The last left-handed catcher to play in the big leagues was Benny Distefano, who caught three games for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1989. Before Distefano, there had only been a handful: Jack Clements, Dale Long and Mike Squires to name a few. Why so few lefties behind the dish?
Were there any left-handed catchers?
But, left-handed catchers have played in the major leagues, although there have only been a few. The first left-handed throwing catcher was Fergy Malone (1871-1877) who caught 27 games in 1871. … The Last left-handed throwing catcher to play the position was Benny Distefano who caught 3 games in 1989 for Pittsburgh.
Who is the best left-handed catcher?
Across Baseball history there have been just a few lefty backstops at the major league level. The best left handed catcher of all time was arguably Jack Clements, a 19th century catcher that played professionally for 17 years. He caught for over 9,000 innings, collected 1,231 career hits, maintained a .
Why are there so few left-handed catchers?
Left-handed throws to second base are adversely affected by right-handed hitters. Controlling the running game is important, and the majority of plate appearances come with a right-hander at the plate. So the assumption is that “throwing through the batter” negatively affects the catcher’s accuracy.
Who was the last left-handed infielder?
(He claims to be ambidextrous and can throw right handed, although he did not throw right handed when he played third base.) Squires also caught two games left-handed in 1980. Since then, only Benny DiStefano of the Pirates (1989) has caught left-handed in the majors.
Are there any left-handed 3rd baseman?
Rizzo became only the seventh left-handed third baseman in baseball since 1913, joining Mario Valdez, Don Mattingly, Terry Francona, Mike Squires (who did it 14 times), Charlie Grimm, and Hall of Famer George Sisler. …
Are most 1st baseman left-handed?
Seventy-five years ago, the majority of regular first basemen were left-handers. In 1928, 92 percent of everyday first basemen were, including Lou Gehrig, George Sisler and Bill Terry. Generally, until World War II, nearly two-thirds of regular first baseman were lefties — 64 percent in 1933, 67 percent in 1941.
Are left-handed batters better?
Both left-handed pitchers and batters do better in baseball. Since the majority of hitters are right-handed, lefty pitchers are considered valuable. … Left-handed batters are one step closer to first base, giving them a head start over right-handers.
Why can’t lefties play third base?
The baseball shortstop is one of most difficult baseball positions on the baseball field to play. … The only positions lefty baseball players should play are pitcher, firstbase and outfield positions. The problem is that so few players can play shortstop and third base there is a supply and demand problem.
How many left-handed second basemen in MLB?
In addition, second basemen are usually right-handed; only four left-handed throwing players have ever played second base in Major League Baseball since 1950.
Who said hit em where they aint?
that Willie Keeler used one of the shortest yet heaviest bats in Major League history, just 30 inches long but weighing 46 ounces? “Hit ’em where they ain’t, he used to say.
Which sport Cannot be played left-handed?
The banning of left-handed playing in a game of polo is for safety reasons in order to avoid the likelihood of a head-on collision between players. As a left-handed player and a right-handed player head for the ball, they would not pass each other as they do in right-hand only games.
Is Brandon Crawford left-handed?
A left-handed hitter, Crawford had a higher batting average against left-hand pitching than right-hand pitching at . 274. His average against right-hand pitching was . 243.
Are there any lefty shortstops?
While right-handed throwers can be found at any of the nine positions on a baseball field, left-handers are, in practice, restricted to five of them. You won’t find a lefty at catcher, second base, shortstop or third base. … And lefty shortstops lose time getting themselves in position to throw.
Why do left handers not play shortstop?
A catcher and shortstop’s mobility is limited by being left-handed. While a right-handed thrower will naturally be in the position to get the ball where it needs to be, a left-handed thrower’s awkward range of motion and form adds precious milliseconds to a play in a game where every tiny thing counts.
Can lefties play infield?
Infield and Catcher
Baseball administrators and coaches almost never give left-handed players a chance to play second base, shortstop, third base or catcher. Left-handers have a clear disadvantage at those positions.