Rebbiv
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2011
- Messages
- 6,304
1996 was a worse team than 2003. There were vets on that team wheras 2003 was a minor league roster. That '96 team took the field down 5-0. 1996 has a team 6.38 ERA and 22 total saves. 2003 was a full run better. 2003 was actually more competitive even though they lost 10 more games. In 1998, Smith decided to get rid of guys that struck out too much and dumped Fryman, Nieves, Hamlin, Nevin, among others. Guys that had decent 1997 seasons (albeit they sucked after save Fryman). Pitching in 1998 was not as good as 1997 either.
Excuse me if I don't buy what you are selling.
Average Batter Age
1996 = 27.0
2003 = 27.2
Average Pitcher Age
1996 = 26.7
2003 = 25.3
The difference was in the pitching ages.
Pythagorean Record
1996 = 56-106
2003 = 49-113
Run Difference
1996 = 783 - 1103 (- 320)
2003 = 591 - 928 (- 337)
Team Payroll
2000 = $59.65 MIL
1999 = $36.69 MIL
1998 = $24.27 MIL
1997 = $17.27 MIL
Salary dump?