Quote:
Originally Posted by Furious
You are correct: that is what I’m doing.
Here’s why. We know that some positions are more difficult to play than others. That’s not a controversial statement, is it? Lots of players move from center field to a corner outfield position when their skills begin to erode, because corner outfield positions are easier to play than center field. Lots of players move from anywhere to first base when they get older, because first place is the easiest position to play. No one moves from first base to catcher, no one moves from left field to shortstop. The transition is always from the harder position to the easier one.
Have you ever heard of anyone moving from anywhere, other than shortstop, to second base? It’s happened, but it’s very rare. Second base is an extraordinarily difficult position to play. Players are moved away from second base a lot more often than players are moved to second base. Because it’s one of the hardest positions to play.
Now, if you ask people who have played second base what is the hardest thing about playing second base, I’ll bet close to all of them will say “turning the double play”. If you don’t know anybody who played second base, I’m sure a quick Google search will turn up loads of anecdotal evidence to support this, and very little evidence implying that turning a double play is something that any player can do just about as well as any other player.
It’s not proof, I suppose, but I’m buying it.
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Yes, I am familiar with the concept of the defensive spectrum. And yes, I am familiar with the legendary difficulty of hanging in there and making the pivot on a double play. A legend perpetuated almost entirely by those men who have done it at the big league level. You'll forgive me if I don't take their often backward looking self-aggrandizement at face value. Second base is a difficult position, and an important one, chiefly because of the range required to play it well. That is far more important than fast hands, or whatever it is that's supposed to separate the men from the boys while turning two. And more to the point,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garlon
The value of a double play vs only getting one of the outs is an extra 0.23 runs saved.
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what he said.