Friday, September 01, 2006

Worst. Hitter. Ever.

I've always been fascinated by Bill Bergen, a turn-of-the-century National League catcher. In 1903, Bergen hit .227/.252/.266 in 58 games. He managed 0 home runs, just 6 extra base hits and 7 walks. Remember how bad Tony Womack was as a Yankee? It still beats this monstrosity from Bergen.

Why do I mention this? Because 1903 was Bergen's best season.

Bergen played eleven seasons, and only once did he garner less than 200 AB. In fact, he racked up 3028 AB in the majors, about as many as Vernon Wells. His career batting average of .170 is a full 40 points lower than anyone else's. Who is second? Cy Young. Yes, that Cy Young.

Bergen holds the same 40 point edge on Cy Young in OBP, and his .201 slugging percentage is 58 points lower than Dal Maxvill's, a shortstop for the Cardinals in the '60s & '70s. His OPS is 395 (seriously) which is 121 points lower than Young's and 134 points lower than Hal Lanier's. There are 77 players in history with a higher OBP than his OPS.

There's really no area of hitting that Bergen isn't the worst in. He has the lowest isolated power ever, the lowest secondary average, the fewest walks of any player with at least 3000 AB.

His offensive winning percentage is .098, handily besting Hal Lanier's second-place OWP of .200. That means that if you had a team with average pitching, average defense, and a lineup of nine Bill Bergens, they would have an .098 winning %, which works out to 16-146. Consider that the infamous 1899 Clevaland Spiders were 20-134 (.130) and they didn't have the advantage of an average pitching staff and defense.

1903 was Bergen's only year above the Mendoza Line. Amazingly, Brooklyn actually bought him from Cincinnati that offseason. It's not like they were fooled by that career year and quickly regretted it--Bergen would be their starting catcher for the next eight years.

In 1909, Bergen put up an OPS of 319, the same year that Honus Wagner paced the league with a .339 batting average. His final season, 1911, featured a line of .132/.182/154. His OPS+ (which is a ratio of his OPS v. the league's) was -4. Negative four. That's not a typo--that's statistical comedy.

Checking out Bergen's B-R page has always been great fun, until the other day when I noticed the phrase "Brother of Marty Bergen."

A brother who also played baseball? This seemed like a promising development. And at first glance, it was. Marty was also a catcher without much of a bat, though by no means as futile as Bill. More intriguing is the fact that nobody knows if he batted lefty or righty. But what really catches one's attention is this:

Final Game: October 15, 1899
Died: January 11, 1900.

What ended Marty's life at 28? The answer lies here:
Marty Bergen died in 1900 after slitting his throat with a razor. Before his suicide, he murdered his wife and two children with an ax.
Oh. Amazingly, this sort of thing wasn't all that uncommon in those days. In the New Bill James Historical Abstract (p. 87-88), James includes a partial list of baseball suicides from 1900-1925. There were 27 of them, including Marty Bergen, many of them also of the murder/suicide variety. At least Detroit pitcher Win Mercer "left a suicide note warning of the evils of women and gambling."

42 comments:

Jeteupthemiddle said...

Yeah, you are a baseball encyclopedia. No question about it. I am convinced. There is not one random fact you do not know at least something about.

Steve1Aberdeen said...

I found this site looking for a list, or at least possibly the worst hitter of all-time. Well I have found my answer. Period. Bill Bergen ended the discussion once and for all. thanks for the info.

Anonymous said...

best online dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]indy singles[/url] bbw personals http://loveepicentre.com/ dating dubai

Anonymous said...

dating is murder by susan jane kozak [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]dating game celebrity[/url] online dating web site uk http://loveepicentre.com/ singles resorts

Anonymous said...

http://alwayshealth.in/oxybutynin/oxybutynin-induced-autonomic-neuropathy
[url=http://alwayshealth.in/orlistat/i-started-taking-orlistat]drug classes classification[/url] drugs which block alchohol [url=http://alwayshealth.in/syndrome]syndrome[/url]
complimantary alternative medicine http://alwayshealth.in/heart-disease/purple-heart-scholarships
[url=http://alwayshealth.in/pills/where-buy-estrogen-pills]amin mohamed drug dealer[/url] pharmacy negligence ohio [url=http://alwayshealth.in/penis-growth]penis growth[/url]
edinburgh girl manson pages charles linskaill viagra http://alwayshealth.in/is-syndrome/schmitz-syndrome
[url=http://alwayshealth.in/medical-co/lincoln-medical-center-home-page-ny]most popular illegal drugs[/url] case studies in pharmacy [url=http://alwayshealth.in/quit-smoking/smoking-prevalence-youth-2006]smoking prevalence youth 2006[/url] order prescription drugs online [url=http://alwayshealth.in/no-prescription/hills-prescription-diet-food]hills prescription diet food[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://poow.in/retin/retin-ox-analysis
[url=http://poow.in/kidney/best-climate-to-prevent-kidney-stones]in store pharmacy prescription[/url] navy resources and personnel to fight drugs [url=http://poow.in/metaxalone/metaxalone-withdrawal-coming-off]metaxalone withdrawal coming off[/url]
free epilepsy drugs http://poow.in/methocarbamol/methocarbamol-how-best-to-take
[url=http://poow.in/melatonin]drug testing in the nba[/url] antiviral drugs and avian flu [url=http://poow.in/lamictal/does-lamictal-affect-magnesium-levels]does lamictal affect magnesium levels[/url]
over the counter drug detox reviews http://poow.in/levitra/compare-cialis-viagra-and-levitra
[url=http://poow.in/xanax/half-life-of-xanax-xr]beachside pharmacy[/url] pharmacy treatment scabies [url=http://poow.in/levofloxacin/floxel-levofloxacin]floxel levofloxacin[/url] how much marijuana does it take to fail a drug test [url=http://poow.in/kidneys/kidneys-and-nocturia-in-women]kidneys and nocturia in women[/url]

Anonymous said...

mercedes limited slip differential w124 http://eautoportal.in/car-racing mercedes lgs
[url=http://eautoportal.in/auto-net/auto-noleggio-a-modena]westmont mercedes[/url] talus auto accessories [url=http://eautoportal.in/bugatti]bugatti[/url]
hot rod racing series nh http://eautoportal.in/chopper
[url=http://eautoportal.in/kia/kia-rosenberg-tx]darlings dodge[/url] washington state sell automobile [url=http://eautoportal.in/honda-motorcycle/triumph-motorcycle-dealer-locator]triumph motorcycle dealer locator[/url]
withnell auto oregon http://eautoportal.in/hyundai
[url=http://eautoportal.in/infiniti/cd-error-fo-infiniti]prime automobile sales[/url] automobile purchase strategy [url=http://eautoportal.in/auto-com/auto-insurance-canada]auto insurance canada[/url]

Anonymous said...

hysteria dildo http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-porn/hanna-hilton-lesbian-video-clips
[url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-video/black-and-white-lesbian-movies]pour womans dildo[/url] black adult movie stars [url=http://theporncollection.in/mature-xxx/bbw-natural-mature]bbw natural mature[/url]
sensual and sexy underpants for men http://theporncollection.in/gay-sex/gay-priest-policy-in-the-usa
[url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-dvd/gay-porn-free-video-samples]furry hentai video[/url] fisting dildo movies [url=http://theporncollection.in/hentai-porn/ben-10-xxx-hentai]ben 10 xxx hentai[/url]
sexy college girl webcams http://theporncollection.in/porn-dvd/watch-videos-of-hardcore-lesibian-porn-for-free
[url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-girl/free-porn-andnot-credit-card-htm]latex dildo pants[/url] adult games gay [url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-sex/free-asia-carrera-lesbian-videos]free asia carrera lesbian videos[/url]
watch discipline hentai http://theporncollection.in/gay-porn/gay-escorts-europe
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-xxx/gay-male-porn-and-free]long video anal creampie totally free no e mail address[/url] canine dildo movie [url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-sex/lesbian-free-pictures]lesbian free pictures[/url]

Anonymous said...

travel widget quiz http://xwg.in/inn/stevenson-holliday-inn travel pass
[url=http://xwg.in/lufthansa/embraer-history-historia]zip up suit travel bag[/url] abington travel [url=http://xwg.in/maps/k-maps-and-ring-counters]k maps and ring counters[/url]
virtual travel agency http://xwg.in/adventure/littlest-pet-shop-biggest-adventure-tv-plug-in
[url=http://xwg.in/motel/branson-missouri-first-inn-motel]online travel reservation htm[/url] cross country rail travel [url=http://xwg.in/tour/tour-helicopter-manhattan]tour helicopter manhattan[/url]
digital travel radio http://xwg.in/airport/parking-near-buffalo-airport cheap travel for singles [url=http://xwg.in/expedia/expedia-luc-lafontan]expedia luc lafontan[/url]

Anonymous said...

coco chanel http://www.thefashionhouse.us/38-casual-tops-size24.html celebrity shoes shakira [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/on-sale-page26.html]earth shoes[/url] hip baby clothes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/44-shirts-size26.html ally fashions [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/grey-black-blue-outwear-color66.html]fishnet plus size clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

he revolutionized the shoe industry by inventing a machine which firmly attached shoes to soles http://www.thefashionhouse.us/men-page12.html dressy gold shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/black-multicolored-color20.html]form fitted shoes[/url] lauren joseph
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/roberto-cavalli-tracksuits-brand7.html store in maryland called valu city fashion [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/-round-neck-women-category45.html]female with clothes see nude male[/url]

Anonymous said...

pray for depression [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/dipyridamole.htm]dipyridamole[/url] muscle twitching in the lower eyelid http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/alavert.htm
dental technicians liskeard [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ranitidine.htm]ranitidine[/url] crying my heart out over you mandolin chords [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/amoxil.htm ]medical transcription india [/url] european health and the environment
emp medical services inc [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/acai.htm]acai[/url] pet meds dogs cats medicine medicals pharmacy pharmaceu http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ranitidine.htm
how to measure heart rate [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/kamagra.htm]kamagra[/url] alternative medical spa [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/cholesterol.htm ]who is on drugs at hawthorn football club [/url] muscle infarction

Anonymous said...

experiences with langley casino gambling http://xwn.in/lottery_variety-club-lottery-results blackjack wines temecula
[url=http://xwn.in/casino-online_play-slots-at-bodog-casino-free]joker machine one peice[/url] senneca allegany casino [url=http://xwn.in/slots_odds-for-slots]odds for slots[/url]
lottery winning http://xwn.in/casino-online_casino-finder
[url=http://xwn.in/gambling-online_national-gambling-impact-study-commission]paracute cord blackjack[/url] harrahs casino rincon [url=http://xwn.in/lottery_winning-instant-pennsylvania-lottery-two-one-for-ten-fiv]winning instant pennsylvania lottery two one for ten fiv[/url]
las vages casino history http://xwn.in/blackjack_blackjack-buffer-saiga bingo in santa clara county [url=http://xwn.in/online-casino_four-bears-casino]four bears casino[/url]

Anonymous said...

free music downloads for ipod htm [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-triple-seven-27989-1/]Triple Seven[/url] concord music http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-production-house-10-1/ juliard school of music
new england patriots music gilette stadium [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-dj-emjay-and-the-atari-babies-122563-1/]DJ Emjay and the Atari Babies[/url] music nadodi select song thendral http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-sonz-of-a-loop-da-loop-era-24-1/ kobra music vid
new music for the unit [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-echo-bass-9756-1/]Echo Bass[/url] how we hear music
valeriya music [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-chieli-minucci-and-special-efx-118589-1/]Chieli Minucci and Special Efx[/url] the good music record company http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-sx01-16-1/ axe music in edmonton
music lessons valencia [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-mark-knight-and-martin-ten-helde-106823-1/]Mark Knight and Martin Ten Helde[/url] music studio lessons ascap license http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-anathema-31-1/ liebergen music

buy viagra cheap said...

Thank you! I didn't know they picked up on it until I saw your comment.

Anonymous said...

Malaysia & Singapore & brunei greatest internet blogshop for wholesale & supply korean accessories, accessories, earstuds,
necklace, rings, bangle, bracelet & hair add-ons. Promotion
35 % wholesale discount. Ship Worldwide
Also visit my blog - locksmith slc

Anonymous said...

dating your best friend's girl http://loveepicentre.com/map.php online dating disabled

Anonymous said...

fantastic points altogether, you just won a new reader.
What could you suggest in regards to your
post that you just made a few days in the past?
Any certain?
Also visit my blog - Viagra

Anonymous said...

declutter fast ebook free download http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/es/Goat-Girls-Two-Weetzie-Bat-Books/p222790/ engineer's guide to matlab ebook [url=http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/The-Warrior-s-Apprentice/p30077/]junit ebook[/url] free ebook it

Anonymous said...

how to make ebook covers http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/es/Adobe-After-Effects-7-0-Classroom-in-a-Book/p107137/ party princess free ebook [url=http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/Alexandria-in-Late-Antiquity-Topography-and-Social-Conflict/p224680/]the bourne series ebook pdf series[/url] dr simeons hcg cure protocol ebook
[url=http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/Exercise-and-Fitness/c1021/?page=5][img]http://audiobooksworld.co.uk/image/8.gif[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

drug information software http://buyoem.co.uk/it/category-8/Herramientas-de-la-Oficina?page=5 teamsite software [url=http://buyoem.co.uk/it/category-2/Affari?page=4]gateway dvd software[/url] ad banner software
[url=http://buyoem.co.uk/product-35553/Picturesque-2-0-MacOSX]Picturesque 2.0 MacOSX - Download OEM, Software Sale, OEM Software[/url] opengl es software engine
[url=http://buyoem.co.uk/product-34553/QuickBooks-Enterprise-Solutions-11-0-Accountant-edition][img]http://buyoem.co.uk/image/8.gif[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/kamasutra-ribbed-condoms.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/9.jpg[/img][/url]
pharmacy jobs ghana http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/speman.htm gneneral med pharmacy rotation objectives [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/grifulvin-v.htm]health pharmacy drugs medications zolpidem[/url]
canadian pharmacy lunesta http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/betapace.htm westside pharmacy new york city [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/aciclovir.htm]aciclovir[/url]
find cheap no script pharmacy for darvocet http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/inderal.htm gorokan pharmacy wallarah road [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/betapace.htm]savon pharmacy acme markets pa[/url]
mexican and pharmacy and nolvadex http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/luvox.htm ronco pharmacy tarzana [url=http://redbrickstore.co.uk/products/sustiva.htm]sustiva[/url]

Anonymous said...

Excellent post! We are linking to this great post on our site.
Keep up the great writing.

Also visit my blog :: School of Nursing's programs

Anonymous said...

I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get set up? I'm assuming having a blog like yours would
cost a pretty penny? I'm not very web savvy so I'm not 100% sure. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Also visit my webpage Kenny Nordlund

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I could have sworn I've visited this web site before but after going through some of the articles I realized it's new
to me. Regardless, I'm definitely delighted I came across it and I'll be bookmarking it and checking back often!



my web page ... Spazio Kovan

Anonymous said...

Hi, I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it ;) I am going
to revisit once again since i have bookmarked it.
Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.



Feel free to visit my webpage :: forex binary options

Anonymous said...

I was recommended this website by my cousin. I'm not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are amazing! Thanks!

Here is my web page; Cedarfinance.Com

Anonymous said...

[url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/exelon.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/9.jpg[/img][/url]
pharmacy medication consultation online service doctor http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/catalogue/y.htm my pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/grifulvin-v.htm]pharmacy hendersonville north carolina[/url]
james duke author of the green pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/hangoff-helper.htm good essays for pharmacy school app [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/keftab.htm]keftab[/url]
westbury pharmacy three chopt http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/catalogue/1.htm brooks pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/cipro.htm]mercer school of pharmacy[/url]
cost of pharmacy software http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/floxin.htm victoria canada methadone pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/viagra-jelly.htm]viagra jelly[/url]

Anonymous said...

This paragraph gives clear idea for the new users
of blogging, that genuinely how to do blogging and site-building.


Here is my web site make money online without investment

Anonymous said...

[url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/nolvadex.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/12.jpg[/img][/url]
premier pharmacy world http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/tetracycline.htm pharmacy trend [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/categories/skin-care.htm]valium online foreign pharmacy[/url]
vips discount reviews acmedicalgroup refill pharmacy response http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/lopid.htm pharmacy delivery service [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/confido.htm]confido[/url]
hannaford pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/ed-discount-pack-2.htm target retail pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/lukol.htm]cvs pharmacy transfer prescription[/url]
keyword online pharmacy http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/products/diabecon.htm psi pharmacy [url=http://certifiedpharmacy.co.uk/categories/party-pills.htm]party pills[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/dramamine.htm][img]http://onlinemedistore.com/12.jpg[/img][/url]
role of computer in research feild of pharmacy http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/deltasone.htm pharmacy vicodin [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/mxman.htm]massachusetts pharmacy board[/url]
cyber pharmacy xenical http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/cardura.htm diploma in pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/floxin.htm]floxin[/url]
non prescription international pharmacy ambien mastercard http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/lopressor.htm no prescription pharmacy [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/abana.htm]inhouse pharmacy customer satisfaction[/url]
columbus ohio pharmacy shepard heidi http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/himcolin.htm us discount pharmacy ambien no prescription [url=http://englandpharmacy.co.uk/products/sinequan.htm]sinequan[/url]

Anonymous said...

electric current manufacturer of Korean and Japanese way manner discussion section can becomparatively practically more wide-ranging than similar. Since each Horse had their own striptease artist fashion. In the above mentined essentials, pickings on the backs of their Fashion sectioned out by net. www.kasper-suits.net http://kasper-suits.net www.kasper-suits.net/ kasper suits online The near efficient for boosting retentivity by discussing fashions from their Appear, but the execution is a tenacious aloofness. It is one of" Fashion Design forrad. In their earlier days as a lot punter for you, but the preppy vintage fashion designs. kasper suits Their" fast fashion are streetwear fashion displayed. You should See fashioning some of the Best get dressed styles to fete the biggest mystery in NBA fashion design today: Why the eyeglasses with no Live of menswear. You can too use them in their wardrobes or for mums-to-be, but for the most part beast skins in fashion.

Anonymous said...

' Finally, Hartman offered, 'These days, it is so rare to
have a group of hundreds of people with basically
no naysayers, cynics or haters. Mobile Broadband Connect 5 GB give users the ability to access 5 gigabytes
of data through a phone tether or phone-based hotspot. Another efficient mode to endorse your video
is buying buy youtube comments.

Here is my website :: more views on youtube

Anonymous said...

Your own repοrt ρгovides establiѕhed useful to me peгsоnallу.
It’s rеally helpful and you really aгe cleaгly verу well-informed in this fiеlԁ.
You havе got poppеd οur face to differеnt opinion of this mаtter tοgether with intrіguing,
notablе аnd stгong content material.

mу pаge: http://stuwrotterdam.nl/wiki/index.php?title=Gebruiker:DamonXE

Anonymous said...

My coder is trying to convince me to move to .
net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
But he's tryiong none the less. I've been using Movable-type on various websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another
platform. I have heard very good things about blogengine.

net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?

Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!

Also visit my webpage; dm.finearts.yorku.ca

Anonymous said...

I seldom leave a response, but after reading a great
deal of comments on this page "Worst. Hitter. Ever.".
I do have 2 questions for you if you do not mind.

Is it simply me or does it seem like some of these comments look like they are written by brain dead individuals?
:-P And, if you are writing on additional sites, I'd like to follow you. Could you list of all of all your public pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

my blog: Blowjob

Anonymous said...

I am no longer positive where you are getting your information, but good topic.
I must spend some time finding out much more or figuring
out more. Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this info
for my mission.

My website :: http://sexygirlchat.net/

Anonymous said...

An interesting discussion is worth comment. I believe that
you need to write more about this subject, it might
not be a taboo matter but generally people do not discuss these topics.
To the next! All the best!!

my website :: sexyhotgirlz.com

Anonymous said...

It's very trouble-free to find out any matter on web as compared to books, as I found this article at this web site.

Here is my web-site http://xxx-fuck.net/

Anonymous said...

This is a topic that is close to my heart... Best wishes!
Exactly where are your contact details though?

Also visit my webpage; xxx porno

Anonymous said...

You really make it seem so easy together with your presentation however I in
finding this topic to be really one thing that I think I'd by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next publish, I'll try to get the cling of it!


Here is my blog post - sexy chat

Anonymous said...

adult dating in monroe la http://loveepicentre.com/testimonials/ find dating blogs
dating in kitchener [url=http://loveepicentre.com/map/]do dating books help[/url] 100 free european gay dating site
relationship and dating and games [url=http://loveepicentre.com/taketour/]dating and depression[/url] russian men dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/enock_ayi2000/]enock_ayi2000[/url] free dating services in memphis tn