The shift has taken off to the point where routine base hits have become routine outs. In past seasons, the video below shows a sure-fire base hit by Jose Ramirez up the middle. However, instead of the baseball reaching the outfield, Reds shortstop Kyle Farmer fields the ball cleanly standing readily several feet to the right of second base.
“Hit It Where They Ain’t”
Hall of Famer Willie Keeler had 13 straight seasons in which he batted over .300 and a lifetime batting average of .345 over 19 seasons. The 5-foot-4 outfielder coined the phrase “keep your eye on the ball and hit em’ where they ain’t.” Simply put, hit the baseball where there are no fielders. This is the complaint of many baseball fans when it comes to the shift, “Why can’t hitters just go the other way or bunt.”
Photo by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images
Welcome to the relaunched This Day in Yankees History. Now that spring training is officially open, it’s time to get amped for the upcoming season. These daily posts will highlight two or three key moments in Yankees history on a given date, as well as recognize players born on the day. Hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with us!
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89 Years Ago
Right-handed pitcher Ed Morris had a very odd career. Dubbed “Big Ed” for his height, he reached the majors at age 22 with the Cubs, but threw poorly in five relief outings and was banished to the minors for the next six years. After improving in the Southern Association, the Red Sox gave him a shot in 1928, and he rewarded them with a surprisingly strong season. Morris pitched to a 19-15 record with a 3.53 ERA, 3.44 FIP, and 4.3 WAR in 257.2 innings, even earning some down-ballot MVP votes. Had he played for any team other than the cellar-dwelling Red Sox, he wo