One could argue that the statistics compiled during the 1996 campaign may have been the most skewed in modern history.
From Alex Rodriguez' ninth-place finish in the AL MVP race to Ellis Burks turning in one of the most dominating offensive displays since the days of Willie, Mickey and The Duke, it's safe to say that we may never experience another year like 1996 again.
Now, it should be duly noted that Burks patrolled the outfield for the Colorado Rockies that year, so the thin air of Coors Field undoubtedly played a key role in the following:
Burks .344 142 R 40 HR 128 RBI 32 SB .408 OBP .639 SLG
In the NL MVP voting that year, Burks finished third behind Mike Piazza and Ken Caminiti, but ahead of Chipper Jones and Barry Bonds.
Conceivably, the numbers Burks put up in 1996 can be compared, and may times favorably, against the best years of players like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds, who, like Burks in 1996, exhibited all-around masterful seasons where they exhibited a super-human-like power and speed combination.
Let's take a look at their best seasons as compared to Burks' 1996 season, which was clearly his best:
1956 Mantle .353 132 R 52 HR 130 RBI 10 SB .464 OBP .705 SLG
1954 Mays .345 119 R 41 HR 110 RBI 8 SB .411 OBP .667 SLG
2007 Rodriguez .314 143 R 54 HR 156 RBI 24 SB .422 OBP .645 SLG
2001 Bonds .328 129 R 73 HR 137 RBI 13 SB .515 OBP .863 SLG
Ellis Burks' breakout season came at age 31, which is right in the middle of what is considered an offensive players "Prime." And, despite the fanfare that came along with Burks' "can't miss" prospect status, nobody could've predicted the success he enjoyed that season. In fact, other than the season Bonds had in 2001, which was super-human in its own right, Burks 1996 season matches up quite well against the Mays of 1954 and the Rodriguez of 2007 in terms of OPS, and falls a little bit short of Mantle's 1956 campaign.
Say what you will about the Coors Field advantage that Burks enjoyed that year, his batting average and OBP are difficult to ignore, as are the 32 swipes.
Unfortunately for Burks, and his subsequent employers, his statistics never quite measured up to what they once were in 1996.
3 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Jarek Berga about 1 year ago
Burks had a phenomenal season, no question. I think he had a fine career too, his +126 OPS is excellent and it shows he's not just a product of Coors. He put up big seasons for SF in a bad hitting environment, and good if not stellar seasons in Cleveland, all in his late 30s. I think he was a phenomenal bat, and I'm glad someone's giving him his due.
I am going to have to disagree with you though, on the basis of Ellis' split stats that season. He hit an incredible .390 /.443OBP/.728 slugging at home. On the road, he went .291/.367OBP/.535 slugging. Those road numbers are excellent, and deserve praise and recognition, but I don't think, and this is just my opinion so take it as such, that Ellis' best season compares to what Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Willie Mays, or Mickie Mantle did.
The Coors effect is real, and it was even more pronounced then that it is now (thanks humidor). Simply, Ellis' numbers were inflated, but it doesn't take away from his wonderful career. The guy could hit, and it's too bad that we have to knock him for playing a mile high, since he was brilliant at sea level too. At his best though, he doesn't belong with the best years of guys like Mantle, Mays, A-Rod, and Bonds.
Good piece though, you've just inspired me to write a piece about another guy who never got the love he deserved...Tim Salmon. Cheers. ~Jarek
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michael eisner about 1 year ago
Thanks for the feedback.
I will say that if you go by the sheer numbers, Burks 1996 season measures up against the best of Mantle, Mays and A-Rod, irrespective of where he played.
Burks consistently put up good, but not great, numbers for most of his career leading up to 1996, despite the fact that he was always battling some sort of ailment.
Overall, Burks had over 2,100 hits and a lifetime average of close to .300 I believe. There are players in the Hall of Fame that have numbers that aren't as strong as his.
Now, I am not saying that Burks is anything close to a Hall of Famer, but he certainly is one of the most overlooked hitters of his era.
Tomorrow I might change it up a bit and break down one of the most lopsided trades of the last twenty years.
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Richard Schrader about 1 year ago
Good post. The Mantle and Bonds seasons are so exceptional that most simply excellent stats are diminished. A-Rod's season contains a remarkable stat -- his 156 RBI total in the context of the rest of his season puts the whole performance up a notch. He was driving in runs with clutch hits in every park and in a wide diversity of game situations. And his comparatively lower BA is offset by his OBA.
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