Tommy John vs. Bert Blyleven

[wilburaga]

I'd put Tommy John in for two reasons.

1) He made three errors on one play.

2) He signed my White Sox yearbook when I was 15 on the platform of the Lexington Avenue 161 Street station by Yankee Stadium.

[Tragg]

I don't understand how if 2 pitchers get the same number of outs, but one has more strikeouts, then that pitcher is considered superior.
Strikeouts can be a predictive tool - if you strike out a lot of batters in lower leagues, it can suggest better things in higher leagues.
But as a performance measure, an out is an out is an out over a long period of time (figuring that ballpark, defense behind you, will basically even out).

The Sabre guys got Blyleven in, as did his self-promotion (which works).

[doublem23]

Anyone who watches baseball should know its a pretty big leap to say the ballpark and defense will "just even out."

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by doublem23

Anyone who watches baseball should know its a pretty big leap to say the ballpark and defense will "just even out."

Over the course of a career? I'll say it again. The defense behind you will just even out, unless I guess if you play for the Yankees for your entire career.
I suppose John played on generally good teams, so he probably had somewhat better D, but not enough to make a huge difference.
Ballpark - again you play half your games on the road, these players play for several teams.
Regardless I don't see a lot of ballpark discounting for hitters.

[mahagga73]

Originally Posted by wilburaga

I'd put Tommy John in for two reasons.

1) He made three errors on one play.

2) He signed my White Sox yearbook when I was 15 on the platform of the Lexington Avenue 161 Street station by Yankee Stadium.

How did that happen? Let me guess, boots a grounder, wild throw, recieves relay, another wild throw. Is that even close?

[wilburaga]

Originally Posted by mahagga73

How did that happen? Let me guess, boots a grounder, wild throw, recieves relay, another wild throw. Is that even close?

You pretty much nailed it. I'll see if I can find the box score and PBP.

[mahagga73]

July 27, 1988, Tommy John pitching for Yankees against Twins. Runner on first, grounder to John is bobbled, throw to first is wild, original runner on first is racing for home, John takes the relay and airmails the catcher.