Pitchers statistics
Let's just give Barry Bonds his first-ever
Mitchell Award and be done with it. In fact, we should
rename it the Barry Bonds Award, because his 2002
season will be the standard that future candidates are
measured against.
Bonds was the first player in league history to win
the Triple Crown (.346 batting average, 176 RBIs and
72 HRs). He also was the first to claim the
"Sabermetric Triple Crown" of batting average, on-base
percentage (.520) and slugging percentage (.890). He
also led the league in runs (163), walks (170),
intentional walks (38), extra-base hits (111), total
bases (422) and OPS (1.410), as well as more esoteric
categories like runs created (238.2), runs created/27
outs (20.0), isolated power (.544), total average
(1.927), secondary average (.916) and AB/HR (6.6). He
set league records in OBP, SLG and OPS, shattering the
old marks set during the high-scoring days of the
Microleague Era (1991-1996), and tied the league
record for runs, matching Chuck Knoblauch's 163
in 1997. He came within six walks of Mark
McGwire's 176 BBs in 1996, and nearly tied the
modern (DMB-era) marks for HRs and RBIs, just one
homer and 5 RBIs shy of Sammy Sosa's 73 and 181
in 1999. He won six OmahaSteaks.com
Batter of the Week Awards -- the only other player
to win more than one was Alex Rodriguez (two).
It's your world, Barry, we're just living in it.
Once we get past Bonds's awesome season, it's
practically a dead-heat for the other MVB candidates.
We turned to our local sportswriters to ask them who
they would vote for.
Arkansas Golden Falcons Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
Bonds had one of the greatest seasons in DMBL history,
but he alone wasn't responsible for the league's
second-best offense -- three other batters in
Arkansas's lineup also deserve consideration, though
it remains to be seen if the voters will even look at
another name on the Golden Falcons' roster. Phil
Nevin (.295, 47 HR, 145 RBI) was by sabermetric
measures the team's second-best batter, posting a .933
OPS and 131.6 RC. Among all DMBL batters, Nevin
finished second in RBIs, sixth in HRs, eighth in runs
created and 10th in slugging percentage (.566). But
Nevin shouldn't get extra points for playing a
demanding defensive position: Though he did start all
162 games at third base, he was one of the league's
worst defenders, making 27 errors (.927 fielding
percentage) with no range... Veteran Larry
Walker (.297, 33 HR, 97 RBI, .909 OPS), who won
the award two years ago, was third in runs (127), 10th
in runs created (131.2) and tied for 10th in doubles
(42)... Lance Berkman (.299, 24 HR, 88 RBI,
.388 OBP, 50 2B, 111 R) had a strong sophomore
campaign.
Hoboken Cutters Mike Vaccaro, The Star-Ledger
Batting Leaders (min 502 PA)
* - denotes new league record
Batting Average |
1 | Bonds, ARK | .346 |
2 | B.Williams, STP | .324 |
3 | Ichiro, PHX | .320 |
4 | Pujols, PHI | .318 |
5t | Casey, TIJ | .312 |
5t | Giambi, HON | .312 |
7t | C.Jones, NWK | .308 |
7t | Stewart, TIJ | .308 |
7t | Wooten, STP-VAN | .308 |
10 | Sosa, VAN | .303 |
Slugging Percentage |
1 | Bonds, ARK | .890* |
2 | L.Gonzalez, PHX | .651 |
3 | Giambi, HON | .644 |
4t | Sosa, VAN | .632 |
4t | A.Rodriguez, WAN | .611 |
6 | Piazza, HBK | .602 |
