This comes from Kevin Burghardt… yeah, the cap guy who loves 70’s baseball.
While there certainly may be an abundance of them out there, I can’t recall off hand seeing shortstops rated (S) in speed. This is the reason I did a double take when checking (Roger) Metzger’s speed rating during a game.
| Year | Age | Tm | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 30 | TOT | 120 | 393 | 358 | 28 | 88 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 8 | 1 | 24 | 26 | .246 | .292 | .285 |
| 1978 | 30 | HOU | 45 | 138 | 123 | 11 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 9 | .220 | .287 | .268 |
| 1978 | 30 | SFG | 75 | 255 | 235 | 17 | 61 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 1 | 12 | 17 | .260 | .294 | .294 |
I know there are few slow shortstops out there but they are definitely few and far between. Zoilo Versalles of the Twins comes to mind but that it. I know there are more. I’m sure Eric Berg can verify that.
It’s worth mentioning that Metzger stole eight bases in 1978 as seen above. He stole all eight after being picked up by the Giants midseason.
Also, while he would retire in two years, he was only 30 years old in 1978, hardly over the hill.
For me, I still do a double take when I play the Chicago Cubs during my 1966 NL replay and see catcher Randy Hundley.
See, Hundley is rated fast. He was a lean 24-year old at 170 lbs. so there is no reason to think he wouldn’t be fast other than his position.
1966 Tim McCarver of the Cardinals is also rated fast but that’s not such a surprise. McCarver led the league with 13 triples in 1966.
Any other (S)low shortstops?
thanks Kevin!!
Believe Lou Boudreau in 48 was slow.
Boudreau Cleveland 1948 Great Team purchased in the 1970s is listed as a (S) Shortstop (10) and (C-5)
As an Illini fan, I should have known that. :)
Tragically Metzger cut off a portion of his hand the following year and despite a comeback attempt he had to retire. He’s rated (S) in the original card set as well.
I had no idea, David! That’s tough.
Tom
Randy Hundley was a great all-around athlete. He was an outstanding basketball, football and baseball player at Bassett High School in Bassett, Va. I went to high school with him. He could run very well prior to injuring his knees as a major league catcher with the Cubs. He also was the first catcher to practice the arm behind the back technique. Sorry JB!
Good info, Michael. I’m sure all those games behind the plate didn’t help. I notice that Randy plays both ends of a doubleheader many times in 1966. No rest for him.
Tom
Dick Groat was rated slow several times in his lengthy APBA career with the Pirates, Cards and Giants in his final year. I really enjoy your writing immensely. Keep it up!
Joe Boley of the Philadelphia Athletics from the late 1920s to the early 1930s. Slow and a fielding 1 shortstop.
And not during the Dead Ball Era, John Stearns had 25 stolen bases in 1978.