In an interesting article, seemingly based on a speech to SABR, Colin Wyers revisits how analysts and historians can contribute to baseball and, by extension, to any large and difficult enterprise.

In passing, he observes that it is well known that OPS is superior to Total Average. What’s the definitive treatment of this question? Email me.

For background: OPS is on-base percentage plus slugging percentage. Slugging percentage, in turn, is (singles + 2*doubles + 3* triples + 4*homers)/atBats. Total Average is total bases/plate appearances. I’ve always looked askance at OPS as a frankenstein statistic — who adds two incommensurate ratios? Of course it’s fun and useful, but still...