7 | M.Ramirez, NWK | .596 |
7t | Thome, NWK | .595 |
9 | Helton, STP | .586 |
10 | Nevin, ARK | .566 |
On-Base Percentage |
1 | Bonds, ARK | .520* |
2 | Giambi, HON | .438 |
3 | McLemore, NWK | .398 |
4t | L.Gonzalez, PHX | .397 |
4t | B.Williams, STP | .397 |
4t | Helton, STP | .397 |
7 | C.Jones, NWK | .396 |
8t | Berkman, ARK | .388 |
8t | R.Alomar, HBK | .388 |
10 | Je.Giambi, NWK | .386 |
On-Base Plus Slugging |
1 | Bonds, ARK | 1.410* |
2 | Giambi, HON | 1.082 |
3 | L.Gonzalez, PHX | 1.048 |
4 | Sosa, VAN | 1.015 |
5t | A.Rodriguez, WAN | .982 |
5t | Helton, STP | .982 |
7 | Thome, NWK | .980 |
8 | C.Jones, NWK | .955 |
9 | M.Ramirez, NWK | .953 |
10 | Piazza, HBK | .949 |
Runs |
1 | Bonds, ARK | 163 |
2 | C.Jones, NWK | 129 |
3 | Walker, ARK | 127 |
4 | Sosa, VAN | 124 |
5 | Giambi, HON | 123 |
6 | L.Gonzalez, PHX | 116 |
7 | A.Rodriguez, WAN | 114 |
8 | Beltran, PHI | 113 |
8t | Delgado, WAN | 113 |
10 | Two tied | 111 |
Runs Batted In |
1 | Bonds, ARK | 176 |
2 | Nevin, ARK | 145 |
3 | Sosa, VAN | 138 |
4t | Giambi,HON | 128 |
4t | A.Rodriguez, WAN | 128 |
6t | L.Gonzalez, PHX | 127 |
6t | S.Green, HON | 127 |
6t | Piazza, HBK | 127 |
9 | Helton, STP | 119 |
10 | Jones, NWK | 118 |
Stolen Bases |
1 | Ichiro, PHX | 31 |
2 | McLemore, NWK | 22 |
3 | Beltran, PHI | 20 |
4 | Rollins, VAN | 19 |
5t | Cruz, HON | 18 |
5t | Pierre, PHX-HBK | 18 |
7t | Higginson, BRK | 17 |
7t | Soriano, STP | 17 |
9 | L.Castillo, COL | 15 |
10 | Three tied | 14 |
Home Runs |
1 | Bonds, ARK | 72 |
2t | L.Gonzalez, PHX | 55 |
2t | A.Rodriguez, WAN | 55 |
4 | Sosa,VAN | 54 |
5 | Piazza, HBK | 51 |
6 | Nevin, ARK | 47 |
7 | S.Green, HON | 46 |
8t | Helton, STP | 44 |
8t | M.Ramirez, NWK | 44 |
8t | Thome, NWK | 44 |
Most teams look at whatever offense they get out of
the catcher position as a bonus, but the Cutters got
another MVB-caliber season out of their backstop,
Mike Piazza (.301, 51 HR, 127 RBI), who topped
50 HRs for the third time in his Hall of Fame career.
Piazza finished fifth in HRs, tied for fifth in AB/HR
(11.7), sixth in slugging percentage (.602), tied for
sixth in RBIs, seventh in total bases (358), and 10th
in OPS (.949). Although Piazza has a woeful reputation
defensively, he did have a .995 fielding percentage
(tied for fifth) and he did handle one of the league's
best pitching staffs. On the other hand, he does have
one of the weakest throwing arms in the league,
gunning down just 15 out of 82 base stealers... Other
team leaders were Roberto Alomar (.299, 105 R,
22 HR, 15 SB, .388 OBP, .867 OPS, 119.9 RC) and
Brian Giles (.261, 32 HR, 116 RBI, .828 OPS,
104.5 RC).
Honolulu Sharks Bob Krauss, The Honolulu Advertiser
This team came up one game short of their first-ever
playoff spot, despite another amazing season from
Jason Giambi (.312, 43 HR, 128 RBI). If it
wasn't for that guy in Arkansas, he might be taking
home the Mitchell after leading the league in doubles
(65) and finishing second in OPS (1.082), on-base
percentage (.438), extra-base hits (109), walks (127),
runs created (174.5), total average (1.228) and
secondary average (.549). He was also third in
slugging percentage (.644), tied for fourth in runs
batted in (128) and total bases (380), fifth in runs
(123) and tied for fifth in batting average...
