Baseball Player Won-Loss Records
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1974 Season

The 1974 Season as seen through the Prism of Player Won-Lost Records

This article takes a look at the 1974 season as measured by Player won-lost records.

The Best of 1974

I calculate Player won-lost records two ways: pWins, which tie to team wins and eWins, which control for context and the ability of one's teammates. For players with more pWins than eWins, their Player wins contributed to more team wins than one might expect; for players with more eWins than pWins, just the opposite is true: their Player wins translated into fewer team wins than expected. Or more briefly: a player with more pWins than eWins was better in context, a player with more eWins than pWins was worse in context.

The top 10 players in pWins above Positional Average and Replacement Level were as follows.

pWins over Positional Average
Top 10 Players
pWins over Replacement Level
Top 10 Players
Player pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL Player pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL
1Fergie Jenkins22.714.48.4
10.6
1Fergie Jenkins22.714.48.4
10.6
2Joe L. Morgan23.816.97.4
9.2
2Joe L. Morgan23.816.97.4
9.2
3Luis Tiant Jr.20.113.56.6
8.6
3Luis Tiant Jr.20.113.56.6
8.6
4Mike Schmidt23.816.76.5
8.4
4Mike Schmidt23.816.76.5
8.4
5Johnny Bench21.915.76.5
8.2
5Johnny Bench21.915.76.5
8.2
6Jimmy Wynn23.816.95.8
7.7
6Jimmy Wynn23.816.95.8
7.7
7Bobby Grich23.018.35.7
7.5
7Bobby Grich23.018.35.7
7.5
8Ron Cey22.216.15.4
7.2
8Dave Concepcion23.119.15.3
7.2
9Andy Messersmith18.413.75.3
7.0
9Ron Cey22.216.15.4
7.2
10Darrell Evans22.917.05.3
7.1
10Darrell Evans22.917.05.3
7.1


The top 10 players in eWins above Positional Average and Replacement Level were as follows.

eWins over Positional Average
Top 10 Players
eWins over Replacement Level
Top 10 Players
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA eWORL Player eWins eLosses eWOPA eWORL
1Joe L. Morgan23.816.97.3
9.2
1Joe L. Morgan23.816.97.3
9.2
2Mike Schmidt24.016.57.0
8.8
2Mike Schmidt24.016.57.0
8.8
3Johnny Bench21.715.96.0
7.8
3Fergie Jenkins21.415.75.7
7.9
4Fergie Jenkins21.415.75.7
7.9
4Johnny Bench21.715.96.0
7.8
5Jimmy Wynn23.317.45.0
6.8
5Jimmy Wynn23.317.45.0
6.8
6Luis Tiant Jr.19.214.44.8
6.8
6Luis Tiant Jr.19.214.44.8
6.8
7Rod Carew22.518.74.7
6.6
7Rod Carew22.518.74.7
6.6
8Gaylord Perry18.614.04.6
6.5
8Gaylord Perry18.614.04.6
6.5
9Jon Matlack17.013.44.6
6.2
9Jon Matlack17.013.44.6
6.2
10Willie Stargell21.415.94.3
6.0
10Bobby Grich22.319.04.2
6.1


I take a look at some of the most interesting players of 1974 at the end of this article.

1974 Postseason

The 1974 postseason was a clash of four 1970s powerhouses. The four teams who made the 1974 postseason won a combined 11 pennants in the 1970s and won 6 of the 10 World Series of the 1970s. In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first NL West division title and defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in four games.

In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles won the AL East for the fifth time in the six years since divisions were introduced in 1969. They were defeated in four games in the ALCS by the Oakland A's, who won their fourth consecutive AL West title.

The World Series saw the Oakland A's win their third straight World Championship.

The top players in the 1974 postseason, as measured by Player won-lost records, are shown next.

