Baseball Player Won-Loss Records
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1992 Season

The 1992 Season as seen through the Prism of Player Won-Lost Records

From 1903 - 1952, Major-League Baseball was played by the same 16 teams, in the same 10 cities (counting Brooklyn as part of New York), for 50 consecutive seasons. In the 53 seasons immediately following that (1953 - 2005), Major-League Baseball added 14 new teams and expanded into 18 or 19 cities (depending on whether one views Anaheim as a different city than Los Angeles), with two teams having moved twice, one city having been home to three different teams and one city having gained and then lost its team during these years.

But for 16 seasons in the middle of this period of rapid relocation and expansion (which saw 25 team expansion/relocations in 53 years), Major-League Baseball experienced the second-longest stretch of franchise stability in its history, from 1977 through 1992.

For my next installment in my series on major-league seasons, I look at the last season in this era of stability: 1992.

The Lull Before the Silly-Ball Storm
Before getting to the usual player tables, I wanted to take a little detour.

The years immediately following 1992 saw big changes to Major-League Baseball: four new teams in the next six years, 50% more divisions, twice as many playoff teams, interleague play five years later. But perhaps the most dramatic change was an explosion in run-scoring levels. Run scoring levels in the years immediately following 1992 were the highest in more than 50 years. Exaggerating the magnitude of this growth, run-scoring levels in 1992 were actually below historical averages to that date.

Run-scoring levels affect the win value of various events. The relationship between run-scoring levels and net win values is explored in a separate article that compares net win values for 1968 and 2000.

The next table compares net win values for 1992 with the years before and the decade immediately after.

Net Win Values for Offensive Events
Runs/Game HR T D S/ROE W/HBP IW Out
1947 - 1991 4.640.14670.07760.06040.03690.03270.0069-0.0232
1992 4.360.14910.08770.06630.03700.02950.0083-0.0227
1993 - 2002 5.170.13280.07490.05630.03460.02850.0097-0.0234
Runs are runs per 27 outs for games used in calculating Player Won-Lost records.



The Best of 1992

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
1Gary Sheffield25.618.07.1
9.1
1Gary Sheffield25.618.07.1
9.1
2Barry Bonds22.314.57.0
8.7
2Barry Bonds22.314.57.0
8.7
3Carlos Baerga23.917.56.6
8.5
3Carlos Baerga23.917.56.6
8.5
4Greg Maddux17.512.36.3
8.0
4Greg Maddux17.512.36.3
8.0
5Barry Larkin21.516.16.1
7.8
5J. Kevin Brown17.812.15.9
7.9
6J. Kevin Brown17.812.15.9
7.9
6Barry Larkin21.516.16.1
7.8
7David Justice18.912.55.7
7.2
7Terry Pendleton25.118.95.6
7.6
8Roberto Alomar23.017.75.6
7.4
8Ryne Sandberg24.618.95.5
7.5
9Terry Pendleton25.118.95.6
7.6
9Roberto Alomar23.017.75.6
7.4
10Ryne Sandberg24.618.95.5
7.5
10David Justice18.912.55.7
7.2


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
1Barry Bonds22.114.76.7
8.4
1Ryne Sandberg25.118.46.5
8.5
2Ryne Sandberg25.118.46.5
8.5
2Barry Bonds22.114.76.7
8.4
3Darren Daulton17.912.06.4
7.8
3Greg Maddux17.412.46.4
8.1
4Greg Maddux17.412.46.4
8.1
4J. Kevin Brown17.912.06.0
8.0
5J. Kevin Brown17.912.06.0
8.0
5Darren Daulton17.912.06.4
7.8
6Roger Clemens15.510.25.5
7.2
6Roger Clemens15.510.25.5
7.2
7Charles Nagy15.010.15.1
6.8
7Charles Nagy15.010.15.1
6.8
8Frank E. Thomas21.715.65.0
6.7
8Frank E. Thomas21.715.65.0
6.7
9Mark McGwire18.212.34.8
6.2
9Barry Larkin20.716.94.7
6.5
10Barry Larkin20.716.94.7
6.5
10Gary Sheffield24.319.34.3
6.3


I take a look at some of the most interesting players of 1992 at the end of this article.

