Category Archives: History of the Game

For 10 years Willie Stargell played in Roberto Clemente’s shadow. While one of the show’s greatest heroes became a legend in right field, his counter part was in left field; who had equally as good an arm. Stargell threw out 4.1% of runners from left, and Clemente threw out 4.2%. Stargell may not have been a 5-tool player. or a god in the locker room, but he quietly got into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, a decade after Clemente’s passing. When one talks about raw power, Stargell is always a good name to be brought up. Sure Continue reading Stargell, Clemente’s Better Half→

Roberto Clemente was not only a legend on the field, but off the field as well. He was not only the best player all around in right field, but he was all class in the locker room. Due to his community service and legacy down in the Dominican Republic from being a true leader, the MLB created an award in his name given out to the player who best represents the game as a good sportsman. Because of Roberto having such an iconic image, the talent of his game was sometimes not seen in the spotlight. To add to his Continue reading Clemente→

On June 20, 1991, the Texas Rangers debuted the #7 prospect, at the time; to start behind the plate, but little did they know that Ivan Rodriguez would become one of the top 3 catchers of all-time. Pudge Rodriguez or I-Rod, as they called him, was a legend behind the mask. He might be known the best for his arm due to his record 88 pickoffs, but he was so good with the bat as well, that he even won an MVP on his way to blasting a career total of 311 home runs. He was the modern version of Continue reading Pudge Rodriguez→

The little general, as he was sometime called, was no doubt one of the best catchers of all-time; especially behind the plate, where he revolutionized the catching position defensively. He was the one to start catching the pitch with one hand, which is now what every catcher does. One has got to think that Bench had amazing hands, well his palms were so big that he could hold a whole seven baseballs at once! Johnny Bench, the man who changed the game behind the plate.