Wednesday night on the Braves broadcast the announcers were saying good things about Ronald Acuna. Some fans got upset that Jeff Francoeur didn’t join in the love fest, instead later changing the subject. Some say the slumping Ozzie plays better when Acuna is in the lineup, and the stats may bear that out.
Acuna has great talent, that’s for sure. Perhaps comparable to Mays and Griffey. Exciting to watch. But others with great talent have come along and failed to rack up Hall of Fame numbers. Josh Hamilton. Andruw Jones. Ronald is going to have to get cranking if he is to become worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.
Freddie Freeman made it to the majors with far fewer accolades. In his first seven seasons he “only” made two All Star teams, half as many as Acuna. But in his first seven seasons Freddie had more hits, doubles, triples, homers, RBI, runs, walks, and struck out at a lesser rate. Sure Freeman played in 300 more games due to Acuna’s injuries, but at least Freddie was in the lineup every day. Tortoise and the Hare.
In his second seven seasons Freeman ramped up his production all the more, becoming a lock for the hall of fame. Can Ronald do the same? If Acuna’s next seven seasons are a repeat of his first seven, would he fall short of Cooperstown? Double his MVPs, silver sluggers, and all star appearances and you’ve got – Dale Murphy, with fewer home runs. Acuna may be better known for stealing bases, but Murphy is also a member of the 30 HR & 30 SB club.
If Ronald doesn’t stay healthy, will the Braves offer him a contact comparable to Freeman’s? Fans will hate it, but the answer is no.
Freddie Freeman’s first 7 seasons compared to Ronald Acuna’s 7 year career. Who would you rather have on your team?
...G….R..…H….2B..3B.HR.RBI.SB CS. BB..SO...PA
0722 581 0815 145 12 165 417 196 49 368 719 3254 RA
1026 591 1084 241 16 166 586 027 15 483 909 4304 FF
AVG.OBP.SLG.OPS.WAR
289 379 525 907 25.6 RA
290 377 499 876 16.0 FF 1st 7 seasons
301 388 514 902 35.1 FF career (WAR=2nd 7 seasons)
RA: one MVP, ROY, 3 silver sluggers, 4X all star
FF 1st 7 seasons: 2X all star
FF 2nd 7 seasons: MVP, 3 silver sluggers, 6X all star, gold glove
Murphy: 2 MVPs, 4 silver sluggers, 7 all stars, 5 gold gloves
Strikeout percentage:
22.1% RA
21.1% FF 1st 7 seasons
18.7% FF career
Average games played per season:
103 Acuna
147 Freddie 1st 7 seasons
144 Feddie career
BOB LEMON [SABR Bio] trails only Wes Ferrell for career home runs by a pitcher. Lemon went deep 34 times while pitching, tying him with Warren Spahn. Wes Farrell leads with 37. Lemon was the first American League pitcher to give up a walk-off home run in the World Series, to pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes in 1954. Lemon replaced Herb Score after Score was struck in the eye, off Gil McDougald's line drive on 07-May-1957.
Good Things To Eat At Truist Park
Thursday: up early to lift weights at the gym. A movie crew was filming at the two gas stations just down the block. Hard to see in the morning sun.
Maddios Pizza for lunch. Worked until 6 pm, then scooted home to cut the grass. Dang battery gave out after ten minutes. I think it was some other issue, so I’ll try again this afternoon. Supper was ready anyway: chicken & rice.
Watched a Hallmark movie set in Georgia, but filmed in Utah.
Wasn’t feeling good so I skipped the gym. At least seven of us at work wore our Johnny Cash t-shirts today. Two hot issues today. Gang went to CiCis but I passed. Also passed on three fast food deals. Didn't pass on facetiming with Mill Mill, who was out on her back deck waving to passersbys on the Westside BeltLine.
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