Another really wonderful piece. I was not aware of Earnshaw Cook's book -- surprised I hadn't read it -- but I did observe some of the concepts apparently entangled with that. As a kid, I was mortified to note the Yankees used Mantle as the leadoff hitter late in the season, but then I read that it was to get him enough ABs to run down Pete Runnells for the batting title. You mentioned "Omar The Outmaker" -- as Moreno was dubbed during the 1979 Series -- but the era player who fit this model was Rickey Henderson, whose homers and steals at leadoff were consistently high. I found it interesting that Mays hit leadoff for the Mets in 26 of the 69 games he played after being traded and then 20 more times in 1973. But, then, he also played 1B for the Mets.
Another really wonderful piece. I was not aware of Earnshaw Cook's book -- surprised I hadn't read it -- but I did observe some of the concepts apparently entangled with that. As a kid, I was mortified to note the Yankees used Mantle as the leadoff hitter late in the season, but then I read that it was to get him enough ABs to run down Pete Runnells for the batting title. You mentioned "Omar The Outmaker" -- as Moreno was dubbed during the 1979 Series -- but the era player who fit this model was Rickey Henderson, whose homers and steals at leadoff were consistently high. I found it interesting that Mays hit leadoff for the Mets in 26 of the 69 games he played after being traded and then 20 more times in 1973. But, then, he also played 1B for the Mets.
Great stuff!