Period’s greatest left fielders – by G. Scott Thomas

If you happen to disliked my July 27 story in regards to the Fashionable Period’s greatest shortstops, you’ll positively detest at this time’s entry in regards to the high left fielders.

Many readers had been sad that my 10-part components established Alex Rodriguez as baseball’s preeminent shortstop in the course of the interval from 1961 by way of 2022. The identical score process has now proclaimed the No. 1 left fielder to be Barry Bonds, who (like Rodriguez) was extensively accused of utilizing performance-enhancing medication.

Main League Baseball hasn’t flagged, altered, or eradicated the statistical data of suspected PED abusers, and I’ve adopted MLB’s lead. Rodriguez and Bonds have been handled precisely as the identical as their rivals in these rankings, a lot to the displeasure of a few of you.

At present’s standings doc an enormous victory for Bonds over the opposite 160 gamers who spent no less than 40 % of their time in left area and made greater than 2,500 plate appearances in the course of the Fashionable Period. The components analyzed every participant’s full physique of labor, together with any stats he might need accrued at positions aside from left area. (Click on right here to be taught extra in regards to the score course of.)

No person else within the group of 161 left fielders got here near Bonds’s profession stats for slugging common (.607), bases per out (1.265), wins above alternative (162.8), and complete runs generated (3,461). And, in fact, no one at any place ever blasted as many dwelling runs because the 762 that Bonds hit throughout his 22-year profession with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants.

Manny Ramirez, who was twice suspended for PED abuse, is the runner-up within the rankings of left fielders. (Bonds’s report, it needs to be identified, is freed from steroid-related suspensions or convictions.) Ramirez performed 19 seasons with 5 golf equipment, primarily the Cleveland Indians and Boston Crimson Sox.

Rounding out the highest 5 are Rickey Henderson of the Oakland Athletics (and eight different groups), Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Crimson Sox, and Luis Gonzalez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, and 4 different golf equipment.

Bonds, because the frontrunner on the place, was assigned a rating of 1,000 factors, with the figures for all different candidates being decided by their relative performances. The huge hole between Bonds and runner-up Ramirez (653 factors) displays the large distinction of their statistical data.

That is the sixth story in my weekly overview of the period’s best gamers. Observe these hyperlinks to learn earlier installments in regards to the high catchers, first basemen, second basemen, shortstops, and third basemen.

Statistical breakdowns for the Fashionable Period’s high 5 left fielders may be discovered under, adopted by an inventory of the subsequent 15.

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Rating: 1,000 factors
WAR: 162.8 complete, 6.5 per 500 PA, 7.6 defensive
Averages: .298 BA, .607 SLG, 1.265 BPO
Scoring: 3,461 R generated, 137 per 500 PA
Totals: 2,986 G, 2,935 H
Notes: The stats are merely mind-boggling. Bonds gained seven Most Priceless Participant Awards within the Nationwide League, together with 4 in a row from 2001 to 2004. He earned a pair of batting crowns with averages of .370 in 2002 and .362 in 2004. He set the single-season report of 73 dwelling runs in 2001. And he was so feared that he drew greater than 100 walks in 14 seasons.

Rating: 653 factors
WAR: 69.3 complete, 3.6 per 500 PA, -21.7 defensive
Averages: .312 BA, .585 SLG, 1.059 BPO
Scoring: 2,820 R generated, 144 per 500 PA
Totals: 2,302 G, 2,574 H
Notes: Ramirez by no means gained an MVP Award, however he was a constant contender. He completed among the many American League’s high 9 vote-getters each season between 1998 and 2005. Ramirez drove dwelling greater than 100 runs in 12 completely different seasons — peaking at 165 in 1999 — and he hit greater than 40 dwelling runs on 5 events.

Rating: 648 factors
WAR: 111.2 complete, 4.2 per 500 PA, -2.3 defensive
Averages: .279 BA, .419 SLG, .985 BPO
Scoring: 3,113 R generated, 117 per 500 PA
Totals: 3,081 G, 3,055 H
Notes: Henderson bounced round (enjoying for 9 franchises over his 25-year profession), however he was no journeyman. He topped the American League 12 instances in stolen bases and 5 instances in runs scored. He stays MLB’s all-time chief in each classes with totals of 1,406 steals amd 2,295 runs. Henderson earned the American League’s MVP trophy in 1990.

Rating: 646 factors
WAR: 96.5 complete, 3.5 per 500 PA, 1.0 defensive
Averages: .285 BA, .462 SLG, .845 BPO
Scoring: 3,208 R generated, 115 per 500 PA
Totals: 3,308 G, 3,419 H
Notes: Yastrzemski had the sad destiny of following the immortal Ted Williams in left area for the Crimson Sox, a seemingly unattainable job that he mastered. He gained three American League batting titles. His best season was 1967, when he was named the AL’s Most Priceless Participant after capturing the Triple Crown with 44 homers, 121 RBIs, and a .326 BA.

Rating: 502 factors
WAR: 51.6 complete, 2.5 per 500 PA, -0.7 defensive
Averages: .283 BA, .479 SLG, .844 BPO
Scoring: 2,497 R generated, 119 per 500 PA
Totals: 2,591 G, 2,591 H
Notes: Gonzalez was nothing particular throughout his first 9 seasons with the Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers. He batted .268 and hit 107 homers between 1990 and 1998. However he actually blossomed after becoming a member of the Diamondbacks in 1999. He pushed his common above .300 4 instances for Arizona, and he launched as many as 57 homers in a single season (2001).