Why did Ernie Banks switch from SS to 1B in 1962?

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by turtleguy64

just to add,when Aaron was playing in negro league for the Indy Clowns in early '50s,many scouts came to look at him.he was playing shortstop.There was one game where scouts from the bigs were in attendance.Aaron looked terrible as a shortstop,refusing to extend his body for out of reach grounders.Opposite him in that game were the Kansas Monarchs.Their shortstop that night was Ernie Banks.He made three errors that game and quickly dismissed as a prospect by those scouts in attendance.
Got all this from the great new book, a compilation of W.C. Heinz columns "Top Of His Game."
And maybe you have heard of this: Yankees had to break the color barrier in '50s.They invited several prospects to the Stadium for a tryout.Two of those prospects were Aaron and Mays.Both were watched by elite scouts of the Yanks and both were dismissed as too flawed for the bigs.Think of that outfield :Mantle,Mays,Aaron !!!!!!!

Mickey also started at shortstop...

[turtleguy64]

you are correct,sir. The Mick as an infielder.Imagine if they had kept him there(in spite of the errors),he never gets near that drain hole in the outfield,covering for Joe D.