Baseball’s Leading Outfielders

February 4, 1979/in Articles.1979-BRJ8 /by admin

This article was written by Bill Schroeder

This article was published in 1979 Baseball Research Journal

In 1972 the Society for American Baseball Research, then little more than a year old, undertook a survey to determine the best fielders since 1900. This was for all positions, not just outfielders, which we are limiting ourselves to in this article. This fielding survey was not open to the full membership but was limited to those members who had special interest in fielding and to those outside of SABR who had seen enough of the oldtimers to make a reasonable determination.

Ballots came back from such authorities as Fred Lieb, Bob Broeg, Bill DeWitt, Ken Smith, Leonard Gettelson, Ernie Harwell, and George Sisler. Obviously, these voters were relying primarily on their onsite observance of players rather than fielding records in the guides.

For the outfield they were requested to name the three best, regardless of position-right, left, or center. The response from the 24 voters was in this order: Tris Speaker was named on 19 ballots, Willie Mays 15, Joe DiMaggio 12, Roberto Clemente 11, Max Carey and Richie Ashburn 3 each, and Terry Moore and Al Kaline 2 each. Several others received one vote.

Most of us would not have a real problem with that selection which was announced in the 1973 Baseball Research Journal. Still, it made me wonder, for those of us who have not seen that much major league ball, what kind of an outfield could we come up with based exclusively on fielding statistics? Then the next question would be, what fielding records would we use?

Most of us agree that the fielding percentage is not very important in itself. However, what if we carried right along side the fielding percentage leader the leaders in putouts and assists? That is what we have attempted in this article and it seems to result in a pretty fair balance. It still does not differentiate among the outfielders by position, but as long as separate records are not kept, and there is considerable shifting from one outfield position to another anyway, we will go with the present system.

Most of the leaders in putouts are center-fielders, although there are a number of exceptions. Take, for example, Zack Wheat, left-fielder of the Dodgers in 1914; or Enos Slaughter, right-fielder of the Cardinals in 1939; or Ralph Kiner, left-fielder of the Pirates in 1947. In fact, it comes as some surprise to see that Kiner once led his league in putouts.

The listing of annual leaders in fielding average, putouts and assists shows that there never has been an outfielder who has led in all three categories in the same season. In fact, only ten players led in these three categories during their careers. They include Speaker, two fielding titles, seven putout titles, and three leading seasons in assists; Roy Thomas, who was 1-3-1, Ty Cobb, 1-1-1, Happy Felsch, 1-1-1, Sam West, 2-2-1, Enos Slaughter, 1-1-2, Joe DiMaggio, 1-1-1, Mike Kreevich, 2-1-1, Ken Berry, 3-1-1, and Amos Otis, 1-2-1. Otis joined the list in 1978 when he led in fielding average.

It might be best at this point to highlight the leaders in each of the three fielding categories. In fielding average, Amos Strunk led five times-in 1912, 1914, and 19l7 with the A’s; in 19l8 with the Red Sox; and in l920 with the A’s and White Sox. No other player has led more than three times. Those with a trio of titles include: Rube Oldring, who was in the same A’s outfield with Strunk; Walt Judnich, who had only four seasons in the outfield with the Browns; Stan Musial, Gene Woodling, Jimmy Piersall, Tony Gonzalez, and Ken Berry. Berry had two seasons where he fielded 1.000. Mickey Stanley of the Tigers also had two “perfect” seasons in the outfield.

Danny Litwhiler was the first outfielder to play errorless ball over the course of a full season in 1942 with the Phils. This contrasts sharply with some of the league-leading marks in the early years. Jim Jackson of Baltimore led the AL in 1901 with a .971 mark. As recently as 1923, Whitey Witt of the Yankees led the AL with a .979 percentage. He led in spite of making eight errors that season.

