Hello Baseball Fans,
It is inarguable that baseball is a popular game. It also is inarguable that the MLB is officially on break. There are no games today or tonight. No derbies. No exhibitions. For today is the lone day in a stretch of 187 consecutive days that there is no MLB action of any sort (tomorrow we have one game as the great Cubs and Cardinals rivalry gets the second half underway). And although today does offer a chance of catching a game at a minor league park to watch the future stars of the game, it is inarguably the worst day of the summer relative to big league action as there are only classic baseball movies available and already-viewed games left behind on DVRs.
Arguably. The word ‘arguably’ gets used seemingly (note: not arguably, ha!) all the time by sportscasters of all kinds whether it be in the game booth, studio, or ‘arguing’ shows where large topics are discussed within a three minute segment. The result of such debates? Arguably, they end in no final determination of who or if somebody was correct. In many of these no-final-results, ‘arguably’ is used as a safeguard. If ‘arguably’ precedes any statement, a critic or analyst or fan is excused from not having the most up to date information while making generic statements and can declare that ‘their guy’ is better than ‘your guy’ just because.
Use ‘arguably’ as a precursor while bringing about your point and there is no need to divulge a text book’s worth of data in avoiding what is certain to be another side-tracking argument. I would rather hear ‘he’s one of the best’ or ‘in my top five’ coupled with a few impressive stats as opposed to ‘Arguably, blah blah blah…..’. OR, just go ahead and throw it right out there this way: ‘So-and-so is the BEST player in my opinion.’ Now ‘in my opinion’ might be a substitue of sorts for ‘arguably’ but it’s a big league substitute for an A-baller. Then, we would know what the commentator really thinks and I know I would tune in a little closer as a result. Unfortunately, that approach might make for a fifteen minute show rather than a half hour or hour so more material may be needed, but I don’t think anyone can argue with someone daring to have a firm stance. See what I did right there? Prime example. VFTD will lead the way!
We do have some great news. ‘Arguably’ is actually getting used less these days (aside from this column that is). You may wonder why though. Did Webster re-structure the dictionary? Of course not. Have the sports shows and bar debates been officially canceled? Nope, those are timeless and eternal, respectively. The center fielder from the L.A. Angels is the reason why. Commentators within baseball and aside are NOT using the word ‘arguably’ when declaring who the best player is in MLB. This is inarguably a rarity. And it’s regular, not occasional, that the commentary follows as such: ‘You start with Mike Trout as the best player in our game and then you have Mookie Betts and what about J.D. Martinez and Nolan Arenado and Justin Verlander’ and on and on and on.
Specifically, this year, the lack of the word ‘arguably’ when discussing Mike Trout as the best grabbed our attention more than usual from Opening Day. Therefore, we here at VFTD have since tried to capture as many stats and tidbits of information as they’ve come to our attention. We’ll throw them at you all at once in hopes of explaining why ‘arguably’ is not used in one of the biggest debates any sport can have in ‘who’s the best player?’. People may not have been this certain when even the likes of Barry Bonds or Mariano Rivera or Mike Schmidt were at their best for example. Here’s the data to show Mike Trout is an all-time all-star’s all-star (credit to Fox Baseball, ESPN, MLB TV):
Thru 993 Career Games: Trout had a .310 average, 224 HRs, and 482 extra base hits. Hank Aaron, comparatively hit .319 with 209 HRs, and 479 XBHs. Anytime someone is on a short list with Aaron (2nd all-time in HRs & 3rd in hits), it’s big time!
In 2018, Trout was 1st ever MLB player with 15+ HR, 40+ BB, and 10+ Steals in his team’s first 50 games of the season. He’s got both kinds, power and speed.
Entering June 15th, he was on pace for a WAR of 14.3, which was ahead of Babe Ruth’s record of 14.1 in 1923. Fun Fact: There’s only been 20 seasons all-time of WAR of 11.0 or more. And 2nd all-time WAR is Ruth again at 12.9. At the break, Trout is at 6.8 and on still pace for roughly 11.2.
To put that pace of WAR mentioned above into traditional stat form: on June 15th, Trout was on pace for 53 HR, 106 RBI, and 132 BB. That’s some ballin’.
Also in June, MLB TV’s Harold Reynolds broke down Trout’s speed in the game. As a right-handed batter, slugger and speedster Mickey Mantle could bunt his way to first in 4.09 seconds. As a lefty, Mantle could do it in 3.44 seconds (yes, it’s closer and the turn towards first gains you momentum). The well-known speedster from today’s Cincinnati Reds, Billy Hamilton, a lefty, can get to first in an amazing 3.35 seconds. True to form, those guys were and are FAST!! Mike Trout is bigger and heavier than both of those guys. He also only hits from the right side. BUT he can still get to first in a mind-blowing 3.44 seconds at the measurements of 6’2″ and 238 lbs. That’s just not even fair folks.
To date, Mike Trout has NEVER gone more than 2 games without getting on base. Some guys can go a WEEK more than one time in a single season without getting on base! WOW!!
Last night in his 6th career All-Star Game, Trout walked off of Max Scherzer after falling behind 1 and 2 in the count and fouling off a few blazing fastballs. He also homered off Jacob deGrom who has an amazin’ Met ERA of 1.68! In his all-star appearances, Trout is 7 for 15 with 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs, and 3 BB. He’s won the game’s MVP two times as well. Not too shabby!
Trout is 1 of 3 players all-time with two league MVPs before age-25 season. He joined masked man Johnny Bench and lefty HOFer ace Hal Newhouser in the exclusive club in 2016. His first MVP came in 2014 so perhaps he is ‘due this year’ since it’s another even numbered year a la the San Francisco Giants’ World Series runs of 2012, ’14, and ’16.
And to show some real all-time prowess with a slugger and a slapper, Trout is 3rd all-time through age-26 season (he turns 27 August 7th) for Career WAR at 60.7 behind Mantle at 61.4 and Ty Cobb at 63.4.
And just last night, as Bryce Harper, a huge talent himself of course, actually answered Joe Buck’s question if Mike Trout is indeed the best in the game. Harper, who was miked up during live All-Star game action and playing center field at the time of the banter, did not hesitate and said, “If you don’t, then you’re not watching.” Even other great players aren’t afraid to say it. Unreal.
It is inarguable that Mike Trout truly is the best right now and is in the process of building a case to be considered among the greats of all-time. Don’t miss it, watch the games!
Later Baseball Fans.