Catcher

Description

From the jacket notes: "today the baseball catcher is a familiar but uninspiring figure. Decked out in the so-called tools of ignorance, he stolidly goes about his duty without attracting much attention. but it wasn't always that way, as Peter Morris shows in this lively and original history. . . . .It's an amazing story, told by baseball's indefatigable researcher and brilliant chronicler, Peter Morris. **Catcher** will change the way you thing about baseball, heroism - and most especially the man behind the plate." A truly great book and wonderful addition to baseball history.

Description

"In baseball's early days, catchers stood a safe distance back of the batter without protective gear. Then the introduction of the curveball in the 1870s led them to move up directly behind home plate, even though they still wore no gloves or other protection. Courage became the catcher's most notable requirement. But the new position also demanded that the catcher have lightning-fast reflexes, great hands, and a great throwing arm. A special mystique came to surround the position ... Yet the catcher's reign as a preeminent folk hero proved short-lived: soon the introduction of masks, chest protectors, and mitts robbed him of his mystique and status ... Two decades later, the introduction of another new pitch changed everything once again and restored the catcher's prestige"--Publisher description.

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