Opinions Collide About MLB’s Inter League Play

Baseball Reflections, a blog focused on Baseball Sabermetrics, has conducted an interview with a few of the top baseball bloggers on the internet regarding their thoughts and opinions about Major League Baseball’s Inter League Play.

Baseball Reflections author Peter Schiller, decided to conduct the interview after he began thinking about what he liked and disliked about Inter League play in baseball.

He began the interview by asking participants the if they liked/or disliked Inter League play. Interestingly enough, most agreed in favor of Inter League play. Those who disagreed provided very informative answers as to why they disapprove. RBI Magazine also took part in the interview and I responded to the previous question.

I like Inter League play because it gives fans a chance to see players that they wouldn’t normally see and players a chance match up against other opponents that they normally would not compete against. I saw Derek Jeter play for the first time in Philadelphia.

Other bloggers from Baseball Musings, Baseball Evolution, Phillies Flow, Jimmy Scott’s High & Tight, Baseball Reflections, and of course RBI Magazine took part in this fantastic interview.

The full interview can be read here:http://baseballreflections.com/2008/12/08/an-interview-of-baseball-bloggers-on-interleague-play/

The Lowest Batting Averages in 2008!

Sometimes players fall into slumps, deep mummy-like slumps. Batting Averages fall and it is only a matter of time before their demise at the plate results in an assignment to the minors or bench time. After 200 at bats in 2008, the following players have the worst batting averages in Major League Baseball according to Baseball-Reference.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In respect to the lowest batting averages, the trend goes hand-in-hand for players with the lowest On Base Percentages (OPB) listed below;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After being paid almost $9.9 million over the last 3 years Corey Patterson seems to be having one of the worst years in his 10-year career, even though his (season) career high batting average tops out at .298 in 2003. Is he currently the worst full-time players in the Majors? RBI Magazine says “Give the guy a break”.

Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez has had more problems than just his batting average. On July 27th, 2008, Sanchez left the game against the Padres with lower back problems that have been dogging him all season.

Despite Gary Sheffield’s batting average, his performance at the plate has not looked as terrible as his numbers. Sheffield has executed in the clutch for the Tigers when he has been called upon despite having major shoulder surgery less than 9 months ago.

As for the rest of those pegged in this statistical study, not many excuses can compensate for their poor performance at the plate. Maybe it is time to do what Lance Armstrong would do. Take your ball and go home!