding play at third base, Nettles also hit for power, belting 37 home runs in 1977 and driving in more than 90 runs for four consecutive seasons. Somewhat of a comedian, known for his funny one-liners, Nettles is the best third baseman in Yankees' history.



source for statistics: www.baseball-reference.com

Monday, April 7, 2014

Who are the best second basemen in New York Yankees history?

One of the keys to championship baseball in the major leagues is the double play. Since the second baseman is involved in more double plays than anyone else, this is a pretty important position.

A second baseman who can play great defense as well as hit for power and/or average can make a good team great, since the best hitters tend to play other positions. The Yankees have had their share of second basemen who were excellent hitters as well as top-notch fielders.

Based on factors such as longevity with the team, contributions to championships, offensive statistics, and defensive statistics, here are the top five in franchise history:

5) Robinson Cano: Cano was a durable player, appearing in 1,374 games in nine seasons. A .309 lifetime batter, he has also hit for power, averaging 24 homers and 97 RBI's a year. A three time all star and Gold Glove winner in 2010, his .986 career fielding average is on par with the league average of .985. Cano didn't produce in the post-season when it counted, though, batting only .222 in 51 games.

4) Bobby Richardson: Winner of five Gold Gloves and named to seven all star teams, Richardson played in 1,412 games during his 12 seasons with the team, contributing to Yankee championship teams in the early 1960's. His .266 lifetime batting average is respectable, but his real value was as a consistent defender (.979 fielding average, slightly higher than the league average of .978) who rarely missed a game.

3) Joe Gordon: Selected to the Hall of Fame in 2009 by the Veterans Committee, Gordon played 1,000 games at second base during his seven seasons with the Yanks, from 1938-1946 (missing two seasons while serving in the military during World War II). Named an all star for six consecutive years, Gordon won the MVP award in 1942 when he batted .322 with 18 home runs and 103 runs batted in. Gordon's fielding average was .970, about the same as the league average at the time of .971.

2) Willie Randolph: Appearing in 1,694 games during his 13 seasons with the team, Randolph's batting average was .275 and his on-base percentage was an excellent .374. He ranks fifth in team history with 1,005 walks and third in stolen bases with 251. Contributing to the team's championship years in the late 1970's and early 1980's and a five time All Star, Randolph was a steady defender, with his .980 fielding percentage and range factor of 5.40 comparing favorably with the league averages of the time, which were .980 and 5.31.

1) Tony Lazzeri: Inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1991, Lazzeri appeared in 1,659 games during his 12 seasons with the Yanks. From 1926-1937 he averaged .293 with an on base percentage of .379, and had more than 100 RBI's in seven seasons. His fielding percentage of .967 is close to the league average of .968 - a time period when gloves weren't as sophisticated as today. Lazzeri was a key player on five World Championship teams and the best second baseman in Yankees' history.


source for statistics: www.baseball-reference.com

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

MLB Catchers -- highest career "caught stealing" percentage

Throwing out would-be base stealers is one of a catcher's most important jobs. In a previous blog post I ranked the 21 best catchers in MLB history, based on games caught, offensive statistics, and defensive statistics.  Below is how those 21 catchers rank according to their career "caught stealing" percentage. A quick release, strong arm, and the ability to make accurate throws are important for a catcher. Of course, having pitchers who can keep baserunners close helps. The era in which a catcher played can also be a factor, since base stealing was not as prominent in the 1940's as it was it the 1970's.


Career caught stealing percentage:

1)      57% - Roy Campanella

2)      56% - Gabby Hartnett

3)      49% - Yogi Berra

4)      47% - Bill Dickey, Ernie Lombardi

5)      46% - Ivan Rodriguez

6)      44% - Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, Ray Schalk

7)      43% - Johnny Bench

8)      41% - Jim Sundberg

9)      40% - Bob Boone, Rick Dempsey

10)  39% - Mickey Cochrane, Lance Parrish

11)  35% - Gary Carter, Brad Ausmus

12)  34% - Carlton Fisk, Ted Simmons

13)  28% - Jorge Posada

14)  23% - Mike Piazza


source for statistics: http://www.baseball-reference.com/

MLB baseball Power Rankings - April 1, 2014

MLB baseball Power Rankings - April 1, 2014. All MLB teams ranked from best to worst at the start of the season:


1)      Yankees

2)      Pirates

3)      Dodgers

4)      Indians

5)      Nationals

6)      Royals

7)      Rays

8)      A’s

9)      Reds

10)   Red Sox

11)   Cardinals

12)   Tigers

13)   Angels

14)   Braves

15)   Orioles

16)   Rangers

17)   Diamondbacks

18)   Giants

19)   Padres

20)   Brewers

21)   Rockies

22)   Blue Jays

23)   Mets

24)   Phillies

25)   Cubs

26)   Mariners

27)   Twins

28)   White Sox

29)   Marlins

30)   Astros