1974 Postseason: Total
Player Team pWins pLosses pWORL
Don SuttonLAN2.31.11.4
Ken HoltzmanOAK1.80.71.3
Rollie FingersOAK1.50.61.1
Vida BlueOAK1.71.01.0
Sal BandoOAK1.50.71.0
Reggie JacksonOAK1.40.50.9
Willie StargellPIT1.00.30.7
Joe RudiOAK1.20.80.4
Catfish HunterOAK1.41.20.4
Claudell WashingtonOAK0.80.50.4


Top postseason players by round were as follows.

1974 World Series
Player Team pWins pLosses Net Wins
Reggie JacksonOAK1.00.30.7
Ken HoltzmanOAK1.10.50.6
Rollie FingersOAK1.00.50.6
Catfish HunterOAK0.70.30.4
Joe RudiOAK0.80.40.4

1974 Postseason: League Championship Series
Player Team pWins pLosses Net Wins
Don SuttonLAN1.50.51.0
Vida BlueOAK1.00.10.9
Willie StargellPIT1.00.30.7
Steve GarveyLAN1.00.30.6
Sal BandoOAK0.80.30.5


Best of 1974 by Factor and Position

Next, let's look at the top players in various aspects of the game.
Best by Factor: Batting, Baserunning, Pitching, Fielding
There are four basic factors for which players earn Player won-lost records: Batting, Baserunning, Pitching, and Fielding. The top players in 1974 in wins over positional average (WOPA) by factor were as follows.

Batting
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss eWOPA Player pWins pLoss pWOPA
1Mike Schmidt16.610.6
5.6
1Jimmy Wynn16.510.45.8
2Joe L. Morgan15.39.7
5.3
2Mike Schmidt16.710.55.8
3Jimmy Wynn16.210.7
5.2
3Johnny Bench17.912.05.5
4Johnny Bench17.412.5
4.6
4Joe L. Morgan15.49.65.5
5Reggie Jackson15.010.5
4.5
5Willie Stargell14.58.95.3
6Willie Stargell14.19.3
4.5
6Richie Zisk14.89.25.3
7Jeff Burroughs15.010.7
4.4
7Steve Garvey16.811.35.1
8Richie Zisk14.19.9
3.9
8Reggie Jackson15.210.34.9
9Dick Allen12.78.9
3.8
9Darrell Evans16.011.04.6
10Carl Yastrzemski13.810.3
3.4
10Jeff Burroughs15.110.64.5
Positional Average excludes pitcher offense
Baserunning
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss eWOPA Player pWins pLoss pWOPA
1Davey Lopes2.51.3
1.1
1Bert Campaneris2.61.31.3
2Larry Lintz2.11.1
1.0
2Davey Lopes2.51.21.2
3Willie Davis2.01.0
1.0
3Willie Davis2.10.91.2
4Bert Campaneris2.31.6
0.7
4Larry Lintz2.11.11.0
5Bake McBride2.01.3
0.7
5Paul Blair1.80.90.9
6Lou Brock3.62.8
0.7
6Lou Brock3.72.70.8
7Paul Blair1.71.0
0.6
7Joe L. Morgan2.51.70.7
8Mickey Rivers2.01.5
0.6
8Bake McBride2.01.30.7
9Bobby Bonds2.01.4
0.5
9Mickey Rivers2.11.50.6
10Rod Carew2.21.7
0.5
10Gene Clines1.10.50.6
Positional Average excludes pitcher offense
Pitching
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss Net eWins Player pWins pLoss Net pWins
1Fergie Jenkins20.215.7
4.5
1Fergie Jenkins22.113.88.3
2Jon Matlack15.111.3
3.8
2Luis Tiant Jr.19.813.26.6
3Luis Tiant Jr.18.414.7
3.7
3Catfish Hunter17.613.04.5
4Gaylord Perry17.514.0
3.5
4Lynn McGlothen14.710.54.1
5Bert Blyleven15.612.6
3.0
5Jim Kaat16.712.64.1
6Catfish Hunter16.813.8
3.0
6Andy Messersmith16.011.94.0
7Jim Barr13.510.6
2.9
7Jim Barr14.110.14.0
8Phil Niekro16.714.1
2.6
8Mike Cuellar17.513.64.0
9Nolan Ryan20.918.4
2.5
9Buzz Capra13.49.53.9
10Steve Busby16.213.8
2.4
10Tommy John8.85.03.8


