THE BOOK--Playing The Percentages In Baseball

I choose those players because I was looking at a list of the guys who played the most at each position.  Of course, longevity usually goes along with being a star player.

If people want to rate these fielders and post the ratings here, that’s fine.  I’ll try and aggregate all the responses I see here, on BTF, and on my blog.

I really think there is a wealth of qualitative information in the game recaps, although admittedly it would be a research-intensive project for Rally to comb through 50 years of newspapers. But generally any notable good (or bad) defensive play is written up. Here’s a sample from a few of last night’s games:

NYY/CLE

Chamberlain made a dazzling defensive play in the fifth, highlighting a milestone game for the New York’s fielders ... with runners on first and second and nobody out, Chamberlain’s diving catch of a popped up bunt by Kelly Shoppach turned into a double play when he stood and threw to second to get Ryan Garko, capping the play with a shout and fist pump.

Or OAK/CHW:

Oakland starter Trevor Cahill escaped further damage when Holliday timed his jump perfectly at the fence to rob Paul Konerko of what appeared to be a two-run homer.

Or BAL/SEA:

Jones led off with a double hit so hard over Balentien’s head, the left fielder was slow to react to a possibly catchable drive.

If the NY Times is searchable over the 1900-1950 period, I’m sure you could type in a player’s name and get a ton of real-time qualitative descriptions of his fielding ability.

Good idea, but way too much time involved.  If I can’t get anyone to fill out ballots, plan B is to look at the HOM archives (I’m sure just about every one of these players has at least come up for a vote) and see how much detail Bill James provided in the Historical Abstract (probably my favorite Baseball work of all time).

Or ... head off to the library on a Saturday morning, and scan the index of about 20 or 30 historical baseball books (eg Glory of Their Times) looking for references to the players in question.

I’ve been reading about baseball for 25 years and have an idea of how good these guys were considered to be as fielders based on numerous books I’ve read.  Is that good enough?  My rankings are below just based on what I can remember from what I’ve read over the years, but if you’re looking for something more precise, you can throw them out.

The left fielders:
Sherry Magee
Zach Wheat--4
Duffy Lewis--4
Bobby Veach--3
Charlie Jamison
Goose Goslin--3
Heinie Manush--2
Al Simmons--2
Joe Medwick--3
Bob Johnson--1
Ted Williams--1
Ralph Kiner--1

center field:
Ty Cobb--4
Clyde Milan
Dode Paskert
Tris Speaker--5
Max Carey--4
Cy Williams--3
Edd Roush--5
Lloyd Waner--4
Sam West
Earl Averill--2
Doc Cramer--3
Joe DiMaggio--5
Dom DiMaggio--5

Right field:
Sam Crawford--4
Harry Hooper--5
Babe Ruth--2
Sam Rice--4
Harry Heilmann--2
Paul Waner--4
Mel Ott--2
Chuck Klein--2
Wally Moses--
Bill Nicholson--1
Enos Slaughter--2

Is it good enough?  It’s perfect.  Thanks for sharing your opinions on these players.  And everyone else with some knowledge of baseball history: please share your opinions too.

based on reading, watching and talking baseball, plus a few from comments from my dad

I would look at some game like APBA or Strat-O-Matic, but here’s my opinion, based on reading and talking baseball, including talking to a few (like my dad) who saw some of them play:

The left fielders:
Sherry Magee
Zach Wheat--4
Duffy Lewis--
Bobby Veach--3
Charlie Jamison
Goose Goslin--4
Heinie Manush--3
Al Simmons--3
Joe Medwick--3
Bob Johnson--3
Ted Williams--3
Ralph Kiner--1

center field:
Ty Cobb--3
Clyde Milan
Dode Paskert
Tris Speaker--5
Max Carey--4
Cy Williams--
Edd Roush--
Lloyd Waner--4
Sam West
Earl Averill--3
Doc Cramer--3
Joe DiMaggio--5
Dom DiMaggio--5

Right field:
Sam Crawford--4
Harry Hooper--5
Babe Ruth--3
Sam Rice--4
Harry Heilmann--2
Paul Waner--4
Mel Ott--
Chuck Klein--2
Wally Moses--
Bill Nicholson--1
Enos Slaughter--3