BC, what is your take on the importance of platoon hitting? In other words, where do you place the value gain in batting LHB against RHP and vice versa?
I like platooning if the lefty batters in a regular lineup cannot hit well vs. lefty starting pitchers, because of limited exposure in their career.
But look at how Chad Tracy became a good hitter vs. LHP just since his return from the DL.
Platooning is also a way of giving bench guys regular playing time throughout the season, to be ready to cover for injuries.
But I support platooning only if it is consistent, which is what I feel about batting orders in general.
The best example is the Miracle Mets of 1969 who went through the season, the league championship (it was the first year for that in baseball history) and the World Series with two regular, consistent lineups -- the primary one vs. RHP and the other vs. LHP.
Ironically, in the World Series, Baltimore started lefties in 4 of the 5 games. So the Mets used their secondary lineup 80% of that series. It resulted in their first World Series championship.
Four of the eight positions were platooned. Ed Kranepool, the regular 1B, hit a HR in his only start. The veteran Donn Clendennon hit 3 in his 4 starts.
Super-sub Al Weis (a backup SS) started at 2B in 4 games and had a great series. The young Ken Boswell was the 2B vs. RHP.
The veteran Ed Charles had a solid series at 3B. The young Wayne Garrett was the regular.
And Ron Swoboda had some key hits and great fielding in RF. The veteran Art Shamsky was the regular.
The other four starters were switch-hitting Bud Harrelson at SS and right-handed hitters Cleon Jones in LF, Tommy Agee in CF and catcher Jerry Grote.
The difference between Gil Hodges' platoon and Bob Melvin's irregular lineups was consistency. Two regular lineups for the Mets all season long vs. 78 different lineups in the D'backs first 85 games.
And the Mets had a balanced roster, which allowed for having balance with either platoon batting order. A leadoff hitter, a cleanup hitter, etc.
I guess you got more details than you expected in response, DWKB.