While Speaker led the American League seven seasons in putouts, two speedy center-fielders led the National League nine times each. They were Max Carey of Pittsburgh and Richie Ashburn of the Phillies. Ashburn has never received the credit he deserved for his domination in this department. Of the nine top marks in putouts in the majors, he holds six of them, as follows:

1928: Taylor Douthit, Cardinals 547
1951: Richie Ashburn, Phillies, 538
1949: Richie Ashburn, Phillies 514
1977: Chet Lemon, White Sox 512
1948: Dom DiMaggio,Red Sox 503
1956: Richie Ashburn, Phillies 503
1957: Richie Ashburn, Phillies 502
1953: Richie Ashburn, Phillies 496
1958: Richie Ashburn, Phillies 495

After Ashburn, Carey, and Speaker, the putout leaders are Lloyd Waner, Sam Chapman, and Curt Flood, with four seasons each.

In outfield assists, a current player has topped the list most times. Carl Yastrzemski of the Red Sox has led a record seven seasons. This is a remarkable achievement considering that he has spent five years primarily as a first baseman. Roberto Clemente led five seasons, including once with 27. This is the highest total in the majors in the past 40 years. Chuck Klein set the modern record with a spectacular 44 assists in 1930, one of three seasons he led. Leading four seasons were Max Carey, Tilly Walker, Johnny Callison, and Rusty Staub. Walker may have walked like a girl; hence the nickname Tilly, but he threw the ball with great strength and accuracy. What about the other great arms of baseball, like Bob Meusel, Carl Furillo, and Ken Wood? Well, Wood never got into enough games with the Browns to ever lead the league. Meusel led the AL twice while with the Yankees, and Furillo led the NL twice with the Dodgers.

How does this annual listing of three fielding department leaders square with SABR outfield selections in 1972? It comes out quite well, particularly in regard to Speaker, Carey, and Ashburn. As stated before, Speaker led twice in fielding average, seven times in putouts, and three times in assists. Carey led nine times in putouts and four times in assists. Ashburn, in a shorter career than the other two, led nine times in putouts and three times in assists. Kaline led twice in fielding average and twice in assists. Moore led once in fielding average and twice in putouts. Joe DiMaggio, who did not play the full schedule with regularity because of injuries, led once in each of the three categories. In that respect he trailed both of his brothers, who also were excellent outfielders. Clemente, as mentioned before, led five times in assists.

On the other hand, Willie Mays, certainly the most colorful of the outfielders mentioned, does not fare particularly well in this listing. In his long career, which includes more games in the outfield than any other NL player, he led only once in putouts and once in assists. However, we must add that he did lead four times in doubleplays by an outfielder, which is a category we are not listing. He also goes unchallenged as the player losing his cap most often in his outfield dashes.

Listed below are the outfielders leading each season since 1901 in the American and National Leagues in the three categories of fielding average, putouts, and assists.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Year	Fielding Percent		Putouts		Assists