1992 Postseason

The 26-year period of franchise stability that ended with the 1992 season began with the addition of two expansion teams in 1977. It was perhaps fitting, therefore, that the 1992 season ended with one of these two expansion teams winning its first World Series: the Toronto Blue Jays.

1992 Postseason: Total
Player Team pWins pLosses pWORL
Damon BerryhillATL1.50.90.8
Joe CarterTOR1.71.10.8
John SmoltzATL2.01.60.7
Tom HenkeTOR0.90.30.7
Candy MaldonadoTOR1.81.10.7
Dave WinfieldTOR1.30.60.7
Jimmy KeyTOR0.90.30.7
Juan GuzmanTOR1.41.00.6
Ed Sprague Jr.TOR0.60.00.6
David ConeNYN1.61.40.6


Top postseason players by round were as follows.

1992 World Series
Player Team pWins pLosses Net Wins
Jimmy KeyTOR0.80.30.6
Ed Sprague Jr.TOR0.50.00.5
Joe CarterTOR0.80.40.4
Pat BordersTOR0.90.50.4
Tom HenkeTOR0.50.20.3

1992 Postseason: League Championship Series
Player Team pWins pLosses Net Wins
John SmoltzATL1.40.80.6
Francisco CabreraATL0.50.00.5
Ron GantATL1.20.70.5
Don SlaughtPIT0.60.20.5
John OlerudTOR0.80.40.5


Best of 1992 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 1992 in wins over positional average (WOPA) by factor were as follows.

Batting
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss eWOPA Player pWins pLoss pWOPA
1Barry Bonds15.58.6
6.6
1Gary Sheffield18.310.17.8
2Frank E. Thomas17.711.4
6.2
2Barry Bonds15.58.66.6
3Mark McGwire14.39.2
5.2
3Frank E. Thomas17.911.26.6
4Darren Daulton14.49.2
4.8
4Mark McGwire14.68.95.8
5Gary Sheffield16.711.7
4.6
5Rickey Henderson12.57.25.3
6John Kruk15.310.6
4.3
6Ray Lankford16.411.24.9
7Fred McGriff14.810.3
4.1
7Dave Winfield15.811.14.7
8Ryne Sandberg15.711.4
3.8
8Terry Pendleton16.311.34.6
9Rickey Henderson11.78.1
3.6
9Jeff Bagwell16.611.54.6
10Ray Lankford15.811.8
3.6
10Roberto Alomar15.210.84.5
Positional Average excludes pitcher offense
Baserunning
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss eWOPA Player pWins pLoss pWOPA
1Tim Raines Sr.2.21.1
1.1
1Marquis Grissom2.91.81.0
2Pat Listach2.61.6
1.0
2Tim Raines Sr.2.21.11.0
3Roberto Alomar2.11.3
0.8
3Steve Finley2.01.10.9
4Marquis Grissom2.81.9
0.8
4Kirby Puckett1.80.90.8
5Steve Finley2.01.2
0.8
5Pat Listach2.51.60.8
6Roberto Kelly1.40.7
0.7
6Roberto Alomar2.01.30.7
7Paul Molitor1.81.2
0.7
7Barry Bonds1.81.10.7
8Otis Nixon2.01.3
0.7
8Brady Anderson2.21.50.6
9Kirby Puckett1.71.1
0.6
9Jerald Clark1.20.50.6
10Barry Bonds1.71.1
0.6
10Ron Gant1.61.00.6
Positional Average excludes pitcher offense
Pitching
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss Net eWins Player pWins pLoss Net pWins
1Roger Clemens14.710.5
4.2
1Greg Maddux15.59.75.8
2Greg Maddux14.710.5
4.2
2J. Kevin Brown17.111.35.8
3J. Kevin Brown16.212.2
4.1
3Roger Clemens15.29.95.3
4Charles Nagy13.910.4
3.6
4Dennis Eckersley7.22.44.9
5Melido Perez14.211.1
3.1
5Juan Guzman12.98.14.8
6Doug Drabek14.211.4
2.9
6Cal Eldred8.03.44.6
7Juan Guzman11.99.1
2.8
7Mike Mussina13.38.94.4
8Cal Eldred7.04.3
2.7
8Bill C. Swift9.45.34.2
9Kevin Appier12.610.0
2.6
9Kevin Appier13.29.53.7
10Dennis Martinez13.010.5
2.5
10Doug Jones9.35.63.6


