You are here:

Baseball Trivia (General)/baseball standings

Advertisement

Expert: - 7/5/2004


Question
I always hear sports announcers refering to how many "games back" a team is in the "loss column." Can you explain why games back in the loss column are more important than the "games back" number that appears in the standings?  

Answer
Alyssa,

 I don't think these announcers are being very accurate. They might as well say "games back in the win column." The number of games back as it appears in the standings depends on both the win and the loss columns. I think this has more to do with the general deterioration of language skills than with baseball.

Tom

Baseball Trivia (General)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Tom Schott

Expertise

I will deal with the major leagues only from 19th century to present. I`m good on baseball history, records, statistics, ballparks. I don't do off-the-field stuff. Please if you already know the answer to the question, please don't ask it. I don't want to play "stump the expert."

Experience

I've written on the subject, and I have substantial library of resources.

Organizations
SABR

Publications
Numerous encyclopedia, newspaper, magazine articles. One book, several book chapters.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in American history.

Awards and Honors
Bevy of writing awards.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.