Fielding by Position


Fielding, P
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Jim Rooker0.50.2
0.3
1Mike Caldwell0.50.10.4
2Mike Caldwell0.50.2
0.3
2Jim Rooker0.50.20.3
3Dave A. Roberts0.60.3
0.3
3Tom Seaver0.50.20.3
4Bill Campbell0.50.2
0.3
4Bill Campbell0.50.20.3
5Tom Seaver0.50.2
0.3
5Ken Holtzman0.50.20.3


Fielding, C
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Ted Simmons2.01.5
0.5
1Ted Simmons2.01.50.5
2Phil Roof0.80.4
0.4
2Steve Yeager1.51.00.5
3Johnny Bench1.91.6
0.3
3Manny Sanguillen2.31.90.4
4Bob Barton0.80.5
0.3
4Phil Roof0.80.40.4
5Darrell Porter1.91.6
0.2
5Andy Etchebarren0.90.50.4


Fielding, 1B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1George C. Scott3.02.0
1.0
1George C. Scott3.11.91.2
2Joe Torre2.01.6
0.4
2Willie Montanez2.62.10.5
3Tony Perez2.32.0
0.3
3Craig Kusick1.20.70.5
4Mike Jorgensen1.10.8
0.3
4Joe Lis0.80.40.4
5Willie Montanez2.52.2
0.2
5Joe Torre2.01.60.4


Fielding, 2B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Dave Cash7.15.9
1.1
1Ted Sizemore5.34.11.2
2Ted Sizemore5.24.1
1.0
2Bobby Grich6.95.81.1
3Marty Perez4.23.6
0.6
3Dave Cash7.06.01.0
4Denny Doyle5.75.2
0.5
4Davey Lopes5.64.60.9
5Derrel Thomas3.63.2
0.4
5Jim Cox3.32.40.9


Fielding, 3B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Ron Cey5.54.5
1.0
1Brooks Robinson7.14.82.4
2Ken Reitz4.13.2
0.9
2Ron Cey5.94.01.9
3Mike Schmidt5.54.8
0.8
3Ken Reitz4.23.11.2
4Larry Parrish1.00.5
0.5
4Graig Nettles6.85.71.1
5Buddy Bell4.33.8
0.5
5Aurelio Rodriguez5.44.41.0


Fielding, SS
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Mark Belanger7.45.7
1.7
1Mark Belanger7.85.22.6
2Bill E. Russell7.46.2
1.2
2Dave Concepcion7.96.21.7
3Bud Harrelson4.63.7
0.9
3Bill E. Russell7.26.40.8
4Dave Concepcion7.56.6
0.8
4Chris Speier6.35.70.7
5Tim Foli5.54.7
0.8
5Mike Tyson5.95.20.7


Fielding, LF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Joe Rudi7.05.8
1.3
1Joe Rudi7.25.61.6
2Dave Winfield3.82.7
1.0
2Lou Piniella5.74.21.6
3Hal McRae2.41.6
0.8
3Bill Buckner5.44.01.3
4Lou Brock6.05.3
0.7
4Dave Winfield3.92.61.3
5Willie Stargell6.55.9
0.6
5Jim Wohlford6.45.31.1


Fielding, CF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Cesar Geronimo6.24.6
1.7
1Cesar Geronimo6.44.51.9
2Elliott Maddox5.44.4
1.1
2Cesar Cedeno6.85.51.3
3Paul Blair5.85.2
0.6
3Juan Beniquez4.03.01.0
4Cesar Cedeno6.55.8
0.6
4Elliott Maddox5.44.41.0
5Bake McBride5.24.6
0.6
5Dusty Baker3.93.00.9


Fielding, RF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Al Cowens2.81.8
0.9
1Al Cowens2.91.71.1
2Greg Gross6.65.8
0.8
2Greg Gross6.65.80.9
3Charlie Spikes6.75.9
0.8
3Bill Sharp3.83.10.8
4Dwight Evans4.53.8
0.7
4Willie Crawford4.43.70.7
5Dave May4.03.4
0.5
5Dwight Evans4.53.80.7


Best by Position
Next, we look at 1974 Major-League leaders by position. The figures shown here only include Player decisions earned while playing this particular position.

