On Pace

Chiroman's blog reminded me about something that I absolutely love annoying my baseball fan friends with on the second day of the season...

What players and teams are on pace for.

That, and following up those statements with something to the effect of: "That's gotta be some kinda record."

Here's a list of things that I have been (and will continue) using in conversation today:

• "Adam Dunn and Edgar Renteria are on pace for 324 home runs each. That's gotta be some kinda record."
• "The Brewers are on pace for 162 wins."
• "The Brewers are on pace to score 1,134 runs this year."
• "Miguel Cabrera is on pace for 648 RBIs."
• "Hanley Ramirez is on pace for 324 steals."
• "...so is Kenny Lofton. Who said he's lost a step with age?"
• "Eight players will walk 324 times this season...I guess Bonds' record is safe."
• "Willy Taveras sure was a good pick up for the Rockies. He's on pace to strikeout 648 times this year."
• "I just signed (Kansas City Royals' Shortstop) Tony Peña to my fantasy team. He's on pace for 324 triples!"
• "Assuming he stays healthy all year, Ben Sheets is on pace to throw 306 innings this year over an estimated 34 starts."
• "Yeah, and he's on pace for 34 wins in those starts."

Obviously, none of them have a chance of holding up. It's impossible. Not technically impossible, but in practicality, it's impossible.

In the ultimate game of stats, it's fun to let them lead you EXTREMELY astray once in a while.