Fielding by Position


Fielding, P
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1J. Kevin Brown0.90.5
0.4
1Dennis Martinez0.60.20.4
2Bret Saberhagen0.30.1
0.3
2Randy Tomlin0.70.30.4
3John Franco0.30.0
0.3
3Mike Mussina0.60.30.3
4Mike Mussina0.60.3
0.2
4Alex Fernandez0.60.30.3
5Charles Nagy0.50.3
0.2
5Bret Saberhagen0.30.10.3


Fielding, C
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Greg Olson1.91.3
0.6
1Greg Olson2.01.20.7
2Terry Steinbach1.71.1
0.5
2Terry Steinbach1.71.10.6
3Mickey Tettleton1.71.3
0.5
3Darren Daulton2.51.90.5
4Darren Daulton2.42.0
0.4
4Ron Karkovice1.91.40.5
5B.J. Surhoff1.61.2
0.4
5B.J. Surhoff1.61.20.5


Fielding, 1B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Mark Grace4.33.6
0.7
1John Olerud3.42.21.2
2Wally Joyner3.93.2
0.7
2Jeff Bagwell5.24.11.1
3John Olerud3.12.5
0.6
3Wally Joyner4.03.01.0
4Tino Martinez1.61.1
0.5
4Mark Grace4.43.41.0
5Mark McGwire2.82.3
0.5
5Will Clark3.22.50.8


Fielding, 2B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Ryne Sandberg7.56.1
1.4
1Carlos Baerga8.45.53.0
2Carlos Baerga7.66.3
1.3
2Ryne Sandberg7.66.11.5
3Scott Fletcher4.33.6
0.7
3Lance Blankenship3.32.11.2
4Robby Thompson5.85.2
0.7
4Mark Lemke5.84.61.2
5Lance Blankenship3.02.4
0.6
5Billy Ripken4.63.70.8


Fielding, 3B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Robin Ventura6.65.7
1.0
1Robin Ventura6.95.31.6
2Damion Easley2.51.6
0.9
2Scott Leius4.53.61.0
3Matt D. Williams6.05.2
0.8
3Carney Lansford4.23.40.8
4Tim Wallach4.23.5
0.7
4Terry Pendleton7.46.60.8
5Scott Leius4.43.7
0.7
5Leo Gomez5.74.90.8


Fielding, SS
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Craig Grebeck3.62.7
0.9
1Ozzie Smith6.64.81.8
2Ozzie Smith6.15.3
0.8
2Jay Bell8.87.01.8
3Cal Ripken6.76.0
0.7
3Cal Ripken7.15.61.5
4Rey Sanchez2.92.3
0.5
4Craig Grebeck3.62.70.9
5Dick Schofield Jr.5.75.3
0.5
5Manuel Lee4.94.10.9


Fielding, LF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Tim Raines Sr.5.44.2
1.2
1Jerald Clark5.33.51.7
2Luis 'Gonzo' Gonzalez4.43.5
0.9
2Luis 'Gonzo' Gonzalez4.53.41.2
3Bernard Gilkey4.03.2
0.7
3Tim Raines Sr.5.44.31.1
4Jerald Clark4.74.1
0.6
4Bernard Gilkey4.13.11.1
5Glenallen Hill2.21.8
0.5
5Moises Alou2.41.50.9


Fielding, CF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Darrin Jackson6.64.8
1.8
1Devon White6.03.62.3
2Kenny Lofton5.54.0
1.5
2Kenny Lofton5.63.81.8
3Devon White5.44.1
1.3
3Darrin Jackson6.64.91.7
4Lance Johnson5.34.6
0.7
4Marquis Grissom5.54.01.4
5Marquis Grissom4.94.5
0.4
5Otis Nixon3.82.81.0


Fielding, RF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1David Justice4.63.6
1.1
1David Justice5.23.02.3
2Tony Gwynn Sr.4.33.5
0.9
2Tony Gwynn Sr.4.92.91.9
3Larry Walker4.43.6
0.8
3Larry Walker4.73.31.4
4Joe Carter4.33.8
0.6
4Mark Whiten5.34.11.2
5Darryl Hamilton2.21.6
0.5
5Darryl Hamilton2.41.41.0


