Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record caught up with Brett Gardner after yesterday’s game against the Twins at Hammond Field – a game in which Gardner bunted for a single and subsequently outran a pickle between first and second (he got back to first safely) – and, naturally, the conversation the turned to Gardner’s productive base running.
“I don’t like getting out when I’m hitting, but… stealing bases, I take a lot of pride in,” said Gardner. “You don’t want to just go out there and run. You’ve got to know who’s on the mound, know who’s at the plate and try to pick your spots.” While Gardner was referring solely to his love of the stolen base in that comment to Caldera, in general, he was just an effective base runner while on base last year, advancing when he had to on balls on the ground, in the air, past the catcher, etc. Though I have discussed his stellar speed score in the past, another number, Gardner’s EqBRR – a value that measures a player’s base running contributions in runs – is certainly worth noting. Gardner’s EqBRR in 2009 was 4.9, the eleventh best mark in all of baseball. That’s basically half a win (10 runs equal a win). Mind you, Gardner accomplished this feat with very limited playing time, therefore, I expect him to better his EqBRR this season.
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8 Responses to Brett Gardner's great base running
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TIQ IQ
If he can just get on base 1/3 of the time, he’s a valuable asset. That, plus his outstanding defense make him valuable to start most days.
.280 might equal 50 steal.
Sounds like he was bumbling around yesterday, but give him a chance. Bet he’s never seen Mike Maroth before, a veteran lefty, been around quite a while, tho I don’t quite remember when I’ve seen him. Betcha he’s one of those lefties can bring the ball back behind his ear, and still pivot to throw to first. And they don’t call that.
We sure hopes he can hit a ball with authority, tho, being he’s treading turf, tho they moved it, that DiMaggio and Mantle trod. And, even in Chicago I heard Mickey’s joke, when Pete Rose took the hit record*, “Hell, if I hit that many singles, I’d have to wear a skirt.” Sorry< Brett, but you've got a lot to live up to.
*apologies if you've heard it before. I think it tops anything Yogi ever said, individually, of course.
Maybe I’m prone to the happy h.s. I saw the Times was swillin’ for the Mets, but Mr, Daily News titillated me with thoughts of Gardner, Granderson and Winn scampering around the late innings.
Oh, there’ll be good times, just wait you and see…Now step right over h’yah…
I guess it’s a good thing he’s in left. Rickey broke that turf.
Wow, Nick Swisher is toeing Babe Ruth’s ghost. Glad he was smackin’ it today.
So, where are we going? I dunno, just keep hollerin’ and banging the garbage can lids. I’ll tell you when we get there. Well, “THE END IS NEAR” and “Ye must submit, ye have sinned, lo, these many days… hey, there Joba, put it in there, Joba, do it like I know you kin do.”
The sun and the robins and Cano are telling me, it’s turning, it’s coming. But the wind keeps rustling and whispering…it’s still cold.