Left handed catcher

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labratory

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Left handed catcher

PostSun May 08, 2022 7:00 pm

I just heard that there was one left handed (throwing) catcher in major league history.
He's represented in ATG.
Easy to look up, but any guesses?
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Hack Wilson

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostSun May 08, 2022 7:06 pm

Good question. Mike Squires, White Sox (2 games), is one, but i think they've been a couple others as well. I could look it up, just off the top of my head.
Last edited by Hack Wilson on Sun May 08, 2022 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Hack Wilson

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostSun May 08, 2022 7:07 pm

Also, Benny Distefano who caught 3 games in 1989 for Pittsburgh.
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Hack Wilson

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostSun May 08, 2022 7:26 pm

Dale Long for the '58 Cubs caught one inning and two-thirds. OK, perplexed, so I did look that up, and he's in our Strat game, though not for that season, but the next one. :)
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barterer2002

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostSun May 08, 2022 9:02 pm

Jack Clement played for the Phillies back in the 1890s and has his 1894 card in ATG9
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labratory

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostSun May 08, 2022 9:44 pm

Yes, Jack Clements was a full time left handed catcher in the 1800's.
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MaxPower

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostMon May 09, 2022 9:52 am

What I don't understand is WHY lefty catchers are so rare.
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Roosky

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostMon May 09, 2022 10:42 am

MaxPower wrote:What I don't understand is WHY lefty catchers are so rare.


I believe the main reason is because of having to throw around the majority of right handed batters. The other thing would possibly be that it would be more difficult for a lefty thrower to throw out a base stealer at 3rd base. Maybe someone can add more info.
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egvrich

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostMon May 09, 2022 10:46 am

The scarcity of left handed catcher's mitts is a huge contributing factor at the little league level, so most lefties are automatically excluded from playing catcher unless their parents want to pony up for a catcher's mitt.
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Roosky

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Re: Left handed catcher

PostMon May 09, 2022 10:49 am

Here is a really good article on it that also refutes some of the reasons it isn’t done. https://www.mlb.com/news/why-there-are-no-left-handed-catchers-in-mlb
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