I hereby propose that the Dodgers acquire pitcher Mike Hampton and convert him to a first baseman. Silly?
Hampton has a career batting average of .253 and a career on-base percentage very near to that of the Dodgers leadoff man (Roberts)! If Hampton's 2001 batting numbers were multiplied by 7.5 (to bring it out to a full season of about 600 at-bats), here's how it would break down:
| AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | OBP | SLG | BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 593 | 150 | 173 | 15 | 0 | 53 | 120 | 15 | 158 | .309 | .582 | .291 |
Them's starting numbers! In fact, back in the day, this was near-MVP numbers.
There are only so many wins possible when you score 2 runs in 33 innings... I'm just trying to think outside the box! (P.S. Thanks, Jonathan, for the pointer on your blog to Baseball-Reference.com. I can die happy now. :-)
Posted by pcg at July 27, 2003 11:22 PMMike Hampton would just disappoint. I think he's too far removed from daily batting duties, and those numbers you extrapolated probably wouldn't appear. I'd think he'd probably end up being more of a low .200s hitter. Plus, you'd probably end up making him pitch, and based on the past few years, that could get ugly. (This year was supposed to be his comeback year with the pitching-Mecca Braves: hasn't happened yet)
Besides, you guys need a huge bat, not someone with an average bat. Any trade rumors circulating in the Ravine? Or is it more "wait until next year?"
Posted by: jonathan on July 28, 2003 6:42 AMAnd yeah, baseballreference.com rawks hardcore. One of my favorite sites -- I'm there at least a few times a week. There's a companion pro-football-reference.com, but the last time I checked it wasn't as complete, and besides, baseball's better anyway.
Posted by: jonathan on July 28, 2003 7:53 AMI say "Kudos" to Mike Hampton. Anyone that can hit so well/consistantly with such infrequent trips to the plate definately has a good grasp on batting. Imagine if he was given the chance to bat daily and settle into a groove. Besides, how many pitchers are ejected for disputing calls made while running the bases. Gotta love the intensity. Go Braves!
Posted by: cate on July 29, 2003 5:52 AM