Phillies - 2008 vs. Average

I wanted to do a quick comparison of the 2008 performances vs. the players career averages. For the most part, I will be considering the last 5 years as the averages, since it does not make sense to compare say Jamie Moyer to his youthful numbers. Today I will be starting with the 8 position players.

Howard Avg. HR rbi
2008 .251 48 146
Avg .279 51 144

Utley
2008 .292 33 104
Avg .306 29 103

Rollins
2008 .277 11 59
Avg .277 18 73

Feliz
2008 .249 14 58
Avg .256 21 84

Ibanez
2008 .293 23 110
Avg .290 22 95

Victorino
2008 .293 14 58
Avg .284 9 46

Werth
2008 .273 24 67
Avg .263 20 67

Ruiz
2008 .219 4 31
Avg .260 6 59

Lots of numbers, but I think it is striking that the starting 8 were significantly below their season averages. Let's combine the numbers.

2008 .268 21 79
Avg .277 22 93

That is 8 players under average by an average of 10 points.
Under average by an average of 14 rbi's per player.
HR's over by 1 per player.
I say that is significant, this starting 8 will do better in 2009. Whoo Hoo!!