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January 22, 2006
2005 Road Woe-is-me-ers
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:
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?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at January 22, 2006 10:52 PM
Comments
You forget John Flaherty. He definately killed our 9 hole stats.
Crosby too.
Posted by: DownFromNJ ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 22, 2006 11:56 PM
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.
Posted by: Mr. Furious at January 23, 2006 07:33 AM