... about "lies, damned lies and statistics", don't you?

Nevertheless, wading in:

................ Reese ...... Rizzuto

Years in Majors ... 16 ........ 13
... Reese 1940-42, 46-58 (military service 1943-45)
... Rizzuto 1941-42, 46-56 (military service 1943-45)

Games Played .... 2166 ...... 1661

Career Season (162 game) average (weighted to match current players) -- Batting:

At Bats .......... 603 ....... 567
Runs .............. 100 ........ 86
Hits ................ 162 ....... 155
Doubles .......... 25 ........ 23
Triples ............... 6 ......... 6
Home Runs ......... 9 ......... 4
Runs Batted In .... 66 ........ 55
Stolen Bases ...... 17 ........ 15
Caught Stealing .... 3 ......... 6
Walks .................. 90 ........ 63
Strike Outs .......... 67 ........ 39
Batting Average .. 269 ....... 273
On Base Pct ...... 366 ....... 351
Slugging Pct ..... 377 ....... 355
Total Bases ...... 227 ....... 201

Fielding:

Puts Outs ........ 314 ....... 316
Assists ............ 467 ....... 458
Errors ................ 31 ........ 26
Double Plays ...... 95 ....... 120
Fielding Pct ....... 962 ....... 969

Post Season

World Series ....... 7 ......... 9
Games ............... 44 ........ 52
At Bats ............. 169 ....... 183
Runs ................... 20 ........ 21
Hits ..................... 46 ........ 45
Doubles ............... 3 ......... 3
Triples ................... 2 ......... 0
Home Runs .......... 2 ......... 2
Runs Batted In .... 16 ......... 8
Walks ................... 19 ........ 30
Strike Outs ........... 17 ........ 11
Batting Average .. 272 ....... 246
On Base Pct ........ 342 ....... 352
Sluggin Pct .......... 349 ....... 295
Stolen Bases ........... 5 ........ 10

Miscellaneous Season Stats

All Star Teams ......... 10 ......... 5
Top 10 MVP Voting .. 8 ......... 3 (one MVP 1950)
Top 10 Batting .......... 1 ......... 1
Top 10 On Base % ... 5 ......... 1
Top 10 Runs ............. 8 ......... 3
Top 10 Hits ............... 2 ......... 1
Top 10 Doubles ........ 3 ......... 1
Top 10 Triples ......... 4 ......... 3
Top Ten Walks ....... 11 ......... 1
Top Ten Steals ....... 12 ......... 8
Top 10 Sacrifices ...... 8 ......... 8

Both, of course, are (deservedly) in the Hall of Fame. Overall, though, I have to say I think the stats favor Reese. And when you factor in his leadership and clutch play, I stand by my evaluation that the Scooter was only the 2nd best shortstop in New York during their tenure.

Rizzuto, on the other hand, was born in Brooklyn (!!) and may have been the best 5'6" player of his era.

----- jim o\-S