Catcher
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Johnny Bench17.812.9
5.2
1Johnny Bench18.112.65.9
2Joe Ferguson8.26.0
2.3
2Ted Simmons16.514.42.6
3Gene Tenace6.95.2
2.0
3Thurman Munson14.612.92.4
4Ted Simmons16.214.7
1.9
4Darrell Porter11.810.12.2
5Darrell Porter11.510.3
1.7
5Steve Yeager8.66.72.1


First Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Dick Allen14.811.1
2.9
1Steve Garvey20.314.04.9
2Willie McCovey11.58.5
2.1
2Dick Allen14.611.32.5
3Steve Garvey19.015.4
2.1
3Tony Perez19.115.12.5
4Mike Jorgensen6.74.6
1.7
4Mike Jorgensen6.74.61.7
5George C. Scott17.214.7
1.5
5George C. Scott17.214.71.5


Second Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Joe L. Morgan23.016.9
6.6
1Joe L. Morgan23.516.37.7
2Rod Carew22.118.9
4.1
2Bobby Grich23.018.35.7
3Bobby Grich22.219.1
4.0
3Rod Carew22.218.74.4
4Jorge Orta16.815.2
2.4
4Davey Lopes17.815.03.3
5Davey Lopes17.315.5
2.2
5Dave Cash22.721.02.3


Third Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Mike Schmidt23.716.7
6.4
1Mike Schmidt23.816.76.5
2Darrell Evans22.017.9
3.5
2Ron Cey22.216.15.4
3Ron Cey20.717.7
2.4
3Darrell Evans22.917.05.3
4Sal Bando18.215.7
2.2
4Brooks Robinson19.715.34.3
5Richie Hebner18.416.4
1.5
5Sal Bando18.815.13.6


Shortstop
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Dave Concepcion22.020.1
3.3
1Dave Concepcion23.119.05.4
2Bert Campaneris18.617.2
2.9
2Mark Belanger17.816.13.1
3Toby Harrah19.618.6
2.5
3Bert Campaneris18.617.23.0
4Mark Belanger17.216.7
1.8
4Bill E. Russell19.118.02.3
5Bill E. Russell18.818.3
1.7
5Toby Harrah19.418.82.2


Left Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Willie Stargell21.216.0
4.0
1Willie Stargell21.816.05.4
2Joe Rudi20.817.3
2.5
2Joe Rudi21.617.34.2
3Hal McRae6.34.4
1.7
3Lou Piniella15.813.23.3
4Dave Winfield10.18.0
1.5
4Hank Aaron13.510.43.0
5Hank Aaron12.810.4
1.5
5Bill Buckner17.515.71.5


Center Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Jimmy Wynn23.117.4
4.8
1Jimmy Wynn23.816.86.0
2Cesar Cedeno22.318.8
2.3
2Cesar Geronimo17.913.43.7
3Rick Monday17.414.6
2.0
3Paul Blair20.416.33.6
4Elliott Maddox15.313.0
1.9
4Cesar Cedeno22.718.43.3
5Bake McBride18.816.4
1.4
5Dusty Baker13.710.52.6


Right Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Reggie Jackson19.315.9
2.8
1Reggie Jackson20.015.24.1
2Richie Zisk18.815.3
2.5
2Richie Zisk19.514.63.9
3Jeff Burroughs20.917.8
2.3
3Willie Crawford16.912.83.1
4Reggie Smith19.816.5
2.2
4Reggie Smith20.116.22.8
5Bobby Bonds19.816.5
2.1
5Bernie Carbo8.45.52.7


