For some reason, Major League Baseball thinks it can be more relevant by capitulating to the 'statistical revolution' in the sport. The latest example of this is the silly STATCAST clutter they throw on certain television broadcasts. Does it
really enhance our understanding of the game to know that
Joe Panik's maximum speed toward a ground ball is 11.9 MPH? I don't think so. Don't get us wrong, the expanded universe of statistical evaluation
is useful. For example, it's meaningful to know we got a -2.5 WAR out of
Pablo Sandoval last year. Of course, some would argue that two eyeballs and a brain would get you to that same revelation. Anyway, we will continue to cringe whenever the television screen gets besmirched by some ridiculous STATCAST graphic. Just bring us the game—pure and simple.
