daryl

John, Regarding the batting order, I think you're getting caught up in the numbers and missing the main point. By getting an extra 15-20 at bats for everyone hitting ahead of Dozier there are likely to be several clutch situations for each of those hitters. The better hitters are more likely to come through in those situations. Sabermetrically, the number of runs or wins that this would produce is simply a projection to reflect that reality. It gets back to your concession to do this because it makes sense not because of some number of runs or wins. It's the same point - more at bats for better hitters is the right thing to do. It's why pinch hitting for a bad hitter makes sense. Over one game it may not matter but over the course of 100 at-bats you are bound to have better results.

As someone who was reading your aticles back then (or shortly thereafter when the STrib picked you up) and who never got into commenting - thanks for sticking with it. And that goes for all of you - I've been reading you, Seth, and AG for about a decade on a a daily basis. Never set up a username until now though - I've been inspired!