Starting Pitcher
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Fergie Jenkins20.716.3
4.4
1Fergie Jenkins22.614.38.3
2Jon Matlack15.411.5
3.9
2Luis Tiant Jr.20.113.56.6
3Luis Tiant Jr.18.714.9
3.7
3Catfish Hunter17.813.24.6
4Gaylord Perry18.014.5
3.6
4Andy Messersmith16.312.14.2
5Bert Blyleven15.912.8
3.1
5Lynn McGlothen15.111.04.1
6Catfish Hunter17.014.0
3.0
6Mike Cuellar18.013.94.1
7Nolan Ryan21.418.5
2.9
7Jim Kaat16.812.74.0
8Phil Niekro16.913.9
2.9
8Tommy John9.15.53.6
9Steve Busby16.714.2
2.5
9Buzz Capra12.38.83.5
10Jim Kaat15.913.6
2.3
10Steve Busby17.213.73.5


Relief Pitcher
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Mike G. Marshall13.711.7
2.0
1Terry Forster10.98.03.0
2Rollie Fingers8.06.3
1.7
2Bill Campbell9.36.33.0
3Tom House6.24.5
1.6
3Rollie Fingers8.65.72.9
4Steve Foucault8.67.1
1.5
4Al Hrabosky5.42.82.7
5John Hiller11.09.8
1.3
5Tom House6.54.32.2
6Terry Forster10.18.8
1.3
6Oscar Zamora6.74.52.2
7Bill Campbell8.47.2
1.2
7Clay Carroll5.02.92.2
8Tom A. Murphy8.97.7
1.2
8Tom A. Murphy9.37.32.0
9Clay Carroll4.53.4
1.2
9Dave Giusti5.83.91.9
10Dale Murray3.11.9
1.2
10John Hiller11.39.51.9


Designated Hitter
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Frank Robinson12.49.6
2.6
1Oscar Gamble11.68.72.7
2Oscar Gamble11.48.9
2.4
2Al Kaline12.911.21.5
3Hal McRae8.57.3
1.1
3Frank Robinson11.810.21.4


Finally, here are the best at three oft-forgotten positions that can nevertheless matter: pitcher offense, pinch hitting, and pinch running.

Pitcher Offense
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Ken Brett1.81.4
1.0
1Andy Messersmith2.11.51.2
2Andy Messersmith1.81.7
0.8
2Ken Brett1.71.50.8
3Jim Rooker1.61.6
0.7
3Jim Rooker1.71.60.8


Pinch Hitter
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Harmon Killebrew2.31.1
1.3
1Harmon Killebrew2.51.01.6
2Cliff Johnson2.31.1
1.2
2Tom Hutton2.00.51.5
3Tom Hutton1.80.8
1.1
3Cliff Johnson2.31.01.4


Pinch Runner
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Len Randle0.20.0
0.2
1Len Randle0.30.00.2
2Lee Richard0.20.0
0.2
2Bob Gallagher0.20.00.2
3Bob Gallagher0.20.0
0.1
3Lee Richard0.20.00.2


Noteworthy Players of 1974

One name that is a familiar face on top 10 lists of the 1970s is Cincinnati Reds second baseman Joe Morgan. As I showed in my article about the 1977 season, Joe Morgan's 6-year stretch from 1972 through 1977 is one of the best consecutive 6-year stretch, as measured by pWins over replacment level, of any player for whom I have calculated Player won-lost records.

I take a bit closer look next at a couple of other players on the above lists.

Fergie Jenkins
The best player in the major leagues in 1974, as measured by pWins over either positional average or replacement level was long-time Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Fergie Jenkins. Of course, in a somewhat classic pre-2016 Cubs move (says a man who lived on the North Side of Chicago for 27 years), Fergie Jenkins's brilliant 1974 season came in his first season as a member of the Texas Rangers.

