Trey Hillman Actually Gets It - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

At FanHouse, we've made a pretty big deal about the stupid things that Dusty Baker has said about on-base percentage this winter. I'll agree with Eamonn's last guess: that Dusty honestly thinks OBP measures only walk rate and not general on-base percentage. I have no idea how this isn't required knowledge for the manager of a baseball team, but whatever. It's only fair that we also showcase a manager that actually gets it. I present to you Trey Hillman of the Royals:

"I always set high, lofty OBPs for leadoff hitters and No. 2s. I'd like to go between .370 and .380 -- that's high. It's really high," Hillman said. "But if you have the ability to take as many walks as you can get, it sure does help. I think he can get there, if not to .370 or .380, then hopefully .365 to .370."

The top five teams in runs scored last year were the Yankees, Phillies, Tigers, Red Sox, and Rockies. They finished first, third, sixth, second, and fourth in the league in OBP. There is, as us nerdy VORPies like to say, a high correlation there. I'm actually a little jealous of the Royals right now. To be fair, I'm a Pirate fan and generally jealous of just about everyone.