Magglio Ordonez will retire June 3rd

[SephClone89]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mostil

Yes, I know. But, as much as I do like sabermetrics, here's what amuses me.

Using old-fashioned stats like BA, OPS, HR, and RBI with the Sox, stats which are consistently defined and cover what we might call both production totals and rates, I suggested the claim is at least plausible.

Using career oWAR, a stat which is not consistently defined and to some appears to emphasize production totals, suggests the claim is at least plausible as well.

Has career oWAR added more to the discussion--besides the Ray Durham diversion--that I'm not seeing? Can it even add more for such a vague and general claim?

That's the beauty of some of the new stats--while they often challenge our suspicions or beliefs, they often reaffirm them as well.

EDIT: also keep in mind that many don't consider OPS or even OBP to be an "old fashioned stat." OBP doesn't appear in Who's Who in Baseball, for example.

My dad's been buying that every year for decades, though these days it's more about the nostalgia, as Baseball Ref is always a second away. Even when it's next to me I often find myself going to BBRef or Fangraphs because the old fashioned stats often just don't tell me enough these days to be satisfied.

[SI1020]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

Even when it's next to me I often find myself going to BBRef or Fangraphs because the old fashioned stats often just don't tell me enough these days to be satisfied.

It helps to have actually watched the games and sometimes I wonder if that counts in the saber world. Some things in life defy making them totally into a predictable science. Do you ever ask your dad about some of these players? It seems like he is quite the fan.

[Johnny Mostil]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

That's the beauty of some of the new stats--while they often challenge our suspicions or beliefs, they often reaffirm them as well.

I agree with this completely.