1901	W. Keeler, Bkn	.985	D. Green, Chi	312	J. Slagle, Phi-Bos	23
1902	W. Keeler, Bkn	.978	J. Sheckard, Bkn	284	G.Van Haltren, NY	30
			H. Smoot, StL	284	P. Donovan, StL	30
1903	S. Mertes, NY	.973	C. Seymour, Cin	318	J. Sheckard, Bkn	36
			R.Thomas, Phi	318
1904	S. Shannon, StL	.978	R. Thomas, Phi	321	J. Sebring, Pit-Cin	27
1905	S. Shannon, StL	.984	R. Thomas, Phi	373	J. Slagle, Chi	27
					R. Thomas, Phi	27
1906	R. Thomas, Phi	.986	B. Maloney, Bkn	355	C. Dolan, Bos	26
1907	F. Clarke, Pit	.987	B. Maloney, Bkn	336	M. Mitchell, Cin	39
1908	W. Schulte, Chi	.994	F. Osborn, Phi	359	C. Seymour, NY	29
1909	F. Clarke, Pit	.987	F. Clarke, Pit	362	R. Murray, NY	30
1910	B. Collins, Bos	.977	D. Paskert, Cin	355	R. Murray, NY	26
			B. Collins, Bos	355
1911	S. Magee, Phi	.981	R. Oakes, StL	364	J. Sheckard, Chi	32
1912	T. Leach, Pit-Chi	.978	M. Carey, Pit	369	J. Sheckard, Chi	26
					G. Cravath, Phi	26
1913	T. Leach, Chi	.990	M. Carey, Pit	363	M. Carey, Pit	28
1914	0. Wilson, StL	.983	Z. Wheat, Bkn	331	0. Wilson, StL	34
					G. Cravath, Phi	34
1915	0. Wilson, StL	.984	H. Myers, Bkn	352	G. Cravath, Phi	28
1916	M. Flack, Chi	.991	M. Carey, Pit	419	M. Carey, Pit	32
1917	D. Paskert, Phi	.984	M. Carey, Pit	440	C. Stengel, Bkn	30
1918	G. Neale, Cin	.981	M. Carey Pit	359	M. Carey, Pit	25
1919	G. Burns, NY	.990	H. Myers, Bkn	358	R. Youngs, NY	23
1920	B. Southworth, Pit	.991	E. Roush, Cin	410	R. Youngs, NY	26
					C. Heathcote, StL	26
1921	M. Flack, Chi	.989	M. Carey, Pit	431	C. Williams, Phi	29
1922	Z. Wheat, Bkn	.991	M. Carey, Pit	449	R. Youngs, NY	28
1923	P. Duncan, Cin	.993	M. Carey, Pit	450	M. Carey, Pit	28
1924	G. Harper, Cin-Phi	.986	M. Carey, Pit	428	J. Statz, Chi	22
1925	C. Walker, Cin	.983	E. Brown, Bkn	449	J. Welsh, Bos	27
1926	C. Heathcote, Chi	.985	T. Douthit, StL	440	J. Welsh, Bos	23
1927	D. Spaicling, Phi	.992	H. Wilson, Chi	400	F. Leach, Pit	26
1928	R. Bressler, Bkn	.985	T. Douthit, StL	547	D. Sothern, Phi	19
1929	E. Allen, Cin	.988	L. Waner, Pit	450	M. Ott, NY	26
1930	W. Roettger, NY	.992	T. Douthit, StL	425	C. Klein, Phi	44
1931	R. Worthington, Bos	.988	L. Waner, Pit	484	P. Waner, Pit	28
1932	W. Berger, Bos	.993	L. Waner, Pit	426	C. Klein, Phi	29
1933	H. Rice, Cin	.991	C. Fullis, Phi	410	C. Klein: Phi	21
1934	L. Koenecke, Bkn	.994	L. Waner, Pit	405	B. Boyle, Bkn	20
1935	M. Ott, NY	.990	W. Berger, Bos	458	E. Allen, Phi	26
1936	J. Cooney, Bkn	.994	T. Moore, StL	418	G.Moore,Bos	32
1937	J Medwick, StL	.988	H. Martin, Phi	353	G. Moore, Bos	21
					V. DiMaggio, Bos	21
1938	G. Rosen, Bkn	.989	H. Craft, Cin	436	V. DiMaggio, Bos	19
					G. Rosen, Bkn	19
1939	T. Moore, StL	.994	E. Slaughter, StL	348	E. Slaughter, StL	18

