12-28-2009, 07:22 PM
BTW, I have one major thing in common with Hendry, that Coach inadvertantly pointed out: we both overvalued the leaders of the SF Giants from 1997-on (me with Sabean, Hendry with Dusty Baker).
Neither of us "figured in" the effect of having the greatest offensive force in the history of the sport playing full time for that team. Without Bonds putting up those truly absurd, steroid-helped seasons, both Dusty and Sabean would look a lot less cool.
For fun: All-time highest seasons of OPS+
Rank Player (age that year) OPS+ Year
1. Barry Bonds (37) 268 2002
2. Barry Bonds (39) 263 2004
3. Barry Bonds (36) 259 2001
4. Babe Ruth (25) 256 1920
6. Babe Ruth (26) 239 1921
7. Babe Ruth (28) 239 1923
8. Ted Williams (22) 235 1941
9. Ted Williams (38) 233 1957
10. Barry Bonds (38) 231 2003
Neither of us "figured in" the effect of having the greatest offensive force in the history of the sport playing full time for that team. Without Bonds putting up those truly absurd, steroid-helped seasons, both Dusty and Sabean would look a lot less cool.
For fun: All-time highest seasons of OPS+
Rank Player (age that year) OPS+ Year
1. Barry Bonds (37) 268 2002
2. Barry Bonds (39) 263 2004
3. Barry Bonds (36) 259 2001
4. Babe Ruth (25) 256 1920
6. Babe Ruth (26) 239 1921
7. Babe Ruth (28) 239 1923
8. Ted Williams (22) 235 1941
9. Ted Williams (38) 233 1957
10. Barry Bonds (38) 231 2003
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance