How are the Biogenesis guys doing?

<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The suspensions have all been served--except <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=rodrial01,rodrig011ale&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=rodrial01,rodrig011ale&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Alex Rodriguez</a></strong><span style="font-size: small;">, who is still serving his--and all those players who were suspended must be struggling without their chemical boosts, right? Well...not exactly. The "stars" that were caught are still thriving. Those caught from the fringes have not fared so well.</span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=braunry02,braunry01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=braunry02,braunry01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Ryan Braun</a></strong> was (besides A-Rod) perhaps the biggest star brought down by the <del style="color: #555555; line-height: 1.5;">witch hunt</del> investigation. His involvement really angered a lot of people because his denial and defense cost a guy his job the year before. Fair enough. But what about his performance this year without (we assume) his chemical dependency?</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Braun's OPS thus far is .952 despite chronic problems with a thumb. That OPS is ahead of his career total and he is slugging like he did in 2011 and 2012. My guess is that he could have stayed off the stuff and done just as well as on it.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then there is <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=cruzne02,cruzne01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=cruzne02,cruzne01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Nelson Cruz</a></strong>. Cruz is fitting nicely in the Orioles' lineup. His current OPS is .941, more than 100 points ahead of his career average and (to this point) his highest since 2010. I guess he didn't need that stuff either.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabreev01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabreev01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Everth Cabrera</a></strong>'s OPS of .725 is 49 points than his career average. His current slugging percentage is the highest of his career. His fielding is as good as ever, if not better. He still doesn't walk enough, but hey, the chemists never said the stuff would make you more patient.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peraljh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peraljh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jhonny Peralta</a></strong> was off to a really slow start, but even so, his OPS is eleven points higher than his career average. And he is coming around nicely with a 1.340 OPS over his last seven games. His defense at short has been good as well.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So far, if we assume that all these players are now off any performance enhancers, it appears they never needed any to begin with.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bastaan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bastaan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Antonio Bastardo</a></strong> might be a different case. According to his pitching data, he has lost a mile per hour off his fastball and his strikeout rate is down from 9.99 per nine last year to 9.00 this year. His FIP is at 4.99, which is pretty bad and his walk rate is way up. But his fastball velocity and strikeout rates have decreased every year since 2010. So is this a guy losing his stuff without the juice, or a guy losing his stuff due to the natural scheme of physiology?</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other than Bastardo, which had to be an awful last name to grow up with, the "stars" that were caught by the scandal are showing that they can thrive post scandal. The players really hurt by the whole thing were the fringe guys.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Two are in the minors, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=monteje01,monter002jes&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=monteje01,monter002jes&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jesus Montero</a></strong> and <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=puello001ces&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=puello001ces&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Cesar Puello</a></strong>. Montero is off to a fine start with the bat. I don't think the forty pounds he gained before Spring Training were a result of less juice in his system. Perhaps he was just lazy. Puello has struggled thus far to get going in his minor league start.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cervefr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cervefr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Francisco Cervelli</a></strong> won the backup catcher gig with the Yankees with a great spring. But he hurt himself (again) and is currently on the 60-day DL.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rest seem to be out of baseball. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jordany Valdespin</a></strong>, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martife02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martife02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Fernando Martinez</a></strong>, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/escalse01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/escalse01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Sergio Escalona</a></strong>, Fautino de los Santos and <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/norbejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/norbejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jordan Norberto</a></strong> all have no 2014 stats anywhere in the Majors or the Minors.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It should be noted that besides Braun, all of these players are Hispanic and the majority of them from the Dominican Republic. The latter is a mess that MLB created by the pressure of getting out of that depressed country for the promise of a paycheck playing baseball.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am not excusing these players. They were caught with their shorts around their ankles. We can debate how MLB obtained the information. But the truth here is that good players are good players with or without so-called performance enhancers and those who have not made it yet in the Majors as established players have a lot more to lose and usually do in these kinds of scandals. To be sure, we still have a small sample size this year and we'll check in with these smudged players at the end of the season.</span></div>

How are the Biogenesis guys doing?

