The bunt is the anti-Christ for most followers of sabermetrics, and Joe Girardi often gets slammed on the Twitterverse when he orders a sacrifice. And to the naked eye and even sometimes to us, he seems to long for the National League style.
However, since the eyes can be deceiving, we looked it up — and in reality, Girardi hasn’t been excessive when it comes to giving up free outs. Here are the numbers since he became Yankees manager.
Number of sacrifice bunts and American League ranking:
2008: 31 (8th)
2009: 31 (9th)
2010: 33 (11th)
2011: 36 (8th)
2012: 31 (10th)
Since 2008, the AL leaders in sac bunts are (in order) the Angels (Scioscia!), Tigers, Rangers (hell of a drug), Twins, and Mariners. The Yankees rank 10th over this time period.
With a corner OF tandem that would have problems hitting homers in a little league park, maybe Girardi will summon his National League demons more often in 2013. Yet, as of now, sabermetricians should not lose any sleep over Joe Girardi’s bunting preferences.
9 Comments
Ichiro December 29, 2012 22:36
Actually I put on a show in BP hitting HRs on every other swing. BOMBS I MEAN!!!
Yankee Fan December 29, 2012 23:25
Different kind of team this year. Excited to see a new group. Go Yanks.
Ron Washington December 30, 2012 02:55
Bunts, FUPA’s, muffin tops gimme more! It’s always snowing in my world baby!
Sacrifice this! December 30, 2012 09:03
National League? Next year it’s gonna be more like Little League.
Rambo December 30, 2012 09:28
What keeps happening to the I farted guy?
Fuck em.
Arnold Schwarzenneger December 30, 2012 12:34
Fuck you bunt! I’m baaaaaaack, bunting you imbecile!
bob December 30, 2012 13:15
If the players on your team can’t or won’t bunt just get off the field and make room for some players who know how to play the game.
Trashy guy December 30, 2012 14:29
Everyone else thinks about FUPA when bunt is mentioned right? I learned bunt before FUPA. Not quite a belly, not quite a c@#t, a bunt.
Thats what I'm talking about... December 31, 2012 12:33
The Ron Washington/Rick James photoshop. That shit was hilarious.