And so it starts.

[gRYFYN1]

It doesn't make it any less silly. Dunn strikes out a lot. It doesn't make him any worse a player than someone who barely strikes out. Strike outs are not any worse than the average non-strikeout out.

Dosen't that go against the basic theory of BABIP? But you have to take what goes with all that:

I think it's fair. Adam Dunn can hit the ball as far or further than anyone playing the game. And he's got a GREAT eye for the strike zone, as proven by his walks, but he strikes out almost 200 times a year.

If he could just cut that in half, I'd bet his BA would top .260 consistently and his RBI totals would go up by perhaps 20 per year.

Sure maybe he could go up there and raise is BA 15-20 point but then he would walk alot less and lose 20-30 point off his OBP. And Maybe he could add 10-15 RBI that way, but he'd be on base less and lose 10 runs scored. so:

And that would be helping your team win MORE, and I think that's where the criticism comes from.

so I don't think the overall sum would be winning more, it'd in all likelyhood be pretty similar if he was that way, and proabably worse if he tried to change.

[HoustonGM]

Dosen't that go against the basic theory of BABIP?

No. Pitchers and hitters are different.

Sure maybe he could go up there and raise is BA 15-20 point but then he would walk alot less and lose 20-30 point off his OBP. And Maybe he could add 10-15 RBI that way, but he'd be on base less and lose 10 runs scored. so:

so I don't think the overall sum would be winning more, it'd in all likelyhood be pretty similar if he was that way, and proabably worse if he tried to change.

Yep.

[200tang]

Sort of off-topic (although still on topic of the 'media' I suppose), but why is it that RBI's are so sacred and yet runs aren't? In my opinion scoring a run is harder than gaining an RBI. The guys who rack up Runs are generally guys who are good at stealing bases, smart base runners and guys who have to be able to hit to get on base. On top of that, being good at stealing bases generally translates in to better range and thus being a better fielder than someone who's slow. For an RBI to happen you have to be lucky enough to be on a good team and have a guy in scoring position and hit the ball. That's it.