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percy_sutherland · 12-11-2019, 08:10 AM

THE SWEET SCIENCE

Baseball sure seems to be changing, doesn't it? I mean, sure--we have all marveled at Max Morris's feats. But what do we make now of the Federal Association's Whitney winner, Joe Masters? He is the first batter not named "Max Morris" to hit 50 home runs. And 195 runs batted in? I never thought I'd see that. Is 200 just around the corner? And that 195 mark is a new league record, too, eclipsing the 174 that Dolly Jones had for the Gothams in 1895. You know, Dolly also scored 173 runs that season; a bit more than the 134 runs that Masters scored.

And what of 22-year-old wunderkind Tom Taylor? The Philadelphia newcomer took the Continental by storm, easily winning that circuit's Whitney Award.

But do you know what I like? Defense--I like defense. The fine art and sweet science of catching the ball. We don't give enough notice to the men who are as sharp with the glove as they are the bat. I want to give this a closer look--discern who at each spot on the diamond has the most valuable glove.

Of course, it's only the opinion of this baseball fan, but it is my column.

We start with the catcher. How do you judge a catcher? You can be an adroit handler of a pitching staff, like Alex Diaz. Or an expert at blocking errant throws, like Joe Richards. Or have a throwing arm that makes runners think twice about attempting to swipe a bag, like Josh Fry. But for my money, the overall catcher most valuable for his defense is the Chief's Hank Odegaard. I would, however, keep an eye on young Mike Taylor of the Kings. We only saw him behind the dish for 74 games last summer, but I was impressed with what I saw.

Can I ask a question? Where are the Sailors finding all of these good, young players? Not only do they have Tom Taylor, but they also introduced us to Dick Walker, who gets my nod for the best defensive first baseman.

I have a soft spot for second basemen. As a fresh-faced youth, dreaming of being a ballplayer, I fancied myself a second baseman. But if you want to see a professional skillfully ply his craft, buy yourself a ticket to a Gothams's game and watch Chris Odle. Though I would also check out Cleveland's John Mallory. He only started 60 games for the Foresters, but they were 60 beautiful games.

And you know what? For all the fuss made about his home runs, Joe Masters is a damn fine third baseman. Now, I may be old fashioned, but if someone can hit 50 home runs and play that kind of defense, I'll take him.

Ah, the shortstop. The premier defensive position. The captain of the infield. I'd wager that if a club doesn't have a strong defender at short, the fellows on the pitching staff will be none too happy. So who do I like? I like that kid up in Montreal, Woody Armstrong.

There are plenty of good outfielders in the game, but in left field, I cannot get enough of watching that fellow for the Sailors, Earl Lambert.

And the center fielder may be to the outfield what the shortstop is to the infield. There are some good ones out there, but for me, it's the sure-handed Gordie Loftus of the Stars. Though keep an eye on the kid in Toronto, Freddie Malley.

They say you can hide a good hitter with a weak glove in right field. Try telling Tom Taylor that. The Whitney winner was as brilliant in the field as he was with the bat.

Figment Sporting Journal's All Defense Team

C - Hank Odegaard, Chiefs
1B - Dick Walker, Sailors
2B - Chris Odle, Gothams
3B - Joe Masters, Chiefs
SS - Woody Armstrong, Saints
LF - Earl Lambert, Sailors
CF - Gordie Loftus, Stars
RF - Tom Taylor, Sailors

12-11-2019, 08:10 AM	#4
percy_sutherland Bat Boy Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 11	December 10, 1928: From the Desk of Percy Sutherland THE SWEET SCIENCE Baseball sure seems to be changing, doesn't it? I mean, sure--we have all marveled at Max Morris's feats. But what do we make now of the Federal Association's Whitney winner, Joe Masters? He is the first batter not named "Max Morris" to hit 50 home runs. And 195 runs batted in? I never thought I'd see that. Is 200 just around the corner? And that 195 mark is a new league record, too, eclipsing the 174 that Dolly Jones had for the Gothams in 1895. You know, Dolly also scored 173 runs that season; a bit more than the 134 runs that Masters scored. And what of 22-year-old wunderkind Tom Taylor? The Philadelphia newcomer took the Continental by storm, easily winning that circuit's Whitney Award. But do you know what I like? Defense--I like defense. The fine art and sweet science of catching the ball. We don't give enough notice to the men who are as sharp with the glove as they are the bat. I want to give this a closer look--discern who at each spot on the diamond has the most valuable glove. Of course, it's only the opinion of this baseball fan, but it is my column. We start with the catcher. How do you judge a catcher? You can be an adroit handler of a pitching staff, like Alex Diaz. Or an expert at blocking errant throws, like Joe Richards. Or have a throwing arm that makes runners think twice about attempting to swipe a bag, like Josh Fry. But for my money, the overall catcher most valuable for his defense is the Chief's Hank Odegaard. I would, however, keep an eye on young Mike Taylor of the Kings. We only saw him behind the dish for 74 games last summer, but I was impressed with what I saw. Can I ask a question? Where are the Sailors finding all of these good, young players? Not only do they have Tom Taylor, but they also introduced us to Dick Walker, who gets my nod for the best defensive first baseman. I have a soft spot for second basemen. As a fresh-faced youth, dreaming of being a ballplayer, I fancied myself a second baseman. But if you want to see a professional skillfully ply his craft, buy yourself a ticket to a Gothams's game and watch Chris Odle. Though I would also check out Cleveland's John Mallory. He only started 60 games for the Foresters, but they were 60 beautiful games. And you know what? For all the fuss made about his home runs, Joe Masters is a damn fine third baseman. Now, I may be old fashioned, but if someone can hit 50 home runs and play that kind of defense, I'll take him. Ah, the shortstop. The premier defensive position. The captain of the infield. I'd wager that if a club doesn't have a strong defender at short, the fellows on the pitching staff will be none too happy. So who do I like? I like that kid up in Montreal, Woody Armstrong. There are plenty of good outfielders in the game, but in left field, I cannot get enough of watching that fellow for the Sailors, Earl Lambert. And the center fielder may be to the outfield what the shortstop is to the infield. There are some good ones out there, but for me, it's the sure-handed Gordie Loftus of the Stars. Though keep an eye on the kid in Toronto, Freddie Malley. They say you can hide a good hitter with a weak glove in right field. Try telling Tom Taylor that. The Whitney winner was as brilliant in the field as he was with the bat. Figment Sporting Journal's All Defense Team C - Hank Odegaard, Chiefs 1B - Dick Walker, Sailors 2B - Chris Odle, Gothams 3B - Joe Masters, Chiefs SS - Woody Armstrong, Saints LF - Earl Lambert, Sailors CF - Gordie Loftus, Stars RF - Tom Taylor, Sailors Last edited by percy_sutherland; 12-11-2019 at 02:13 PM.