SPORT SCIENCE

Southpaw’s Revenge

Why left-handed players have a distinct advantage on the diamond.

By Andrew Bast | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jul 18, 2008 | Updated: 9:13  a.m. ET Jul 18, 2008

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  • Posted By: JP5007 @ 07/21/2008 5:28:53 PM

    Not necessarily, even though 4 out of 9 positions may seem like a lot, there's also the pitching staff which may consist of 5 starters and another 5 relievers or more (the stats state 25% lefties, but they don't specify position or starting/non-starting players).

  • Posted By: JP5007 @ 07/21/2008 5:28:28 PM

    Not necessarily, even though 4 out of 9 positions may seem like a lot, there's also the pitching staff which may consist of 5 starters and another 5 relievers or more (the stats state 25% lefties, but they don't specify position or starting/non-starting players).

  • Posted By: JP5007 @ 07/19/2008 6:24:19 PM

    This article completely disregards the position righties and lefties play. 2nd base, shortstop and 3rd base must always be right handed players because they don't have to pivot when throwing to 1st. Same goes for the catcher who usually throws to 2nd or 3rd. These positions usually are defensive minded over hitting prowess. 1st basemen are usually lefies (to tag out players more easily) and the outfield can be either be lefty or righty, but these positions are normally where the power hitters play. So math and stats in this case don't tell the complete story and the debate of righties vs lefties is moot.

    • Posted By: paul_k_666 @ 07/21/2008 5:21:25 AM

      Your comment is true, but, if four positions (2nd, 3rd, shortstop AND catcher) are ALWAYS played by righties, you would expect far fewer lefties in baseball than in the general population.

  • Posted By: JP5007 @ 07/19/2008 6:24:53 PM

    This article completely disregards the position righties and lefties play. 2nd base, shortstop and 3rd base must always be right handed players because they don't have to pivot when throwing to 1st. Same goes for the catcher who usually throws to 2nd or 3rd. These positions usually are defensive minded over hitting prowess. 1st basemen are usually lefies (to tag out players more easily) and the outfield can be either be lefty or righty, but these positions are normally where the power hitters play. So math and stats in this case don't tell the complete story and the debate of righties vs lefties is moot.

  • Posted By: beatphats @ 07/19/2008 9:03:14 AM

    I would have liked him to discuss if the type swings developed by righties vs. lefties have anything to do with the success of righties and lefties. If you pay close attention most lefties have a "looping" swing, like Griffey, Strawberry, Pena etc. While righties like Jeter, Tejada, Sosa have a more "straight" swing. I guess it boils down to that lefties leave the bat through the strike zone longer, , and righties get through the zone quicker.

  • Posted By: emecee @ 07/18/2008 1:42:27 PM

    I heard about a switch pitcher in the minor leagues -- has there ever been one that made it to the majors?

    • Posted By: beatphats @ 07/19/2008 8:59:05 AM

      Yeah he played for the Expos but can't remember his name.

  • Posted By: beatphats @ 07/19/2008 8:57:08 AM

    I would have liked him to discuss if the type swings developed by righties vs. lefties have anything to do with the success of righties and lefties. If you pay close attention most lefties have a "looping" swing, like Griffey, Strawberry, etc. While righties like Jeter, Tejada, Sosa have a more "straight" swing. I guess it boils down to that lefties leave the bat through the strike zone longer, , and righties get the zone quicker.

  • Posted By: BrownFoxNine @ 07/19/2008 7:13:28 AM

    Fascinating indeed. I always thought left handers had the advantage.
    www.fireme.to/udi

  • Posted By: BrownFoxNine @ 07/19/2008 7:12:29 AM

    Pretty fascinating indeed. Always thought left handers had an advantage.
    jt
    www.FireMe.To/udi

  • Posted By: paul_k_666 @ 07/19/2008 5:46:11 AM

    Statistics show that most switch hitters would be better off hitting from their stronger side; they have a bigger disparity in batting average against lefties and righties than batters who stick to one side.

  • Posted By: sciborg3k @ 07/18/2008 4:25:31 PM

    Certain positions in the field favor left-handers, but not all of them. Think about trying to play third base or shortstop left handed and you'll see why.

  • Posted By: emecee @ 07/18/2008 1:43:49 PM

    I read about an ambidextrous "switch pitcher" in the minor leagues. Seems like that would be a significant advantage -- has there ever been a true switch pitcher in the majors?

    • Posted By: beavo @ 07/18/2008 2:19:57 PM

      I remember an ambidextrous pitcher from the sixties who pitched for the Giants. He was Japanese.

  • Posted By: beavo @ 07/18/2008 2:16:17 PM

    Additionaly with a man on first base, the first baseman is holding the runner on which opens a significant hole for the left handed batter. Go Cardinals!!!!

  • Posted By: kiernan7 @ 07/18/2008 2:02:27 PM

    Typo: A left-handed hitter facing a left-handed batter

    Think that was supposed to be left-handed PITCHER

    Great article, though (said the lefty). Having been a stand-up comic, I can tell you well over 50% of them that I observed (and I worked in the office of the Professional Comedians Association in NYC) were lefties.

    FYI... don't know what it means.

  • Posted By: kiernan7 @ 07/18/2008 2:02:13 PM

    Typo: A left-handed hitter facing a left-handed batter

    Think that was supposed to be left-handed PITCHER

    Great article, though (said the lefty). Having been a stand-up comic, I can tell you well over 50% of them that I observed (and I worked in the office of the Professional Comedians Association in NYC) were lefties.

    FYI... don't know what it means.

  • Posted By: fieldmi @ 07/18/2008 1:43:04 PM

    I would not want to fly in a plane engineered by this idiot. First he does not understand even the rudiments of statistics. Second he makes factual errors. Third he says things as if they support his position when in fact they argue against it. The responsibility to keep this unacceptably unprofessional level of bad journalism out of the media lies with the editorial staff and they dropped the ball in this case! Fortunately it is a Newsweek exclusive and only their reputation will be sullied by how bad this is.

  • Posted By: comet64 @ 07/18/2008 12:28:04 PM

    "I used to watch Stan Musial when I was a kid in the old Sportsman's Park where they had a very short left-field pavilion." Sportsman's Park (later Busch Stadium#1) had a short pavilion but it was in right field not left field.

  • Posted By: comet64 @ 07/18/2008 12:25:44 PM

    "I used to watch Stan Musial when I was a kid in the old Sportsman's Park where they had a very short left-field pavilion." ................................. Sportsman's Park (later Busch Stadium I) had a short right field pavilion not a left-field pavilion.

  • Posted By: db321 @ 07/18/2008 12:24:18 PM

    One thing he does not mention is that true left handers (those that throw left) have a disadvantage in that they can't play all positions on the diamond--you won't see any lefties at 2B, SS or 3B because they have to face toward the outfield to throw to first. Most lefties are outfielders or pitchers.

  • Posted By: SheLovesBaseball @ 07/18/2008 12:16:19 PM

    AgAtty - A right handed batter sees a right handed pitcher more regularly and has throughout their lives.

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