pete@umcp-cs.UUCP (Pete Cottrell) (02/16/85)
In my list of significant events of the 1984 season, I said that Juan
Samuel of the Phillies had, on the last day of the season, set a NL
record for atbats with 701. I wasn't sure when I saw it in print then,
and I have since read that it was only a rookie record. Anyone know for
sure?
I also read in the same article that, batting leadoff, Samuel had
28 walks and 168 strikeouts (accurate, I believe, within 1 or 2 either
way). I know others (Reggie, Bobby Bonds ...) have had more strikeouts
in a single season, but I don't think I've ever seen such a poor walk/k
ratio (for someone up a reasonable amount of times). Anyone seen any worse?
And only 28 walks for a leadoff man? With his speed, think how SBs he might
have had had he more patience and a better sense of the strike zone. Now
they are talking of batting him 2nd....
--
Call-Me: Pete Cottrell, Univ. of Md. Comp. Sci. Dept.
UUCP: {seismo,allegra,brl-bmd}!umcp-cs!pete
CSNet: pete@umcp-cs
ARPA: pete@marylandborodkin@uiucdcsb.UUCP (02/19/85)
I think Willie Wilson set the major league record for at bats with 705
or so a few years back with Kansas City (AL).
Thus, I think, Juan Samuel with 701 at bats holds the overall National
League record AND the major league record for a rookie.
I agree that Samuel's lack of walks in the leadoff spot significantly
hurt the Phillies last year.david@fisher.UUCP (David Rubin) (02/20/85)
> I also read in the same article that, batting leadoff, Samuel had > 28 walks and 168 strikeouts (accurate, I believe, within 1 or 2 either > way). I know others (Reggie, Bobby Bonds ...) have had more strikeouts > in a single season, but I don't think I've ever seen such a poor walk/k > ratio (for someone up a reasonable amount of times). Anyone seen any worse? > And only 28 walks for a leadoff man? With his speed, think how SBs he might > have had had he more patience and a better sense of the strike zone. Now > they are talking of batting him 2nd.... Batting him second would not mitigate his weakness. While a number two man need not have quite as high an on base percentage, he ought to be able to put the ball in play when the lead off man gets on. Number three is his natural position in the order, but this doesn't fully exploit his speed. What IS a team to do with a free-swinging speedster? David Rubin