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A Batter's Box Challenge

Here is the task before you. In a single sentence, write the most shocking thing about the 2005 baseball season so far; the only rule is that it must be true.

I'm going to set the bar pretty high to start off: "Aaron Small is 6-0, 2.42 and already tied for third on the Yankees in victories this season."

React to that statement or come up with one of your own. Who's next?

Posted by Mick Doherty on Monday, September 05 2005 @ 01:45 PM EDT.
Shocking! Simply Shocking! | 12 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
James W - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 02:04 PM EDT (#127420) #
"The Chicago White Sox have the best record in the American League, with Jon Garland leading the way with 17 wins."

That's close. Not quite as shocking, but certainly a surprise.
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Maldoff - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 02:07 PM EDT (#127421) #
"Bruce Chen has 11 wins and an ERA of 3.75"
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Andrew K - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 02:14 PM EDT (#127423) #
"Raffy Palmeiro has been suspended for a violation of MLB's drug testing code"

It certainly shocked me
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CeeBee - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 02:14 PM EDT (#127424) #
Barry Bonds has yet to play a game and Ken Griffey has been healthy for the most part.
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greenfrog - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 02:46 PM EDT (#127425) #
"Derrick Lee (whose stats, over a 9-year career, *including* this year, are .276/.362/.499) is hitting .343/.426/.673 and leads the NL in batting."
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BallGuy - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 02:51 PM EDT (#127426) #
"Raffy Palmeiro has been suspended for a violation of MLB's drug testing code"

What shocked you, the suspension or the fact he was taking steroids?

What has shocked me is the Atlanta Braves, with all their injuries and all the rookies they have used winning the NL East yet again.
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greenfrog - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 02:53 PM EDT (#127427) #
* And in a year when the league is actually testing for steroids.
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Andrew K - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 02:56 PM EDT (#127428) #
What shocked you, the suspension or the fact he was taking steroids?

The fact that he was taking steroids. I must admit, I believed his denial in the congressional hearings.

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smcs - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 04:15 PM EDT (#127434) #
"The 5th place team in the NL East would be in first by 2.0 games in the NL West"

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John Northey - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 05:58 PM EDT (#127436) #
Playing with the stats sorter at ESPN...

The worst batting average among those qualified for the title in 2005 for all of the majors would be Sammy Sosa at 221. He will probably 'win' that title too as next worst is Mike Lowell at 234 although he has to get another 78 PA's to qualify and with his 'sore toe' he might miss the season given his past history.

Hmm... Jason Kendall is at the bottom in Slg% while the A's are still in contention for the playoffs. 302 vs next worst Cesar Izturis' 322. And he has qualified for the season already (over 502 PA's).

or... Jason Giambi has the highest OBP in the majors 445 vs #2 at 431 (Pujols) - could've made a lot of money betting on that in April.

Also, just 3 players have a 1000+ OPS this season
For comparison here are the years where steroids are thought to have been a problem...
2004 - 9
2003 - 7
2002 - 9
2001 - 13
2000 - 19
1999 - 10
1998 - 5
1997 - 10
1996 - 15
1995 - 5
1994 - 9 - generally viewed as the year 'it' started
1993 - 7
1992 - 1
1991 - 1
1990 - 1
And so on. So the lowest total of players cracking the 1000 mark in OPS since the Jays first won it all. Now that is a good sign for those of us who want a balance between offense and defense ala the 1980's.

Btw, not a shocker but the worst OPS in 2005 so far belongs to Cesar Izturis at 624. Why am I not shocked? He is on my Hacking Mass team - but before I get too happy I also put Loaiza on it since I thought he had to blow up sooner or later...guess it is later rather than sooner.
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BallGuy - Monday, September 05 2005 @ 06:05 PM EDT (#127437) #
AndrewK-
That was easy to do. He was the most sincere sounding and looking of the players who testified.
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TangoTiger - Tuesday, September 06 2005 @ 04:56 PM EDT (#127492) #
"Roger Clemens will have the best year of his life, at age 43, and will not win the Cy Young"
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