Meet DCE, DCE+, and Catcher DCE Baseball is a game of moments where a single play can turn the tide. We all remember Ozzie Smith’s catches or Derek Jeter’s clutch dives into the stands. Defense is fascinating but doesn’t always get the spotlight, but it’s the heartbeat of winning teams. For years, though, measuring it has been tricky. Traditional stats like fielding percentage miss the nuance, and even advanced metrics can feel like a puzzle. That’s why I’ve been tinkering with something new: Defensive Contribution Efficiency (DCE) , along with DCE+ and a version just for catchers. I’m sharing this not as the final word, but as a tool I think can help teams see defensive value more clearly—whether you’re a young fan geeking out over analytics or a seasoned scout trusting your gut. Why Defense Needs a New Look Offense gets the headlines, home runs, batting averages, but defense? It’s the quiet hero. Yet, tools like Outs Above Average (OAA) and Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) can be tough...
The misuse of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) has escalated to alarming levels, particularly in Latin America. For years, substances like Winstrol were prevalent among athletes seeking performance boosts, but now HGH has taken center stage. While these drugs may have a place in certain therapeutic contexts, administering them to young healthy athletes—children aged 12 to 14—is a disturbing trend that raises significant ethical, medical, and social concerns. It’s essential to understand that this isn't just a one-time shot; it’s a grueling, ongoing process that plays with the health and future of healthy, talented kids. The True Extent of Steroid Use The general public often fails to grasp the full scope of what it means for an athlete to be "on steroids." We're not talking about a single syringe; it involves multiple injections per day, several times per week, throughout weeks and months. There are cycles that last one month, three months, or even s...