Fergie Jenkins's career, as measured by Player won-lost records, is presented in the next table.

Fergie Jenkins
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL eWins eLosses eWOPA eWORL
1965PHI22
7
0.70.8-0.1
0.0
0.80.8-0.00.1
1966CHN23
61
9.410.2-0.3
1.2
9.79.80.51.9
1967CHN24
39
20.217.53.8
6.0
19.518.22.64.7
1968CHN25
40
21.017.84.3
6.3
20.618.23.55.5
1969CHN26
43
22.017.45.7
8.0
21.118.33.96.3
1970CHN27
40
21.616.96.0
8.0
22.016.56.99.0
1971CHN28
39
24.117.47.7
10.0
23.717.77.29.5
1972CHN29
36
18.616.23.3
5.4
18.016.72.34.4
1973CHN30
38
15.818.4-1.7
0.2
16.517.7-0.31.6
1974TEX31
41
22.714.48.4
10.6
21.415.75.77.9
1975TEX32
37
16.414.91.6
3.5
15.915.40.62.5
1976BOS33
30
11.111.4-0.2
1.1
11.511.00.61.9
1977BOS34
28
10.210.20.1
1.5
10.410.00.51.8
1978TEX35
34
14.710.34.3
5.9
14.011.02.94.4
1979TEX36
37
14.814.10.7
2.5
14.414.6-0.11.7
1980TEX37
29
12.311.80.6
2.0
12.511.71.02.4
1981TEX38
19
6.57.1-0.6
0.3
6.17.5-1.4-0.4
1982CHN39
34
13.914.50.5
2.0
13.115.3-1.10.4
1983CHN40
33
8.911.1-1.5
-0.4
9.610.4-0.11.0
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
665
285.0252.342.7
74.3
280.8256.535.366.9
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
0
0.00.0 0.00.00.0 0.0
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
665
285.0252.3
74.3
280.8256.5 66.9


Mike Schmidt
One player making his first appearance on major-league top 10 lists in 1974 was 23-year-old Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt. It was definitely not his last such appearance.

Mike Schmidt's career, as measured by Player won-lost recirds, is presented in the next table.

Mike Schmidt
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL eWins eLosses eWOPA eWORL
1972PHI22
13
1.31.20.1
0.2
1.21.3-0.10.0
1973PHI23
131
14.312.01.6
2.9
13.812.50.51.8
1974PHI24
162
23.816.76.5
8.4
24.016.57.08.8
1975PHI25
158
21.417.24.0
5.8
22.516.16.28.0
1976PHI26
160
23.716.26.9
8.9
23.116.85.87.8
1977PHI27
154
21.615.15.9
7.7
21.515.15.77.6
1978PHI28
145
20.216.33.3
5.0
20.216.33.35.0
1979PHI29
160
24.317.26.5
8.4
23.717.85.57.5
1980PHI30
150
23.717.06.2
8.1
23.717.06.48.3
1981PHI31
102
17.110.75.9
7.4
16.811.05.46.9
1982PHI32
148
22.616.35.6
7.3
22.716.15.97.6
1983PHI33
154
22.517.04.6
6.4
22.616.85.06.8
1984PHI34
151
22.617.64.8
6.6
23.017.25.57.4
1985PHI35
158
19.016.21.5
3.2
20.115.13.85.4
1986PHI36
160
21.015.44.7
6.4
21.215.35.06.7
1987PHI37
147
22.316.84.7
6.5
22.516.65.16.9
1988PHI38
108
12.513.2-0.9
0.3
13.212.40.61.8
1989PHI39
42
4.65.8-1.3
-0.8
5.25.2-0.10.4
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
2,403
338.5257.670.6
98.8
341.1255.176.5104.7
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
36
4.24.4 0.04.44.1 0.6
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
2,439
342.6262.0
98.8
345.5259.2 105.3


The next table shows the top 25 players in career eWins over positional average for players for whom I have calculated Player won-lost records.

