SI Article - About Pence

[Brew Man Dan]

If you mods want to put this into either the NL ROY thread or the Brewers Disrespect thread feel free, but I think it deserves a thread of it's own.

 

This is about the article on page 24 of the July 23rd issue in Sports Illustrated titled "A Rookie for the Ages". The article talks of how Hunter Pence is putting one of the best rookie seasons ever. Yet they fail to mention a single thing about Braun even though he's practically matched Pences numbers in 109 less PA. I think that there if there talking about great rookie seasons, there should also be some mention of Braun.

 

On another note, they also incorrectly stated that no NL Rookie has won a batting title.

[AJhawk50]

Braun was on Cold Pizza earlier. The recap was that he feels more confident now than when he 1st came up. They compared Brauns numbers to A-Rods from May 25 (the day Braun was called up). He also said that the numbers don't matter to him, the team success does. But that obviously the better he does the greater chance the Brewers have to win. He also said he only heard about the 'Hebrew Hammer" nickname a little while ago but he is ok with it.

[GAME05]

yeah Braun matches up, but then you start diluting the original intention of the article--less about Pence himself and more an article on a few good rookies.

[CportBadger]

I wouldn't worry about it. He keeps hitting the way he is and driving in runs and he'll get his article soon enough.

[BrewCrewRising]

This is the first I've heard about the 'Hebrew Hammer' nickname. Where is that from?

[M Skjellyfetti]

He can't be the Hebrew Hammer....that was Matt Bernstein. And he is much more of a hammer than Braun. Maybe Braun could name his bat the Hammer, and he could be the Hebrew & the Hammer....

[T B0NE 10]

Braun is Jewish, thats where the "Hebrew Hammer" comes from.

[SeriesFinale]

I called him the Hebrew Hammer in an IGT once but because of this

http://home.att.net/~Buzzxsassy/Images/the-hebrew-hammer.jpg

 

I didn't know it was a real nickname for him. Kinda makes me uncomfortable to be honest.

[BrewCrewRising]

Quote:

---

Braun is Jewish, thats where the "Hebrew Hammer" comes from.

---

 

I know he's Jewish. What I meant to ask was, who is known to have coined he nickname for him?

 

But apparently it's a nickname that's already been around for other players.

[BCZF]

Braun is HALF Jewish (on his fathers side). My wife works as an assistant to a Rabbi here in town, and he happens to know the family a bit.

[Invader3K]

Do they really want to be giving out ethnic nicknames in 2007? Doesn't sound to PC...personally, I don't care, I'm just saying.

[BrewCrewForever]

It wont be long before Braun gets an article in SI. If he keeps this up he will, and he will pass Pence for NL ROY. Braun is so talented its scary.

[thebruce44]

I just read this article in question, and it got at me a little too. It starts out by saying that "Astros centerfielder Hunter Pence leads all rookies who quality for the batting title in average, slugging, doubles and triples..."

 

As of today (7/22/07) their lines are:

 

Hunter Pence

(avg/obp/slg/ops) AB/HR

(.330/.355/.564/.919) 312/12

 

Ryan Braun

(.338/.387/.657/1.035) 201/15

 

 

Obviously both have been playing great ball so far this season, but Braun is the superior player thus far. I think once he qualifies for the batting title and starts showing up on these lists, people will realise how good he has been.

 

My question is, can anyone tell me how many ABs or what percent you need to qualify and at his current pace, when should Braun have enough?

[hurricanecrush]

You need 3.1 plate appearances per game that the team plays.

 

If my calculations are correct, Braun will have to average 4.39 PA's if he plays every game, he is currently averaging 4.44 PA/Gm. At the current pace, he should have enough PA's by game 160.

[brettac1]

They also will add on at the end of the year if a guy is close to the required amount, though it's with hitless AB's, so a player has to have a cushion to be able to absorb those outs being added to his average and maintain a lead.