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 BASEBALL ABSTRACT NEWSLETTER

Volume 2

Number 1

Review of new MacMillan encyclopedia; possible effect of unusually dry weather in April (1985).
For each team, player creating the most runs (as of June 1985), creating the fewest runs/27 outs, record splits, award candidates and a comment.

Number 2

Roster turnover for up to seven years starting in 1905, 1930, 1955, 1980.
Performance of ground ball/fly ball pitchers on artificial turf vs grass.
MVP candidates as of July 1985.
Random notes about the season
Mailbag

Number 3

National League article, primarily about the Cardinals, especially Ozzie Smith and Vince Coleman.
AL East article (Various comments)
AL West article, primarily about Toby Harrah and Willie Wilson

Number 4

Player ratings for 1985 season based on information available as of August 20 (Standard player comments)

Number 5

1985 Post-season play preview based on information available as of September 9. Discussion of World Series Indicators System, applied to teams which could or should make the playoffs.

Number 6

For each team, what the team could part with in the trade market, what it needs, and what it could lose to free agency during the 1985 off-season.

Number 7

For the National League, odds of winning the division in 1986, a rating for offense and defense and a discussion.

Number 8

For the American League, odds of winning the division in 1986, a rating for offense and defense and a discussion.

Special Issue

Leaders, Lasters and Lists: Sabermetrics for the Hell of it

Series of lists of best and worst (usually 10) of the 444 players who had played 1400 or more games and were not active in 1986.

  1. Batting Average
  2. Slugging Percentage
  3. At Bats per Game
  4. Plate Appearances per Game
  5. Runs Scored per Game
  6. Hits per Game
  7. Doubles per Game
  8. Triples per Game
  9. Home Runs per Game
  10. Extra Base Hits per Game
  11. Runs Batted In per Game
  12. Walks per Game
  13. Strikeouts per Game
  14. Stolen Bases per Game
  15. Outs Made per Game (15)
  16. Basic Runs Created per Game (50)
  17. Basic Runs Created
  18. Isolated Power
  19. Runs Created per Out Used
  20. Runs Created per At Bat/Plate Appearance
  21. Secondary Average
  22. Runs Scored/Runs Created Ratios
  23. Runs Batted In/Runs Created Ratios
  24. Runs Scored/Runs Batted In Ratio
  25. Ratio of Run to RBI Elements
  26. Ratios of Runs Created to Hits
  27. Runs Scored per Hit
  28. Runs Batted In per Hit
  29. Runs Produced per Hit
  30. Times on Base
  31. On Base Percentage
  32. Runs Produced per Time on Base
  33. Runs Scored per Time on Base
  34. Runs Scored per Time on Base Not Counting Home Runs
  35. Runs Produced
  36. Runs Produced per Out
  37. Runs Produced per At Bat
  38. Runs Produced per Plate Appearance
  39. Runs Produced per Game
  40. Twenty Questions
    • Best/worst strikeout to walk ratio
    • Most/fewest doubles/triples/homers/runs/RBI/extra base hit per at bat
    • Most/fewest runs per plate appearance
    • Most/fewest runs/RBI per out
  41. Runs Batted in per Extra Base Hit
  42. Runs Batted in per Total Base
  43. RBI per Projected RBI
  44. Times in Scoring Position
  45. Times in Scoring Position per Game
  46. Runs Scored per Time in Scoring Position
  47. Runs Created/Runs Scored per Extra Base Hit
  48. Let's Run Some More Quick Questions
    • What player hit singles/double/triples/homers for the largest/smallest percentage of his hits?
    • Most/fewest walks/strikeouts per hit
    • Most/fewest strikeouts per plate appearance/per out
  49. Hits Above Three Hundred (.300)
  50. Doubles as a Percentage of Extra Base Hits
  51. Triples as a Percentage of Extra Base Hits
  52. Home Runs as a Percentage of Extra Base Hits
  53. Home Runs and Strikeouts
  54. Home Runs and Walks
  55. Stolen Bases and Walks
  56. Ball Not Put In Play
  57. What Player Stole the Most Bases as a Percentage of Times on Base?
  58. Who Hit For the Highest Batting Average When Not Striking Out?
  59. Batting Averages When Not Striking Out or Hitting A Home Run
  60. Doubles and Triples as a Percentage of Balls in Play
  61. Honorable Mention - The 25 best qualifying players not on any of the above lists.

Last Special Issue

I. Pattern Players - 2

Players above average in eight of ten categories, concentrating on those who are not typically recognized for broad-based talent: George Grantham, Harry Stovey, Jacques Fournier, Minnie Minosos, Ben Chapman, Indian Bob Johnson, Bob Elliott, Jimmy Ryan, Joe Judge, Reggie Smith, Vern Stephens, Sammie West, Bob Meusel, Amos Otis, Harlond Clift, Larry Doby.

II. Sacrifice Percentages - 5

Reworking of Pete Palmer's bunting analysis from The Hidden Game to determine what percentage the batter must be safe for the bunt to be break-even.

III. Winning in Streaks - 8

On the likelihood of really hot streaks in a season for strong teams as opposed to consistancy all the way through.

IV. Dear Bill -10

Eight letters, eight answers.

V. Dahlen and Long - 13

A letter comparing Bill Dahlen and Herman Long, two shortstops from the 1890s, and a response to the methodology used.

VI. The American League Season - 17

For each team, what is improved and what is down and a comment.

VII. Last of the Species - 23

"Bill James' first published work of fiction. And probably his last."

VIII. The National League Season - 26

For each team, difference in offense, defense, power, speed, batting average; leader in runs created, offensive winning percentage; offensive soft spot, number of positions above average offensively, # of top ten 1985 players doing as wellin 1986; biggest surprise, biggest disappointment. (and a comment)

IX. I Must be Going - 32

Reasons for ending the Abstract Newsletter.