Luis Rivas: Future Hall of Famer

[Doomtints]

When will Rivas get his due and be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

 

Yes, I know what you are thinking. His -1.5 career WAR makes that impossible.

 

However, we all know that advanced baseball algorithms never lie. Take a look at this snapshot from statistical powerhouse Baseball-Reference:

 

 

That's right. Rivas was as good as Paul Molitor and Rod Carew, who are both in the HOF.

 

When will this injustice be rectified?

 

 

[jorgenswest]

Algorithms don’t lie thought a reader’s understanding of their meaning vary greatly.

 

The Bill James similarity score as reported on reference is simply a comparison of counting stats and position. The player with the most similar counting stats and position at the same age is listed.

 

No claim is made that the players are on the same career path. If there is a lie it comes from those claiming and interpreting the number means anything more than these two guys happened to have pretty similar stats at the same age.

[Badsmerf]

He's already in the hall of fame.... for knife fighting. Come on man.

[ewen21]

[jkcarew]

If I was Will Clark, I'd hang this over my mantle...

 

Babe Ruth Ruth Similarity:

23-Will Clark (952.2)  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
24-Jeff Heath (940.7)  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
25-Chuck Klein (905.4) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
26-Ted Williams (913.0) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
27-Ted Williams (908.8) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
28-Ted Williams (914.9) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
29-Ted Williams (903.6) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
30-Ted Williams (883.5) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
31-Ted Williams (896.0) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
32-Ted Williams (878.3) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
33-Ted Williams (810.6) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
34-Manny Ramirez (790.5)  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
35-Jimmie Foxx (815.6) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
36-Jimmie Foxx (816.7) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
37-Jimmie Foxx (785.9) *  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
38-Barry Bonds (756.3)  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
39-Barry Bonds (779.8)  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C
40-Barry Bonds (782.5)  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  C

[ashbury]

Luis Rivas is a shoo-in for the Age-21 and Age-22 Halls of Fame, and Clark likewise belongs in the A23HOF.

[Doomtints]

 

Algorithms don’t lie thought a reader’s understanding of their meaning vary greatly.

The Bill James similarity score as reported on reference is simply a comparison of counting stats and position. The player with the most similar counting stats and position at the same age is listed.

No claim is made that the players are on the same career path. If there is a lie it comes from those claiming and interpreting the number means anything more than these two guys happened to have pretty similar stats at the same age.

 

I believe this is referred to as being a "party pooper."

[FlauerPauer]

Luis Rivas was good for one year. Him and Guzman could sure turn a double play though!

[yarnivek1972]

IMO it was like Rivas made it to the bigs and thought he didn’t have to do anything to keep improving. He showed zero progression in any aspect of his game from his cup of coffee in 2000 until his last day as a Twin. That either makes him the laziest guy to ever play pro baseball or it shows horrendous coaching.

[ashbury]

IMO it was like Rivas made it to the bigs and thought he didn’t have to do anything to keep improving. He showed zero progression in any aspect of his game from his cup of coffee in 2000 until his last day as a Twin. That either makes him the laziest guy to ever play pro baseball or it shows horrendous coaching.

Once you've made the hall of fame TWICE, each of your first two years, it's tough to remain focused for your age-23 season.

[snepp]

 

He's already in the hall of fame.... for knife fighting. Come on man.

 

I hate you.....for posting this before I could.

[Doctor Wu]

 

Luis Rivas was good for one year. Him and Guzman could sure turn a double play though!

I always thought Guzman was an underrated shortstop. And remember that year when  he hit all those triples? I think he led the league. My memories of Rivas are much fuzzier.