In the ceaseless debate of old school vs. new school, José Abreu has found himself in the crosshairs. Old school, exhibit A Ozzie Guillén, B Frank Thomas, C Stone Pony, D the huddled masses yearning for a simpler baseball card get increasingly garrulous with each run-batted-in.
But the point that new school wishes to make is that measuring Abreu by RBIs unnecessarily reduces him. He’s a run-driver, yes, but a producer, leader, defender, hitter, clutch bat, clubhouse papa ...
Abreu is part tranquilo, part mentecato — and fully beloved by teammates, opponents and fans alike.