Part 4/8:
Enter sabermetrics, the analysis of baseball through advanced statistical measures aimed at gaining insights into player performance. With metrics like WAR, analysts started to paint a more complete picture of player value. WAR measures how many wins a player contributes to their team compared to a replacement-level player, factoring in offensive and defensive contributions as well as base running.
WAR's comprehensive nature is a game-changer. While batting average creates a simplistic view of hitting prowess, WAR acknowledges nuances such as walks, extra-base hits, and ballpark factors. This framework allows for comparisons across players of different positions and eras while paving the way for a deeper understanding of a player's overall impact on the game.