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This E.P. doesn’t stand for Elvis Presley
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Under a new proposal by agent Scott Boras, a new statistical category would be created called “Exceptional Play” or “E.P.” for short. Columnist Phil Wood agrees with the idea, saying one of its future uses could be to help Gold Glove award voters to have a hard number to show a player’s defensive prowess. An E.P. statistic might help the likes of Nats third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, above, in future awards voting.
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - If super-agent Scott Boras gets his way, there will soon be another statistical column on the back of your baseball cards.
It’s the “E.P.” It has nothing to do with how many Elvis Presley records the player owns, or with Eating Pizza. Rather, it means “Exceptional Play.” According to Boras, the fans need a specific number with which to identify defensive brilliance.
Fielding percentage has been around forever, but it doesn’t really separate the great fielders from the merely average. In fact, many below average defenders have high fielding percentages because they never get close enough to field the ball in the first place. No touch, no error.
The official scorer would be entrusted to distinguish between an average play and an exceptional one, and there would be an E.P. column on the scoresheet filed with the league to record every one. At the end of the season, you’d be able to look at errors along with E.P.’s, and presumably know who the really outstanding fielders actually were.
As a former official scorer in Baltimore, I can tell you there are some batted balls that produce defensive plays that start off with something exceptional — and finish with an error. Batter hits a ball deep in the hole at short, shortstop ranges far to his right, gloves it, his momentum forces him to spin completely around. He throws the ball toward first in time to retire the runner, but throws it high, wide or in the dirt. What started as an E.P. finishes as an E-6. Can a player earn both on the same play? That’s not clear, though I suspect Boras would say yes.
It’s been rare for the Hall of Fame to recognize defensive brilliance, but clearly, Ozzie Smith and Bill Mazeroski didn’t get in with their bat skills alone. The ability to produce offense seems to override almost everything else in the public’s perception of the game, but shouldn’t the skill to keep the other team from getting on base count almost as much?
Ryan Zimmerman has had several games at third base since he arrived that remind more than a few observers of Brooks Robinson. His instincts in the field are remarkable, and he’ll likely win a few a Gold Gloves before he hangs up his cleats. The Gold Glove, however, isn’t based on any specific number; it’s determined by a vote. The addition of the E.P. might be a useful tool for the electorate in the future.
There have been attempts in recent years to more easily quantify fielding prowess, but the average fan in the stands doesn’t really comprehend things like “zone ratings” and “range factor.” A double-digit E.P. number would mean something instantly. It would also provide a curtain call of sorts for the fielder. The scoreboard always flashes the official scorer’s ruling of “hit” or “error;” putting “E.P.” on the board would generate another round of applause.
However reluctant you may be to ever let Scott Boras get his way, he may be on to something that would enhance everyone’s grasp of the game. Sure, it will also help his client’s earning potential, but he usually gets his way anyway, doesn’t he?
Comments from Examiner Readers
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Examiner Reader said:
There are many Nationals fans who are still patient with the team. I remember how Edward Bennett Williams as well as Peter Angelos tried---and failed---to build a winner with the Orioles by buying free agents. But my biggest nightmare is that once Zimmerman's contract runs out, he will sign a lucrative deal with another club because (a) the Lerners are unwilling to pay the money to keep him when they have the chance, (b) Zimmerman has no faith that the franchise will become a playoff contender anytime in his career, or (c) all of the above. Maybe the Lerners are smart by forcing Zimmerman to prove his worth this year, but if he has a breakout year and then flies the coop like Alfonso Soriano, fans' faith in The Plan will vanish like the wind. Edward J. Cunningham Rockville, MD
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Gee, Phil, thanks. I'm glad you reminded us that we're all raving idiots and that you have been appointed by MENSA to set us straight. "It’s perfectly plain that the issue is offense." I'm glad we have an "expert" like you to tell us this. Hm. All along, I thought the problem was that Nationals Park doesn't have enough cupholders!!!
7 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner reader said:
Phil, is it ok for fans who call in to your radio show to comment on the Nats' play? Or are they also ignorant folks who know nothing about facts or logic?
