Original Background photos-1956 Topps and others

[darkhorse9]

Yes it's very common for catchers in the on-deck circle to wear the shin guards.

Being that close to the play isn't unusual either. he's in dead ball territory so he's allowed to be there. By the looks of it he just completed the task of telling the runner to slide and in what direction.

[Volod]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

Yes it's very common for catchers in the on-deck circle to wear the shin guards.

Being that close to the play isn't unusual either. he's in dead ball territory so he's allowed to be there. By the looks of it he just completed the task of telling the runner to slide and in what direction.

I just don't think I've seen it recently, catchers wearing shinguards in the on-deck circle. Maybe haven't been paying attention or cameras don't pick it up. Yeah, he's obviously giving the runner signs, but he's almost in the left side batters box - what happens if the ball gets behind the catcher and he bumps into that guy trying to retrieve it? Interference, no?

[theseeker]

That's obviously good ol' number 10, catcher Jack Shepard. The California native is an interesting story, as he ended a promising career as a respected defensive catcher on his own terms after the 1956 season, at the age of 25, in order to pursue an academic and business career. He was a Stanford grad who obtained his masters degree, also from Stanford, during the winter breaks from baseball. Became a successful business man and sadly died in his early 60's of cancer.
Yes, I looked it up.