Inspired by life's ebb and flow...

Calculation of slugging percentage, often abbreviated on a stat sheet has SLG is simply total bases / at bats. Total bases is figured by the formula [H+2B+(2x3B)+(3xHR)]. So what is the relevance to all this? As a fan or observer it can help you to understand why things happen the way they do. As a coach or player this will allow you to decide how to approach pitching to certain hitters in certain situations. Monday’s Cardinals Vs Astros game is a good example of a time that the astros coaches and pitcher could have used this to their advantage but did not and therefore lost a winnable game. Albert Pujols is carrying around a SLG of .791. The relevance came in the bottom of the 7th with two outs and runners on 1st and 2nd Monday. With a count of 2 balls and nothing, one may guess that the pitcher may waste two more in the dirt or at least out of the wingspan of the powerful redbird but that wasn’t so. The man gets 79% of a base every time he has an at bat. He was already 0-2 on the afternoon which statistically would mean he was probably due to get at least 3 bases. Well, he took all 4 and helped his teammates home in the process all while putting the nail in the coffin of a 3-1 win. The answer is simple and hopefully Hickey, Garner and Qualls are paying attention. When Pujols at the plate represents the tying or go ahead run in a game, keep yourself in contention and just walk him already.

You were a very good friend to me in a time when it wasnt at all popular to be. You gave me perspective on life that I use on a daily basis and probably always will. Im not even sure youll ever know what your friendship means to me but its ok, because it still does. Today though, have a happy birthday, Allison.