In baseball, every moment matters. A term like TOOTBLAN shows the pain of a baserunning mistake. It’s when a player runs hard but gets caught out, leaving everyone feeling down1.
Back in 2008, Cubs blogger Tony Jewell came up with the term TOOTBLAN1. It describes those moments that can change the game’s outcome1. Players like Kole Calhoun and the Cubs have faced these errors, showing how crucial baserunning is1.
Some teams like the Rangers and Nationals have done better in avoiding these errors1. But others, like the Phillies and Angels, still struggle with them1. Even the Dodgers, known for their hitting, have had their share of TOOTBLANs1.
Pitchers have surprisingly been among the main culprits of these errors, with many bad bunts1. But the good news is, these mistakes can be fixed with better focus and coaching1.
As the season goes on, we’ll see more TOOTBLAN moments1. They remind us that even pros can make mistakes. But with focus and humor, these errors can teach us and add to the game’s story1.
What is a TOOTBLAN in Baseball?
Definition and Origin of the Term
TOOTBLAN is short for “Thrown Out On The Bases Like A Nincompoop.”2 It was first used in 2008 by Cubs blogger Tony Jewell. He created the “Ryan Theriot Adjusted On-Base Percentage” (RTAOBP) statistic. This statistic shows how poor baserunning affects a player’s offense3.
Examples of TOOTBLAN Situations
Examples include trying to turn a single into a double, getting doubled off on a fly ball, or getting picked off. Other examples are runner’s interference and any non-force out on the bases2. These mistakes often show up as poor baserunning choices4.
The website tracking TOOTBLAN has databases for 2013 and 2014. It even has a “TOOTBLAN Hall of Fame” for players with notable mistakes3. It shows how often force outs or put outs happen, surprising many4.
The Seattle Mariners had 14 TOOTBLAN incidents in 13 games one month. Jesse Winker was involved in three within two weeks4. The Los Angeles Angels also made the same mistake in two games in a row432.
What does tootblan mean in baseball?
In baseball, a TOOTBLAN is when a player makes a non-force out on the bases. This includes getting thrown out while trying to advance, being picked off, or making a mistake that gets them tagged out5. The term “TOOTBLAN” was first used by Cubs blogger Tony Jewell in 2008. He created it to show how poor baserunning affects a player’s performance5.
The TOOTBLAN formula, or Ryan Theriot Adjusted On-Base Percentage (RTAOBP), is used to measure a player’s on-base percentage. It subtracts caught stealing and basepath outs from hits, walks, and hit-by-pitch, then divides by plate appearances5. This method shows how baserunning mistakes lower a player’s on-base percentage. Theriot’s RTAOBP was about 45 points less than his actual on-base percentage at the time5.
There are many ways a player can commit a TOOTBLAN, like being picked off or trying to take an extra base and getting thrown out5. This term became popular with Cubs fans and spread to other teams, journalists, and social media5. It even made it into major sports media5.
Adding “Like A Nincompoop” to the TOOTBLAN acronym made it more fun and catchy5. This humor helped make the term well-known in baseball circles5. Its ability to measure baserunning mistakes has made it a key part of baseball analysis5.
The Chicago Cubs had a lot of TOOTBLAN in the 2022 season, with 90 incidents6. This averages out to about 0.67 per game6. Even though they stole a lot of bases, they got caught stealing a lot too, showing they’re not very efficient in baserunning6. They also grounded into a lot of double plays, which is third most in the league6.
Now, TOOTBLAN is a well-known term in baseball. Players like Jose Altuve and Yasiel Puig have made a lot of TOOTBLAN moves since 20082. These include getting picked off, trying to take an extra base and getting out, and more2.
“TOOTBLAN has become a staple of baseball analysis, allowing fans and analysts to quantify the impact of baserunning mistakes on a player’s overall value and performance.”
Impact of TOOTBLANs on Player Value
Ryan Theriot Adjusted On-Base Percentage (RTAOBP)
Baserunning mistakes, known as TOOTBLANs (Thrown Out On The Bases Like A Nincompoop), can greatly affect a player’s value and their team’s success7. These errors happen when a runner makes a bad choice, hurting their team’s chance to score. To measure this, Tony Jewell created the “Ryan Theriot Adjusted On-Base Percentage” (RTAOBP) statistic.
The RTAOBP formula takes away a player’s caught stealings and TOOTBLANs from their actual on-base percentage8. This shows how big of an impact baserunning mistakes can have on a player’s value. RTAOBP gives a clearer picture of a player’s true value, not just their on-base percentage.