Shawn Green (.268, 46 HR, 127 RBI, .848 OPS,
110.6 RC) also had a strong season.
Newark Sugar Bears Monica Pellegrini, Channel 9 Sports
For the second straight season, the Sugar Bears rode
the league's best offense to a World Series title. The
team was built around the dynamic duo of Chipper
Jones and Manny Ramirez, but production was
spread throughout the lineup. Jones (.308, 39 HR, 118
RBI) was second in runs (129), sixth in hits (193),
tied for sixth in OBP (.396) and walks (93), seventh
in runs created (143.7), tied for seventh in batting
average, eighth in OPS (.955) and total average
(1.013), tied for ninth in total bases (351) and was
10th in RBIs, had a 16-game hitting streak and proved
a capable defender at third base, finishing in the top
10 in total chances (2.50) and fielding percentage
(.957)... Ramirez (.290, 44 HR, 110 RBI) was seventh
in slugging percentage (.596) and AB/HR (12.8), tied
for eighth in HRs, ninth in OPS (.953) and extra-base
hits (83), and 10th in total average (.964)... Jim
Thome (.260, 44 HR, 100 RBI, .980 OPS, 107.4 RC)
and Mark McLemore (.299, 16 3B, 96 R, 22 SB,
.398 OBP) also were among the league leaders.
Philadelphia Endzone Animals Big Daddy Graham, WIP Sports (610 AM)
All-Star rookie Albert Pujols (.318, 29 HR, 108
RBI) exploded onto the scene in 2002. Philly's first
baseman was second in hits (204), tied for third in
doubles (50), fourth in batting average, eighth in
extra-base hits (84), ninth in runs created (131.5)
and tied for ninth in total bases (351)... Carlos
Beltran (.302, 25 HR, 81 RBI, 20 SB, 113 R, .853
OPS, 121.0 RC), J.D. Drew (.281, 32 HR, 101
RBI, 99 R, .915 OPS, 116.1 RC) and Troy Glaus
(.238, 43 HR, 113 RBI, .852 OPS, 103.1 RC) also had
huge numbers.
Phoenix Dragons Fred Kabotie, Grand Canyon artist
The Dragons had the league's third-worst offense,
despite the contributions of Luis Gonzalez
(.301, 55 HR, 127 RBI), who was second in slugging
percentage (.651), intentional walks (35) and isolated
power (.349); third in OPS (1.048), runs created
(155.2), total average (1.156) and AB/HR (10.6);
fourth in secondary average (.502); tied for fourth in
on-base percentage (.397) and total bases (380); sixth
in runs (116) and extra-base hits (87); tied for sixth
in RBIs; and tied for eighth in walks (87). He also
was one of the league's top defensive left fielders...
Rookie Ichiro (.320, 99 R, 31 SB, .751 OPS,
103.4 RC) led the league in hits (229), stolen bases
(31), at-bats (716) and plate appearances (748), was
third in batting average and steal percentage (.886),
and had a 17-game hitting streak.
Stanhope Mighty Men Ricardo Villarini, Noticiero 47 (WNJU)
Although the Mighty Men finished 22 games under .500
and had the league's fifth-worst offense, they did
have some stars in their lineup, led by Todd
Helton (.292, 44 HR, 119 RBI), who finished third
in walks (102), tied for fourth in extra-base hits
(89), fifth in secondary average (.461), tied for
fifth in OPS (.982), sixth in runs created (144.3) and
total average (1.043), tied for sixth in OBP (.396),
eighth in total bases (357), tied for eighth in HRs,
and was ninth in RBIs, doubles (43) and SLG (.586). He
also led the league in fielding percentage as a 1B
(.999), making just 1 error in 1,302 total chances...
Bernie Williams (.324, 29 HR, 108 RBI, 97 R,
.928 OPS, 129.3 RC) finished second in batting
average, fourth in hits (201), tied for fifth in
on-base percentage (.397) and tied for 10th in doubles
(42), and was one of the league's top defensive center
fielders, leading the league in baserunner kills (27)
and ranking fifth in fielding percentage (.995) and
sixth in total chances (2.65).