1940	H. Craft, Cin	.997	T. Moore, StL	383	M. West, Bos	16
1941	J. Cooney, Bos	.996	D. Litwhiler, Phi	393	D. Walker, Bkn	19
					M. Ott, NY	19
1942	D. Litwhiler, Phi	1.000	V. DiMaggio, Pit	383	V. DiMaggio, Pit	20
1943	D. Litwhiler, Phi-St	.996	V. DiMaggio, Pit	457	C. Workman, Bos	22
1944	J. Hopp, StL	.997	B. Adams, Phi	449	A. Pafko, Chi	24
					R. Northey, Phi	24
1945	A. Pafko, Chi	.995	C. Gilenwater, Bos	451	C. Gillenwater, Bos	24
1946	S. Gordon, NY	.995	J. Wyrostek, Phi	388	E. Slaughter, Sti	23
1947	B. Nicholson, Chi	.990	R. Kiner, Pit	390	W. Marshall, NY	19
1948	J. Heath, Bos	.991	W. Lockman, NY	388	W. Marshall, NY	16
1949	S. Musial, StL	.991	R. Ashburn, Phi	514	D. Ennis, Phi	16
					H. Sauer, Chi	16
1950	W. Westlake, Pit	.991	R. Ashburn, Phi	405	C. Furillo, Bkn	18
1951	W. Marshall, Bos	1.000	R. Ashburn, Phi	538	C. Furillo, Bkn	24
1952	S. Gordon, Bos	.996	R. Ashburn, Phi	428	R. Ashburn, Phi	23
1953	E. Slaughter, StL	.996	R. Ashburn, Phi	496	R. Ashburn, Phi	18
1954	S. Musial, StL	.990	R. Ashburn, Phi	483	D. Mueller, NY	14
					B. Bruton, Mil	14
					F. Thomas, Pit	14
1955	E. Miksis, Chi	.989	B. Bruton, Mu	412	W. Mays, NY	23
1956	J. Brandt, StL-NY	.990	R. Ashburn, Phi	503	W. Moryn, Chi	18
1957	K. Boyer, StL	.996	R. Ashburn, Phi	502	R. Ashburn, Phi	18
1958	G. Bell, Cin	.996	R. Ashburn, Phi	495	R. Clemente, Pit	22
1959	G.Bell,Cin	.996	V.Pinson,Cin	423	H.Anderson,Phi	17
1960	C. Flood, StL	.993	V. Pinson, Cin	401	R. Clemente, Pit	19
1961	S. Musial, StL	.994	V. Pinson, Cin	391	R. Clemente, Pit	27
1962	T. Gonzalez, Phi	1.000	W. Mays, SF	429	J. Callison, Phi	24
1963	D. Demeter, Phi	1.000	C. Flood, StL	401	J. Callison, Phi	26
1964	T. Gonzalez, Phi	.996	W. Davis, LA	400	J. Callison, Phi	19
1965	V. Pinson, Cin	.992	J. Wynn, Hou	382	J. Callison, Phi	21
1966	C. Flood, StL	1.000	C. Flood, StL	391	R. Clemente, Pit	17
1967	T. Gonzalez, Phi	.993	J. Wynn, Hou	364	R. Clemente, Pit	17
1968	J. Callison, Phi	1.000	C. Flood, StL	386	P. Rose, Cin	20
					J. Wynn, Hou	20
1969	V. Pinson, StL	.996	C. Flood, StL	362	R. Staub, Mon	16
			B. Tolan, Cin	362
1970	P. Rose, Cin	.997	T. Agee, NY	374	W. Stargell, Pit	16
1971	B. Bonds, SF	.994	W. Davis, LA	404	R. Staub, Mon	20
1972	R. Monday, Chi	.996	B. Tolan, Cin	401	P. Rose, Cin	15
					B. Carbo, StL	15
					W. Montanez, Phi	15
1973	G. Luzinski, Phi	.993	D. Baker, At!	390	K. Singleton, Mon	20
1974	P. Rose, Gin	.997	C. Cedeno, Hou	446	R. Staub, NY	19
1975	V. Joshua, SF	.993	C. Geronimo, Cin	408	R. Staub, NY	15
1976	G. Foster, Cin	.994	G. Maddox, Phi	441	D. Winfield, SD	15
1977	C. Cedeno, Hou	.997	D. Parker, Pit	389	D. Parker, Pit	26
1978	B. McBride, Phil	.996	G. Maddox, Phi	440	W. Cromartie, Mon	24

