Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

JT45242

(2,886 posts)
Tue Oct 4, 2022, 11:39 PM Oct 2022

Judge good but Ruth was great

Judge's season is very good, but let's not get ahead of ourselves with recency bias.

Judge is looking at a OPS+ of around 210 which would be Ruth's ninth or tenth best season. (2.10 times the average MLB player)

This year judge may win the triple crown hitting .311 with 131 rbi and 135 runs. OPS of 1.111 with 175 strikeouts. With a juiced ball relative to the 1920s in smaller ballparks, Which helps with HR but hurts batting average.

Ruth's 1927, 60 hr season, which had an ops+ of 225 was his fifth best season. Ruth hit .356 and didn't win the batting title. 165 RBI wasn't enough that year to win the rbi title (some guy named Gehrig beat him, courtesy of 137 walks that year). 158 runs. OPS of 1.258. 89 strikeouts. FYI Ruth had 8 triples that year and one more double than judge has this year.
How many MVP could Ruth have won if you were allowed to win in back to back years?

Ruth's 1920&21 seasons were even more ridiculous with 255 & 239 as OPS+.

Judge is having a great season in this era of launch angles and ultimate outcomes of hr, strikeouts, and walks, but not the greatest season of all time.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Judge good but Ruth was great (Original Post) JT45242 Oct 2022 OP
I agree. Equipment was slightly inferior in '27... rubbersole Oct 2022 #1
Probably Timewas Oct 2022 #2
Ohtani is the new Ruth viva la Oct 2022 #3
Can't compare them as Black and Latin players were banned. brush Oct 2022 #4
👆👆🏽👆🏾 Drum Oct 2022 #5
Solid counter-argument True Dough Oct 2022 #7
Yes, the shift. I won't miss it. brush Oct 2022 #8
I thought this was a Supreme Court OP. applegrove Oct 2022 #6

rubbersole

(8,503 posts)
1. I agree. Equipment was slightly inferior in '27...
Wed Oct 5, 2022, 12:31 AM
Oct 2022

but it is fun to watch. Best hitter in years. Apparently steroid free. He seems to be a legitimate role model. Definitely a positive way to spend time in 2022. I even ignore that he's a Yankee.

brush

(57,471 posts)
4. Can't compare them as Black and Latin players were banned.
Wed Oct 5, 2022, 12:40 AM
Oct 2022

And that includes pitchers like Gibson, Marichal, Jenkins, Matinez, Tiant and on and on. Now with set-up pitchers and closers it's even harder to get hits in the late innings than it was in the past.

Let's just enjoy the eras as they were.

True Dough

(20,244 posts)
7. Solid counter-argument
Wed Oct 5, 2022, 01:41 AM
Oct 2022

And you can add "the shift" to the list, at least until next season.

OP makes good points as well.

brush

(57,471 posts)
8. Yes, the shift. I won't miss it.
Wed Oct 5, 2022, 01:48 AM
Oct 2022

Now the actual bases are being enlarged. I guess it helps the first baseman from getting spiked.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Baseball»Judge good but Ruth was g...