Ichiro had 10 years of 200+ hits. He doesn't walk enough and doesn't have much power that is is just insane.
Well Rose got his last 500 hits because teams kept him around even though he sucked. Most player get a few bad seasons at the end, Rose got 5. If Altuve gets close we can just keep him around no matter how much he sucks just like Rose did. :grin:
Ok take away his last 500 hits and he still has 3,756. You know how many players in the history of baseball would have more hits than him? Two (Cobb and Aaron). If Biggio didn't hang around an additional 5 yrs he wouldn't be going into the HOF. '03 166 hits .264 '04 178. .281 '05 156. .264 '06 135. .246 '07 130. .251 765 hits
Biggio was still a functional player until his last season, in which he was terrible. Over his last 5 seasons Rose posted a combined WAR of -2.6, he hung around solely because of the record. During his prime Rose was a stud no doubt, but he was a compiler when compared to the likes of Ty Cobb and Stan Musial. He was the all time hits leader, but he also posted 1200 more outs than the next closest player.
"A functional player"? Rose was one of the greatest players ever and a HOFer despite whatever numbers he put up his last five seasons. Unlike Biggio who would NEVER have the slightest chance of being a HOFer if he didn't accumulate 765 hits over his last 5 seasons. .264, .264, .246, and .251 (4 out of his last 5 yrs). You call that functional?
one more thing. At the age of 39 Rose helped the Phillies win a world series. He hit .400 against the 'Stros in the NLCS (8 for 20). At age 40 ('81) he hit .300 in the playoffs (6 for 20). At age 42 ('83) he hit .375 in the NLCS playoffs (6 for 16) and .313 in the World Series (5 for 16). For his career in the playoffs (14 series and 67 gms) he hit .321 Rose's last 6 seasons. '81 .325 '82 .271 '83 .245 '84 .286 '85 .264 '86 .219 (72 gms) Also his last three seasons he wasn't just a player. He was also the Mgr.
While not in line with his career averages, Biggio's last 5 seasons WAR: 2.5, 1.2, 2.1, 0.4, -2.1 I'd call the first 3 functional, undoubtedly. 2nd to last was on his way out, and the last one was abysmal. For some points of reference, Altuve this year is at 4.9, Chris Carter 2.1 (lack of defense surely hurts him though so that's deflated), Fowler 1.5 (106 games only), Matt Dominguez -1.6
Biggio only really sucked that last year. If only he hadn't hurt his knee, maybe he would have gotten to 3K a season earlier and not had that terrible year. The bigger issue was Biggio had no business leading off late in his career (or 2nd).
He had no arm, no legs, no range, no not much of nothing at that point....not his fault, but he had no business at second base.
Not directly, only mentioning guys whose production fall off at the end yet they hang around to accumulate numbers. An argument can be made that both guys did it, but Biggio's decline was sharper, and Biggio was never in Rose's league as a hitter. But on a separate note, it's so easy to look at Biggio's last few years and forget the first 15 or so. Dude sits among the best 2B all-time, just not in that upper echelon of of all-time greatness, like Rose (as a 1B). Top ten in most counting statistics, top 20 in WAR.
Blind comparison from age 25 to 35, using per 650 PA numbers .390 OBP .448 Slg 118 Runs 71 RBI 5.3 WAR .389 OBP .445 Slg 111 Runs 65 RBI 5.5 WAR Rose played in a more pitcher friendly era, and he was better longer, he was the better player. But I don't think people appreciate just how good Biggio was, in his prime he was every bit the player Rose was.
You know lack of arm strength is a common reason you get put at 2B? Where else would you play him? FWIW, his 2006 season was an average/good statistical defensive year.
"You play to win the game" #edwards Awesome stat Ashby is lame. Makes sense Altuve would get more comfortable with chasing batting titles after he won one. Altuve has been on fire extra-ly the passed few games. Hold it down, player!!! H-Town!!!!
