Playing the Field: Why Defense is the Most Fascinating Art in Major League Baseball - Softcover

Jim Kaplan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0912697369 ISBN 13: 9780912697369

Publisher: Algonquin Books, 1987

Synopsis

Discusses defensive strategy in baseball, describes the responsibilities of each position, and looks at the all-time best defensive players and some of their memorable plays

About this title

About the Author

Jim Kaplan graduated from Yale and for years covered major league baseball for Sports Illustrated. Now a freelance writer, he lives in New York City. He is also the author of Pine-Tarred and Feathered: A Year on the Baseball Beat.

Reviews

This book addresses an aspect of baseball that is often ignored: defense. Kaplan, a former Sports Illustrated baseball writer, makes a wonderful case for the importance of defensive plays, noting that in addition to the occasional highlighted, entertaining defensive play, such as Willie Mays's 1954 World Series catch, there are many small gems of equal importance, such as the series of defensive plays by the Kansas City Royals that won the 1985 World Series. Kaplan devotes a chapter to each of the game's nine positions, detailing respective responsibilities, qualities needed (range, speed, etc.), how players start plays (e.g., Bobby Grich beginning a double play by meeting the ball with his left foot on the bag) and how each playerno matter how far removed from the ballis involved in a play. The author also provides a history of the development of each position and profiles exceptional defensive players, including Mays, Jim Kaat, Roberto Clemente, Keith Hernandez, Ozzie Smith, Carl Yastrzemski, Bill Mazeroski, Brooks Robinson and Johnny Bench. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Just when you think there is nothing new under the sun to say about baseball, a delightful book like this appears. Kaplan supports his view that superb fundamental defense wins games by devoting separate chapters to each of the nine positions. Unlike Bill James's Baseball Abstract annuals, which use technical equations and formulas to measure player performance, Kaplan relies on colorful narratives derived from his unique research at the Cooperstown baseball museum into generations of documented fielding executed throughout major league history. Each chapter brings to life classic defensive moments and ends with a profile on the "best" player at that position. An entertaining, informative book for players and coaches of all ages. Thomas J. Reigstad, English Dept., SUNY Coll. at Buffalo
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Algonquin Books
• Publication date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0912697369
• ISBN 13: 9780912697369
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 167