It's Better to Be Lucky Than Good, Or Some Players Have All the Luck

I just read on mlbtraderumors.com that if the Rockies make the playoffs this year, starter Jason Marquis’ teams will have made the playoffs in each of his first ten seasons as a major leaguer.

Now, Marquis is a good pitcher, but he’s not that good (career 4.42 ERA, as I write this).  In short, there’s a lot to be said about being in the right place at the right time.  To put it another way, it’s better to be lucky than good.

Now, we are all aware of all the great players who never played on winners.  Particularly famous examples are:  Ernie Banks, who never played in the post-season; Ryne Sandberg, who never played in the World Series; and Barry Bonds, who never won a World Series.  There are countless other such stars, but I’ve made my point.

It’s all just a reminder that one player, no matter how great, only does so much to help a major league team win.  Making the post-season at all requires a team effort, and the good all-around teams, not those with a really great player or two, are the teams that make the playoffs.  Keep that in mind when your team blows the bank on some great-looking free agent.