The Fielders: The Games's Greatest Gloves

by James Kaplan and Jim Kaplan

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0924588047
• ISBN13: 9780924588044
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Redefinition, Incorporated
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A detailed look at the defensive aspects of Baseball

Having offered books on "The Sluggers" and "The Hurlers," the World of Baseball series offers "The Fielders: The Game's Greatest Gloves." The book opens with "Mr. Impossible," recalling Brooks Robinson's performance in the field in the 1970 World Series. Throughout the book Jim Kaplan focuses on each position on the field in turn, which, by the numbers would be: The Fifth Infielder, Backstop, Scoop, Keystone Cops, The Hot Corner, Captain Infield, the Hitter's Spot, Captain Outfield and the Longest Arm. There is even a tribute to Dick Stuart, known variously as "Dr. Strangelove," "Stone Fingers" and "The Boston Strangler" because of his fielding ineptitude. As with all of these books, the great defensive players are profiled and while you will find a couple of great offensive players like Carl Yastrzemski and Richie Ashburn, most of these players are known more for their gloves: Bill Mazeroski, Carl Furillo and Jim Hegan. One section is even devoted to the great good field, no hit shortstops of the 1960s: Ray Oyler, Ed Brinkman, Roy McMillian and Dal Maxvill. There are little gems scattered throughout the book, such as the tobacco cards of Tinker to Evers to Chance, the evolution of the glove over 100 years, a chart showing the average number of chances/errors per position per game, and a profile on Ebbet's Field. Because fielding is the most neglected area of the game, this book sheds light on more things I did not happen to know than the volumes on hitting and pitching. After reading "The Fielders," you will certainly have more of an appreciation for cover boy Ozzie Smith and his brethren.