Posted By:
Ted ZanidakisI fully understand what you are saying about Fielding Stats.
and how you cannot take them literally in comparing
players' performance in the field. And, you certainly
do not get any argument from me regarding Ozzie Smith.
I was at Cooperstown when he was inducted into the HOF.
I met him and what a great guy and what a great story.
Ruth played RF in the old Yankee stadium and it was not
as easy a field to play in. Cobb roamed the spacious CF
of the old Briggs Stadium; and having been there, I can
tell you it was easier ground to cover.
It's subtle factors like these that you have to consider
when comparing ballplayers. But, like I mentioned in my
last post, actual eyewitness accounts are the only true way
to judge how well these oldtimers played their position.
And, my wife's Father saw Ruth close up, as he always made
sure he had seats between 1B and the RF foul post. He re-
calls Ruth unleashing throws from deep RF and throwing out
runners who dared to take an extra base.