OPS is the sum of a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage which calculate a player’s ability to get on base and to hit for power. This seems like a very useful statistic for determining a player’s worth with the theory being that a player that is on base more would therefore score more by the law of averages. Also, the same would be true that a player that hits for power more would score more as well.
The best way for me to grasp things like this is to put the numbers to the test and look at the results. The top ten players in OPS for their career are Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, Rogers Hornsby, Manny Ramirez and Todd Helton*. The only one I would possibly have a problem with is Todd Helton. How did he get in there? Looks like a pretty good list of the best ever to me.
The Adjusted OPS (OPS+) takes into account the ballpark and the league the player played in. The top ten in OPS+ for their career are Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, Mickey Mantle, Albert Pujols, Dan Brouthers, Joe Jackson, Ty Cobb and Jimmie Foxx*. Again, a very impressive list.
Just for fun, I looked at last season’s (2009) OPS leaders. They are Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer, Prince Fielder, Joey Votto, Derrek Lee, Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, and Ben Zobrist (Manny Ramirez was omitted due to lack of plate appearances). Once again, what a list. I would start a team with any of these guys. I bet you didn’t expect to see Joey Votto in the top ten (unless of course, you are a Reds fan).
I think OPS and OPS+ are two of the best stats for finding great hitters. All that being said, I would not determine a player’s worth solely on OPS or OPS+. If you have a player that has great plate discipline and therefore has a high on-base percentage but rarely ever hits for power, their OPS would be affected. However, I would love to have that player hit just ahead of a guy high on this list (like Albert Pujols), so that one run has a much better chance of becoming two. Also, this is solely an offensive category that does not take into account fielding or intangibles such as leadership. So unless you are just looking for a DH or a fantasy player, I would look at the OPS and OPS+ but not make a decision solely from those numbers.
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