TOWER GROVE — True to the scouting report that had him hitting well at home this season (.400), hitting well against Colorado in his career (.313) and pounding the opposing pitchers (.358), Atlanta’s Chipper Jones raked his way back into the batting title lead with a 6-for-12 series against the Rockies. That thrust him a few points ahead of Albert Pujols, .362 to .360.
This weekend, it’s Pujols’ turn to play the splits.
As mentioned earlier this week, at the start of each series Bird Land — or, DGBL!!! for the wandering chatheads — will give a snapshot of the batting title and the splits ahead for the two hitters who have distanced themselves from the rest of the National League. The last entry inspired several emails and a few comments from readers who were eager to crown Pujols king for one reason:
Jones wouldn’t be eligible for the title.
Close, but not quite.
There is a minimum number of plate appearances to be qualified for the batting title, not — as many folks argued — at-bats. Each player must have 3.1 plate appearances per team game, or 502 plate appearances for a 162-game season. Folks fixated on Jones’ 420 at-bats, arguing there is no chance Jones would get to 502 at-bats by the end of the season. True, but he already has enough plate appearances to qualify (506). Ditto with Pujols (577).
Jones next plate appearance will be coming a place he he’s long been a favorite target of boos and needling — Shea Stadium. It’s a place he cherished so much that he named his son after the ballpark in Queens. It’s a place he won’t be visiting again, as Shea is coming down after this season and the Mets are set for Citi Field in 2009. Jones will be relieved to know that Mets closer Billy Wagner won’t be lurking in this series, as Wagner is on the disabled list and that saves Jones from his 3-for-20, 12-strikeout career totals against the lefty.
There is one caveat to keep in mind with the minimum plate appearance rule.
A player can add the number of at-bats needed to qualify to his total and recalculate his batting average as if he went hitless in those at-bats. For example, Aaron Miles is hitting .315 but doesn’t rank with his .300-hitting teammates among the league leaders. He lacks enough plate appearances to qualify. To get him to the 453 needed — 3.1 per 146 games played — he would need 92 more plate appearances. Give him an oh-fer for those at-bats and that .315 is quickly dropped to .234. Not really the Lotto numbers for a top-10 finish.
But, consider, Pujols could go 0-for-95 to end the season and his average would be …
… wait for it …
… right at .300.
***
CHIPPER JONES - .3619 (152-for-420)
vs. New York Mets, at Shea Stadium
Career vs. Mets: .329 (187 games)
2008 vs. Mets: .353 (12-for-34)
Career at Shea Stadium: .308 (98-for-318)
2008 on the road: .313 (62-for-198)
Career vs. Johan Santana, Friday: .455 (5-for-11)
Career vs. Pedro Martinez, Saturday: .191 (9-for-47) … 10 K
Career vs. Oliver Perez, Sunday: .450 (9-for-20)
***
ALBERT PUJOLS - .360 (171-for-475)
vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, at PNC Park
Career vs. Pirates: .362 (124 games)
2008 vs. Pirates: .442 (23-for-52)
Career at PNC Park: .387 (92-for-238)
2008 on the road: .355 (83-for-234)
Career vs. Paul Maholm, Friday: .500 (7-for-14)
Career vs. Jeff Karstens, Saturday: — (0-for-0)
Career vs. Ian Snell, Sunday: .433 (13-for-30)
***
Off to catch my flight. Dunkin Donuts in Chicago. Lunch in Pittsburgh.
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