Mann, Leslie

Description

Because of the way Rickey is standing, it is apparent that there is a baserunner on second base. Rickey wouldn't need to be this focused on the field before a baseball is thrown otherwise. For example, if a player on his team like Rogers Hornsby was batting and no one was on base, Rickey could look forward at Hornsby because he doesn't have to worry about any baserunners. The first base coach will guide Hornsby to first and second base, and the baserunner becomes Rickey's responsibility only when they hit second base. Most players, especially in this era, were not big power hitters, and even in baseball today, triples are rare. If the player hits a home run, they obviously wouldn't need any coaching, so the only reason Rickey needs to be so prepared is if there is a runner on first or second base. The coach at third base shoulders the responsibility of the base runners, and judges their appropriate course of actions based on what he sees on the field. He has to keep everything in mind and make a decision about what the baserunner should do in different scenarios. Rickey therefore prepares to possibly make a decision about whether a baserunner should run, slide or stay by gazing onto the field and judging the locations of the players on the field.Wesley Branch Rickey was born December 20, 1881, in Flat, Ohio. He was named after John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist religion, and he lived in...

Record Contributed By

Springfield College Archives and Special Collections

Record Harvested From

Digital Commonwealth