The suspensions have all been served--except  Alex Rodriguez , who is still serving his--and all those players who were suspended must be st...

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Drugs have always been in baseball

<div style="text-align: justify;">Twitter was quite alive last night first with the news of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccanbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brian McCann</a></strong> signing with the Yankees and shortly after with the news that, apparently, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peraljh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jhonny Peralta</a></strong> is set to sign a big deal with the Cardinals. The latter provided much more irony and angst since Peralta got caught up in the Biogenesis scandal and lost fifty games of his season in 2013. Despite paying his penalty, the common comment was that PEDs work if you look at how rich Peralta just made himself. I do not get all the hysteria over this. After all drugs have been in baseball forever.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The thought for this article came to me while at MLB.com watching an <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/larocad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Adam LaRoche</a></strong> clip. It occurred to me that drugs were all over the sport. We have <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cokeph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Phil Coke</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pillbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brett Pill</a></strong> and even the star of the World Series is called, "Big Poppy." So why are we hating on Jhonny Peralta? Heck, even one of his former teammates, Anibal(ic) Sanchez was named after a steroid. But the point is, these guys just follow a long list of drugs in the game.</div><br />For example, there have always been "bennies" in the game. It is stimulating to know that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tatebe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bennie Tate</a></strong> played in the 1920s and 30s, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/warrebe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bennie Warren</a></strong> played in the 30s and 40s and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/daniebe02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bennie Daniels</a></strong> played in the 50s and 60s. So bennies have always been around.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhnSw_HyCMViimojWqbgrT5Qk8BWLdotIGDI5gSLTQMRU9ysaenwUI5ga8Me_-1e4sCT1CxE3Md0zlwyaI9aHkcy28ViCI0CnbdSWCdw0QTd8B14pIMSO-fv9vTXF9n1t-OYsB_xZmb8/s1600/greenwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhnSw_HyCMViimojWqbgrT5Qk8BWLdotIGDI5gSLTQMRU9ysaenwUI5ga8Me_-1e4sCT1CxE3Md0zlwyaI9aHkcy28ViCI0CnbdSWCdw0QTd8B14pIMSO-fv9vTXF9n1t-OYsB_xZmb8/s1600/greenwood.jpg" /></a><br />And who could forget <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greenbo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bob Greenwood</a></strong> back in the 1950s? Greenwood had a successful cup of coffee in 1954 and then got bombed out in one game in 1955 and never saw the Major Leagues again. He did pitch several more years in the minors. The 6'5" right-hander seemed to have a pitcher's build. His nickname was, "Greenie." If you want to know why, just look to the right at his picture. Look at those eyes!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCZguJGTaHGrMxSjQz2AegQ4htdmH1gMpKmDvXvnWQfftOiUzhJmdFSI-ZfKClaoIhQ0zWrZSzdBqwaC0raYVn2Rv8iQmUlEMwqfqrTVEb5XihI4g-_m3g-JLn_bkdhcQB52SenCyFWc/s1600/hemp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCZguJGTaHGrMxSjQz2AegQ4htdmH1gMpKmDvXvnWQfftOiUzhJmdFSI-ZfKClaoIhQ0zWrZSzdBqwaC0raYVn2Rv8iQmUlEMwqfqrTVEb5XihI4g-_m3g-JLn_bkdhcQB52SenCyFWc/s1600/hemp.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Again, this goes way back. Heck, back in the 1880s and 90s, there was <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hempdu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ducky Hemp</a></strong>. The outfielder played two partial years and looked totally lost. Again, all you have to do is look at his picture on the left to know there was a problem.