Is there really something more important than putting up big numbers?

Question

If you really follow baseball closely you start hearing about certain players that are; a value to the team, good in the club house, a team leader, good chemistry with other teammates, show up to play, plays hard, good attitude, plus many others. Are any of these intangibles relevant when it comes to baseball and putting together a winning team?

Answer 1

Whenever this discussion comes up, I think of the Oakland A's dynasty of the early 1970s. They won three straight World Series with a group of guys who hated each other - they had arguments, fights in the clubhouse, and they despised management and ownership. If ever there was a group that lacked chemistry, it was them.

I believe that "good chemistry" is just a term they apply to winning teams, in an effort to show why said team has done well. The Devil Rays could have an awesome, friendly clubhouse, but nobody will talk about their chemistry as long as they continue to lose. It's a totally overused term.

I do believe in clubhouse leadership, and it's nice to have. However, what's even nicer to have is a guy who can mash 50 homers or a pitcher with a sub-3 ERA. Winning is about outscoring your opponents. Last time I looked, that was done through putting up big numbers, not by any intangible chemistry. I'm not trying to be completely dismissive of it, but I think it's both overvalued and a misapplied term.

Answer 2

I think they do have a place on a winning baseball team.

I think 'intangibles' are used too often as an excuse to elevate a good player to 'great' status.

However, when you have a team that focuses only on the #'s and have no role players, no other players are fit to take over for injury, slumps, post season, it can deteroirate a team greatly.

When the Jays of the mid to late 80's played, they had their stars (George Bell, Jesse Barfield, Dave Stieb and Tom Henke), but also had some players that made significant small contributions.
A 3rd base platoon of Garth Iorg and Rance Mulliniks, occasional DHing and pinch hitting of a Rick Leach, guys that could grow into everyday players in time.

I feel bad for any team where the players are collectively too 'great' to ever lay down a bunt or hit and run.

Answer 3

It is hard to say, I do not always but the "team chemistry" line because baseball is inherently a individual sport within a team. That being said you always see these players on teams that are winning, so I think there energy is a little contagious to other players, makes other players up their games. A guy like Eckstein is a perfect example, he is always playing for a winner (last year excluded) and is always such high energy that you see other guys giving more than they used to give. I do think you need a team leader but they are not found on a shelf somewhere, they seem to develop over time, take Varitek in Boston, he did not walk in a command respect, he put his time in and play all out and others respected him for that. These guys are also usually the first to sacrifice their own statistics for the betterment of the team, you would never one of these guys complaining about a sacrifice that helped the team; they would also not think twice about taking the extra base, they are smart players that get everythign they can out of their ability. I think that every successful team needs a few guys like this, guys willing to do anything to help the team, to get on base ahead of the big bats that drvie them in, get other guys in scoring position for the big guys to have the RBI opportunity. They are also the selfless defensive guys, the guys that will sacrifice their bodies for any ball to get the out. I think they are needed guys on the team, a team needs a balance of role guys like this and the big bats.

Answer 4

Heck yes those things are important. Look at the Red Sox, they are one of the few teams that had the money to sign A-Rod after he opted out of his deal with the Yankees. They also had a spot wide open at 3B because Mike Lowell had become a free agent. However, they chose not to sign A-Rod, who would have put up rediculous numbers, so they could resign Lowell. Why? Lowell has great chemistry with his teammates and is a great guy in the clubhouse, he's got a lot of those intangibles that you talked about. More impressively, he's been apart of at least two World Series winners, A-Rod has not.

Answer 5

Humility is important. When this subject comes up, I often think about Kirby Puckett, a guy who could've gone somewhere and made more money and chose not to leave Minnesota. What a great example he was, I wish more players were like him. He really enjoyed the game of baseball and made it a pleasure to watch. He touched a lot of people and he is missed.

Answer 6

the prevalent high quality of pitching that a MLB participant faces at present's lots bigger than it became then. And steroids have been truthfully around, and used, whilst Ted Williams performed. inspite of what human beings think of, the "steroids era" did no longer start up interior the 2000s, they have been utilized in expert activities because of the fact the Thirties. gamers have constantly tried to furnish themselves an area, there are thoughts from the previous due 1800s the place gamers might inject themselves with ideas made out of floor up bull testicles. it is not something new.

Answer 7

yeah, the intangibles are far more important then the numbers
a-rod puts up the biggest numbers, but he doesnt play inspired d, and he doesnt inspire his teammates
david eckstein has won two world series, not because he puts up huge numbers but because he does all the little things right, baserunning, good defense, occupies pitchers attention, a scrappy player
im not saying eckstein is a star player, but id rather have a david eckstein, or a rex hudler, or a torri hunter then an a-rod or bonds

Answer 8

I think those thing are somtimes more important than the numbers themself, but when you have a team loaded with talent even if there not the nicest guys and your team can still win why not?

Answer 9

Every single one of those intangibles is very important, if even 1 of those is missing it will eat away at the inside of the organization and it will colapse.

Answer 10

Having Fun.