02-11-2009, 04:28 PM
<!--quoteo(post=17364:date=Feb 11 2009, 02:14 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Feb 11 2009, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->To add to the sample size argument -- Sosa was ridiculous in the 2003 series against the Marlins. He went .308/.455/.577. Those are Hall of Fame numbers. But he was .188/.409/.250 just one series before that against the Braves in the NLDS. So was he a choker against the Braves and then suddenly clutch against the Marlins?
It's so hard to measure playoff performance because a batter gets 500+ ABs in the regular season and then anywhere from 15-50 in the postseason (depending how far your team advances).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Great points, and I do recall that about Sosa in 2003 (Braves vs Marlins stats), however I still tend to think there are people who elevate their game in pressure situations, and on the flip side I think there are people who simply cannot do this, and instead fold under that pressure.
For example, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. I've never seen anyone able to flip a switch and light it up like this guy in major pressure situations, after having relatively average regular seasons. I remember in 2005 while he posted a 6+ regular season ERA while topping out at 88mph with erratic control only to absolutely dominate in the playoffs and suddenly hit 93-94 on the gun. While Butch already knows this about me, I'll just go ahead and (hopefully not) destroy my credibility around here and tell the rest of you that I'm a Sox fan. I feel no reason to hide this. I'm simply here for the exceptional baseball discussion you have versus the places I've come to despise.
That said, I'm not here to cause problems nor talk shit...I simply want to partake in excellent baseball conversation, even if it has nothing to do with my own team. I just love the game that much.
It's so hard to measure playoff performance because a batter gets 500+ ABs in the regular season and then anywhere from 15-50 in the postseason (depending how far your team advances).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Great points, and I do recall that about Sosa in 2003 (Braves vs Marlins stats), however I still tend to think there are people who elevate their game in pressure situations, and on the flip side I think there are people who simply cannot do this, and instead fold under that pressure.
For example, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. I've never seen anyone able to flip a switch and light it up like this guy in major pressure situations, after having relatively average regular seasons. I remember in 2005 while he posted a 6+ regular season ERA while topping out at 88mph with erratic control only to absolutely dominate in the playoffs and suddenly hit 93-94 on the gun. While Butch already knows this about me, I'll just go ahead and (hopefully not) destroy my credibility around here and tell the rest of you that I'm a Sox fan. I feel no reason to hide this. I'm simply here for the exceptional baseball discussion you have versus the places I've come to despise.
That said, I'm not here to cause problems nor talk shit...I simply want to partake in excellent baseball conversation, even if it has nothing to do with my own team. I just love the game that much.