Need a boost in your day? Take a look at some of the most absolutely ludicrous stats in MLB history.
Baseball statistics have come a long way. Sabermetrics and StatCast have changed the way we analyze success. However, baseball’s deep history has produced some insane statistics that you don’t need a Master’s degree to be in awe of.
In the 21st century, baseball has shifted away from the traditional approach of evaluating success in favor of a more analytical one. Front offices used to be composed entirely of former players and those close to the game. But now, for better or worse, they consist of math buffs who never stepped foot on a baseball diamond.
Every year, it seems a new advanced statistic appears out of nowhere to become the new obsession among baseball analysts. For those of us that do not have a degree in math, stats like wOBA+ and ISO can be a bit confusing- and boring.
However, despite all the advanced statistics, baseball is a strange game at its core. MLB has been full of strange personalities, but even more absurd events. Randy Johnson famously killed a bird with a pitch during a preseason game, while Dock Ellis rather infamously pitched a no-hitter on LSD.
But beyond all the random occurrences, some of the game’s best have produced ridiculous stats throughout their careers. Many players accomplish feats and milestones throughout their careers, but few have produced legitimate statistical absurdities like the ones mentioned in this list.
The careers of Tony Gwynn, Greg Maddux, and Barry Bond are anomalies in their own rights, which have naturally produced some of the most impossibly hilarious stats the world has ever seen. The best part? They don’t include advanced stats, so even the most passive baseball fan can appreciate their ridiculousness.
So, if you don’t plan on being a baseball analyst, you probably don’t need to pursue a Master’s degree to enjoy baseball. Instead, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy this simple list of some of the most hilariously absurd statistics in MLB history.