Around the Majors: Opening Day starters
by Lee SininsFebruary 26, 2005
1) The Cubs announced Kerry Wood will be their Opening Day starter.
After 3.66 ERA/8 RSAA and 3.20 ERA/24 RSAA seasons, Wood had a 3.72 ERA/13 RSAA in 22 starts. He has a 3.63 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.31, and 67 RSAA in 164 games.
Wood ranks 5th in NL history (since 1900) for most SO above the league average, through the age of 27--
STRIKEOUTS DIFF PLAYER LEAGUE 1 Sandy Koufax 606 1474 868 2 Christy Mathewson 583 1645 1062 3 Dizzy Dean 458 1095 637 4 Dwight Gooden 452 1686 1234 5 Kerry Wood 423 1209 786 6 Jim Maloney 393 1302 909 7 Red Ames 388 938 550 8 Van Lingle Mungo 386 988 602 9 Mario Soto 384 1123 739 10 Sid Fernandez 373 1153 780
2) The Indians announced C.C. Sabathia will be their Opening Day starter.
After 4.37 ERA/4 RSAA and 3.60 ERA/13 RSAA seasons, Sabathia had a 4.12 ERA/9 RSAA in 30 starts. He has a 4.12 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.53, and 29 RSAA in 126 games.
3) According to the New York Post, the Mets are interested in Devil Rays P Danys Baez. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports the Mets are still interested in Tigers P Ugueth Urbina, but they aren't eager to deal him, while the Mets aren't interested in trading Mike Cameron for him.
If you enjoy the ATM reports and want to support them, check out my other creation--the sabermetric baseball encyclopedia. Orders are now being taken for the next edition, which will include the 2004 stats and is currently shipping. It's powerful, yet extremely easy to use. Features extensive sorting, stat display options, and features that are not available in online and printed sources. The deluxe package has been greatly expanded, making it a much better bargain. For more information, see http://www.baseball-encyclopedia.com
According to Peter Gammons, "There is no greater baseball tool than Lee Sinins' Baseball Sabermetric Encyclopedia. Get thee to Baseball Immortals and order the disc, haste post haste." The product Jayson Stark called "the best invention since the toaster oven!" has gotten even more powerful.