Vancouver Iron Fist John McGourty, NHL.com
Sammy Sosa (.303, 54 HR, 138 RBI), who won the
Mitchell Award in '99 after setting DMB-era records in
HRs (73) and RBIs (181), had a monster season,
finishing second in total bases (394); third in RBIs,
extra-base hits (92) and intentional walks (23);
fourth in OPS (1.015), runs created (149.6), home
runs, runs (124), SLG (.632), total average (1.065)
and AB/HR (11.5); sixth in secondary average (.453);
tied for eighth in hits (189); 10th in batting average
(.303); and he had a 20-game hitting streak, tied for
fourth-longest this season, and was tied for third in
assists (24)... 1B Jeff Bagwell (.271, 33 HR,
95 RBI, 111 R, 37 2B, .849 OPS, 113.2 RC) had solid
numbers and has the league's longest consecutive games
played streak, dating back to the 1999 season.
Wanaque Wolverines Adrian Wojnarowski, The Record
Superstar shortstop Alex Rodriguez (.299, 55
HR, 128 RBI) had another remarkable season, tying for
second in HRs and finishing third in total bases
(392); tied for fourth in RBIs and extra-base hits
(89); fifth in runs created (144.5), OPS (.982) and
slugging percentage (.611); tied for fifth in OPS
(.982) and AB/HR (11.7); seventh in hits (192), runs
(114) and total average (1.021); and 10th in secondary
average (.419). He played a fine defensive shortstop
and led all non-1B/OF in HR, RBI, OPS and runs
created... Last year's winner, Carlos Delgado,
hit just .240 with an .813 OPS, but did crank 39 HR
with 113 R, 96 RBI.
Brooklyn 1B Mark Grace (.284, 14 HR, 73 RBI, 70
R, 35 2B, .777 OPS, 95.4 RC) and DH Ruben
Sierra (.259, 39 HR, 86 RBI, 82 R, .770 OPS, 85.5
RC)... Carolina 3B Aramis Ramirez (.288, 37 HR,
86 RBI, .862 OPS, 109.1 RC)... Columbia OF Magglio
Ordonez (.271, 30 HR, 93 RBI, .823 OPS, 102.6
RC)... Harrison 1B Mike Sweeney (.297, 22 HR,
80 R, .867 OPS, 90.4 RC)... Tijuana 1B Sean
Casey (.312, 10 HR, 61 RBI, 83 R, .795 OPS, 94.6
RC) and 2B Bret Boone (.288, 30 HR, 98 RBI, 92
R, .811 OPS, 97.7 RC).
Previous McDonald Award Winners |
year | player | team | BA | SLG | OBP | OPS | AB | R | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB |
1991 | Bobby Bonilla | AUS | .274 | .487 | .328 | .815 | 636 | ??? | 28 | 3 | 34 | 142 | 51 | 142 | 0 |
1992 | Danny Tartabull | AUS | .299 | .562 | .389 | .951 | 648 | ??? | 41 | 3 | 41 | 136 | 95 | 215 | 0 |
1993 | Deion Sanders | CHE | .384 | .638 | .417 | 1.055 | 768 | ??? | 11 | 62 | 20 | 164 | 44 | 124 | 12 |
1994 | Juan Gonzalez | ARK | .330 | .638 | .376 | 1.014 | 719 | ??? | 39 | 0 | 61 | 209 | 53 | 174 | 0 |
1996 | Ryan Klesko | NWK | .378 | .757 | .464 | 1.221 | 688 | ??? | 67 | 1 | 64 | 225 | 110 | 181 | 0 |
1997 | Juan Gonzalez | ARK | .317 | .649 | .363 | 1.012 | 678 | 133 | 39 | 3 | 60 | 177 | 49 | 108 | 2 |
1998 | Mark McGwire | NWK | .262 | .655 | .369 | 1.024 | 611 | 151 | 28 | 1 | 70 | 167 | 104 | 194 | 0 |
1999 | Sammy Sosa | VAN | .322 | .689 | .383 | 1.072 | 652 | 135 | 20 | 0 | 73 | 181 | 64 | 201 | 13 |
2000 | Larry Walker | ARK | .339 | .646 | .418 | 1.064 | 664 | 152 | 35 | 2 | 55 | 134 | 90 | 72 | 23 |
2001 | Carlos Delgado | VAT | .345 | .653 | .455 | 1.108 | 603 | 153 | 59 | 2 | 41 | 138 | 122 | 115 | 1 |
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