That’s hilarious. He runs like he’s carrying a refrigerator on his back.
While reading this I was thinking of Yadi…
And then @running_coach comes through!
Added — in 19 years he’s hit 7 triples.
That wasn’t Yadi hitting for the cycle - it was his older, slower brother Benji.
Yeah, in addition to really good speed, triples are also highly dependent on park factors. Kaufman Stadium has traditionally been very triple-friendly. Willie Wilson was extremely proficient at triples, hitting 88 of his 147 triples at home and leading the league 5 times. (I’m not sure if copious amounts of cocaine is also beneficial to racking up three-baggers, but it sure didn’t hurt Willie…)
There is something about Shibe Park that jacked up CF putout totals. If you look at whomever was playing center for the A’s during Ashburn’s career there they always had putout totals higher than you’d think that player would be capable of.
Yeah, its obvious, which is why I asked.
Don’t home runs, total bases, stolen bases, and slugging percentage, batting average, etc already cover hitting, running, and power?
Seems arbitrary.
Shibe Park had nothing unusual about it. About 330 down the lines and 405 in dead center. I probably went to 100 games there growing up. It had the most beautiful outer facade of any park I’ve seen.
The one thing that might have boosted Ashburn’s total is that Robin Roberts was a notorious fly ball pitcher. I don’t recall who the A’s center fielder was.
Mays has more triples than anyone else in the 500HR club. I think that makes it significant.
Some years ago Will Clark was asked for a favorite Willie Mays story. The interviewer is a little eccentric, but this is pretty funny.
On Instagram:
The fences might have been normal, but the fact remains that center field putout totals there were VERY high, no matter who was playing it.
Robin Roberts definitely helped too. Actually, the entire staff; the Phillies in Ashburn’s prime didn’t usually strike a lot of guys out.