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then, as soon as the century ended and we get into the early "nineteen-aughts," we find an infielder/outfielder named <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/laporfr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Frank LaPorte</a></strong>. Obviously, he had a traumatic upbringing being born with the nickname, "Breyfogle." I mean, what the heck is that? So it is understandable that his nickname is forever known as, "Pot." And if you click on his name that is linked and look at his baseball-reference.com page at his picture, you will certainly see that he was a stoner.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And speaking of stoners, a guy named <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stoneli01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Lil Stoner</a></strong> played in the 1920s and 30s and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stoneto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tobi Stoner</a></strong> just played recently in the last decade. So you see, you'll never rid the game of this stuff.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And it hasn't just been weed and amphetamines that have been a problem. From 1905 to 1920, a guy named <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/luderfr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Fred Luderus</a></strong> played in the Majors. You don't think it a bit suspicious that his nickname was, "Ludy?" And during Ludy's playing days, Frank Ludes played in the minors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And just so you don't think Phil Coke is alone, the 1950s and 60s saw a <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cokerji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jimmie Coker</a></strong> roaming Major League fields. And if that wasn't bad enough, a harder version exists too. And he is a catcher in the Hall of Fame! Chicago loved <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schalra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ray Schalk</a></strong> even though his nickname was, "Cracker." You have another Hall of Fame player named <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bendech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chief Bender</a></strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And there were a lot of different drugs involved. There was <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/methasc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Scat Metha</a></strong> and then there was <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hashhe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Herb Hash</a></strong>, who had an appropriate first name. In the early days of the Pacific Coast League, there was a guy named Louis Smacker.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And there is another drug that people think is quite modern. But it goes way back. In fact, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mooremo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Molly Moore</a></strong> played in 1875 and soon after, there was <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/craftmo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Molly Craft</a></strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">How many players named Adam have there been? You cannot fool me. That was a slang term for Meth. And what about all the Reds? What about Angels? Is that not a nickname for PCP?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grimmch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Charlie Grimm</a></strong> played for twenty years early in the 20th Century and then managed. His nickname was Jolly Cholly. We know what "cholly" is a nickname for, so it was no wonder, Charlie was jolly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And what about one of my all time favorites, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/womacdo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dooley Womack</a></strong>? There have been five minor league players with the name, Downer. There historically has been seven minor league players named Dube and two named Dubee. So it is not just a Major League problem.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think I have proven my point. PEDs may be the latest problem. But the game has always been full of drugs. Geez, there was a guy who played from 1913 until 1918 named, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/highhu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hugh High</a></strong>. So this has always been there. Get over it already.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Disclaimer: Obviously, this is all a joke and there is no intention to indict any of these players for actual drug use.</i></div>

