Offensive Guard, American Football
Not only rarely touches the ball, the rules expressly dictate that these players are in most cases not allowed to touch the ball. Their role is basically to block oncoming hordes of defenders, and maybe one of the least glorified yet physical positions in American sports. Similar to tackles, except a left tackle is considered one of the most important positions because they protect the quarterbacks blindside. Guards are fairly or not considered the bastard brothers of tackles. Only plus side: very talented linemen tend to have a lot of longevity in the NFL.
Ice Hockey Goalie
Unlike goalies in soccer and lacrosse, the goalie is usually confined to the crease outside the net, with the exception of times when they stray away from there to sweep the puck in the corners. Unlike soccer goalies, after making a save, hockey goalies don’t get to slap the puck down the ice, let alone blast a goal kick halfway across the field; if not a whistle as they lay down on a puck, at best they get to make a weak pass to one of the defensemen who get the glory of carrying the puck up the ice. Adding even more is the danger of deflecting 130mph slap shots, the public shame of a mid-game benching, and the general perception by your teammates that you are a weirdo.
Designated hitter, baseball
OK an easy job----3 to 4 times a game, you get up off your ass and bat. But since you dont have a field position, other than those 15-20 minutes dodging 90+ mph fastballs buzzing inches from your body, theres really nothing else to do except hang out in the dugout. On top of that generally, the DH is looked down upon because of the sometimes unfair perception the DH cant field. Kids grow up dreaming of being a outfielder, shortstop, etc . . . . but who grows up saying “I want to be a DH for the Yankees!”???
What am I missing? Anything in Rugby, Cricket, Aussie Football, Lacrosse, Water Polo etc etc? What is the most thankless position in team sports?
I can’t agree at all that the ice hockey goalie is thankless. Goalies can carry a team on their back. Thousands of books have been written about the greatest goalies.
The only thankless position in ice hockey is the defensive defenseman. Hockey fans will understand what he’s doing, but the average person in the crowd won’t.
Long snapper was going to be my suggestion too. Generally you never even know their name but you’ll see them almost every game, and those games won by a field goal couldn’t have been won if that long snapper blew it. It’s the definition of an unsung sports hero.
Guards on the other hand aren’t ignored, heck the performance and health of them are a big deal on every team. Getting a good guard is a huge deal and they can be the star of a play. I’ve seen highlight reels of good guard play before. I can tell you who the guards are on my team (Iupati who replaced Sweezy in the offseason and Fluker) and even their backup (Pocic). Steve Hutchinson was a guard and is a legend around here, even though he hasn’t played here for 15 years. They aren’t at all unappreciated, they’re a huge deal.
I don’t know or care who the long snapper is. Sorry Bob or John or Fred or whatever your name is, thanks for not screwing up too much.
I’ve watched every pathetic minute of every Washington Redskins game this season and I could not tell you who the long snapper is. The offensive line I could recite like a student who had just crammed for an exam, thankfully one of the Redskins groups I’m part of has more sophisticated fans so we get more chat than just ‘fire Gruden’ or ‘start Haskins’
Ok, what the hell is a long snapper?
WK in cricket is one, people only remeber the drops, the missed stumping, the bad byes, no one remebers the dozens of clean takes, receptions of bad throws preventing overthrows, the good batting.
Basically any position in any sport where a player is expected to be perfect at all times and any failure is all what is noted.
**
russian heel**, have ever watched a hockey game? At the end, the players huddle around the goalie EVERY GAME to thank him after every game, WIN or LOSE. They also thank him multiple times during a game when he has to make a save to cover their mistakes.
I’ve played and coached hockey a long time, some kids WANT to be goalie for this reason alone.
You do realize you just reinforced dalej42’s point, right?
Agreed.
For American football, most of the special team guys are pretty thankless, especially kick-off or punt coverage. Often, they don’t even have to make a tackle, because of touchbacks, fair catches, out of bounds, etc… When they do make a tackle, their name is barely mentioned and the game just goes on.
Probably the position in American Football that is the most specialized. Their unique skill is to be able to fling the ball between their legs to the punter or field goal holder. They are protected from being hit, so are expected to be perfect for the dozen or so snaps they have per game. It doesn’t help their case that even a blind guy can do it: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BRttFSTDtJQ
After I wrote this comment in the context of this thread, I realized that folks might take it as being insensitive. In reality, it was quite the inspirational moment, and I was literally in tears while watching it when it happened.
Australian Rules
Back pocket or mid field tagger.
Get to play against the opposition’s best with the aim to shut them down and just about everyone loves the game more when you fail.
Cricket
2nd change seamer, bat #8. Not good enough to bowl when conditions are most helpful. Aim to keep the opposition restricted until the starters come back or the new ball is due. Is usually expected to bat, often just not get out with more expectation than their ability.
(Field) Hockey
Left wing. Rules and structure of the game make it hard to have an influence on play, often played as a defensive forward while their opponent (right halfback) plays as an attacker.
Can’t agree with this one. You’re not a DH (at least not for the Yankees) if you aren’t a good hitter. If you’re a good hitter, you get hits (and home runs and RBIs), and those are definitely noticed and appreciated.
Most thankless position in baseball is backup catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Completely wrong. The Goalie is the most important player on the ice. They are the only one who plays the entire game, and other players will protect them at all costs if an opposing player tries messing with them. Plus, they wear the coolest masks.
Yes, David Ortiz was barely noticed by fans or teammates.
My suggestions: 3rd leg on any 4 person relay team, Track, swimming, XC skiing
You’re just there to hand it over to the anchor person
Backup Center, Basketball
You’re only in there to give the person who can score a rest, and to absorb or give fouls.
And, it’s only relatively recently (i.e., in the past 20-30 years) that it’s become a specific, specialized position. The role (snapping the ball for punts and placekicks) has always been there, but in the past, it was usually done either by one of the team’s centers, or a player of another position who happened to be good at doing long snaps.
I mostly agree with you. Edgar Martinez was a DH for the Mariners and I used to pull in off the freeway to work on Edgar Martinez Drive.
But at the same time, it took him forever to get a Hall of Fame nod because he was a DH and there’s a feeling that their contributions are limited. On the other hand, he did eventually get in.
Goalie is not a thankless position. Goalies is the most important player on team, or second most if they have a really good center.
Good Designated Hitters are appreciated, we don’t hold them responsible for the abomination of a rule that created their position.
Guards in football really don’t get the credit they deserve. When they do their job there’s no reason to look at them at all, they only get noticed when a defender gets past them.
Long Snapper was mentioned and many people don’t even know the position exists.
Fun trivia: in the 100 year history of the Chicago Bears, the man who has played the most games as a Bear is Patrick Mannelly, their long snapper from 1998 to 2013.
Every year about 7-8 teams will have an OPS+ below 100 in the DH position. Overall yes the position will be above league average. But a lot of teams still use the spot to rotate players through.