Best by Position
Next, we look at 1992 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
1Darren Daulton17.512.0
5.9
1Darren Daulton17.112.45.2
2Mickey Tettleton11.29.3
2.6
2Terry Steinbach12.010.22.5
3Chris Hoiles9.07.3
2.3
3Mickey Tettleton10.99.62.0
4Terry Steinbach11.710.5
2.0
4Ron Karkovice8.87.41.9
5Don Slaught7.05.8
1.4
5Brian Harper12.611.61.8


First Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Frank E. Thomas21.415.5
4.7
1Frank E. Thomas21.615.35.2
2Mark McGwire17.912.5
4.5
2Mark McGwire17.912.54.5
3John Kruk15.411.4
2.7
3Jeff Bagwell22.616.74.2
4Fred McGriff19.215.3
2.3
4Will Clark17.313.02.8
5Will Clark17.013.3
2.2
5John Olerud15.211.62.7


Second Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Ryne Sandberg24.818.7
6.0
1Carlos Baerga23.917.46.7
2Carlos Baerga22.319.0
3.6
2Ryne Sandberg24.618.95.5
3Roberto Alomar21.319.0
2.6
3Roberto Alomar22.817.65.5
4Robby Thompson18.215.5
2.6
4Chuck Knoblauch20.418.42.3
5Lou Whitaker15.914.4
1.8
5Delino DeShields Sr.19.717.71.9


Third Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Gary Sheffield24.019.4
4.0
1Gary Sheffield25.517.96.9
2Robin Ventura21.517.9
3.4
2Terry Pendleton25.118.95.6
3Dave Hollins21.617.9
3.1
3Robin Ventura21.917.64.1
4Edgar Martinez15.312.3
2.9
4Leo Gomez17.314.72.4
5Terry Pendleton23.020.9
1.4
5Carney Lansford15.212.92.1


Shortstop
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Barry Larkin20.617.0
4.4
1Barry Larkin21.516.16.1
2Jeff Blauser10.08.5
2.0
2Jay Bell22.419.04.2
3Ozzie Smith18.117.0
1.9
3Jeff Blauser10.67.93.1
4Travis Fryman18.417.9
1.8
4Ozzie Smith18.516.72.6
5Craig Grebeck9.68.6
1.6
5Pat Listach20.619.52.5


Left Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Barry Bonds21.714.9
6.0
1Barry Bonds22.314.97.2
2Rickey Henderson16.712.3
4.0
2Rickey Henderson17.612.35.8
3Tim Raines Sr.18.114.3
3.3
3Tim Raines Sr.18.614.34.2
4Brady Anderson21.418.3
2.5
4Bip Roberts10.26.83.7
5Bip Roberts9.46.8
2.2
5Brady Anderson21.918.33.6


Center Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Andy Van Slyke21.317.2
3.3
1Andy Van Slyke21.417.03.6
2Kirby Puckett20.417.7
2.4
2Ray Lankford22.818.93.0
3Ken Griffey Jr.18.115.5
2.3
3Marquis Grissom23.019.22.8
4Ray Lankford22.219.6
1.7
4Steve Finley21.918.72.3
5Steve Finley21.519.1
1.5
5Kirby Puckett20.417.72.3


Right Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Larry Walker19.615.4
3.5
1David Justice18.912.55.7
2David Justice17.613.8
3.2
2Larry Walker20.514.55.2
3Joe Carter18.015.0
2.7
3Joe Carter19.014.04.7
4Darryl Hamilton10.27.8
2.3
4Felix Jose18.615.02.9
5Rob Deer13.711.2
2.3
5Darryl Hamilton10.47.62.6


Starting Pitcher
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1J. Kevin Brown17.212.7
4.6
1J. Kevin Brown17.812.15.9
2Greg Maddux15.411.0
4.5
2Greg Maddux16.110.45.8
3Roger Clemens14.910.8
4.2
3Roger Clemens15.510.25.3
4Charles Nagy14.510.6
3.9
4Juan Guzman13.18.34.8
5Melido Perez14.411.3
3.2
5Mike Mussina13.99.24.8
6Dennis Martinez13.510.8
2.8
6Cal Eldred8.13.54.6
7Cal Eldred7.14.4
2.8
7Kevin Appier13.59.73.9
8Juan Guzman12.09.3
2.8
8Charles Nagy14.410.73.8
9Doug Drabek14.612.0
2.7
9Jack Morris14.510.93.7
10Kevin Appier12.910.3
2.6
10Tom Glavine13.910.33.7


