I know some baseball teams platoon certain positions on a regular basis (Cleveland using Eduardo Perez and Ben Broussard at 1st base, for example), but is it possible to split fielding and hitting duties for the same position?
Today against the Reds, Cardinals CF Jim Edmonds came up to bat in the top of the 7th and - in keeping with his pattern this season - did his Mendoza average proud and struck out with the bases loaded. Cincy went on to win 3-2.
Edmonds is still a walking highlight reel in the field, but maybe we could find someone to bat for him whenever he comes up in the order. This someone wouldn't have to take the field, just step in the box and bat.
Any chance of getting Tony Gwynn out of retirement? We can even get a pinch runner to spare him the ignominy of waddling around the bases.
Actually, what Pete seems to be proposing is a "designated fielder" rule--a player who would play the field but not bat. If the Cards were an AL franchise using the DH rule, Jedmonds would still have to take his place in the batting order.
Now, a DF rule would make interleague games interesting....
I can't stand the Cards OR Edmonds...but in his defense, he has been hurt all year.
Yeah, Edmonds is a great fielder. Except when he's committing two errors against the Brewers to lose a perfectly good game.
Except when he's committing two errors against the Brewers to lose a perfectly good game.
Two errors that were a result of a dinged up shoulder from the previous series.
Um, they have this in the (un)American League. It's called the Designated Hitter and it makes the baby Jesus cry.