GatewayRedbirds.com

I'm reserving this thread for every time I stumble upon some stat that emphasizes the amazingness that is Albert Pujols. There's no such thing as over appreciating him.

Stat of the Day: Even with Albert leading the league in HR and RBI, and sporting a .343 Batting Average. His BAbip is currently 42 points below his career average and 64 points below last season.

How about this one:

Albert has more Intentional Bases on Balls (5) than he has strikeouts (4).

Was Bonds IBB'd more than he K'd at the end of his career? Has any player ever IBB'd more than K'd for the course of an entire season?

Answer - yes, for three years there, Bonds got more IBB's than he had K's. 2002 through 2004.

Have there been others? My gut would tell me no, but inquiring minds want to know.

Not sure. I checked Ted Williams, and he came close one year (33 IBB, 43 K's in 1957) but they don't have IBB data for prior to 1955, so I don't know if he accomplished the feat earlier in his career.

For the same reason, there's no IBB data on Joe Dimaggio, who retired in 1951, although he would be another possibility because of his abnormally low K totals. John Mize might be another possibility, but that's about it - most sluggers are high-K guys.

Stan Musial had equal IBBs and Ks in 1958, but it looks like no one but Bonds has done it in the retrosheet era.

edit - heh, Dave Rader did it in his historic 1973 season (81 OPS+).

Thank you!

He sounds like the kind of scrappy guy I'd like to have a beer with.

Albert Pujols Stat of the Day: Albert has currently hit .300 or higher for 11 consecutive regular-season months. 12 if he finishes this month over .300 (he basically needs 2 hits in 3 games to guarantee this).