4 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner reader said:
What an arrogant, condescending column this is. Fans shouldn't comment about and criticize the team because they don't know enough about baseball? Fans don't know what's going on in the dugout or in the clubhouse? Well why don't you tell us then, Phil, and disabuse us of our shallow, uninformed nonsense. And most fans agree that Lenny Harris did a terrific job last year? Really? Maybe it is you who is uninformed, Phil. (And anyway, who cares what the uninformed *fans* think?) Did you know that the Nats came very close in the offseason to not retaining Harris because they thought that he did not do a good job and was not ready to be a major league hitting coach?
9 agree | 2 disagree
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natsbaseball.com said:
Thanks Phil. Sounds wonderful - can't wait to see it. Being about the same age I remember attending the first baseball game at DC Stadium after experiencing Griffith for one or two seasons as a young child. It was a world of improvement over the falling down older park. After baseball returned 34 years later and about 15 years of going to Camden, RFK was, of course, kind of stark (I think is was designed by Joseph Stalin) but we all knew it was temporary and to have a home team again we would have put up with a lot worse. My only regret is the new stadium is in a location that couldn't be harder to get to for most of the area's fans. People are whining about the lack of parking - but it doesn't matter as there are no roads. Metro is bragging about being able to carry about 10,000 fans and hour. Since most of the 41,000 fans who could show up will have to go by metro - I cringe at the 4 hour trips it will take to get home. In that regard RFK had it all over the new park.
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kjack said:
Another great article Phil. Why those idiots at espn[The world wide leader in crap]and fox don't hire informed,aware, and intelligent individuals like you. To inform the general public of the things that really matter in baseball. I'll personalll never understand.
190 agree | 214 disagree
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EdDC said:
Phil, What do you think of going after Coco Crisp? He is still young and had back to back .300 seasons not long ago in Cleveland. Nats need a CF. Crisp didn't do much in BoSox pressure cooker, like Wily Mo Pena. So Crisp might benefit from just relaxing, knowing the world is not on his shoulders. His contract is reasonable: Covelli Crisp of 3 years/$15.5M (2007-09), plus $8M 2010 club option As to Bowden, I like him asking for the world. He tries hard and contacts many many teams, and if one or two bite, then Nats come out ahead. This is better than just trading to make trades.
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Pope John Paul Ringo George said:
"Did you ever hear any specific player’s names that would’ve ended up here in exchange for the Fonz?" This is a poor argument. The reason the Nats never get serious offers in trade for Soriano, Dmitri, Cordero, Rauch, etc is becuase Bowden's asking price is not serious. He makes it known that you can only trade for a Nat if you're willing to be ripped off in the trade. His asking price starts so high, teams won't even attempt to negotiate with him. Then he comes back and says "hey, we never got any serious offers!" No sane, competent GM will ever trade with him on anyting above replacement level players.
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Norm said:
Trembley has got this team behind him. I like his vision. You can see it in the way this team is playing since he replaced Perlozzo. The Weaver like experience you cite nails it and is a huge bonus. It's precisely what the O's need to get to the next level. The way I see it, NONE of the other current candidates brings anything comparable to the table. With McPhail and Trembley, we are already on the right track.
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Examiner Reader said:
I agree in that the Orioles should trade for Teixeira. There will be many teams after him. The "Dallas News" has an article that Boston, Dodgers, and Tigers may be interested. We should offer Cabrera, and two other players. Texas needs a starting pitcher. In the article he says the other teams would offer a pitching prospect. At least Cabrera has pitched in the majors the last three years. The Orioles would be set for the next 8 years at first base. That would be a nice infield. Also, go get Torri Hunter next year in free agency for center field.
350 agree | 262 disagree
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Dan said:
So is MLB saying that the score of a game has no impact on strategy? As far as Jay's comment: "The rules were followed." I don't think I ever read anywhere in the MLB rule book where you can score a run while you are on defense. The apeal was not that the run should not count, but that it is not fair to the Tribe that the run was awarded 3 innings after the fact. Contrary to MLB I beleive that the score of the game is the #1 item that determines strategy. The Tribe was denied 3 innings of basing their strategy on the current situation. my thought is that the game should be continued from the point where the controversial run scored, with Baltimore leading 3 to 1. In every other instance I can recall you must apeal a decision before the next pitch. Runner leaves too early when tagging up. Appeal has to be made before next pitch. G Brett's infamouse non home run? Had to be apealed before next pitch. Same for runner missing a base. O's did not raise issue for 3 inn, but thats O
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Jay said:
The run counted, why are you crying? The rules were followed, and the Indians are tryng to get by on a technicality, shame in them...very unsportsmanlike
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