Friday, September 12, 2008

Let the debate begin: Thigpen '90 versus Rodriguez '08

Thigpen: 4-6, 57 saves, 8 blown, 77 games, 88.1 IP, 1.83 ERA
K-Rod: 2-2, 57 saves, 6 blown, 69 games, 63.1 IP, 2.42 ERA

Thigpen had a significantly lower ERA, averaged more than 1 IP per game (including 9 games with 2+ IP and 2 games going 3 IP). I'll take the '90 Thigpen...
[Thigpen's 1990 game log]

3 comments:

lavinius said...

Thigpen went 3 innings twice? And 2+ innings nine times? Put a saddle on that muh'fucka!

Numbers-wise Thigpen has the edge. He had more 1+ inning save ops than K-Rod. But the era Thigpen pitched in was vastly different. K-Rod is pitching to tougher hitters thanks to science and supplementation. That has to even things out somewhat.

Looking at their numbers, they both had 30+ saves where there was a lead of 2+ runs.

Tough call, but I'll give a slight nod to Thiggy.

Anonymous said...

Imagine it's the 7th inning and you decide to bring in your closer to finish up!!!

lavinius said...

Yeah. Talk about shortening a game...