THE BOOK--Playing The Percentages In Baseball

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The short and tall of it

Someone at Bill James Online was talking about an “all-tall” team.  Here’s what I found:

Taking the 10 tallest guys who ever played that position, here are the players with the most games at each position:
C, Alomar (ahead of Larry McLean);
1B, Tony Clark (soon to be passed by Richie Sexson);
2B, Andy Fox, George Kelly;
SS, Cal Ripken (far ahead of Andy Fox);
3B, Troy Glaus (much ahead of Enos Cabell). 

Of the 30 tallest outfielders ever, those with the most games: Dave Winfield, Dave Parker, Dale Murphy, Frank Howard, Strawberry, Von Hayes. 

Most innings of pitchers at least 6’8”: RJ, J.R., Gene Conley, Mike Smithson.

Repeating for the all-small team (born since 1920).
C, Yogi (Campanella)
1B, Matts Stairs (Alou)
2B, Joe Morgan (Glenn Hubbard)
SS, Patek (Eckstein)
3B, Craig Grebek (Bip Roberts)
OF, Raines, Puckett, Bumbry (Davalillo, Polonia, Albie Pearson)

Most innings at most 5’8”: Fred Norman, Bobby Shantz, Roy Face, Tom Phoebus.