| Statistics are very important to sports, and perhaps even more so to
baseball. A seemingly intrinsic part of the game is the keeping of
statistics on the achievements of the players.
The practice was started by Henry Chadwick in the 19th century who devised
the concepts of batting average and earned run average based on his
experience of cricket. Statistics have been kept for the Major Leagues since
their creation.
General managers and baseball scouts study player statistics to decide what
players to try to get for their team. Managers, catchers and pitchers study
statistics of batters on opposing teams to figure out how best to pitch to
them and position the players. Managers and batters study opposing pitchers
to figure out how best to hit them. Managers often base their personnel
decisions during the game on statistics, such as choosing who to put in the
lineup, or which relief pitcher to bring in.
When a player's career is over, there is only one crowning achievement they
can obtain. The greatest players are elected to the Major League Baseball
Hall of Fame.
Based on statistics, can you decide which players will eventually be elected
into the Hall of Fame?
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