Saturday, May 23, 2020

My All Time Fielding Team- First and Second Base

I was listening to a replay of Joe and Evan on WFAN and they were detailing their picks for their all time fielding team. Offensive ability doesn't weigh in as this is strictly about fielding. I thought that was fun and since it would annoy everyone except spinelli I thought I would post some thoughts.

First Base: Wes Parker

The best fielding first baseman I ever saw was Wes Parker of the Dodges from back in the 1960's and '70's, He was a slick fielding first baseman who could turn a game around with his glove. Never missed a throw and could steal some hits from line drives down the line. I have seen a bunch of good fielders from George Scott to Mark Texiera to even Mattingly but Wes was the best by far.

Second Base: Ryne Sandberg

If I had to stop by the snowy woods in the evening to pick a great second baseman I would have to go with the Cubs Ryne Sandberg. I didn't follow him as much as I did the guys in the American league  but he is pretty much the gold standard for fielders. I saw him make a great play against the Mets once that really impressed me.

I pick the best regardless of what team they are on. It's mighty Frank White of me (a joke only Spinelli would get).

2 comments:

ndspinelli said...

Wes Parker would be up there. But the softest hands I ever saw was Vic Power. I saw Frank White play hundreds of games and I don't remember an error. He had a tough start because he was a local guy[grew up in the shadows of Munincipal Stadium], he replaced the beloved Cookie Rojas. My old man, a huge Yankee fan, says White was as good as Jerry Coleman and Red Schoendints, who he considered the best. I was loving in Chicago when Sandberg came to town. I could walk to Wrigley. Saw him play probably 50 or more games. Solid fielder, great clutch hitter. His wife was a puta.

The Dude said...

I knew what the Frank White joke was as soon as I read it.

And Carl Sandburg was damned good over in the hot corner. Hog butcher to the world? I think not - more like a failed White Sox prospect who was driven mad and ended up writing poetry. At least he wasn't as revolting as Fidel Castro - what was he, a Red? Or did he become a Senator? I don't follow the game like I once did...