Really well-written, dare I say classic, article written by Joel Sheenan for Baseball Prospectus called Facts About Manny Ramirez. I urge everyone to read it. I don’t agree with it 100%, but I think it cuts to the quick in at an argument, an ongoing  battle if you will, happening in baseball right now.

I don’t know what to call the battle or even the participants, but it’s undeniable the Internet has changed the way people watch and talk about baseball. It didn’t happen with the advent of the Internet itself, but shortly thereafter. I don’t want to call the battle statheads vs. traditionalists or anything like that, but it’s very clear that baseball has become more user-friendly, in the sense that people sitting at home can do their homework, and sometimes do it better than people in the broadcast booth, the media rooms,  and possibly even better than those in locker rooms and  front offices.

Sheenan is going after Tim McCarver here and using a statement the announcer made on Wednesday…I’m not sure where and it doesn’t say in the  article.

“[S]ome of the things he did were simply despicable, despicable - like not playing, refusing to play.”

and

“Manny’s doing things that even Manny doesn’t do, [like] scoring on a double to right field from first base.”

Sheenan goes through and systematically mutilates McCarver’s argument, illustrating via games played and scoring chances on doubles to right that McCarver has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about. That he’s basing his assertions on half-researched beliefs. He comes to this conclusion:

I think one of the beautiful things about the 21st century is that when people say silly things about baseball-or for that matter, politics-we’re going to be able to bring actual information out to counter the silly things.

He’s absolutely right. Of course, I think some might argue that baseball, and especially announcing, has always endured a certain level of goofiness that makes it all the more endearing to fans. I maintain that in the stathead world, where announcers spew nothing but perfectly harnessed statistical data at just the right times that Harry Caray and Joe Morgan can’t exist. A character like Yogi Berra doesn’t exist.  A manager like Joe Torre doesn’t  exist. In terms of this season the Red Sox and Rays certainly exist, but the Dodgers and Phillies probably don’t.

In fact, I would argue that said goofiness is what keeps the game human and popular, and dare I say, American. I say this as someone who indulges in state-of-the-art statistics. I love them and can’t get enough. But I think the argument needs to remain open and balanced and that probably means putting up with bad announcing, bad MVP voters, and bad personnel decisions by teams. In a sense, Tim McCarver’s existence creates Joel Sheenan’s.

Of course it’s difficult to endorse mediocrity. Well, unless you happen to be using it as your political platform and hope to persuade a population to vote for you. Come to think of it, that’s been very successful ploy during most of our lifetimes. Hmm.  

Anyway, I’d love to hear some opinions on this article if people have them.