Graph of the Day: Boggs vs. Gwynn vs. Ripken

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 27, 2009 10:53 AM EDT

Today's GotD is also a link to four more graphs, as part of my article that appeared on The Hardball Times yesterday. I took a look at the careers of Wade Boggs, Tony Gwynn, and Cal Ripken, Jr. using Sean's WAR database.

The short story is that Boggs and Gwynn were equally awesome hitters, while Ripken was merely good. On defense, however, Gwynn loses a ton of value, both because he played a much easier position and because TotalZone calls him an average fielder for his career. Ripken was really good, obviously, and Boggs put up extremely consistent fielding seasons in the +5 run range, even during his Boston years.

Overall, well, you can see above how they stack up. While Ripken's one 11 WAR season is epic, I think I'd give the career nod to Boggs, while Gwynn definitely earns the bronze medal. And that's not what I would have guessed beforehand.

WAR data from Sean's historical WAR database. It's awesome. Each players' seasons sorted from best to worst, left to right.

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Yeah that Tony Gwynn guy really sucked

Boggs surprises me too. I guess that goes with the whole 3B is underrated thing.

by VictorW on Mar 27, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Cool stuff.

That -28 on Gwynn is really perplexing, no?

by jwiscarson on Mar 27, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

Closely followed by a +30!

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 27, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

still need some more work on those defensive stats, don't we.

fun to look at anyway.

by larry on Mar 27, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, but I'm not sure this data proves anything, though. Take a look at hitting:

“What a crazy 1991 spike for Ripken. No way that’s real.”

Also, I’d be curious if any Gwynn experts know any details about the ’89 to ’91 teams that might at least partially explain those wacko spikes. Ballpark stuff, team roster changes, etc.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Mar 27, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions