Baseball Player Won-Loss Records
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2008 Season

The 2008 Season as seen through the Prism of Player Won-Lost Records

This article takes a look at the 2008 season as measured by Player won-lost records.

The Best of 2008

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
1Manny Ramirez24.415.28.4
10.3
1Manny Ramirez24.415.28.4
10.3
2Cliff P. Lee15.78.17.9
9.5
2Cliff P. Lee15.78.17.9
9.5
3C.C. Sabathia17.911.17.5
9.3
3C.C. Sabathia17.911.17.5
9.3
4Brandon Webb19.113.56.8
8.8
4Brandon Webb19.113.56.8
8.8
5Tim Lincecum15.610.16.4
8.1
5Carlos Beltran24.517.96.2
8.2
6Lance Berkman21.613.96.3
7.9
6Tim Lincecum15.610.16.4
8.1
7Carlos Beltran24.517.96.2
8.2
7Lance Berkman21.613.96.3
7.9
8Hanley Ramirez22.617.36.0
7.8
8Hanley Ramirez22.617.36.0
7.8
9Albert Pujols19.212.55.5
6.9
9Roy Halladay16.411.55.1
7.1
10Roy Halladay16.411.55.1
7.1
10Albert Pujols19.212.55.5
6.9


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
1C.C. Sabathia17.411.66.5
8.4
1C.C. Sabathia17.411.66.5
8.4
2Albert Pujols19.612.16.3
7.7
2Brandon Webb18.514.16.0
8.0
3Brandon Webb18.514.16.0
8.0
3Albert Pujols19.612.16.3
7.7
4Hanley Ramirez22.617.35.9
7.7
4Hanley Ramirez22.617.35.9
7.7
5Roy Halladay16.611.35.6
7.5
5Roy Halladay16.611.35.6
7.5
6Cliff P. Lee14.59.25.6
7.2
6Manny Ramirez22.916.75.5
7.4
7Manny Ramirez22.916.75.5
7.4
7Cliff P. Lee14.59.25.6
7.2
8Chase Utley22.217.24.9
6.7
8Chase Utley22.217.24.9
6.7
9Carlos Beltran23.718.64.7
6.6
9Carlos Beltran23.718.64.7
6.6
10Tim Lincecum14.611.14.5
6.1
10Tim Lincecum14.611.14.5
6.1


I take a look at some of the most interesting players of 2008 at the end of this article.

2008 Postseason

The 2008 postseason featured a number of fascinating team stories.

*The Angels officially changed their name to the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" for the 2005 season. The only time before 2008 when the Angels and Dodgers both made the playoffs in the same season was in 2004.

The 2008 playoffs culminated with a World Series matchup between a Tampa Bay Rays team that won 31 more games than the year before and 27 more games than ever before in its history and a Philadelphia Phillies team looking for only its second World Series winner ever. The Phillies got their World Championship in five games.

2008 Postseason: Total
Player Team pWins pLosses pWORL
Cole HamelsPHI2.61.02.0
B.J. UptonTBA3.11.91.4
Shane VictorinoPHI2.31.21.2
Chase UtleyPHI2.41.51.0
Jason BayBOS2.21.31.0
Brad LidgePHI1.30.51.0
Pat BurrellPHI2.21.31.0
Manny RamirezBOS1.30.60.8
James LoneyLAN1.50.80.7
Ryan MadsonPHI0.90.30.7


Top postseason players by round were as follows.

2008 World Series
Player Team pWins pLosses Net Wins
Jayson WerthPHI1.20.60.6
Cole HamelsPHI0.80.40.4
Eric BruntlettPHI0.40.10.4
Chase UtleyPHI0.90.60.4
James ShieldsTBA0.50.20.3

2008 Postseason: League Championship Series
Player Team pWins pLosses Net Wins
B.J. UptonTBA1.40.70.7
Matt GarzaTBA1.10.50.7
Cole HamelsPHI1.10.50.6
Willy AybarTBA0.80.30.5
Shane VictorinoPHI0.90.40.5

2008 Postseason: Division Series
Player Team pWins pLosses Net Wins
Shane VictorinoPHI1.10.40.7
Jon LesterBOS0.90.20.7
Jason BayBOS1.10.40.7
Cole HamelsPHI0.70.10.6
James LoneyLAN0.90.30.6


Best of 2008 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 2008 in wins over positional average (WOPA) by factor were as follows.

Batting
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss eWOPA Player pWins pLoss pWOPA
1Manny Ramirez17.711.6
5.9
1Manny Ramirez18.810.58.1
2Albert Pujols15.19.2
5.7
2Lance Berkman16.911.15.4
3Hanley Ramirez15.110.4
4.4
3Albert Pujols14.99.45.2
4Mark Teixeira16.512.0
4.2
4Carlos Beltran16.611.54.8
5Ryan Ludwick14.510.0
4.2
5Mark Teixeira16.811.74.8
6Carlos Quentin13.19.2
3.9
6Jason Bay15.510.54.8
7Alex Rodriguez13.79.8
3.8
7Carlos Quentin13.58.74.7
8Lance Berkman16.111.9
3.8
8David Wright16.311.44.5
9Matt Holliday13.69.7
3.6
9Hanley Ramirez15.110.44.5
10Chipper Jones11.77.9
3.5
10Carlos Pena14.39.84.4
Positional Average excludes pitcher offense
Baserunning
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss eWOPA Player pWins pLoss pWOPA
1Jimmy Rollins1.70.7
1.0
1Shane Victorino2.31.31.0
2Jacoby Ellsbury2.01.1
0.8
2Willy Taveras1.70.80.9
3Ichiro Suzuki2.21.4
0.8
3Jimmy Rollins1.70.80.9
4Willy Taveras1.70.9
0.8
4Lance Berkman1.81.00.7
5Nate McLouth1.60.8
0.7
5Carl Crawford1.40.70.7
6Carlos Beltran1.50.8
0.7
6Nate McLouth1.60.80.7
7Lance Berkman1.71.1
0.6
7Matt Holliday1.50.80.6
8Carl Crawford1.30.7
0.6
8Placido Polanco1.30.60.6
9Ian Kinsler1.40.8
0.6
9Carlos Beltran1.50.80.6
10Matt Holliday1.40.9
0.5
10Emmanuel Burriss1.30.70.6
Positional Average excludes pitcher offense
Pitching
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLoss Net eWins Player pWins pLoss Net pWins
1Cliff P. Lee13.79.4
4.4
1Cliff P. Lee15.37.87.6
2Brandon Webb16.211.9
4.3
2C.C. Sabathia16.49.96.5
3C.C. Sabathia15.311.0
4.3
3Tim Lincecum14.38.65.7
4Roy Halladay15.511.6
4.0
4Brandon Webb16.911.25.7
5Mariano Rivera6.63.2
3.4
5Mariano Rivera7.32.54.9
6Tim Lincecum13.19.8
3.3
6Frankie Rodriguez9.85.14.7
7Ryan Dempster12.99.9
2.9
7Roy Halladay15.911.24.7
8Derek Lowe11.38.5
2.8
8Rich Harden9.24.74.6
9Ervin Santana12.710.4
2.3
9Brad Lidge7.22.84.3
10Jon Lester12.710.4
2.3
10Johan Santana14.210.04.2


Fielding by Position


Fielding, P
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Kenny Rogers0.70.3
0.3
1Mike Mussina0.70.30.5
2Roy Halladay0.50.2
0.3
2Brandon Webb1.00.50.4
3Dustin McGowan0.60.3
0.3
3Kenny Rogers0.70.30.4
4Kyle Lohse0.40.2
0.2
4Dustin McGowan0.60.30.3
5Brandon Webb0.90.6
0.2
5Randy Wolf0.50.20.3


Fielding, C
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Chris Snyder1.30.8
0.5
1Dioner Navarro1.50.80.7
2Dioner Navarro1.40.9
0.4
2Jason Kendall2.31.70.6
3Jose Molina1.20.8
0.4
3Ivan Rodriguez1.41.00.4
4Kurt Suzuki1.51.2
0.3
4Jose Molina1.20.80.4
5Jason Kendall2.21.9
0.3
5Kurt Suzuki1.61.20.4


Fielding, 1B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Albert Pujols3.02.3
0.7
1Lyle Overbay3.62.31.3
2Lyle Overbay3.32.6
0.6
2Lance Berkman2.91.71.2
3Derrek Lee2.72.1
0.6
3Albert Pujols3.12.21.0
4Mark Teixeira3.02.5
0.5
4Mark Teixeira3.22.30.9
5Kevin Youkilis2.01.6
0.5
5Casey Kotchman2.51.70.8


Fielding, 2B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Chase Utley5.85.0
0.8
1Howie Kendrick3.92.61.3
2Mark Ellis3.93.4
0.5
2Chase Utley6.04.81.2
3Asdrubal Cabrera3.83.4
0.4
3Akinori Iwamura5.14.30.7
4Adam Kennedy2.72.4
0.4
4Mark Ellis4.03.30.7
5Mark Grudzielanek3.33.0
0.3
5Mark DeRosa2.82.20.6


Fielding, 3B
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Marco Scutaro1.40.9
0.5
1Juan Uribe2.61.70.9
2Jack Hannahan3.22.7
0.5
2Joe Crede3.92.90.9
3Troy Glaus4.23.8
0.4
3Mike Lowell3.32.50.8
4Blake DeWitt3.32.9
0.4
4Chone Figgins3.22.50.7
5Mike Lowell3.12.7
0.4
5Pedro Feliz3.52.80.7


Fielding, SS
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Jack Wilson3.62.8
0.8
1Orlando Cabrera7.35.91.4
2Mike Aviles3.63.0
0.6
2Jack Wilson3.72.71.0
3Nick Punto2.62.1
0.6
3J.J. Hardy6.05.01.0
4Marco Scutaro2.11.6
0.5
4Marco Scutaro2.31.40.8
5Orlando Cabrera6.96.4
0.5
5Maicer Izturis2.21.40.7


Fielding, LF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Carl Crawford4.03.1
0.9
1Garret Anderson3.82.61.1
2Josh Willingham4.33.7
0.7
2Skip Schumaker2.71.61.1
3Jay Payton2.11.5
0.6
3Carl Crawford4.13.11.0
4Skip Schumaker2.51.9
0.6
4Manny Ramirez4.63.80.8
5Delmon Young6.76.1
0.5
5Darin Erstad1.30.70.6


Fielding, CF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1B.J. Upton7.25.3
1.9
1B.J. Upton7.45.12.3
2Carlos Beltran6.65.3
1.2
2Shane Victorino6.04.41.6
3Adam Jones5.24.4
0.8
3Cody Ross4.23.31.0
4Aaron Rowand6.45.7
0.7
4Carlos Beltran6.45.60.8
5Matt Kemp3.52.9
0.6
5Ichiro Suzuki3.52.70.8


Fielding, RF
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses Net eWins Player pWins pLosses Net pWins
1Franklin Gutierrez4.43.3
1.0
1Franklin Gutierrez4.82.91.9
2Ryan Sweeney3.22.3
0.9
2Ryan Sweeney3.52.11.4
3Nick Markakis7.26.4
0.8
3Gabe Gross3.52.11.4
4Randy Winn6.25.5
0.7
4Geoff Jenkins3.02.01.0
5Jayson Werth3.42.7
0.7
5Endy Chavez2.41.50.9


Best by Position
Next, we look at 2008 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
1Joe Mauer15.112.2
3.7
1Joe Mauer15.911.35.4
2Russ Martin15.813.8
2.6
2Russ Martin16.213.43.4
3Brian McCann15.013.2
2.4
3Mike Napoli8.05.43.0
4Mike Napoli7.75.7
2.4
4Chris Snyder10.48.12.7
5Chris Iannetta9.27.6
2.0
5Geovany Soto13.211.81.9


First Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Albert Pujols18.912.2
5.4
1Lance Berkman21.113.46.3
2Lance Berkman19.814.7
3.7
2Albert Pujols18.812.35.2
3Mark Teixeira19.915.0
3.6
3Mark Teixeira20.414.54.6
4Carlos Pena16.212.6
2.7
4Carlos Pena16.812.04.0
5Ryan Howard19.315.5
2.3
5Ryan Howard19.615.22.9


Second Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Chase Utley21.917.3
4.5
1Chase Utley21.417.83.6
2Dan Uggla18.515.9
2.6
2Akinori Iwamura19.116.62.9
3Dustin Pedroia20.418.6
2.2
3Howie Kendrick11.89.32.7
4Ian Kinsler16.614.8
2.1
4Mark DeRosa10.07.42.5
5Mike Fontenot7.25.5
1.7
5Dan Uggla18.316.12.3


Third Base
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Chipper Jones15.311.5
3.4
1Aramis Ramirez20.115.24.3
2Alex Rodriguez18.114.7
3.2
2David Wright21.817.04.2
3David Wright21.217.6
2.9
3Evan Longoria16.612.83.7
4Aramis Ramirez19.216.1
2.5
4Troy Glaus18.314.83.0
5Evan Longoria15.813.6
2.0
5Chipper Jones14.911.92.6


Shortstop
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Hanley Ramirez22.117.6
5.2
1Hanley Ramirez22.517.26.0
2Jose B. Reyes21.519.7
2.7
2Orlando Cabrera21.719.73.1
3Mike Aviles12.411.1
2.0
3J.J. Hardy19.216.83.0
4J.J. Hardy18.717.3
2.0
4Jimmy Rollins18.116.22.5
5Michael Young18.417.6
1.9
5Jose B. Reyes21.419.82.4


Left Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Matt Holliday21.016.0
4.0
1Manny Ramirez20.314.17.0
2Manny Ramirez18.814.1
4.0
2Carlos Quentin18.814.64.2
3Carlos Quentin18.214.6
3.0
3Matt Holliday20.716.03.5
4Pat Burrell19.116.5
1.6
4Ryan J. Braun21.918.43.3
5Ryan J. Braun21.118.4
1.6
5Jason Bay21.719.12.8


Center Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Carlos Beltran23.318.8
4.1
1Carlos Beltran24.317.86.1
2B.J. Upton19.616.8
2.9
2B.J. Upton20.316.14.2
3Grady Sizemore19.617.1
2.5
3Rick Ankiel13.09.73.1
4Nate McLouth20.718.0
2.3
4Shane Victorino19.716.42.9
5Curtis Granderson17.415.5
1.9
5Torii Hunter18.716.12.6


Right Field
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Nick Markakis22.318.3
3.3
1Ryan Sweeney9.26.72.3
2Ryan Ludwick15.912.7
2.4
2Ryan Ludwick15.812.92.1
3Bobby Abreu21.018.7
1.6
3Nick Markakis21.619.11.8
4Josh Hamilton5.64.0
1.5
4Jayson Werth10.48.21.7
5Elijah Dukes10.58.5
1.5
5Andre Ethier14.011.71.6


Starting Pitcher
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Brandon Webb17.012.5
4.8
1Cliff P. Lee15.78.07.9
2C.C. Sabathia15.711.3
4.6
2C.C. Sabathia16.810.26.9
3Cliff P. Lee14.09.6
4.5
3Brandon Webb17.811.76.3
4Roy Halladay15.911.8
4.4
4Tim Lincecum14.18.55.8
5Tim Lincecum13.09.7
3.4
5Roy Halladay16.311.45.1
6Ryan Dempster13.210.1
3.2
6Rich Harden9.34.74.7
7Derek Lowe11.78.8
3.0
7Johan Santana14.610.34.4
8Dan Haren13.410.9
2.7
8Ryan Dempster13.89.64.4
9Ervin Santana12.910.6
2.5
9Jon Lester13.89.84.2
10Jon Lester12.910.6
2.5
10Joe Saunders13.29.24.1


Relief Pitcher
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Mariano Rivera6.83.3
3.3
1Mariano Rivera7.52.64.7
2Kerry Wood6.34.2
1.9
2Frankie Rodriguez10.05.54.3
3Jonathan Papelbon5.43.4
1.9
3Brad Lidge7.33.04.1
4Joakim Soria5.53.6
1.8
4Joakim Soria6.32.93.2
5Brian Fuentes5.94.0
1.7
5Jonathan Papelbon6.02.83.0
6Scott Downs4.83.1
1.6
6Jose Valverde6.83.63.0
7Chris Sampson3.21.6
1.5
7Bobby Jenks5.32.23.0
8Hong-Chih Kuo3.82.2
1.5
8Joe Nathan6.33.22.9
9Bobby Jenks4.53.0
1.4
9Brian Wilson7.44.32.9
10Brad Ziegler4.32.8
1.4
10Brian Fuentes6.43.52.8


Designated Hitter
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Milton Bradley8.96.5
2.1
1David Ortiz11.98.23.3
2Aubrey Huff10.27.8
1.9
2Vladimir Guerrero Sr.5.63.12.4
3David Ortiz10.99.2
1.3
3Jason Kubel7.85.71.8


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
1Carlos Zambrano1.61.5
1.0
1Carlos Zambrano1.91.21.3
2Brandon Backe1.21.0
0.7
2Felix Hernandez0.60.00.6
3Felix Hernandez0.60.0
0.6
3C.C. Sabathia1.01.00.6


Pinch Hitter
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Jason Giambi0.90.2
0.8
1Jason Giambi1.00.10.9
2Greg Norton2.01.4
0.7
2Kurt Suzuki0.80.10.7
3Kurt Suzuki0.80.2
0.6
3Gabe Kapler1.20.50.7


Pinch Runner
Context-Neutral Context-Dependent
Player eWins eLosses eWOPA Player pWins pLosses pWOPA
1Adam Jones0.30.0
0.3
1Adam Jones0.30.00.3
2Greg Golson0.20.0
0.2
2Greg Golson0.20.00.2
3Eric Bruntlett0.30.1
0.2
3Reggie Willits0.20.00.2


Noteworthy Players of 2008

Pitching Teammates
Two of the top three players in pWins over both positional average and replacement level in 2008 were pitching teammates for most of the season for the Cleveland Indians for whom they won back-to-back Cy Young awards.

The next table compares the 2008 seasons of C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee.

Games pWins pLosses pWin Pct. pWOPA pWORL eWins eLosses eWin Pct. eWOPA eWORL
C.C. Sabathia
35
17.911.10.6167.5
9.3
17.411.60.5996.58.4
Cliff Lee
31
15.78.10.6607.9
9.5
14.59.20.6115.67.2


The career records of C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, through 2019, as measured by Player won-lost records, are compared next.

C.C. Sabathia Cliff P. Lee
Season Games pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL Games pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL
2001
3311.610.11.8
3.3
2002
3312.712.10.9
2.6
20.60.60.00.1
2003
3111.110.90.4
1.9
92.63.4-0.8-0.4
2004
309.910.00.1
1.4
3311.812.6-0.61.0
2005
3113.111.51.8
3.3
3211.710.01.93.3
2006
2812.210.22.3
3.7
3312.012.7-0.51.1
2007
3415.19.95.6
7.3
205.16.5-1.2-0.4
2008
3517.911.17.5
9.3
3115.78.17.99.5
2009
3414.99.95.2
6.8
3414.513.31.83.6
2010
3416.110.95.4
7.1
2813.19.43.85.2
2011
3315.010.94.3
5.9
3517.312.16.27.9
2012
2810.88.72.5
3.7
3311.911.31.73.0
2013
3212.113.2-0.8
0.9
3414.312.52.94.5
2014
82.74.3-1.5
-1.1
134.64.40.51.0
2015
298.710.7-1.8
-0.6
2016
3011.310.11.5
3.0
2017
278.96.92.3
3.4
2018
299.07.91.2
2.4
2019
236.08.3-2.2
-1.1
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER RECORDS562218.9187.536.6
63.3
337134.9116.623.839.4


League Switchers
Two of the top three players in pWins over positional average and replacement level in 2008 began the season playing for the two teams who had met in the 2007 ALCS. They both ended the 2008 season losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League playoffs.

C.C. Sabathia was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Milwaukee Brewers on July 7, 2008. For the Brewers, Sabathia posted a traditional won-lost record of 11-2 in 17 starts with a 1.65 ERA and 128 K's in 130.2 IP with (an NL-leading) 7 complete games and (an NL-leading) 3 shutouts.

Manny Ramirez was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31, 2008. For the Dodgers, Ramirez batted .396/.489/.743 (OPS of 1.232) in 229 PAs with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 53 games.
The next table compares Sabathia's and Ramirez's 2008 American League and National League seasons.

Games pWins pLosses pWin Pct. pWOPA pWORL eWins eLosses eWin Pct. eWOPA eWORL
C.C. Sabathia
American League
18
7.96.30.5561.7
2.7
8.06.20.5621.82.8
National League
17
10.04.80.6735.8
6.7
9.45.40.6344.75.6
Manny Ramirez
American League
100
14.59.60.6034.6
5.8
13.310.80.5502.03.2
National League
53
9.85.70.6343.8
4.5
9.65.90.6223.54.2


Multiple Ramirezes
Two of the four non-pitchers who showed up in all four rankings shown at the beginning of this article - pWins and eWins over either positional average or replacement level - shared a surname, Ramirez.

The next table compares the 2008 seasons of Manny Ramirez and Hanley Ramirez, both in and out of context.

Games pWins pLosses pWin Pct. pWOPA pWORL eWins eLosses eWin Pct. eWOPA eWORL
Manny Ramirez
153
24.415.20.6158.4
10.3
22.916.70.5785.57.4
Hanley Ramirez
153
22.617.30.5666.0
7.8
22.617.30.5665.97.7


The career records of Manny and Hanley Ramirez, from ages 22 through 29, as measured by Player won-lost records, are compared next.

Manny Ramirez Hanley Ramirez
Age Games eWins eLoss eWOPA eWORL Games eWins eLoss eWOPA eWORL
22
9110.68.61.6
2.5
15820.619.12.03.8
23
13719.313.35.2
6.8
15420.620.9-0.11.7
24
15222.117.33.9
5.7
15322.617.36.07.8
25
15019.917.81.0
2.8
15119.016.72.84.5
26
15022.117.63.5
5.5
14218.217.61.22.8
27
14723.616.36.2
8.2
9211.510.90.81.9
28
11817.612.15.0
6.4
15719.719.00.42.3
29
14218.814.73.4
5.5
8613.18.84.55.6
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total1,087153.9117.729.7
43.5
1,093145.4130.317.530.4


Lance Berkman
The best major-league player in pWins over positional average who was neither a pitcher nor a Ramirez was Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman.

Berkman retired following the 2013 season, ending an excellent but under-appreciated career.

Lance Berkman's career record, as measured by Player won-lost records, is presented next.

Lance Berkman
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWORL pWOPA
1999HOU23
34
2.32.6-0.2-0.4
2000HOU24
114
12.812.21.1-0.1
2001HOU25
156
25.318.77.85.5
2002HOU26
158
23.117.66.94.8
2003HOU27
153
20.716.74.42.5
2004HOU28
160
23.116.97.15.1
2005HOU29
132
17.213.14.33.0
2006HOU30
152
20.213.96.65.1
2007HOU31
153
17.814.53.62.2
2008HOU32
159
21.613.97.96.3
2009HOU33
136
15.913.71.70.4
34
122
12.211.11.20.0
2011SLN35
145
20.013.96.85.2
2012SLN36
32
2.12.6-0.4-0.6
2013TEX37
73
6.25.81.30.5
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
1,879
240.7187.160.239.3
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
52
7.35.42.11.5
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
1,931
248.0192.662.340.8


The Graduating Class of 2008

Players who played their final major-league game in 2008 were first eligible to appear on a Hall-of-Fame ballot in 2014. I wrote about the 2014 Hall-of-Fame ballot in an article when that ballot was first released (in Fall 2013).

The next table shows the career records of all players who first appeared on a Hall-of-Fame ballot in 2014 (hence, players for whom 2008 was their final season), as measured by Player won-lost records.

Player pWins pLosses pWOPA pWORL
Greg Maddux327.2271.778.2114.0
Mike Mussina223.1174.052.178.6
Tom Glavine277.8249.846.077.6
Frank E. Thomas254.1190.349.575.5
Jeff Kent301.3266.136.063.4
Moises Alou258.8223.320.644.2
Kenny Rogers194.8182.514.340.5
Luis 'Gonzo' Gonzalez318.7290.010.940.3
Ray Durham233.8224.015.537.8
Todd Jones84.065.017.332.8
Armando Benitez66.948.916.528.6
Hideo Nomo129.2130.56.222.6
Eric Gagne50.237.213.421.1
Mike Timlin69.761.96.519.9
Richie Sexson146.7132.91.815.4
Jacque Jones150.9145.10.114.6
Paul Lo Duca103.4103.84.214.3
J.T. Snow155.2144.0-4.610.1
Sean Casey132.2127.7-9.23.5


Three players whose final major-league game was played in 2008 were elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas. A fourth player who debuted on the 2014 Hall-of-Fame ballot, Mike Mussina, was subsequently elected to the Hall of Fame in 2019.

This article concludes with a look at the careers of these four Hall-of-Famers as measured by Player won-lost records.

Greg Maddux
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWORL pWOPA
1986CHN20
6
1.62.3-0.3-0.5
1987CHN21
34
9.913.6-1.6-2.9
1988CHN22
37
17.212.57.45.7
1989CHN23
35
15.914.04.83.0
1990CHN24
35
15.614.93.51.7
1991CHN25
39
15.714.04.42.7
1992CHN26
35
17.512.38.06.3
1993ATL27
36
17.913.57.15.4
1994ATL28
25
14.48.08.47.0
1995ATL29
28
16.57.411.410.0
1996ATL30
35
16.211.77.45.6
1997ATL31
33
14.29.27.46.0
1998ATL32
34
17.012.08.06.2
1999ATL33
33
15.712.95.43.7
2000ATL34
35
17.012.27.76.0
2001ATL35
35
16.011.77.35.6
2002ATL36
35
13.510.15.94.3
2003ATL37
37
13.314.02.10.4
2004CHN38
34
14.613.14.22.5
2005CHN39
35
12.314.80.3-1.2
40
34
13.312.43.62.1
2007SDN41
35
11.711.32.81.4
42
34
10.113.8-1.3-2.8
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
759
327.2271.7114.078.2
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
37
12.512.52.40.9
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
796
339.6284.2116.479.1


Tom Glavine
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWORL pWOPA
1987ATL21
9
3.33.70.2-0.2
1988ATL22
42
11.315.0-1.4-2.9
1989ATL23
30
11.711.22.61.3
1990ATL24
34
11.813.30.9-0.5
1991ATL25
36
16.812.07.45.8
1992ATL26
35
15.411.76.24.5
1993ATL27
36
16.512.56.54.8
1994ATL28
26
10.89.92.91.6
1995ATL29
29
13.99.56.55.0
1996ATL30
39
16.012.06.64.9
1997ATL31
33
14.312.54.22.6
1998ATL32
33
15.110.76.95.3
1999ATL33
36
14.213.63.11.5
2000ATL34
37
14.711.65.84.2
2001ATL35
35
13.212.03.62.1
2002ATL36
37
15.412.95.53.7
2003NYN37
33
11.212.70.9-0.5
2004NYN38
35
12.411.92.81.4
2005NYN39
33
13.013.02.30.7
2006NYN40
32
12.410.93.72.3
2007NYN41
35
11.311.91.80.3
2008ATL42
14
3.15.2-1.3-1.9
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
709
277.8249.877.646.0
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
36
14.414.82.30.5
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
745
292.1264.679.946.5


Frank Thomas
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWORL pWOPA
1990CHA22
60
6.95.02.11.6
1991CHA23
158
18.412.17.25.4
1992CHA24
160
21.715.56.85.1
1993CHA25
153
21.314.17.96.1
1994CHA26
113
15.09.46.04.8
1995CHA27
145
15.912.63.92.2
1996CHA28
141
16.413.43.31.9
1997CHA29
146
17.912.06.24.6
1998CHA30
160
14.712.33.21.3
1999CHA31
135
13.711.23.21.7
2000CHA32
159
17.111.86.34.4
2001CHA33
20
1.11.5-0.2-0.4
2002CHA34
148
12.112.11.1-0.6
2003CHA35
153
17.012.25.94.0
2004CHA36
74
7.34.63.42.6
2005CHA37
34
2.92.01.10.7
2006OAK38
137
14.910.25.74.0
2007TOR39
155
13.612.02.30.6
40
71
6.06.30.2-0.6
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
2,322
254.1190.375.549.5
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
16
1.31.5-0.1-0.3
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
2,338
255.4191.875.449.2


Mike Mussina
Basic Player Won-Lost Records
Value Decomposition
Season Team Age Games pWins pLosses pWORL pWOPA
1991BAL22
12
4.54.80.3-0.3
1992BAL23
32
13.99.26.44.8
1993BAL24
25
10.28.13.22.1
1994BAL25
24
12.17.56.04.6
1995BAL26
32
15.910.47.45.6
1996BAL27
36
15.212.44.93.0
1997BAL28
33
13.29.85.03.4
1998BAL29
29
12.710.24.22.6
1999BAL30
31
13.58.36.75.3
2000BAL31
34
14.312.24.12.4
2001NYA32
34
15.510.86.85.1
2002NYA33
33
13.110.84.22.5
2003NYA34
31
14.110.55.53.8
2004NYA35
27
11.09.23.31.9
2005NYA36
30
11.010.71.90.5
2006NYA37
32
10.78.53.62.4
2007NYA38
28
8.69.30.7-0.5
2008NYA39
34
13.611.14.42.7
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
CAREER (reg. season)
537
223.1174.078.652.1
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PostSeason (career)
23
7.57.01.70.7
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
COMBINED
560
230.6181.080.352.8


Article last updated: September 25, 2019

Wins over positional average and replacement level are calculated using data only for the 2008 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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