Duke Snider, Kenny Lofton, and Cool Papa Bell.
Jim Edmonds, Dale Murphy, and Earle Combs.
Richie Ashburn, Larry Doby, and Fred Lynn.
All center fielders—dynamite center fielders at that. These men mastered their position and captured the attention of millions of Americans throughout their careers.
Whether it be their ability to patrol the outfield, position themselves for catches, or show off their dominance behind the plate or on the base paths, these men found a way to stand out amongst their contemporaries—who tried desperately to do all the same things with lesser success.
The abilities of these men speak for themselves; the performances they have given baseball fans over the years is simply tremendous. So tremendous, in fact, that I thought it fitting to write up a column on the nature of playing center field and what it takes to be top notch at the position.
Let's begin by putting center fielders in perspective with other defense-friendly positions.
Center field is widely recognized as the third most important position on defense, behind both catcher and shortstop. That said, an argument can be made that center field is indeed the toughest position of any to play.
It requires more versatility than any other position. Players must have a strong arm, reliable glove, and wheels like no tomorrow in order to effectively hold down the fort.
Let's also keep in mind that while shortstops and catchers are to a significant degree "tolerated" when they pose an offensive liability to their team, center fielders are by and large expected to produce behind the plate as well as in the outfield. This makes fielding that much harder, as center fielders' minds must turn to offense as soon as the inning is over.
Defensively speaking, what they do is nothing short of awe inspiring. Center fielders always have the call over their teammates in the outfield—they can make plays in left or right, however they see fit. If he so chooses, a center fielder has the authorization to mow down a corner outfielder or tell him to get the hell out of the way in order to make an acrobatic diving catch.
Center fielders can play shallow or deep—and rarely choose anything in between. They will live or die by those two choices: if a runner is on base and the center fielder grossly under or overestimates, they're automatically giving up a run.
They have to possess an incredible instinct for the ball, as making the proper break and getting a good first step is pertinent to success. A bad jump on the ball in center field may result in a triple that puts your team out of the game—unlike right or left field, where a double is generally the worst-case scenario if you screw up.
Center fielders must be lighting fast without exception—they cover so much ground that a slow player is simply incapable of playing the position. They frequently sprint for 100 or more feet at a time; no other fielder goes to such lengths to turn base hits into outs.
They have to be able to judge balls off the wall. They have to gracefully pull off full speed, diving catches.
Initiating the relay throw; doubling up with pinpoint accuracy.
Communicating intentions to your teammates on the fly. Commanding the troops in the outfield with the confidence of a drill sergeant.
And perhaps most importantly: maintaining perfect position at all times.
These are the characteristics that make a top tier defensive center fielder.
Jimmy McAleer, Paul Blair, Taylor Douthit, Happy Felsch, Curt Flood, Gary Maddox, Johnny Mostil, Garry Pettis, Terry Moore, and Devon White each possessed these attributes.
Then of course comes the other side of the ball—and that's where the tricky part enters the fray. Because some of the best defensive center fielders of all time happened to be damn good on offense too.
Center fielders are fast—and many of the all time greats have stolen over 400 bases in their careers.
Center fielders are powerful—many legends have gone yard on more than 400 occasions.
Center fielders can also hit for average—really frickin' well. In fact, one center fielder happened to be better at hitting a baseball than any other man to ever set foot in a Major League stadium.
Hitting, slugging, running—and of course, defensive ability. The presence or lack of these skills is what separates the bad from the average, the good from the very good, and the great from the legendary.
What follows in the next three installments of this series is a countdown of who I believe to be the ten best all-around center fielders in the history of the game. This list is not meant to serve as a definitive guide towards player production—I simply am evaluating the all around abilities of ten men who I feel most epitomize the heart and soul of the position. Enjoy.
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2 months ago
ahhh ... Gary Maddux what a piece of work, what a glider. I wish that I were he.
from 2 months ago
It's Maddox, L.J...or Secretary of Defense for short =)
Those who saw him play seem convinced that's he's one of the best defenders in league history...
Z
2 months ago
Nice read, Zander. Articles like this are what I love about baseball—really, it's the only sport where positions in the game can be romanticized like this. Centerfielders and shortstops are some of the best athletes in sports, let alone baseball.
