• 2005 Road Woe-is-me-ers

    Posted by on January 22nd, 2006 · Comments (2)

    I was just looking at the team splits database over at BaseballMusings.com and I noticed this data for the Yankees, last season, on the road:

    000roadsplit.jpg

    In 2005, the Yankees road On-Base Average was very low – according to their standards in recent seasons. And, clearly, the reason for this was the Yankees #1 and #9 batters in their order.

    Three weeks ago, I mentioned that (perhaps) having Damon now (and having him bat lead-off) will cure the road issue at the top of the line-up.

    But, the #9 slot – Wow! Something has to happen there. Last year, it was mostly Cano and Womack who batted 9th. But, combined, as #9 hitters, their OBA was still over .300 – overall. (I can’t find the splits for home and the road. But, I do recall Cano being a good road hitter last year. Therefore, I don’t think he hurt the team batting last on the road.)

    So, who killed the Yankees when they batted last in the line-up?

    Actually, it was Bernie Williams. In 50 PA as a #9 hitter, Bernie’s OBA was .260 – overall. Yes, his On-Base Average, overall, was two-sixty when batting 9th last year. Maybe Bernie just couldn’t get into it when he batted 9th?

    Maybe I should re-think that idea of having the D.H. bat 9th for the Yankees this season?

    Filed under Math Class · ·

    Comments on 2005 Road Woe-is-me-ers

    1. DownFromNJ
      January 22nd, 2006 | 11:56 pm

      You forget John Flaherty. He definately killed our 9 hole stats.

      Crosby too.
    2. Mr. Furious
      January 23rd, 2006 | 7:33 am

      Crosby had a .309 OBP in the #9 hole, slightly higher than his overall .304. Not great, certainly, but a heck of a lot better than .260.

      Flaherty came in at .133 in that spot (in only 28 AB), though, so no argument there.

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