I just heard Lou Pinella state that there was very little difference between playing Left Field or Right Field. He mentioned a difference in the spin of the ball off the bat but other than that, they were the same.
I know it's hard to argue with his expertise...even though he was a Yankee...!
But I always felt the stronger arm should be in RF due to a longer throw to 3B.
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I would guess that he was down-playing the difference to fit the discussion, whether that was to express confidence in a player's ability to play either or defend decisions made on putting players in a position.
I definitely would argue the statement on it's own - huge difference in ease of reading balls off the bat. RF almost always gets a slice/fade that is fairly easy to pick up. LF often gets pulls or hard hooks or liners straight at that can be very difficult to read. More balls that are hit deep stay in play and can be tracked down in RF, therefore a bit more speed is helpful. Deep balls to LF tend to leave the park or bounce hard of the fence. And, definitely agree with the arm strength issue.
There is also a dependence on the field itself; as playing left field at Fenway is different than playing right field at Fenway. In left field, you can almost throw a guy with a big bat out there, who may not have much athletic prowess in the field. (think Manny Ramirez, Ted Williams or a rookie Phil Plantier)
All the great 5 tool outfielders [Henry Aaron, Roberto Clemente] played RF.
The pure offensive hitters [Ted Williams] played LF.
RF is definitely the strong position.
Bob
and typically your better arm is in RF...
When I coached the little kids I would always give them an assignment to tell me a hall of fame right fielder. The list is long and distinguished. My intention was to try to make right field "cool" instead of where the "crappy" kids played.
Golf, the quickest way I got the little league kids to respect how important the outfielders are was to put them on the mound, then ask them if they appreciated the outfielders when the ball was hit out there....lol
SOMETIMES U GUYS MAKE ME LAUGH just because pinella says it is so dont make it so. in each of position the ball comes at u differently and with a different spin not to mention sun location oh and by the way ted williams was a fine leftfielder he handled the green monster as well as anyone
TR;
Yes he did, but with hard work. One time, he notice Yogi swinging late off the Red Sox pitcher and Ted shaded the LF line. Yogi hit a fly ball which normally a double, however Ted made the catch ON THE LINE.
Next inning when Ted was batting, Yogi from his catching position said "how did you make that catch". Williams said "PROPER THINKING".
BOB
RIGHTON BOB
