Thurman Munson’s 10 Seasons vs. Carlton Fisk’s First 10 Seasons
May 20, 2012 · Harold Friend · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Scott Taylor of Bleacherreport suggested that I compare Thurman Munson and Carlton Fisk based on their first 10 full seasons, since Munson had a short career. Taylor opined that Munson never had the chance to experience the fall-off in production that occurs during a player’s middle- and late-30s.
Here we go.
Munson (1970-79) batted .292/.347/.411 for his first 10 full seasons. Fisk (1972-81) hit .283/.356/.471.
There is a problem because in four of those seasons, Fisk was injured and played a total of only 318 games.
Fisk started a skein of appearing in at least 100 games in 1982, at the age of 34, which lasted until he was 39. During those six seasons, Fisk hit .251/.316/.447.
To compensate for Fisk’s four seasons in which he played in fewer than 100 games. let’s add 1982 when we compare him to Munson.
From his first full season in 1972 through 1982, Fisk hit .281/.354/.464.
Fisk topped Munson in on base percentage and slugging percentage. Munson had a better batting average.
Munson’s career WAR, or Wins Above Replacement, was 43.3 for his 10 full seasons.
Fisk’s WAR from 1972-82 was 42.4, so Munson had a better total WAR as well as a better average WAR for their first 10 seasons.
Runs Batting, or Rbat, refers to the number of runs better or worse compared to average. Munson’s average Rbat was 11 compared to Fisk’s 12. A slight edge to Fisk.
Runs Above Replacement, or RAR, is the number of runs a player is better than a replacement player. Munson’s average RAR was 38 while Fisk’s was 37. A slight edge to Munson.
Munson’s fielding percentage was .982 compared to Fisk’s career percentage of .988. (Since Fisk was consistent on defense, we’ll use that number.)
Munson nabbed 44 percent of base-stealers compared to the league average of 38 percent while Fisk threw out 34 percent of potential stealers compared to the league average of 35 percent.
Munson’s RF, or range factor, was 5.61 per nine innings. Fisk’s was 6.00.
Whether one compares Munson and Fisk with respect to their entire careers or their first 10 seasons, Munson was clearly as good as Fisk.
Munson’s best seasons were never as spectacular as those of Roy Campanella or Hack Wilson, which is why he will never be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
