- Thread starter
- #1
Austin
Well-known member
The Rockies' D.J. LeMathieu won the NL batting title by one point over the Nationals' Daniel Murphy. LeMathieu went into the weekend at .348, just ahead of Murphy's .347.
But instead of manning up and playing his final two games, LeMathieu sat out to preserve his lead, since Murphy is injured and couldn't move ahead of him.
LeMathieu also sat out Wednesday and Thursday, and left Friday's game a few innings in after going 0-2.
So he played half of one game of the final five games to win the title, despite not being hurt or needing to be rested for the playoffs.
I think that was kind of cowardly and not very sportsmanlike, especially since Murphy was out injured and couldn't compete against him.
What do you think about LeMathieu purposely sitting out 4.5 of the final 5 games to preserve the batting title?
In contrast, Ted Williams went into the final day of the 1941 season with a .3995 avg, which would have been officially round up to .400.
It was a double header and Williams quickly got a couple hits to raise his average above .400. Did he sit out the final game of the double header to preserve his .400? Of course not. He went an amazing 6 for 8 in the double header and raised his final season average to .406.
But instead of manning up and playing his final two games, LeMathieu sat out to preserve his lead, since Murphy is injured and couldn't move ahead of him.
LeMathieu also sat out Wednesday and Thursday, and left Friday's game a few innings in after going 0-2.
So he played half of one game of the final five games to win the title, despite not being hurt or needing to be rested for the playoffs.
I think that was kind of cowardly and not very sportsmanlike, especially since Murphy was out injured and couldn't compete against him.
What do you think about LeMathieu purposely sitting out 4.5 of the final 5 games to preserve the batting title?
In contrast, Ted Williams went into the final day of the 1941 season with a .3995 avg, which would have been officially round up to .400.
It was a double header and Williams quickly got a couple hits to raise his average above .400. Did he sit out the final game of the double header to preserve his .400? Of course not. He went an amazing 6 for 8 in the double header and raised his final season average to .406.
Last edited: