Jim Busby, 1958, Greatest Situational Record Ever

[DrungoHazewood]

In 1958 Jim Busby was an outfielder for the Orioles. In games he appeared the O's went 71-41 (103-win pace over 162 games). In games he didn't play the Orioles went 3-38 (pace for a 12-150 record). For the season he hit .237/.320/.330, and was (by modern figuring) a +10 fielder that year. Discuss.

[PaulFolk]

In 1958 Jim Busby was an outfielder for the Orioles. In games he appeared the O's went 71-41 (103-win pace over 162 games). In games he didn't play the Orioles went 3-38 (pace for a 12-150 record). For the season he hit .237/.320/.330, and was (by modern figuring) a +10 fielder that year. Discuss.

One theory is that most times when he came into a game as a defensive replacement, the O's already had the lead. They'd be less likely to bring in a defensive replacement into a game they're already losing, so Busby would be less likely to appear in losses.

But yeah, that's a pretty extreme split. What's their record breakdown for games Busby started/didn't start, as opposed to games he played/didn't play?

[DrungoHazewood]

One theory is that most times when he came into a game as a defensive replacement, the O's already had the lead. They'd be less likely to bring in a defensive replacement into a game they're already losing, so Busby would be less likely to appear in losses.

But yeah, that's a pretty extreme split. What's their record breakdown for games Busby started/didn't start, as opposed to games he played/didn't play?

I don't think that's so much a theory as it is exactly what happened. Basically any time the O's had a lead late in the game (and Busby hadn't started) Paul Richards would put him in for defense. He was a poor hitter, so if they were behind he wouldn't be used. They were 32-21 when he started, which is still pretty good for a .500 team.