Relief Pitcher
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Dennis Eckersley5.93.9
1.9
1Dennis Eckersley7.42.44.9
2Joe Grahe5.43.7
1.6
2Doug Jones9.45.73.6
3Doug Jones8.46.7
1.6
3Duane Ward7.84.73.0
4Rusty Meacham5.63.9
1.6
4Tom Henke5.42.52.8
5Duane Ward7.05.4
1.5
5Joe Grahe5.93.22.6
6Rod Beck5.54.0
1.5
6Jeff Russell6.94.22.6
7Steve Farr4.52.9
1.4
7John Wetteland7.85.12.6
8Rob Dibble6.44.9
1.4
8Jeff Montgomery7.44.72.6
9Jeff Montgomery6.85.3
1.4
9Mel Rojas5.32.82.4
10Mel Rojas4.83.3
1.4
10Lee Smith7.14.72.3


Designated Hitter
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Brian Downing8.36.4
1.5
1Paul Molitor12.18.63.0
2Dave Winfield12.810.7
1.5
2Dave Winfield13.210.32.4
3Paul Molitor11.39.4
1.4
3Harold Baines10.48.11.8


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
1Dwight Gooden1.71.9
0.8
1Dwight Gooden1.81.81.0
2Tom Glavine1.21.6
0.5
2Tom Glavine1.51.40.8
3Ken Hill1.11.5
0.4
3Chris Hammond1.10.90.7


Pinch Hitter
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Mitch Webster2.21.3
1.0
1Eric Karros1.10.20.9
2Eric Karros1.00.3
0.7
2Jeff Branson1.40.70.7
3Orlando Merced1.20.8
0.5
3Orlando Merced1.30.70.6


Pinch Runner
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Jacob Brumfield0.20.0
0.2
1Deion Sanders0.30.10.2
2Deion Sanders0.30.2
0.1
2Skeeter Barnes0.30.20.2
3Chuck Carr0.10.0
0.1
3Wayne Kirby0.20.10.1


Noteworthy Players of 1992

Great Players Coming and Going in Chicago
The 1992 Chicago Cubs were one in a long line of mostly forgettable Cubs teams, finishing with a record of 76-86.

There were two members of the Cubs, however, for whom the 1992 season was notable.

Breakthrough to Greatness: Greg Maddux
In 1992, Greg Maddux led the National League in pitcher wins for the first of three times in his career, led the league in ERA+ for the first of five times in his career, and won the first of his four Cy Young awards. Likewise, 1992 was the first season in Greg Maddux's career where his Player won-lost record rose from pretty good to among the best in the league. The next table presents Greg Maddux's career Player won-lost record by season.

Greg Maddux
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL eWins eLosses eWOPA eWORL
1986CHN20
6
1.62.3-0.5
-0.3
1.82.2-0.20.0
1987CHN21
34
9.913.6-2.9
-1.6
10.213.3-2.3-0.9
1988CHN22
37
17.212.55.7
7.4
15.813.93.04.7
1989CHN23
35
15.914.03.0
4.8
15.614.32.64.4
1990CHN24
35
15.614.91.7
3.5
16.414.13.85.5
1991CHN25
39
15.714.02.7
4.4
15.514.22.54.1
1992CHN26
35
17.512.36.3
8.0
17.412.46.48.1
1993ATL27
36
17.913.55.4
7.1
17.913.65.67.3
1994ATL28
25
14.48.07.0
8.4
14.48.07.48.8
1995ATL29
28
16.57.410.0
11.4
15.97.99.210.7
1996ATL30
35
16.211.75.6
7.4
17.210.77.89.5
1997ATL31
33
14.29.26.0
7.4
14.49.16.47.8
1998ATL32
34
17.012.06.2
8.0
17.611.47.49.2
1999ATL33
33
15.712.93.7
5.4
15.513.13.55.2
2000ATL34
35
17.012.26.0
7.7
16.612.65.37.1
2001ATL35
35
16.011.75.6
7.3
15.811.95.26.9
2002ATL36
35
13.510.14.3
5.9
13.010.63.44.9
2003ATL37
37
13.314.00.4
2.1
14.013.31.93.6
2004CHN38
34
14.613.12.5
4.2
14.613.12.74.4
2005CHN39
35
12.314.8-1.2
0.3
13.413.80.72.3
2006CHN40
34
13.312.42.1
3.6
13.412.22.43.8
2007SDN41
35
11.711.31.4
2.8
11.511.51.12.6
2008LAN42
34
10.113.8-2.8
-1.3
11.112.8-0.80.7
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
759
327.2271.778.2
114.0
329.0269.985.1120.9
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
37
12.512.5 2.413.711.3 4.8
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
796
339.6284.2
116.4
342.7281.2 125.7


