Saturday, October 11, 2008

Slugging Back to Pre-Juiced Levels

Need proof that slugging in 2008 was as low as it's been since the boom in the '90's (attributed to either juiced balls and/or juiced players)?

Consider these factoids:
Alex Rodriquez's AL-leading .573 slugging pct. this year was the lowest to lead the AL since 1989, and the lowest to lead either league since 1991.

Albert Pujols' major-league-leading 342 total bases was the lowest total to lead the majors in a full (non-strike-affected) season since 1992.

Before 2008, there hadn't been as few as 2 players hitting 40 or more homers in the majors in a full (non-strike-affected) season since 1992. There were as many as 10 40+ HR hitters as recently as 2006; 16 did it in both 2000 and 1996.

Before 2008, there hadn't been as few as 3 players hitting better than one homer per 14 AB since 1991; there were 8 just last year (2007); no fewer than 7 every year from 1994-2007.

Whether it's a good thing or bad thing that slugging once again resembles it's "normal" parameters (i.e., around where it usually was from the dawn or Ruth through the 1980's) can be debated. I tend to think it's good. Problem is, baseball is going to be debating what to do about all those inflated numbers from the 1990's and early 2000's for years to come.

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