Introducing The Rotogods Index

Written by Xach on May 03, 2005

Good morning.

Last night I waltzed my shaggy haired, unkempt self to a bar called The Slipper Room and reconvened with a fine group of friends – as we had so many times in the past – to compete in a trivia game called The Big Quiz Thing. As a team, we did pretty well, matching our best ever showing with a 3rd place finish. On a personal level however, I was humbled when I had no answer for the following question:

Why was Alex Smith in the news last week?

The answer, of course, is that the San Francisco 49ers made him the number one pick in last week’s NFL draft. As soon as the answer was announced, I sat back in my chair and thought of the fact that, even if I hadn’t read the actual results of the NFL draft (which I had in fact read), I should have at least had a clue from reading the Upcoming NFL Draft thread here on Rotogods.com.

Another sports question that stumped me was the number of dimples on a golf ball. The answer to which is 360. Oh, what a useless Heeb am I. But fear not, roto friends, for I have been inspired by these humbling questions to present you a special Rotogods Index (think, Harpers Index) edition of the Morning Offering. Without any further ado, I present you (hopefully meaningful) trivia.

The Rotogods Index

The largest fine the NBA had ever assessed to a coach prior to May 2, 2005: $50,000

Amount of money the NBA fined Jeff Van Gundy yesterday for alleging that Yao Ming has been unfairly scrutinized by officials: $100,000

Salary lost by Ron Artest as a result of a brawl with fans last November: $5 million*

Settlement the city of Boston gave the parents of a student accidentally killed by police in riots after the Red Sox won the ALCS: $5.1 million

Career slugging percentage of MLB’s first ever suspended “steroid” user, Alex Sanchez: .365

Slugging percentage of second baseman Brian Roberts through 24 games of the 2005 season: .717

The highest slugging percentage ever posted for an entire season by former MVP Jason Giambi: .660

Giambi’s slugging percentage for 2004, his first season after admitting to a grand jury that he used to take steroids: .379

Brian Roberts’ career slugging percentage: .382

Number of seasons in which Marlins pitcher A.J. Burnett has started 30 games: 0

Number of seasons in which Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett has started 30 games: 0

Number of seasons in which Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood has started 30 games: 2

Operating income of the New York Yankees (after revenue sharing) for the 2003 season: –$28 million**

Operating income of the Devil Rays (after revenue sharing) for the 2003 season: $7.7 million**

Number of stitches in a Major League baseball: 108

Number of those stitches that are visible: 106

Player with the most similar*** career numbers to Albert Pujols at age 21: Joe DiMaggio

Player with the most similar career numbers to Albert Pujols at age 22: Joe DiMaggio

Player with the most similar career numbers to Albert Pujols at age 23: Joe DiMaggio

Player with the most similar career numbers to Albert Pujols at age 24: Joe DiMaggio

Player with the most similar career numbers to Barry Bonds at age 24: Tom Brunansky

Currently active player most similar to Barry Bonds at 27: Carlos Beltran

The difference in swing time that it takes to hit a foul instead of a hit up the middle against a 90 mph pitch: .001 seconds

The time it takes a 90 mph pitch to reach the plate: .41 seconds

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* Approximate figure as reported by ESPN.com on November 22, 2004
** As reported by Forbes Magazine on April 26, 2004
*** All similarity scores according to baseball-reference.com Similarity Scores

For complete list of sources, contact Xach via E-mail.

-- Written by Xach on May 03, 2005