Corey Patterson

Daily Herald | Sports

The current meme is Chicago seems to have Corey Patterson on the way out. To quote, "It also will be time soon to fish or cut bait with center fielder Corey Patterson. Hendry took Patterson with the third overall pick in 1998, but his erratic performance has members of the field staff shaking their heads. "

Talk about potential for the steroid-driven OBP sophistry leading to a colossal mistake. Patterson is a 25-year-old CF with all the tools. Cutting bait on him would go a long way towards insuring the Cubs go a full 100 years without a World Series title.

This negativity arises because his OBP is poor. I hold the opinion that steroids has everything to do with the OBP/OPS dogmatism that is pervasive in today's baseball strategy.

As this has never existed separate from steroid use, I cannot dismiss the opinion easily.

To support this contention, I use Don Mattingly as an example. He was one of the best players of 1980s. He AVG was always above .300 with 40+ doubles and 30+ HR. What he did not do is talk walks. Normally, he would walk once every 13 plate appearances. Is there anyone who thinks that is good using today's thinking?

He never posted an OPS greater than 1.000. Would he be considered the same now? Heck, Jeff Kent posts similar numbers and no one calls him the best day-in and day-out.

Yet, Mattingly is considered one of the most-feared hitters of the 1980s. (Really all this talk of greatness applies only to 1984-1987.)

If Don Mattingly would not make the cut today, then why dismiss Corey Patterson half-way through the post-steroid era? Only a fool would.

And here is where the next Moneyball can be written. A smart team will attempt to acquire players like Patterson before the rest of the league catches on. Go get speed. Go get a Gold Glove 1B.