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Reader comment on:
Remember Ripken, Not the Myth of Ripken
in response to reader comment: Never let the facts get in the way of a bad arguement

Submitted by JW, Jul 29, 2007 09:09

I should have anticipated that and pointed out - as the next comment does - that the only numbers he really has in his favor stem from his enormous number of at bats per season and from general longevity. And although I haven't looked it up, it's curious right away that the only non-longevity stat you quote for Ripken and Trammell (BA) gives the advantage to Trammell by a degree that, while not enormous, is hardly trivial. I wonder what the other numbers would be if you broke them down to rates per at bat. I'm almost certain that Trammell's advantage would become manifest, but I'm willing to be proven wrong. Ripken had about 4 very, very good seasons, including 2 extremely good seasons, out of a career that lasted forever. It's a very nice career, but - comparable to the greats? Hardly.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I start by saying Cal Ripken was a very good player. I do not think that he was a great... [MORE]	Bray	Jul 29, 2007 16:18
I'm glad Cal's going into the HOF because it means there won't be anymore slavish, syrupy lovefests in this honor.... [MORE]	BC	Jul 28, 2007 17:41
First of all, atleast give Bill Simmons credit if you are going to rip off his article. Secondly, over 3000... [MORE]	mike	Jul 30, 2007 12:00
Tim, Yearlong suspensions of Hernandez and Parker? I'm young and don't really remember much about baseball in the mid-80s, but Hernandez... [MORE]	Brad Golder	Jul 27, 2007 23:49
They were yearlong suspensions, but suspended if the players gave 10% of their salaries to drug-prevention agencies. This was in... [MORE]	A.R.	Jul 29, 2007 13:56
From what I understand steroids help with recovery-- perhaps the type of recovery that is nessessary in order to play... [MORE]	ben k	Jul 27, 2007 11:39
This is what I remember most,well after the record, Cal Ripken had set. It was his own greed in continuing... [MORE]	Larry Krasner	Jul 26, 2007 11:11
Ripken was a very good player. Ripken was a well-liked player. A-Rod has not been a particularly well-liked player. But to claim... [MORE]	JW	Jul 26, 2007 12:42
Cal may or may not have played at times when he shouldn't have been playing. But Cal did not play... [MORE]	Greg McLucas	Jul 26, 2007 21:21
Not sure what A-Rod had to do with Cal in this article, since the author wasn't talking about him. But I... [MORE]	MS	Jul 27, 2007 13:34
I have to agree with JW regarding Ripkin vs. A-Rod. Ripkin's best OPS+ was 162; his next best 144. A-Rod's... [MORE]	denopac	Jul 27, 2007 15:22
Ripken not a truly great player? He is Top 20 all-time in Hits, 2B, RBI, and games played. He is... [MORE]	Chris Charles	Jul 28, 2007 17:01
Take away Ripken's streak and you have someone who achieved his raw career totals based on longevity. 3001 games produced... [MORE]	O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D	Jul 29, 2007 03:20
I should have anticipated that and pointed out - as the next comment does - that the only numbers he...	JW	Jul 29, 2007 09:09
How many average players last 21 years in the majors? [MORE]	swk	Jul 29, 2007 11:55
"Not sure what A-Rod had to do with Cal in this article, since the author wasn't talking about him." RTFA. [MORE]	JW	Jul 29, 2007 16:04
Why should he be compared to "hall of fame power hitters"? Cal was a SS, and most of those guys... [MORE]	ladweller	Jul 31, 2007 17:12

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