Last Great Season: Ryne Sandberg
While 1992 was the first truly great season in Greg Maddux's career (and, sadly, his only one in a Cubs uniform), it was the last great season for Maddux's teammate, second baseman Ryne Sandberg.

Maddux and Sandberg were actually teammates for six seasons, starting in 1986. But 1992 was really the only one where they were both playing at the level of play that ultimately put both men in the Hall of Fame.

The next table presents Ryne Sandberg's career.

Ryne Sandberg
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL eWins eLosses eWOPA eWORL
1981PHI21
13
0.10.00.0
0.0
0.00.10.00.0
1982CHN22
156
18.219.5-2.1
-0.4
18.818.8-0.71.0
1983CHN23
158
19.320.8-1.2
0.6
20.419.71.02.8
1984CHN24
156
25.119.36.3
8.3
24.519.94.97.0
1985CHN25
153
23.919.24.5
6.5
23.519.63.65.7
1986CHN26
154
19.518.61.4
3.2
19.618.51.63.4
1987CHN27
132
16.616.01.1
2.6
17.215.42.23.7
1988CHN28
155
20.118.81.6
3.5
20.218.71.83.7
1989CHN29
157
21.218.32.7
4.5
21.518.13.04.8
1990CHN30
155
22.118.73.4
5.2
23.117.65.57.3
1991CHN31
158
22.717.05.3
7.1
22.517.24.96.7
1992CHN32
158
24.618.95.5
7.5
25.118.46.58.5
1993CHN33
117
13.013.8-0.6
0.7
13.513.30.31.6
1994CHN34
57
6.97.1-0.1
0.6
7.06.90.20.9
1996CHN36
150
19.616.93.4
5.2
19.317.22.94.6
1997CHN37
135
12.613.8-1.0
0.3
13.013.4-0.11.2
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
2,164
285.5256.730.3
55.5
289.4252.837.863.0
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
10
1.41.3 0.11.61.0 0.7
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
2,174
286.9258.0
55.6
291.1253.8 63.7


One More 1992 Breakthrough: Gary Sheffield
As measured by pWins over either positional average or replacement level, the most valuable player in the major leagues in 1992 was a young third baseman having a breakout season.

Gary Sheffield was the first major-league player who was younger than me (by just over five months) when he debuted in 1988 at the age of 19. His 1992 season, at age 23, was his first truly great season (but far from his last) and arguably the greatest season of his career. His career is presented next.

Gary Sheffield
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL eWins eLosses eWOPA eWORL
1988MIL19
24
2.73.0-0.2
0.1
2.73.0-0.20.1
1989MIL20
95
10.812.6-1.1
-0.0
11.112.3-0.50.5
1990MIL21
125
16.214.51.9
3.3
16.114.61.73.0
1991MIL22
50
4.56.4-1.9
-1.4
4.76.1-1.5-0.9
1992SDN23
146
25.618.07.1
9.1
24.319.34.36.3
1993FLO24
139
16.416.9-0.9
0.7
16.916.40.11.7
1994FLO25
87
12.611.10.8
2.0
13.010.71.72.9
1995FLO26
63
8.88.6-0.3
0.5
10.07.32.02.9
1996FLO27
161
24.719.73.6
5.6
25.518.85.77.7
1997FLO28
135
18.815.52.0
3.6
18.915.42.13.7
1998FLO29
130
16.214.90.0
1.6
16.914.11.63.2
1999LAN30
152
18.716.51.3
3.0
19.315.82.64.3
2000LAN31
141
21.515.94.5
6.2
21.316.13.95.7
2001LAN32
143
23.018.53.2
5.3
22.818.62.95.0
2002ATL33
135
20.714.45.2
7.0
18.816.21.33.1
2003ATL34
155
24.216.66.3
8.3
24.016.85.77.7
2004NYA35
154
23.016.65.8
7.9
21.418.22.84.9
2005NYA36
154
20.415.24.5
6.2
19.715.93.14.7
2006NYA37
39
4.04.7-0.9
-0.5
4.64.20.20.6
2007DET38
133
13.810.32.7
4.2
13.410.71.93.4
2008DET39
114
8.19.6-2.1
-0.9
8.69.1-0.90.3
2009NYN40
100
8.58.7-0.5
0.3
8.88.50.10.9
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
2,575
343.2288.040.9
72.3
342.8288.440.471.8
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
44
5.55.5 0.35.65.4 0.5
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
2,619
348.7293.5
72.6
348.5293.7 72.3


