Poll: Who would you rather have on your team: Harmon Killebrew or Mark McGwire?

megatron · April 24, 2006 12:50AM

During their playing days of course. Go ahead and comment, and I'll post my choice and supporting evidence later.

Wabittwax · April 24, 2006 12:55AM

I'll take Mcgwire. People give him crap for the steroid thing but remember, he hit 49 as a skinny little rookie. He's got talent. He was a pitcher too (if that means anything).

megatron · April 24, 2006 1:30AM

My vote is for Harmon Killebrew by a long shot and the attached spreadsheet hopefully demonstrates this.

1. When you look at top 10 finishes for the respective categories listed within the sheet, you will see that Harmon Killebrew dominates each category against Mark McGwire. Sure, the McGwire supporters will state that Killebrew played 8 more seasons than McGwire, but that is a testament to Killebrew's longevity and consistency. Oops, there is that word again: CONSISTENCY. Well, let's break down the top 10 finishes into top 3 finishes for each category and let's see what we find.

1. When you look at top finishes, McGwire edges Killebrew 5 to 4. This doesn't tell the whole story as McGwire is clearly dominant in top finishes as evidenced by his 4 top finishes in Adjusted OPS+ to Killebrew's 0. Edge: McGwire.

However, this is where it ends for McGwire. When you look at the 2nd place finishes, Killebrew outnumbers McGwire 4 to 0, and when one looks at third place finishes, it is no contest with Killebrew's 8 finishes to McGwire's 0.

So, McGwire was an all or nothing show. He was either the top dog or he didn't really play a factor in dominance. Meanwhile, Killebrew was usually always in the top 3 somewhere.

And for those who say that McGwire was a better home run hitter, take a look at the HR per AB results for these players. You may be in for a shock. Perhaps even more of a shock when you consider the dimensions of the parks each player played in.

KILLEBREW
LF CF RF
Griffith Stadium 386 421 320
Met Stadium 346 425 330

Also keep in mind that many ballparks were fashioned in the same way back in Killebrew's days.

MCGWIRE
LF CF RF
Oakland Col. 330 400 330
Busch Stadium 330 402 330

megatron · April 24, 2006 1:30AM

OK. Can someone help me load an Excel spreadsheet? I keep getting an error message

DirtyHarry · April 24, 2006 10:40AM

My vote is for "The Killer." Besides the larger stadium dimensions at home and on the road, he played for some rather poor Senator and Twins teams without much support - pitched around constantly. In addition, if he played the bulk of his career in the age of the "DH", his stats would be mind boggling.

JoeBanzai · April 24, 2006 11:08AM

Both were great home run hitters. Killebrew has the reputation as a consummate professional and wonderful teammate. I think McGuire was a good teammate too.

As I have posted before and as Megatron's stats point out, Killebrew was unbelievably consistent. Between 1959 and 1971 Harmon got 500 at bats 10 times. He hit 40 home runs or more 8 times and 39 once with a low of 28 in 1971. During that period in the AL he finished first 6 times, second 2 times and third 1 time.

During the same period he drove in 100 or more runs 9 times and 96 the other time.

He was injured in 1965 and 1968.

McGuire had some monster years, but he had some down years too. I think Killebrew's record for power hitting over a ten year period is astounding.

McGuire never tested positive for steroids, so I won't bring that into my reasoning.

JoeBanzai

JoeBanzai · April 24, 2006 11:14AM

Forgot to mention Killebrew had 3 firsts, 2 seconds, 3 thirds, 1 fourth, and 1 sixth place finish in RBI's during the 10 500 at bat seasons.

Dominant and consistent.

JB