Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Position Instability

The 2008 Mets have started 12 different left fielders this season, none of whom have started more than 23 games. How unusual is this?

Fewest games started by team-leader at any position, excluding pitchers and designated hitters, 1956-2007, excluding strike seasons:
TeamPosLeaderStartsStartersNotes
1997 Milwaukee BrewersLFMarc Newfield2810Gerald Williams led the team in LF games and innings played.
1961 Kansas City AthleticsRFJim Rivera2913
2000 Colorado RockiesLFJeffrey Hammonds & Larry Walker308Hammonds also led the Rockies in starts in RF.
1976 Montreal ExposRFGary Carter3112Carter played OF on the days when he was not catching.
1986 Chicago White SoxLFBobby Bonilla329Carlton Fisk started the first 26 games in LF, but was moved back to C.
2005 Los Angeles Dodgers3BMike Edwards & Antonio Perez337
1972 Texas RangersLFDick Billings & Tom Grieve358154 game schedule.
1961 Philadephia PhilliesRFKen Walters & Johnny Callison368154 game schedule.
1963 Los Angeles AngelsRFLee Thomas3710
1968 California AngelsRFBubba Morton378Roger Repoz led the Angels in RF games with 54.


Fewest games started by team-leader at a given position, 1956-2007, excluding strike seasons:
TeamPosLeaderStartsStartersNotes
1957 Kansas City AthleticsPNed Garver2314154 game schedule.
1973 Texas RangersPJim Bibby2317
1960 Chicago CubsCEl Tappe388154 game schedule.
1962 New York MetsCChris Cannizzaro & Sammy Taylor427
1973 Chicago Cubs1BJim Hickman387
2004 New York Mets2BJose Reyes417
2006 Chicago Cubs2BTodd Walker417
2005 Los Angeles Dodgers3BMike Edwards & Antonio Perez337
1961 St. Louis CardinalsSSBob Lillis435154 game schedule.
1963 Cleveland IndiansSSLarry Brown454
1992 Philadelphia PhilliesSSJuan Bell456
1997 Milwaukee BrewersLFMarc Newfield2810
1957 Chicago CubsCFBob Speake398154 game schedule.
2003 New York MetsCFJeff Duncan & Timo Perez418
1961 Kansas City AthleticsRFJim Rivera2913
2001 Anaheim AngelsDHOrlando Palmeiro & Shawn Wooten2515


What do these teams have in common? None made the playoffs, and only the 1961 Cardinals (80-74) and the 2000 Rockies (82-80) had winning records. Six of the teams lost over 100 games.

More to follow tomorrow.

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