2 months ago
Fred Lynn, Dale Murphy, two guys desrving of a place in the Hall of Fame but will probably never make it.
from 2 months ago
Truly unfortunate, this is. I really don't understand the logic behind Dale Murphy in particular...great runner, fielder, and power hitter, and from 82'-85' was the best player in the National League.
I think voters get hung up on Murphy's .265 career average. What they seem to forget however is that the league average for his career was just .268, so really he was an "average" hitter for his era.
The bias against players of the 70's and 80's is so irritating. HOF voters need to dig deeper into the numbers.
from 2 months ago
You need to also consider position, what was the league average OF/CF for offense? I haven't looked at the numbers lately but I do know Murphy was above average at the positions he played.
from 2 months ago
Good call Marty...leave it to me to simplify the situation!
Know anywhere I can find detailed stats like this? (I'm sure I can find them in one of Bill James' prospectus', but maybe you know an online source?)
from 2 months ago
A quick search showed a recent "average" (2007) line for CF was:
.272/.334/.422, a .757 OPS or a 97 OPS+.
Remember, Murphy played in a less offensively productive era, so his career 125 OPS+ more accurateley represents the fact he was well above average offensively.
I didn't find a comprehensive historical index, they're out there but I think this clarifies the point a bit
2 months ago
Loved this Zander! There is no doubt that you have to be an athlete to play center field, which is why I was not there and was stuck at first base...lol. Anyway, we all attach ourselves to guys in this position at some time or another. They are an important part of the team, especially defensively. Though, as you point out, there are also just as many who do great offensive things. I have been lucky as an Indians fan to have a couple of great ones over the past 15 years in Kenny Lofton and Grady Sizemore. Both could do so many things that hurt the opposition, whether stealing a HR, or stealing a base.
2 months ago
Ah, Zander, you forgot the two best center fielders in the history of the game: Say Hey and The Mick.
NO LIST OF CF'S WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT THESE TWO AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.
from 2 months ago
Ah, but the list ain't over 'til it's over...
from 2 months ago
Unfortunately Terry neither the Say Hey kid or Mickey Mantle will be on the list. I was considering putting them on but decided to remove them just to anger you.
Seriously though, hang tight. We're just up to CF #7, more to come!
2 months ago
Only 10 is good but we must discuss the next 10-15 at some point. That's where the beer will flow and the conversation gets animated.
I'll be able to throw down one of the Orioles biggest mistakes evah...Steve Finley.
from 2 months ago
I'll make sure to throw a list of notables in at the end, and we can all make our own rankings for 10-15.
Z
2 months ago
I like the way you present the side of the game that makes it so unique. Romancing the often graceful, artistic side of baseball is one of the things that makes it so unique. It's not a brutal sport like football; yet it has ocntact and centerfielders for sure epitomize that by running into walls to make phenominal catches. It's graceful like gymnastics; the way centerfielders glide to the ball, leap and tumble reminds of of that aspect. I, too, was going to mention that you missed Mays and Mantle but I see you're doing this as a series. Devon White was a terrific centerfielder who did not get much pub but was real good defensively, so I was pleasantly surprised to see him on your list. He made what was perhaps the greatest catch I ever saw.
I don't get the reason you say "move over Barry Bonds", however. Bonds could have been a good centerfielder but as a leftfielder was one of the best, if not the best, ever. Before he blew up like a hot air balloon he was terrific efensively but I don't see the connection to your story.
Good read.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the compliments Bob!
I have to disagree with you about Barry. Bonds was definitely a phenomenal left fielder but I don't think he could have held down the fort effectively in center. Never had the arm to play anywhere but left, IMO at least.
Basically what I'm trying to say with the title is: let's put aside Barry Bonds, his accomplishments, the steroid controversy etc. and focus on center fielders for a bit instead, a position that hasn't had a player in the limelight in some time.
Furthermore, "move over" refers to the idea that a center fielder would be able to call Bonds off of a ball he was chasing down, despite the fact that BB is one of the all-time greats.
about 1 month ago
Okay, this is nice introduction, on to reading the episodes 1, 2, and 3 now - I like how you panned out the articles
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