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Friday, September 23, 2011
Sabermetric scorn for the triple crown?
David at ESPN:
Sure, we all know batting average and RBIs can be overrated, but if Kemp could somehow pull this off, it would be an awesome accomplishment. A fun accomplishment, one to be appreciated, not sabermetrically scorned.
Yes, if you treat it as a fun accomplishment, then who am I to ruin your fun? Because that’s exactly what a triple crown is: a fun accomplishment.
Scorn comes into play when you turn that fun accomplishment into something more real. The reality is that winning the triple crown is a byproduct. Matt Kemp has a WAR on Fangraphs of 8.2, whereas the next 5 best players are between 6.4 and 6.9. WAR at Baseball-Reference has him at 9.6, and then next 3 best are at 6.1 to 7.2. Matt Kemp is demolishing all non-pitchers in the National Conference.
Matt Kemp’s WAR is not only a fun accomplishment, but a real accomplishment, one to be appreciated and not ignorantly scorned.