How many MLB left-handed infielders have there been?

Question

Ignore 1st base (since there's no throw involved). I'm interested to know why lefties are not encouraged/allowed to play the other infield positions. Southpaws are usually pigeonholed as pitchers, center fielders, and 1st basemen. But why?

Also include catchers. I've never seen nor heard of a lefty catcher at MLB level.

Answer 1

It's too difficult for a lefty 2B, SS, and 3B to make the throw over to first base. They have to turn their entire body and won't get as much on the throw as a righty would.



There have actually been quite a few lefty infielders, mostly about 100 years ago.



2B - Total of 57

Bill Greenwood (538 games), Bill McClellan (436), Tom Evers (110), Lip Pike (79), Bob Addy (79), Roger Connor (68), Sam Trott (65), George Decker (40), Al Reach (36), Hal Chaase (35), Jimmy Hallinan (25), plus 46 more. Last one was Don Mattingly during the completion of the Pine Tar game in 1983.



SS - Total of 43

Jimmy Macullar (325), Bill McClellan (246), Jimmy Hallinan (111), Billy Hulen (92), George Van Haltren (79), Billy Redmon (61), Jimmy Ryan (58), Jack Leary (40), Russ Hall (36), Sy Sutcliffe (31), Bill Greenwood (30), Lefty Marr (29), plus 31 others. Last one was Lou Gehrig in 1934 who actually didn't play shortstop. He was listed at shortstop to keep his consecutive game streak alive. He batted in the top of the first, got a single and was removed for a pinch runner. Before him the last was Hal Chase in 1909.



3B - Total of 52

Hick Carpenter (1059), Lefty Marr (129), Roger Connor (111), Bill McClellan (58), Chris James (48), Willie Keeler (44), Spud Johnson (44), Jack Leary (37) plus 44 others. Last was Mario Valdez in 1997.



C - Total of 29

Jack Clements (1073), Sam Trott (272), Pop Tate (202), Sy Sutcliffe (186), Fergy Malone (178), Bill Harbidge (159), Mike Hines (99), John Humphries (75), Fred Tenney (71), Art Twineham (52), Phil Baker (50), Jiggs Donahue (45), Dave Oldfield (35), Charlie Housholder (34) plus 15 others. Last one was Benny Distefano in 1989.

Answer 2

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There's not a bunch, there have been more (I think quite a few more in the 70s etc...) but usually when you see a left hander in baseball in their early years you think, "I wonder if he can pitch." Also, baseball is steeped in belief-based coaching, such as, "We've done it this way and it's always been this way and that is what is going to be." So for most coaches, they won't let a lefty play anywhere else except 1B/OF/P, even if they can do a position better than someone who is right handed. That being said, a lot of the infield positions would be tougher on a lefty, except catcher and 1B. Doesn't mean they can't do it though. In the NFL for a long time there was a stigma where if you were left handed, you couldn't be QB because there hasn't been any good left handed QBs and blah blah blah, they turned out to be false but you can see that people will hold on to those beliefs for a long time.

Answer 3

Lefty catcher's don't work just because the majority of hitters are right-handed and could interfere more with throws on steals and having to shift feet when throwing to third. A lefty catcher would actually have an advantage when fielding bunts and not having to shift feet when throwing to first.



The basic reason is the infielders don't have to turn their body before throwing to first base.



Mike Squires is an exception. He caught one inning for the White Sox on May 4th, 1980, becoming the first left-hander to play catcher since Dale Long in 1958 . Long was the last left-handed catcher since 1924. Squires also became the first left-handed third baseman in over 50 years, as he played 14 games at third in 1983-1984

Answer 4

the simple fact that most plays go to 1st base and that for a right handed fielder, he can field the ball and throw without turning aroung (a lefty must turn his back to the infield to throw to 1st).



Since being right handed is more common than left handed, the game was set up this direction. Plus, for right handed batters they can hit then run forward, rather than turning around. If being lefty was much more common, the game would be set up so that you run the opposite way around the bases, it makes the game more natural for the highest majority of players.



As for catchers, its the same concept, Throwing to 3rd would be across the body if they were left handed.



There are some leftys that play catcher or infield (other than 1st) at lower levels, but coaches usually stick them at 1st or outfield (where it doesn't matter either way). So most leftys grow up playing 1st or outfield, so when they get to the pros, that is what they are used to.



Plus, at the MLB level, anyone who is good enough to get to the MLB is good enough to play 1st, all you have to do is know how to catch and learn a little bit of footwork. So if a left handed player did grow up as a SS, and made it to the MLB, they could easily adapt to 1st base or outfield just because making the MLB at all means you have a lot of natural baseball talent.

Answer 5

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RE:

How many MLB left-handed infielders have there been?

Ignore 1st base (since there's no throw involved). I'm interested to know why lefties are not encouraged/allowed to play the other infield positions. Southpaws are usually pigeonholed as pitchers, center fielders, and 1st basemen. But why?



Also include catchers. I've never seen nor...

Answer 6

Infielders need to make quick throws after fielding the ball, right-handers can throw across their body to first, but lefties need to turn to get any force behind the ball. First base favors lefties for the same reasons, only they throw the other way than the rest of the infield (away from first rather than towards), but not many throws are made from first and righties manage well, so it depends more on skill. Catchers need an open throwing lane to 2nd for steal and since most batters are right-handed, righties have space, but lefties are throwing into the batter. Centerfield is obviously neutral, but right-field favors left-handers so they can through from the corner easier.

Answer 7

Left Handed Shortstop

Answer 8

I believe there was one lefty pressed into service as a late-inning catcher a few years ago.



Lefties are rare, can't recall any right off, because of the extra time involved in taking a ball with your right hand, switching to the left hand and adjusting your feet and body to make the throw. Any runner with decent speed would usually be safe.

Answer 9

here's a list of all left handed catchers:



http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/catchleft2.htm



I couldn't find any other lefties at other positions, mainly because the left handed players have to turn in weird ways to get the throws off. I played 2nd base in little league (and I'm lefty) and I had to turn my body around to get the double play throws off, which hurt accuracy and the power of the throws, plus it ate up time for me to turn around.



Third base isn't that much worse for a lefty, and a lefty will be better at stopping balls going up the left field line, although a lefty will always be at a disadvantage throwing the ball from 3rd, 2nd, or short.



Short and 2nd are such speed oriented positions that lefties will cost extra time and accuracy turning to make throws, so they can be liabilities, 3rd base to a lesser extent.

Answer 10

The symetrics of a baseball diamond doesn't favor lefty throwing.



The motion for a catcher to throw to third base is unnatural, as are the throws from second, short, and third... where a lefty would be facing the outfield whenever he throws the ball, making it harder for him to see what's going on at the other bases.



At first base, it's actually better to be a lefty for the same reason.

Answer 11

not many. throwing to first puts lefties at a disadvatage because they have to catch the ball then shift thier feet. righties field, take a shuffle step, and throw.

Answer 12

there was 2 bob smithson and jarred domert

Answer 13

none on the left side. Maybe at first. Doubtful at second.