WAR question

[msstate7]

I can see how BR and fangraphs can calculate oWAR for mlb all the way back to Ruth era, but how do they get dWAR? On oWAR, you simply use the stats available, but wouldn’t you actually have to watch all the defensive plays to calculate dWAR?

[thewupk]

I can see how BR and fangraphs can calculate oWAR for mlb all the way back to Ruth era, but how do they get dWAR? On oWAR, you simply use the stats available, but wouldn’t you actually have to watch all the defensive plays to calculate dWAR?

As you know BR and Fangraphs use DRS and UZR which is based on Baseball Info Solutions data and that only goes back to 2002. Before that they use TotalZone which is based on play-by-play data from Retrosheet. Clearly that's not going to be accurate as what we have now but it still holds up well.

[msstate7]

As you know BR and Fangraphs use DRS and UZR which is based on Baseball Info Solutions data and that only goes back to 2002. Before that they use TotalZone which is based on play-by-play data from Retrosheet. Clearly that's not going to be accurate as what we have now but it still holds up well.

Good info. Thanks.