Incorrect OBP Stats

[jdwexler]

I just noticed that the historical OBP stats for ARod and Giambi are wrong on their PlayerLink pages (I just looked for last year). I think you might have failed to include HBP.

[RAY@HQ]

Our OBP numbers don't include HBP, you're correct. That's site-wide, not just on those two guys.

[jdwexler]

Ray, is this an accident that you intend to correct? Or, do you do it on purpose because there is no persistence in HBP numbers? It makes a pretty big difference for some guys (like ARod). Should I be the OBP for guys who happened to have a lot of HBPs? What about a Craig Biggio?

[RAY@HQ]

It's been this way forever, and to my knowledge you're the first to really make an issue of it. The number of players who have enough HBP for it to make a real difference is pretty small. For most guys, you can add ~10 OBP points to account for the HBPs and be in good shape.

[jdwexler]

Okay. Thanks.

[RON@HQ]

Research has shown that HBP is not a measure of batting skill but of pitching lack-of-skill so we have always left it out of the OBP stat. We have never claimed to be a source of "official" statistics. We always focus on skill.