For Ryan Theriot, a former MLB player, RTAOBP showed how his aggressive yet sometimes reckless baserunning hurt his value as a leadoff man9. This metric is key for evaluating players and seeing how their baserunning affects their performance.
Using RTAOBP helps teams make better decisions on their lineup and player development. This leads to better team performance and success.
Notable TOOTBLANs in Baseball History
The term “TOOTBLAN” started in 2008, but the idea of funny baseball plays has been around longer. A famous example is the “John Anderson play” from 1903. Anderson was tagged out while the bases were full, ending the inning10. After that, any mistake in baseball was called a “John Anderson.”10 Now, TOOTBLAN tracks these funny and crucial mistakes in the game.
“While the term ‘TOOTBLAN’ was not coined until 2008, the concept of baserunning blunders has been around much longer.”
Over the years, baseball has seen many memorable TOOTBLANs. Players getting caught in rundowns or failing in base-stealing tries add humor to the game10. These moments show even top athletes can make mistakes, making the game more interesting10. They entertain fans and stress the need for good baserunning skills.
The term TOOTBLAN is well-known in baseball, used to talk about these funny plays10. As baseball changes, teaching players to avoid TOOTBLANs is key to their growth and team success10. Coaches now focus more on teaching baserunning to prevent these mistakes.
The TOOTBLAN shows how unpredictable baseball is and the need to master the game’s basics10. These mistakes may be funny but teach players to stay alert and focused on the bases.
Tracking and Analyzing TOOTBLANs
In baseball, “TOOTBLAN” has become a key topic for analysis and talk. There are many resources for those who want to track and study these mistakes11.
TOOTBLAN Databases and Resources
The TOOTBLAN Database is a top source for TOOTBLAN data. It lets users look through lots of info on TOOTBLANs by player, team, and more11. This info helps teams and analysts see how baserunning mistakes affect the game.
There are also social media accounts like the Twitter handle “@TOOTBLAN_Tracker” that keep track of TOOTBLANs. These places let the baseball community share and talk about these mistakes12.
With these tools, baseball fans can really get into tootblan databases, tracking baseball baserunning mistakes, and analyzing tootblans. This way, fans learn more, and teams get useful insights to improve the game.
“Understanding and analyzing TOOTBLAN data can shed light on the subtle but critical aspects of baserunning that often go unnoticed, ultimately leading to more informed decisions and improved on-field performance.”
Related Baseball Terms and Acronyms
TOOTBLAN, short for “Thrown Out On The Basepaths Like A Nincompoop,”13 is just one of many colorful baseball terms. Others include FARTSLAM and NOBLETIGER.
FARTSLAM and NOBLETIGER
FARTSLAM means “Fielder Allows Runner To Score, Like A Moron,”14. It’s used when a defensive player’s mistake lets a runner score. This term shows the frustration of a simple mistake costing a team a key run.
NOBLETIGER stands for “No Outs, Bases Loaded, Ending with Team Incapable of Getting Easy Run.”14 It describes a team failing to score with bases loaded and no outs. This is seen as a big missed chance to score runs.
Terms like TOOTBLAN, FARTSLAM, and NOBLETIGER add fun and insight to baseball talk14. They show the creative side of baseball’s language and the minds behind it.
“These terms, along with TOOTBLAN, provide a humorous yet insightful way to discuss and analyze the nuances of baseball gameplay.”
Conclusion
The term TOOTBLAN has become a key way to talk about the role of baserunning in baseball15. It helps us see how a player’s decisions on the bases affect the game16. From the “John Anderson play” to today, TOOTBLANs add fun and insight to baseball strategy and analysis.
Even though pitching patterns haven’t changed much, TOOTBLAN shows how important baserunning is for a team’s success1617. It helps coaches, analysts, and fans see the game’s finer points and where they can get better.
TOOTBLAN is a key term in baseball, focusing on baserunning mistakes and their impact16. As baseball changes, TOOTBLAN will keep being a useful statistic. It helps us understand the game and the players who excel in it.
Meet Daniel Anderson, the heart and soul behind Baseball Pro Picks. At 49, Daniel’s life has revolved around baseball, a passion that’s as strong today as it was when he first fell in love with the game. Living in the USA, Daniel has dedicated countless hours to watching, analyzing, and understanding every pitch, hit, and home run, making almost no game missed. His deep-rooted love for the sport is matched only by his commitment to sharing insightful, expert analysis with fellow baseball enthusiasts. With decades of experience and a keen eye for the game’s nuances, Daniel brings a unique perspective that enriches Baseball Pro Picks. Trust Daniel to guide you through the intricacies of baseball with the authority and trustworthiness of a true aficionado.