The classic MVP debate
It always bothers me that pitchers are downgraded when compared to "everyday" players.
Yes, full time position players can impact every game, but only to the extent of their plate appearances, base running, and fielding chances.
Pitchers impact fewer games, but impact every batter they face while in those games.
Rice had 746 PA and 261 fielding chances in 1978, a total of 1007 events where he impacted the game. (Base running is harder to quantify.)
Guidry had 1057 batters faced and 60 fielding chances, totalling 1117 events where he impacted the game.
If we assume base running has some effect, and it does, it's fair to say Rice and Guidry impacted the season approximately equally.
So throw out the "everyday player" argument, at least pre-2000.
It might hold a llittle more water today, when starting pitchers face far fewer batters than they did in the 20th century.
It always bothers me that pitchers are downgraded when compared to "everyday" players.
Yes, full time position players can impact every game, but only to the extent of their plate appearances, base running, and fielding chances.
Pitchers impact fewer games, but impact every batter they face while in those games.
Rice had 746 PA and 261 fielding chances in 1978, a total of 1007 events where he impacted the game. (Base running is harder to quantify.)
Guidry had 1057 batters faced and 60 fielding chances, totalling 1117 events where he impacted the game.
If we assume base running has some effect, and it does, it's fair to say Rice and Guidry impacted the season approximately equally.
So throw out the "everyday player" argument, at least pre-2000.
It might hold a llittle more water today, when starting pitchers face far fewer batters than they did in the 20th century.