Favorite Seasons

Occasionally I’ll get a text from a friend who looks up baseball stats as much as I do and it will say something like, “Look how many doubles [insert random player] hit in 1976, he only hit five in the next eight seasons.”  There have been a rash of these texts back and forth recently so I figured I’d highlight some of my favorite crazy stats/seasons that players have had recently in case there’s someone out there who enjoys this as much as we do.

Greatest. Thing. Ever.

I’m crying right now. Real tears. Of laughter….

Check it out after the jump.

Best RB Single Season Performance

Today, just like most days, I was perusing random football statistics. I came across something (I don’t even remember what it was now) and started wondering if Reggie White’s 1987 season was the best season for a defensive end of all-time. Then I wondered if 1987 harbored both the greatest season by a defensive end of all-time and the greatest season by a wide receiver, with Jerry Rice. Then I started to ponder if it was possible to pin down the greatest single season for each position.

For whatever reason, I started looking at running backs first. This was either a good idea or a bad idea depending on how you want to look at it, because there have been several incredible seasons by running backs that could be argued as the single greatest ever. I started by putting together a list, including all of the 2,000-yard rushing seasons, the top five rushing TDs in a season, top five all-purpose TDs in a season, and top ten yards from scrimmage in a season.

Barry Sanders, my favorite running back of all-time

There was obviously some overlap in these groups, so I conveniently ended up with a list of 20 seasons.

(Listed in chronological order after the jump.)

Valuing Ubaldo

I had a conversation tonight with a friend about Ubaldo Jimenez’s trade value.  I asked him if he’d trade the 27 year-old pitcher if he was the Rockies and he said no based on his affordable contract.  Jimenez is signed for $2.8 million this year, $4.2 million next year and then has a $5.75 million and $8 million team option for 2013 and 2014.  Obviously that’s a very team friendly deal for any team in the majors.  Then I asked if he’d trade him for a Zack Greinke-like return.  Greinke was traded this past offseason for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi, and Jeremy Jeffress.  He said he would.  So, using that framework for a deal, what should the Rockies be looking for if they deal their ace pitcher at the deadline?

We know he's worth a ton...but how much?

Is It Too Early to Worry About Cliff Lee?

I’m in a pretty competitive fantasy baseball keeper league.  A few years ago I plucked Cliff Lee off the waiver wire after he made a few good starts. He went on to have one of the greatest seasons ever by a starting pitcher when he went 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA and 170 strikeouts. Needless to say, I kept him and to this day, he’s one of the greatest waiver wire pick ups in the history of baseball. Good for me. I did wait on Jose Bautista, though. Wish I had that back.

Anyway, I’m a little worried about my stalwart pitcher. I may be the only one, but I’d like to see if I’m crazy for my thoughts. Let’s find out.

I loved being a Yellow Dart while I was an Indian. Now I'm a Phillie and I walk batters again.

A Triumphant (Kind Of) Return to WaB

I meant to write this post last year and never did. Then I meant to write it this Spring and never did. Now PTI has stolen my thunder by talking about it on their show last week. Since I have an evening at home by myself with nothing to do, I’m finally getting around to answering the question that I know everyone on the internet has been wondering since right around 2008.

But before we get to that, don’t expect this to become a regular thing. I might write something every couple of weeks, but I’m still retired.

Now back to the burning question that no doubt has you on the edge of your seat:

Draft Notes

You didn’t think we’d get all the way through the NFL Draft without a post, did you? I did. But we didn’t, so here it is. My Dad is a big draft fan (I had to get it from somewhere) but this year he hasn’t been able to do his normal draftnik stuff because of an Avenged Sevenfold concert and the circus. I’m not kidding and yes, his job is cooler than yours. Anyway, he asked me yesterday if I would send him some thoughts on the draft so he’d have some for tonight. The following is the email I sent him. Fair warning, we’re both Rams fans so that gets a little more coverage. Also, anyone who picks after the Rams also gets jobbed since I really don’t care what they do. It’s not the best draft post, but it will do. Also, I did not proofread this because I don’t like doing that.

Shaka Smart

All of you know that it has been a long time since either Bryan or I posted anything, but this couldn’t go unposted. I can’t say that this is necessarily and indicator that Bryan and I will be blogging regularly again, but this site started because we wanted somewhere to write down our thoughts on different things in the sports world, so that’s what I’m using it for now. If you couldn’t tell by the title, this post is about the Virginia Commonwealth men’s basketball coach, Shaka Smart.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

This is my formal retirement from the internet blog world.  I just don’t have the time or will anymore.  I’m going to leave the site up because Weller wants me to, but I won’t be using it.

Thanks for all the people who have come by in the past two years, it’s been a lot of fun and I’ve met some interesting characters.  Maybe one day I’ll have the time again.

Also, anyone looking for the explanation for the crazy Week 10 Blogpoll, that’s one is on Weller and he’ll have to do it.  I haven’t even seen it yet.

-Bryan

The World Series…But Different

I got a great email from my friend and friend of WaB (and former contributor), Jet, today.  It’s definitely worth a look.  Check it out: