What's the Difference?

SPORTING GOODS

Which of these players would you prefer (both currently play in the same league, though in different divisions):

Player A: .264 batting average, 42 HR, 125 RBI, 88 Runs
Player B: .264 batting average, 40 HR, 106 RBI, 101 Runs

Player A: 26 doubles, 0 triples, 103 BB 5 HBP, .388 OBP, .563 SLG
Player B: 27 doubles, 2 triples, 101 BB, 5 HBP .386 OBP, .554 SLG

Player A : 13 GIDP
Player B : 12 GIDP

Player A : Born : November 19, 1979
Player B : Born : November 9, 1979

Hard to imagine having two more similar players, isn’t it? Having a little trouble? Here’s some more help:

Player B has 9 steals and 2 caught stealings, compared to 1 steal and no CS for Player A
Player B has struck out 30 fewer times than Player A
Neither is considered a very good fielder, though Player B is probably considered a worse fielder, at a more difficult position

Player A had this said about him by a current MLB Hall of Famer: “Right at this moment in time, he might be more dangerous than Barry Bonds ever was in his prime”

Player B had this said about him on a random baseball website I found: “I really think that [Player B], though not a Kingman candidate per se, really personifies ‘the least with the most.’”

Give up, or did you figure it out by now? Player A is Ryan Howard, reigning MVP of the NL and all-around beloved baseball star. Player B is Adam Dunn, perennial trade candidate and punching bag of everyone who knows the name “Dave Kingman.”

Surprised? I’m a big Dunn fan, and I was still very surprised. Just a little something to encourage you to defend Mr. Dunn next time he is being insulted!

Thanks to Chill for the idea that led to me looking up the stats.