Top 25 Players, Career eWOPA
eWins eLosses eWOPA eWORL
1Babe Ruth397.5249.3131.9
166.7
2Barry Bonds462.8314.6127.9
165.4
3Mel Ott419.0295.9101.7
139.8
4Ted Williams371.1252.099.8
132.7
5Mickey Mantle346.8234.896.3
126.4
6Willie Mays455.3339.994.8
135.2
7Roger Clemens314.8230.790.0
125.3
8Hank Aaron491.8374.088.2
132.2
9Greg Maddux329.0269.985.1
120.9
10Joe L. Morgan369.2296.681.2
113.5
11Lou Gehrig294.4193.780.1
105.8
12Alex Rodriguez373.3299.279.8
113.1
13Mike Schmidt341.1255.176.5
104.7
14Stan Musial417.4318.074.7
113.5
15Jimmie Foxx296.9204.671.9
98.7
16Rogers Hornsby262.4193.669.4
93.3
17Frank Robinson396.5304.066.7
102.6
18Randy 'Big Unit' Johnson276.4224.463.8
95.8
19Eddie Mathews317.6244.063.4
92.3
20Rickey Henderson428.2350.563.1
100.6
21Joe DiMaggio275.2205.061.7
87.2
22Pedro J. Martinez191.6138.661.3
82.9
23Albert Pujols353.0274.258.4
90.8
24Warren Spahn343.4302.557.8
97.4
25Lefty Grove246.4202.255.6
84.4


Oh, look, there's Schmidt (and Morgan)!

Notable Debuts
The 1974 season saw the debut of two players who have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Jim Rice and Gary Carter. Their careers, as measured by Player won-lost records, are presented in the next table.

Jim Rice Gary Carter
Season Games pWins pLoss Win Pct. pWOPA pWORL Games pWins pLoss Win Pct. pWOPA pWORL
1974242.11.40.6090.7
0.9
91.00.60.6410.50.5
197514420.115.40.5654.2
6.0
14416.215.80.505-0.41.1
197615317.517.50.499-0.7
1.1
918.79.80.471-1.1-0.2
197716018.413.90.5693.9
5.9
15315.613.70.5311.53.0
197816326.516.90.6108.9
11.0
15716.114.30.5292.03.4
197915821.418.40.5372.3
4.3
14015.213.30.5332.03.3
198012417.215.40.5271.0
2.5
15416.713.70.5493.24.6
198110815.514.20.5220.6
2.2
10012.49.80.5592.84.0
198214522.219.80.5281.5
3.4
15418.815.40.5493.65.2
198315526.521.60.5514.0
6.2
14515.513.80.5292.03.4
198415923.622.00.5170.3
2.4
15919.816.20.5514.05.7
198514019.919.70.502-0.6
1.3
14920.114.00.5906.48.0
198615724.919.30.5634.8
6.9
13217.913.30.5734.96.4
198710813.014.30.474-2.0
-0.7
13913.213.70.4900.51.7
198813511.812.30.489-1.0
0.5
13012.411.60.5171.22.4
1989564.54.70.487-0.2
0.4
503.64.70.435-0.8-0.4
1990
 
916.06.10.495-0.00.5
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER RECORDS2,089284.8246.90.53627.7
54.3
2,097229.2200.00.53432.252.4


Rice and Carter are an interesting comparison. Rice's career is relatively short for a Hall-of-Fame corner outfielder and his election was fairly controversial. Gary Carter, on the other hand, ranks as one of the best catchers in recent major-league history. And yet, as measured by pWins, their careers end up looking surprisingly similar (although Carter bests Rice somewhat handily when they are compared using (context-neutral, teammate-adjusted) eWins).

Last Hurrahs
Finally, 1974 was the final season for four Hall-of-Famers: Ron Santo, Al Kaline, Juan Marichal, and Orlando Cepeda. Their careers, as measured by Player won-lost records, are compared in the final tables of this article.

