In Praise of the Unsung First Baseman

As is the case in any sport, some baseball positions are considered more glamorous than others. Pitchers are the only players who directly affect every play of the game, so it makes sense that they should be celebrated. Center fielders are highlight-reel mainstays thanks to their propensity to make diving catches. Short stops are heralded for their defensive prowess, and the best short stops make challenging double plays look routine.

Other positions, such as first baseman, attract less attention but they are no less critical to a team’s success. When a third baseman or short stop struggles to make an out at first, someone has to be there with a Wilson first base mitt at the ready. Think about all the balls that are plucked out of the dirt by alert, coordinated first basemen. It truly is a defensive position deserving of more acclaim.

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1. Rays’ Longoria wins Gold Glove
2. Why Does a Catcher Need a Different Glove?
3. History of Softball-(Part 3)
4. Stitches for a First Baseman
5. Breaking in a Baseball Glove (Part 2 of 2)