Hall of Famers Coming and Going
Two player who debuted in 1992 have gone on to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame: catcher Mike Piazza and pitcher Pedro Martinez.

Two players who played their final season in 1992 have also been elected to the Hall of Fame and they were also a catcher and a pitcher: Gary Carter and Bert Blyleven.

The career records of these four Hall-of-Famers, as measured by Player won-lost records, are shown in the next two table: comparing the catchers to each other first and then the pitchers.

Mike Piazza Gary Carter
Age Games pWins pLoss pWOPA pWORL Games pWins pLoss pWOPA pWORL
20
 
91.00.60.50.5
21
 
14416.215.8-0.41.1
22
 
918.79.8-1.1-0.2
23211.21.8-0.6
-0.5
15315.613.71.53.0
2414918.113.54.9
6.4
15716.114.32.03.4
2510712.59.73.2
4.3
14015.213.32.03.3
2611214.610.24.7
5.9
15416.713.73.24.6
2714819.512.96.9
8.5
10012.49.82.84.0
2815218.113.45.0
6.5
15418.815.43.65.2
2915118.613.26.1
7.7
14515.513.82.03.4
3014117.914.04.6
6.1
15919.816.24.05.7
3113617.911.86.4
7.9
14920.114.06.48.0
3214116.713.34.4
6.0
13217.913.34.96.4
3313513.613.21.4
2.8
13913.213.70.51.7
34676.46.40.3
0.9
13012.411.61.22.4
3512911.211.9-0.9
0.3
503.64.7-0.8-0.4
361139.710.6-0.4
0.5
916.06.1-0.00.5
3712610.910.60.6
1.7
1016.27.1-0.50.1
38836.67.1-0.9
-0.0
957.38.2-0.50.2
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER RECORDS1,911213.7173.645.7
65.1
2,293242.7215.231.152.7


Pedro Martinez Bert Blyleven
Age Games pWins pLoss pWOPA pWORL Games pWins pLoss pWOPA pWORL
19
 
2710.510.30.71.9
2020.20.4-0.1
-0.0
3818.015.53.45.3
21657.35.51.8
3.0
3917.917.11.63.7
22249.68.02.2
3.3
4018.713.65.17.0
233011.511.41.0
2.4
3715.812.83.04.7
243313.113.21.0
2.6
3515.011.93.14.8
253117.812.06.8
8.7
3617.514.53.14.9
263315.510.75.0
6.8
3013.310.82.74.3
273116.36.59.9
11.4
3715.313.52.64.2
282916.47.19.5
11.0
3812.712.51.12.5
29187.44.03.6
4.3
3711.412.9-0.70.7
303014.87.57.6
9.2
208.06.81.22.2
312913.77.36.6
8.0
41.31.6-0.2-0.0
323314.610.93.9
5.5
248.98.50.51.5
333113.311.03.3
4.7
3314.19.35.06.4
34238.49.9-0.9
0.2
3717.515.22.54.6
3552.31.51.0
1.2
3617.516.90.62.8
36206.58.0-0.9
-0.0
3716.715.91.13.1
3793.82.71.2
1.6
3311.714.5-2.7-1.0
38
 
3313.79.44.66.1
39
 
236.78.4-1.6-0.6
40
 
41
 
257.19.7-2.6-1.4
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER RECORDS476192.4137.862.4
83.9
699289.2261.434.367.8


Article last updated: December 15, 2019

Wins over positional average and replacement level are calculated using data only for the 1992 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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