<blockquote>Those who have computed run production in the past 25 years or so always have used this formula: Runs plus runs batted in minus home runs. Why subtract home runs? The proponents of the prevailing formula explain that if they aren't subtracted, they would be counted twice, and why should they be counted twice?

Steve Hirdt, among others, disagrees. Hirdt is a recognized expert on baseball statistics who is one of the authors of the ''Elias Baseball Analyst,'' an annual publication that provides more useful statistical information about teams and players than any fan could think of asking.

The existing system of computing run production, Hirdt said in response to a question, ''has always bothered me because it discriminates unfairly against home run hitters.''</blockquote>
via <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/03/sports/notebook-run-production-rundown-competing-formulas.html?pagewanted=all&amp;src=pm">NOTEBOOK; Run-Production Rundown: Competing Formulas - New York Times</a>.