Quote:
Originally Posted by cgjackson222
The changes around the sacrifice fly rules make for an interesting discussion. Thank you for bringing them up.
SABR published an article on the subject in 2021. In the article, it states that "In 1941, Ted Williams batted a lusty .406 (185 H in 456 AB), but had his eight RBI flyouts not been counted as at-bats, his batting average would have been .413."
It also states that "Twice the “no Sac-Fly” rule precluded a player from winning the esteemed Triple Crown of batting."
The first was Jimmie Foxx, who could have won the batting crown and therefore the triple crown in 1932 if the the sacrifice fly rule that has been in operation from 1954 to the present (where batters who hit RBI flyouts are credited with a sac fly, and an RBI flyout is not charged as an at bat, just as a sacrifice bunt is not charged as an at-bat) were in effect. This would have given Foxx back-to-back triple crowns.
Similarly, Ted Williams could have won the batting title in 1949, which would have given Ted his 3rd Triple Crown. |
Not to mention that, by current standards, he would have qualified for, and won, the 1954 batting title too. Here's my copy of what I now think is my favorite Ted (I'm a color and registration guy, less so a centering guy):