petec@umcp-cs.UUCP (04/07/84)
Over the winter, I happened to read some Dallas newspapers (it was the week
of the Cowboys-Redskins game), and this happened to be the time that
the Rangers traded Jim Sundberg to the Brewers for Ned Yost. Most of
the opinion was that the Rangers had gotten taken; Sundberg has always
been one of the 2 or 3 best defensive catchers in the AL for years. His
arm is well-respected. He has had up and down years at the plate. Yost, on
the other hand, had been a part-time player, with questionable defense. The
paper had some statistic about him throwing out only 18 of 107 runners (these
numbers aren't exact, but they capture the situation; Yost has been run on).
Sundberg was mad, as was the press, who said that the trade was the result
of Manager Pat Corrales' dislike for Sundberg. Corrales staunchly defended
the trade, saying that Sundberg was washed up and that Yost would contribute
significantly more, both offensively and defensively.
Today, the baseball summary in the Wash. Post says that the Indians stole
6 bases last night on Yost, including 3rd base twice, as Cleveland beat Texas.
Now, I know that all bases aren't stolen off the catcher, in fact most of
them are off the pitcher, but still .... It will be interesting to see just
how well Yost manages as a full-time catcher (and how long Corrales stays as
Texas' manager).
--
Call-Me: Pete Cottrell, Univ. of Md. Comp. Sci. Dept.
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