Ron Santo Al Kaline
Season Games pWins pLoss Win Pct. pWOPA pWORL Games pWins pLoss Win Pct. pWOPA pWORL
1953
 
300.70.70.490-0.10.0
1954
 
13814.616.20.474-2.1-0.3
1955
 
15222.817.50.5663.96.0
1956
 
15324.718.50.5724.87.1
1957
 
14921.516.90.5613.65.6
1958
 
14622.816.40.5825.06.9
1959
 
13620.516.10.5593.24.9
19609510.310.30.499-0.5
0.6
14717.318.80.480-2.9-1.1
196115417.218.60.480-1.7
0.3
15323.015.30.6016.18.2
196216217.221.70.442-4.7
-2.7
10017.012.80.5712.94.4
196316222.820.60.5261.9
4.0
14522.515.80.5884.96.8
196416122.918.60.5523.6
5.7
14619.216.50.5381.12.9
196516423.619.00.5543.7
5.8
12515.113.10.5361.12.5
196615521.518.60.5362.0
3.8
14220.814.60.5895.16.7
196716123.317.20.5755.3
7.3
13121.314.20.5995.77.5
196816224.118.10.5715.6
7.7
10113.18.90.5963.54.6
196916023.318.20.5614.7
6.9
13118.113.30.5773.45.0
197015420.517.00.5482.5
4.4
13116.013.70.5391.22.7
197115419.917.40.5331.6
3.4
13316.812.20.5803.85.3
197213317.014.40.5412.3
3.8
10610.07.70.5631.82.7
197314919.618.30.5170.2
2.1
919.78.90.5210.41.3
197411710.111.00.479-0.7
0.4
14712.911.30.5341.42.9
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER RECORDS2,243293.3259.00.53125.7
53.3
2,833380.5299.20.56057.892.5


Juan Marichal Orlando Cepeda
Season Games pWins pLoss Win Pct. pWOPA pWORL Games pWins pLoss Win Pct. pWOPA pWORL
1958
 
14815.614.70.516-0.41.1
1959
 
15119.116.70.5341.22.9
1960115.13.40.6012.1
2.5
15119.518.10.519-0.41.6
19613012.711.70.5191.5
3.0
15220.616.20.5612.84.8
19623817.915.40.5373.3
5.3
16218.814.90.5582.23.9
19634222.616.00.5857.4
9.8
15620.014.70.5764.15.8
19643318.412.80.5896.6
8.6
14218.113.50.5733.45.0
19653922.015.20.5918.0
10.2
330.80.90.462-0.10.0
19663722.614.30.6139.2
11.3
14215.613.20.5420.92.2
19672612.612.20.5081.1
2.6
15122.713.80.6217.08.8
19683820.016.40.5504.8
6.6
15717.915.10.5420.82.5
19693820.914.60.5887.5
9.6
15418.916.10.5400.42.2
19703412.713.20.4910.4
1.8
14816.115.40.511-1.40.2
19713716.613.90.5453.8
5.5
717.76.70.5340.20.9
1972259.512.50.432-2.3
-1.0
312.22.40.478-0.5-0.3
19733413.413.00.5081.1
2.6
14214.313.10.5221.23.0
1974113.52.40.5921.1
1.5
332.52.60.492-0.10.2
197520.30.90.226-0.6
-0.5
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER RECORDS475230.8188.00.55154.9
79.5
2,124250.3208.00.54621.444.8


Article last updated: May 11, 2020

Wins over positional average and replacement level are calculated using data only for the 1974 season. Positional averages for starting pitching and relief pitching are calculated using single-year data for all starting pitchers and all relief pitchers.

All articles are written so that they pull data directly from the most recent version of the Player won-lost database. Hence, any numbers cited within these articles should automatically incorporate the most recent update to Player won-lost records. In some cases, however, the accompanying text may have been written based on previous versions of Player won-lost records. I apologize if this results in non-sensical text in any cases.

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