Does batting average matter anymore?
The Weekly Mayday Catch Up - Aug. 15, 2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS
I will be on vacation this week so there will be no Mayday! during our regularly scheduled time on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT.
We have a second YouTube channel for even more videos focusing more on baseball culture and the side of the internet where baseball lovers spend their time. Go subscribe to More Mayday now!
New merch is live! Want to throw cheese? Well, you only need to LET IT EAT!
NEW STUFF
📺 WATCH 📺
Does batting average matter anymore? Some people think it doesn't and other people hate those people. So, if it really is a stat of the past, what happened? And if not batting average, what does matter? Let me explain… (10 mins)
It's always good to have a bit of fun, right? I think the more nicknames we can give MLB players, the better. It's one of my favorite parts about the big leagues. Growing up, I loved names like "The Kid" and "Big Cat" and always imagined having one of my own. There are definitely some great ones in the game now (I'm looking at you, Big Amish) but where do they rank among the greatest names of all time? There's only one way to find out… (17 mins)
The trade deadline has passed and it's clear that some teams went for it, while others decided to sell. But how did they do? I decided to go through all 30 teams and grade them based on how well they positioned themselves for a playoff push THIS YEAR. About 100 prospects moved and it's impossible to keep track of them all and project for the future, so I focused on what we know right now, this year. So who filled needs the best and who struck out? Let's get into it… (27 mins)
It seems like every month or so there's another article out in the baseball media world exploring the concept of "team chemistry" with the sole goal of discovering why an obviously talented Major League team isn't getting it done on the field. If they can't win, then it's got to be a clubhouse issue, right? Maybe, but it's not that simple. Let me explain… (21 mins)
STAT OF THE WEEK - FIP
FIP is similar to ERA, but it focuses solely on the events a pitcher has the most control over -- strikeouts, walks, hit-by-pitches and home runs. It entirely removes results on balls hit into the field of play.
For example: If a pitcher has surrendered a high average on balls in play, his FIP will likely be lower than his ERA. Balls in play are not part of the FIP equation because a pitcher is believed to have limited control over their outcome. (Via MLB)
Formula:
"FIP constant" puts FIP onto the same scale as the entire league's ERA
More Shows to Check Out
Foul Territory: Live on YouTube - Everyday at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT
Sunday Sliders with Trevor and Dani Wexelman on MLB Network Radio, SiriusXM channel 89 and on the SiriusXM app - Sundays at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 am PT
Next Live Mayday! - Wednesday, Aug. 27 @ 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT
Watch on: Twitch | YouTube (Hour One on Foul Territory) | YouTube (Hour Two)