MLB's Sophomore Shortstop Stars

Brief Observations about Current Players

Note:  This chart is based on a point system used in an ESPN weekly fantasy league that uses only offensive statistics.

Big Red Machine trivia questions

1. How many middle infielders have stolen over 60 bases, had an OBA of over 450, and a slugging average of over 500 in the same year?  Other than Joe Morgan. 
2. Of the four primary bullpen pitchers (Eastwick, Borbon, Carroll, and McEnaney) for the ’75 Reds, who had the most career saves? 
3. Name three of the four Reds position players who were in the top eight in defensive wins above replacement.
4. Name the only position player during the ‘70s to have a single-season mark of at least ten WAR? 

(answers are below)

Trivia Question Answers: 

1. None.  Hughie Jennings came close in 1894, when the National League’s overall batting average was 309 (he only slugged 488).
2. Carroll had the most with 143, Borbon 80, Eastwick 68, and McEnaney 29.  By the way, all four either were drafted by the Cardinals or played for the Cardinals.  As a rookie, Eastwick led the NL in saves in 1975.  In 1976 he repeated the feat and was the league’s Fireman of the Year as well.  He didn’t do much after that, getting only 11 saves for the Reds (who traded him because of a contract dispute) and Cardinals in 1977 and seven saves and eight blown saves for four different teams during the 1978-81 seasons.

3. Concepcion (second to Rennie Stennett), Geronimo (3), Morgan (5), and Bench (8) were all in the top eight in Defensive Wins above Replacement.

4. Morgan, in 1975, was the only non-pitcher during the 1970s to have a single-season mark of at least ten WAR.  Morgan (who was MVP), Bench, Foster, Geronimo, Rose, and Concepcion were all in the top 20 in position player Wins above Replacement in 1975.

Baseball

• The Big Red Machine (Cincinnati 1975)
  
• Second-season star shortstops, Correa and Lindor
• Observations on some current players