Gold Gloves

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

What is the difference between zone rating, and ultimate zone rating?

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UZR is more involved than zone ratings. It takes the velocity of the batted ball into account (i.e. soft, medium, hard), and I believe a win probability system. Zone ratings simply measure where the ball was hit and a yes/no question on if it was converted into an out.

[Failed Bridge 0]

Another point on the Varitek selection.  If he is really the best defensive catcher in the league, why do the Sox use Doug Mirabelli to catch Tim Wakefield?

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Wakefield is just more comfortable with the game Mirabelli calls and how they work together. Some pitchers just have personal catchers.

[Vern Gagne 0]

What is the difference between zone rating, and ultimate zone rating?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

UZR is more involved than zone ratings. It takes the velocity of the batted ball into account (i.e. soft, medium, hard), and I believe a win probability system. Zone ratings simply measure where the ball was hit and a yes/no question on if it was converted into an out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

What about for a catcher. Is it the velocity of the pitch thrown?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

What is the difference between zone rating, and ultimate zone rating?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

UZR is more involved than zone ratings. It takes the velocity of the batted ball into account (i.e. soft, medium, hard), and I believe a win probability system. Zone ratings simply measure where the ball was hit and a yes/no question on if it was converted into an out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

What about for a catcher. Is it the velocity of the pitch thrown?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can't give precise details because UZR is a proprietary statistic. I imagine mostly it would involve fielding bunts.

[Brett Favre 0]

Here are the NL Gold Gloves

 

C: Mike Matheny

1B: Derrek Lee

2B: Luis Castillo

3B: Mike Lowell

SS: Omar Vizquel

OF: Andruw Jones

OF: Jim Edmonds

OF: Bobby Abreu

P: Greg Maddux

 

Question Al, if Vizquel wins like 2 more gold gloves, and reaches 2500 hits, would he have a chance at the HOF then? He's already number 2 on the All-Time SS Gold Glove list (passing Luis Aparicio with this one).

 

And damn, I forgot about Aaron Rowand not winning a Gold Glove. What the hell is that all about?

[Mik 0]

At least Mike Lowell wasn't a total waste this year.

[The Czech Republic 0]

congratulations to Greg Maddux for another Gold Glove. I hope he comes back for next year. His detractors on the NSBB board are delusional in their Maddux hate.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Hey Al maybe you can help out on this one, but I thought most people in the know consider Jeter to be a below average defensive shortstop. If so, how does he keeping winning these things? Is his "gritty" reputation really enough to overlook his shortcomings as a player?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Here are the NL Gold Gloves

 

C: Mike Matheny

1B: Derrek Lee

2B: Luis Castillo

3B: Mike Lowell

SS: Omar Vizquel

OF: Andruw Jones

OF: Jim Edmonds

OF: Bobby Abreu

P: Greg Maddux

 

Question Al, if Vizquel wins like 2 more gold gloves, and reaches 2500 hits, would he have a chance at the HOF then? He's already number 2 on the All-Time SS Gold Glove list (passing Luis Aparicio with this one).

 

And damn, I forgot about Aaron Rowand not winning a Gold Glove. What the hell is that all about?

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Abreu?! I'm as big an Abreu worshipper as you will find, and I have never, ever seen him as one of the best defensive outfielders in the league. Carlos Beltran and Willy Taveras were both more deserving.

 

As for Vizquel, I recall the same issue coming up last season. I don't think he's a HOFer. Bill James' HOF Monitor, which predicts a player's chance at the Hall (and NOT whether or not he deserves it) pegs Vizquel at 89.5, with 100 making him a likely entrant. Vizquel's got some nice stats and the hardware. Superficially, fans like to compare him to Ozzie Smith. The difference is that Ozzie made 15 All-Star games to Vizquel's three. There's a reason for that. Vizquel is simply not an impact player on the greatest level.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Hey Al maybe you can help out on this one, but I thought most people in the know consider Jeter to be a below average defensive shortstop.  If so, how does he keeping winning these things?  Is his "gritty" reputation really enough to overlook his shortcomings as a player?

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Hero worship mostly, aided by some dazzling plays he made during the postseason in the late 90s. He has the reputation, and since simple fielding statistics do not tell the whole story, it is hard to dispel the fielding myth once it is established. It is difficult for a player to be labeled as a poor defensive player unless he makes many errors.

[ISportsFan 0]

And damn, I forgot about Aaron Rowand not winning a Gold Glove. What the hell is that all about?

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Seconded. He may not be all that fast but he gets incredible jumps on the ball and he takes a bunch of hits away from people. And, as shown by defensive win shares, he's at least one of the best defensive OF in the league. Torii Hunter was injured for half of the year, but his reputation gives him the gold glove.

 

Jason

[mike546 0]

I'll admit, Jeter has terrible accuracey. Whoever plays 1st for the Yankees saves him 10 to 15 errors each year with the swipe tag up the line.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Bobby Abreu winning just confims that the Gold Glove Award is a joke. Abreu's lazy outfielding style is a testament to that. Seriously, even Al seemingly can see it, and he loves Bobby.

[Guest Posada20]

Still can't believe Jason Varitek won a gold glove.

[the pinjockey 0]

I feel bad for Bobby winning that award. It was already happening on DNL (local sports talk show) that they couldn't mention Abreu's name without throwing Gold Glover in a mocking tone in front of his name, despite the fact the discussion had nothing to do with his fielding. Any play he botches this season is going to get killed.

[therealworldschampion 0]

I would've loved to hear Howard talking about Abreu winning the Gold Glove today on WIP...

[C Dubya 04 0]

Do the Gold Glove voters even watch baseball? How can you possibly pick Abreu? I'm glad that he is a Phillie, but I would even call his fielding average, not even good. He lets a ton of balls drop in front of him, misplayed a few that cost the Phils games and just in general never looked like he went all out out there.

 

Sigh.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

As the remaining Phillies fan on the board who hasn't chimed in, I too shall call shenanigans on Abreu's Gold Glove award.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Well again, I blame the process and not the voters themselves.