WEEKLY WHINE

GoobNet Power System Again

The GoobNet Power System is a unique way of looking at major league home run races. People usually look at these things with respect to numbers, so we provide a new way to look at the numbers. For a look at last year's home run race, see this Whine from last year. These are frequently useful for those who wish to purchase memorabilia of this season, because we can help you estimate its worth.

Sammy Sosa's home run total after Saturday.

Mark McGwire's home run total after Saturday.

Home runs hit by Sosa in his career through Saturday.

Home runs hit by McGwire in his career through Saturday.

Fielding errors committed by Sosa in his career through Saturday.

Fielding errors committed by McGwire in his career through Saturday.

Occurrences of McGwire's name on the home page of Major League Baseball as of 20:54 PDT, SAT 28 AUG 1999.

Occurrences of Sosa's name on the home page of MLB at the same time.

Estimated percentage of fans who like Sosa better.

Estimated percentage of fans who like McGwire better.

Estimated percentage of fans who can't decide.

Home runs hit by Sosa last season.

Home runs hit by Sosa that have fallen into large bodies of water.

People, on average, who instantly converge upon the affected region when Sosa hits a home run.

Approximate number of baseballs available for each MLB game, to within a factor of 100 or so.

GoobNet reporters who have ever interviewed, photographed, approached, or even seen Sosa.

GoobNet reporters who have ever interviewed, photographed, approached, or even seen McGwire.

GoobNet reporters.

Estimated percentage of fans who think that home run races are good for baseball.

Estimated percentage of fans who think that pennant races are better for baseball.

Estimated percentage of fans who think that something else is best for baseball, like people with over 3,000 career hits, small market teams playing remarkably well, wooden bats, or "Inflatable Bat Day" promotions.

Recorded cases of injuries relating to accidents with inflatable baseball bats.

Font size, in point, of the disclaimer that tags every official inflatable bat: "CAUTION: May be harmful if swallowed in large quantities."