Manny Being Manny
This week Manny Ramirez knocked in his 1600th career RBI. As of this moment, that puts him 28th on the all-time list of RBI producers. By the end of the season, he might be as high as 25th. Barring an injury, Manny will top one hyndred RBIs for the tenth consecutive season, and for the twelfth time in the past thirteen years.
What’s interesting, however, is not merely the number of RBIs, but the rate of production. Manny has just over 7000 career at-bats. Among the all-time RBI leaders, those players above him on the list, no one has fewer career at bats. Only a couple guys have under 8000.
So this observation led me to fiddle around with the numbers, and I discovered that, in the history of the game, there are very few players who produced RBIs at a quicker pace than Manny. For the record, he’s generated an RBI every 4.38 at-bats. Among the career leaders, only a handful of players have topped that. Perhaps you’ve heard of some of these names – Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Williams. (Maybe it’s an AL East thing.) Further down the list are McGuire and the great Hank Greenberg. And extrapolating out, if Manny continues to play for another five years (after all, he’s only thirty-five, and look at Bonds in his forties), he can end up challenging Aaron for the all-time career record. At least until A-Rod passes everyone. Only thing is, he’ll have to cut the dreads sometime before then.
In any event, while the pennant race is heating up, I’m taking a moment to recognize Manny for being Manny. Go Manny.
What’s interesting, however, is not merely the number of RBIs, but the rate of production. Manny has just over 7000 career at-bats. Among the all-time RBI leaders, those players above him on the list, no one has fewer career at bats. Only a couple guys have under 8000.
So this observation led me to fiddle around with the numbers, and I discovered that, in the history of the game, there are very few players who produced RBIs at a quicker pace than Manny. For the record, he’s generated an RBI every 4.38 at-bats. Among the career leaders, only a handful of players have topped that. Perhaps you’ve heard of some of these names – Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Williams. (Maybe it’s an AL East thing.) Further down the list are McGuire and the great Hank Greenberg. And extrapolating out, if Manny continues to play for another five years (after all, he’s only thirty-five, and look at Bonds in his forties), he can end up challenging Aaron for the all-time career record. At least until A-Rod passes everyone. Only thing is, he’ll have to cut the dreads sometime before then.
In any event, while the pennant race is heating up, I’m taking a moment to recognize Manny for being Manny. Go Manny.
posted by pops | 8:13 PM
3 Comments:
So David's love affair with Manny continues unabated. For the life of me I can not understand the passion. Respecting talent is understandable. The hatred for Barry and the displeasure at this accomplishment is constantly in our face but the same attitudes and approach to the game (lack of effort; hit, stand there and watch; lack of leadership; team player - not) is not a joy to behold.
So sorry Boston fans if you want to talk about future hall of famers that desire applause you need look no further than the accomplishments (and rings) on Derek Jeter's hands......daled
No argument from me about Jeter. He has been the most valuable member of that franchise since 1996, with the possible exception of Mariano. But that's an unfair comparison, as Mariano is really a role player. A very important role player, but it's not the same as an everyday position player.
And by the way, I don't hate Bonds. I just think he's an asshole. Manny is not an asshole; he's a goofball. There's a difference.
Daled,
Long time, no hear.
I agree 100% with your assessment of the namesake for this blog. If it were not for the fact that he is an RBI machine his true colors would be the colors of an asshole in beantown as he is in the rest of the league. Other teams, players and managers would not stand for his antics. That is not being a goofball, it is being an asshole.
The redsox will win the AL East with their bought rotation (same situation the Yankees have been accused of for years). Hopefully the Yankees will meet the redsox in the ALCS but I am not confident it will happen as this is a rebuilding year with our homegrown talent. Enjoy 2007 with the goofball and bought talent. Just ask the Yankee fan this Theo strategy will not work.
By the way if the closer is not as important as the position player why have the redsox purchased so many (Gag-me)this season. The Yankees would not have 4 rings in the last 11 years if it were not for Mariano.
Let the games continue.
G-man
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