Drugs have always been in baseball

Twitter was quite alive last night first with the news of Brian McCann signing with the Yankees and shortly after with the news that, appa...

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The most accurate shortstop arms

<div style="text-align: justify;">When I was a kid, my brother and I made up this game called, "Ground ball to first." We would stand on opposite sides of the street about 70 to 90 feet apart and each half inning of a nine inning game consisted of us taking turns playing shortstop and first base. The first baseman was on "offense" and would throw grounders to the other. An out required a perfect field of the baseball and a perfect throw back to the first baseman. Errors were the only way to score. It was from that game that I have always appreciated the strong, accurate throw from the shortstop position.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had the idea to go through the list of shortstops in the last fifty or so years who are on Baseball-reference.com's assist leaders. I also took a look at those with the top fielding percentages and zone ratings. Please note that I am not looking for the best fielding shortstops here. I am only looking for the most accurate arms. If you dig down enough for each player, you can find out how many of his total errors were throwing errors and then it is a simple case of dividing the throwing errors by throwing errors plus assists.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know this is not perfect because some of the throws might have been relay throws and some benefited from year to year by who played first base and that first baseman's scooping ability (or height!). But I would assume all of that stuff evened out over the length of each player's career. I also know that I did not get everyone. I added to my list at least four times and am sure I missed a couple.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But the list became interesting as it is and gives a pretty good snapshot of what shortstop's arm was accurate or not. Here are my numbers from best to worst:</div><ol><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bowala01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Larry Bowa</a></strong> - .0022</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/conceda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dave Concepcion</a></strong> - .0037</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/belanma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mark Belanger</a></strong> - .0041</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/russebi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bill Russell</a></strong> - .0046</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dentbu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bucky Dent</a></strong> - .0048</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kessido01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Don Kessinger</a></strong> - .0053</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cardele01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Leo Cardenas</a></strong> - .0057</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/campabe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bert Campaneris</a></strong> - .00596</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yountro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Robin Yount</a></strong> - ..00599</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrebu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bud Harrelson</a></strong> - .0067</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcmilro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Roy McMillan</a></strong> - .007105</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=ripkeca01,ripkeca99&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Cal Ripken</a></strong>, Jr. - .007108</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vizquom01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Omar Vizquel</a></strong> - .00711</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/speiech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris Speier</a></strong> - .007198</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithoz01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ozzie Smith</a></strong> - .007199</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/trammal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alan Trammell</a></strong> - .0073</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/templga01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Garry Templeton</a></strong> - .0075</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aparilu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Luis Aparicio</a></strong> - .008638</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sanchre01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Rey Sanchez</a></strong> - .008647</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fernato01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tony Fernandez</a></strong> - .0090</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rolliji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jimmy Rollins</a></strong> - .0104</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brinked01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ed Brinkman</a></strong> - .0119</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guilloz01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ozzie Guillen</a></strong> - .0126</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=rodrial01,rodrig011ale&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alex Rodriguez</a></strong> - .0134</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/claytro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Royce Clayton</a></strong> - .0144</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/larkiba01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Barry Larkin</a></strong> - .0158</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tejadmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Miguel Tejada</a></strong> - .0164</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/renteed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edgar Renteria</a></strong> - .0167</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jeterde01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Derek Jeter</a></strong> - .0178</li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;">Larry Bowa was amazingly accurate and tops our list of modern shortstops with the most accurate arm. Eight of his sixteen full seasons at shortstop had zero throwing errors. Zero! And five others included only one throwing error. He made only 15 throwing errors his entire career. Eight of those were in the first two seasons he played. He went from 1974 to 1980 without a single throwing error. Amazing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, throwing accurately is only part of a shortstop equation. B-R also tracks something called Percentage of fielded balls that turned into outs. Throwing is only a part of that equation. Release and simply catching the ball cleanly also play a part. During all seasons I looked at, 89 or 90% was the league average.</div><ol><li style="text-align: justify;">95% - Mark Belanger</li><li style="text-align: justify;">93% - Leo Cardinas, Rey Sanchez, Bud Harrelson, Roy McMillan</li><li style="text-align: justify;">92% - Larry Bowa, Bert Campaneris, Alan Trammell, Cal Ripken, Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Luis Aparicio, Bucky Dent, Robin Yount</li><li style="text-align: justify;">91% - Conception, Templeton, Speier, Jeter, Ozzie Smith, Omar Vizquel, Brinkman, Guillen</li><li style="text-align: justify;">90% - Tejada, Russell, Rollins</li><li style="text-align: justify;">89% - Clayton, Renteria, Fernandez</li><li style="text-align: justify;">88% - Kessinger</li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;">So the old saw would apply that most of these long-time shortstops "made all the plays."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For 2013, the top five in throwing accuracy from shortstop were:</div><ol><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/drewst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Stephen Drew</a></strong> - .0030</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iglesjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Iglesias</a></strong> - .0057</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabreas01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Asdrubal Cabrera</a></strong> - .0095</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peraljh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jhonny Peralta</a></strong> - .0101</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tulowtr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Troy Tulowitzki</a></strong> - .0104</li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;">Please remember that I am not saying this makes the best shortstop. Good old Asdrubal points that out in this list. But it is interesting to see who has the most accurate arms from the shortstop position. Larry Bowa should be smiling at Stephen Drew.</div>

The most accurate shortstop arms

When I was a kid, my brother and I made up this game called, "Ground ball to first." We would stand on opposite sides of the stree...

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