Bautista Approaching Ruthian Levels
John Danks used some choice words to describe his altercation with Jose Bautista yesterday. Although many insults were hurled towards the Blue Jays slugger, Danks may have actually inadvertently paid him a compliment.
Obviously the sound bite that everyone latched onto was the one were Danks called Bautista an “(expletive) clown”, but this one peaked my interest as well:
“No doubt, he’s one of the best hitters in the league. But he’s out there acting like he’s Babe Ruth.”
Nobody wants to throw out the B-word around freely in this era, but just for the sake of comparison, I wanted to see how Jose Bautista’s numbers measured up to the Great Bambino through the first 45 games of the season.
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I took samples from both Ruth’s record-breaking 60 home run season in 1927 as well as arguably his best season ever, his MVP-winning year in 1927. The results are frighteningly similar across the board:
| Player | Year | Games | HR | RBI | BB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babe Ruth | 1927 | 45 | 16 | 41 | 44 | .335 | .476 | .689 | 1.165 |
| Babe Ruth | 1923 | 45 | 12 | 36 | 54 | .351 | .524 | .727 | 1.251 |
| Jose Bautista | 2011 | 45 | 20 | 36 | 45 | .350 | .498 | .788 | 1.285 |
It may be a little premature to make these conclusions almost one third of the way through the season, but by all indications if Jose Bautista can continue this pace, he will have a season that can be dubbed worthy of being “Ruthian”.
If Jose Bautista is “acting like Babe Ruth” as John Danks indicated, he’s doing a pretty damn good impression of the Great Bambino.
I think this is going to be one of those special years for Bautista. I just hope he isn't asked to participate in the homerun derby in Phoenix.
DodgerBobble, I've thought about that as well. After his invitation to the Derby got "lost in the mail" last year, I am almost certain he will get an invite to participate this year.
I know some folks are afraid of the "Home Run Derby" curse, but maybe this is one of those few years where the curse can be broken? If anybody can do it, it's Jose Bautista.
Glad you actually pulled up the numbers. Nicely done.
One of the first things I thought was: "Seriously, why would Danks want any attention that draws comparisons to GOOD players?"
Since the Bambino is actually an apt comparison, I think the next table should be — which pitchers have had similar numbers to Danks by game #45. And where are they now?
STOKED.
As for the home run derby…isn't that just glorified batting practice?
QJays, I don't know what inclined me to compare Bautista with Ruth's numbers, but as soon as Danks said that I at least had to take a look.
BlueJayNator, pretty much … batting practice stretched out for 3 hours. With sponsors and endless commercials.