April 22, 2024 - SportsBettingMaverick

On-Base Plus Slugging – What Is a Good OPS In Baseball?

OPS is a sabermetric baseball statistic that combines two fundamental offensive skills: OBP (on-base percentage) and SLG (slugging percentage). Every player with an OPS above 0.8 is an above-average hitter, but a player with an OPS of 0.9+ is considered among the league leaders.

OBP + SLG = OPS

Together, these numbers give an overall impression of a player’s offensive abilities.

On-base percentage (OBP) is a number that represents how frequently a player successfully reaches base, including hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches. The higher the number, the better the player’s skills are. The number is calculated by dividing the number of trips to first base by total plate appearances.

Slugging percentage (SLG) measures the player’s batting productivity. Naturally, home runs add more value to the SLG than singles. This number represents a player’s ability to generate extra-base hits. This number is calculated by dividing total bases (hits) by total at-bats.

Both OBP and SLG contribute equally to the overall OPS number. They balance each other and produce a clear picture of a player’s power at the bat and ability to get on base, and the OPS number correlates well with team runs scored.

The key to the significant OPS number is not to thrive in both categories that make this statistic. One category can highlight another. Some players have a great number in one while letting the other category balance it out.

“The 96 Families of Hitters”, an essay by baseball writer Bill James, uses seven categories to describe the OPS number. Categories vary from “very poor” to “great”.

Read next: What Is MVR In Baseball?

The Best of Tito Ortiz Talking and Sharing Wisdom – Meme Mondays #2

Tito Ortiz’s Training Schedule

Let’s sound the bell and begin with a Tito Ortiz classic that eases us into his mindset and dedication to his craft. To be as successful as him, you have to train hard. He regularly trained five days a week, for at least three days a week, training one of those days two days a week… wait, he’ll explain it better:

Besides physical training, Tito also put great effort into developing his mental game, ensuring he was a cerebral monster in the cage. Similar to breaking down his intense training regime, Tito also gave us an insight into how important the mental game is in MMA, with exact percentages included:

Practical Wisdom On Staying Youthful

Besides his rigorous physical and mental training, Tito has taken great measures to ensure the longevity of his career. His career as an MMA fighter spanned over two decades. One of the key contributors to this was his ability to become younger as time went by:

After all, one of the main reasons Tito is taking care of himself so well and manages to stay younger is because he thinks of his children. He admitted so in one of his heartwarming interviews on The Fighter & The Kid:

At the same time, Tito has become more sage throughout his career, collecting great wisdom over the years. This has enabled him to become an “old mature”, as he personally admitted:

A Man With An Unorthodox Approach To Things In Life

Tito Ortiz was always an eccentric personality and a thinker ahead of his time. Sure, he might not be the best communicator, but he always had a way of doing things differently, perhaps in a manner we have yet to grasp. Here’s a perfect exemplification of his unorthodox thinking:

Tito’s Selection of Fighting GOATs (Not) Excluding Himself

Selecting the Mount Rushmore of athletes is a popular pastime for fans of any sport. But, it always carries more weight when it comes from those who actually competed on the highest level. Lucky for us, this is Tito Ortiz we’re talking about, so there’s a twist to this Mount Rushmore selection:

Of course, picking the GOATs, will always include a subjective component to the selection. If you don’t quite agree with Tito’s Mount Rushmore selection, check out our list of the best MMA fighters of all time to see which top ten fighters are included.

The Legacy Left Behind When We Die

In the end, people remember us by our actions throughout our life. If you’re ever burdened by existential dread, listen to Tito’s take on what happens when we pass away, as it does help put things in perspective. Truly wise words from a UFC legend:

Read Next: Last Week’s Meme Mondays Edition