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JDW wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 10:20 am If your built like Burly, probably 1B.
If your instead built more athletically, maybe LF.
Depends on the player.

My thoughts as well.

kscardsfan wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 11:36 am

OldRed wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 10:24 am First base can be played with no range and no throwing arm. Many outfielders move to first base at the end of their careers.

If you feel 1st base isn't important I could see this. After years of Goldy I disagree. A good 1st baseman is much more important than a good LF. Ask Pitchers their opinion.

Mays, Mantle, Musial and others were moved to first. Jim Edmond played some first. Can you imagine Mark McGuire in LF? This has been debated for years, but usually the bat plays first, not LF.

LF. They have, on average, 2-3 plays a game

Judging line drives that are hooking or taking off over your head may not be the easiest thing ever. But, there might be one or two of those a game. Catching 6-7 throws in the dirt or that are off target at 1B, especially given how hard the infielders throw these days is a nightmare unless you are good at it. Look at what a difference Paul Goldschmidt made to the whole teams infield difference when he was here. I don't think much more evidence is required than that.

Left field you don’t get a lot of plays per game so you can get away with poor fielders there. A poor fielding first baseman will kill the team

If they are that bad a fielder and that good a hitter - we have a DH now...

If you have bad knees and are playing a position to protect that --- LF is much easier, way less change of direction reactions and far fewer involvement in actual defensive plays.

Willie McCovey
Jack Clark
Dick Steward
Ted Kluszewski
Mark McGuire
Joe Adcock
George Crowe
Bob Horner
Joe Cunningham
Miguel Cabrera
David Ortiz
Frank Thomas
Prince Fielder
Thank Greenburg
Johnny Mize
Orlando Cepeda
Jim Thome
Will Clark
Tony Perez
Andres Galarraga
Cecil Cooper
Willie Stargell
Jason Giambi
Mo Vaughn
Dick Allen
Derrick Lee

Just a few who played first and couldn't handle the outfield on a regular basis even early in their careers.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 09:40 am Good morning.

I did this thread year or two ago. Was a fine success. With the Devers situation at first, I thought it might be a good time to resurrect that debate.

Easier position to play- First or Left. Most consider first easiest on the infield and left in the outfield.

What about the whole field. Compare Burleson. Plays some outfield. Plays some first. Where do you think he plays better. Is that based on position?

Thoughts.

Obviously left field, with the caveat that you can track a fly ball of course. 1st base is involved in more action. I think it was George Hendrick that while standing in right center, "This is the line everything hit on the other side is yours." I paraphrase of course. Hell, it might not even have been silent George. But my point is a great CF makes left field even easier to play.

CCard wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 17:55 pm

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 09:40 am Good morning.

I did this thread year or two ago. Was a fine success. With the Devers situation at first, I thought it might be a good time to resurrect that debate.

Easier position to play- First or Left. Most consider first easiest on the infield and left in the outfield.

What about the whole field. Compare Burleson. Plays some outfield. Plays some first. Where do you think he plays better. Is that based on position?

Thoughts.

Obviously left field, with the caveat that you can track a fly ball of course. 1st base is involved in more action. I think it was George Hendrick that while standing in right center, "This is the line everything hit on the other side is yours." I paraphrase of course. Hell, it might not even have been silent George. But my point is a great CF makes left field even easier to play.

George was an excellent right fielder. His long stride covered a ton of ground, going to his left or right. A great CF helps the both the LF and RF.

OldRed wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 17:49 pm Willie McCovey
Jack Clark
Dick Steward
Ted Kluszewski
Mark McGuire
Joe Adcock
George Crowe
Bob Horner
Joe Cunningham
Miguel Cabrera
David Ortiz
Frank Thomas
Prince Fielder
Thank Greenburg
Johnny Mize
Orlando Cepeda
Jim Thome
Will Clark
Tony Perez
Andres Galarraga
Cecil Cooper
Willie Stargell
Jason Giambi
Mo Vaughn
Dick Allen
Derrick Lee

Just a few who played first and couldn't handle the outfield on a regular basis even early in their careers.

Remember Adams in LF and can you imagine Luken Baker in LF?

OldRed wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 17:58 pm

CCard wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 17:55 pm

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 09:40 am Good morning.

I did this thread year or two ago. Was a fine success. With the Devers situation at first, I thought it might be a good time to resurrect that debate.

Easier position to play- First or Left. Most consider first easiest on the infield and left in the outfield.

What about the whole field. Compare Burleson. Plays some outfield. Plays some first. Where do you think he plays better. Is that based on position?

Thoughts.

Obviously left field, with the caveat that you can track a fly ball of course. 1st base is involved in more action. I think it was George Hendrick that while standing in right center, "This is the line everything hit on the other side is yours." I paraphrase of course. Hell, it might not even have been silent George. But my point is a great CF makes left field even easier to play.

George was an excellent right fielder. His long stride covered a ton of ground, going to his left or right. A great CF helps the both the LF and RF.

Yeah, it might not have been George. I really can't recall whom it was.

Fat?
1B.
Thin?
LF.

Greg Luzinski played LF

So LF

Baseball Savant wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 18:14 pm Greg Luzinski played LF

So LF

He really wasn't a bad LF. Similar to Matt Holliday.

CorneliusWolfe wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 16:02 pm

JDW wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025 10:20 am If your built like Burly, probably 1B.
If your instead built more athletically, maybe LF.
Depends on the player.

My thoughts as well.

Will place a 3rd on that.