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Year	Fielding Percent		Putouts		Assists
1901	J. Jackson, Bal	.971	O. Pickering, Cle	315	J. Barrett, Det	31
1902	H. Bay, Cle	.973	J. Barrett, Det	326	S. Mertes, Chi	26
1903	F. Jones, Chi	.985	F. Jones, Chi	324	J. Barrett, Det	19
					D. Holmes, Was-Chi	19
1904	H.Bay,Cle	.987	J. Barrett, Det	339	J. Barrett, Det	29
1905	S. Crawford, Det	.988	F. Jones, Chi	337	C. Jones, Was	24
					B. Koehler, StL	24
1906	F. Jones, Chi	.988	C. Stahl, Bos	344	H. Niles, StL	34
1907	E. Hahn, Chi	.990	C. Hemphill, StL	320	J. Birmingham, Cle	33
1908	D. Sullivan, Bos-Cle	.982	M. McIntyre, Det	329	T.Cobb,Det	23
1909	B. Ganley, Was-Phi	.982	T. Speaker, Bos	319	T. Speaker, Bos	35
1910	R. Oldring, Phi	.978	T. Speaker, Bos	337	H. Hooper, Bos	30
					C. Milan, Was	30
1911	R. Oldring, Phi	.979	T.Cobb,Det	376	C. Milan, Was	33
1912	A. Strunk, Phi	.990	B.Shotton,StL	381	T. Speaker, Bos	35
1913	B.Cree,NY	.988	T. Speaker, Bos	374	T. Speaker, Bos	30
1914	A.Strunk,Phi	.987	T. Speaker, Bos	423	T. Walker, StL	30
1915	R. Oldring, Phi	.982	T. Speaker, Bos	378	T. Walker, StL	27
1916	H. Felsch, Chi	.981	C. Milan, Was	372	C. Milan, Was	27
1917	A. Strunk, Phi	.986	H. Felsch, Chi	440	P. Bodie, Phi	32
1918	A. Strunk, Bos	.988	T. Speaker, Cle	352	R. Demmitt, StL	25
					T. Walker, Phi	25
1919	B. Ruth, Bos	.992	T. Speaker, Cle	375	H. Felsch, Chi	32
1920	A. Strunk, Phi-Chi	.985	S. Rice, Was	454	B. Veach, Det	26
					T. Walker, Phi	26
1921	T. Speaker, Cle	.984	B.Veach,Det	384	B. Meusel, NY	28
					J. Tobin, StL	28
1922	T. Speaker, Cle	.983	S. Rice, Was	385	B. Meusel, NY	24
1923	W. Witt, NY	.979	J. Mostil, Chi	422	I. Flagstead, Bos	33
1924	T. Cobb, Det	.986	B. Jacobson, StL	488	H. Heilmann, Det	31
1925	J. Mostil, Chi	.985	A. Simmons, Phi	447	G. Goslin, Was	24
					I. Flagstead, Bos	24
1926	B.Falk,Chi	.992	J. Mostil, Chi	440	S. Rice, Was	25
					G. Goslin, Was	25
1927	I. Flagstead, Bos	.986	E. Combs, NY	411	H. Rice, StL	26
1928	S. West, Was	.996	E. Combs, NY	424	C. Jamieson, Cle	22
1929	F. Schulte, StL	.989	E. Averill, Cle	388	S. West, Was	25
					R. Johnson, Det	25
1930	A. Simmons, Phi	.990	T. Oliver, Bos	477	S. Jolley, Chi	17
1931	T.Oliver,Bos	.993	T. Oliver, Bos	433	R. Johnson, Det	25
1932	J.Vosmik,Cle	.989	S. West, Was	450	G.Goslin,StL	16
1933	D. Porter, Cle	.996	F. Schulte, Was	433	B.Chapman,NY	24
1934	S. Byrd, NY	.988	E. Averill, Cle	410	B. Johnson, Phi	17
1935	S. West, StL	.989	S. West, StL	449	B. Chapman, NY	25
1936	A. Simmons, Det	.986	D. Cramer, Bos	443	J. DiMaggio, NY	22
1937	M.Kreevich,Chi	.988	J. DiMaggio, NY	413	B. Bell., Sti	22
1938	P.Fox,Det	.994	D. Cramer, Bos	417	B. Johnson, Phi	21
1939	G. Selkirk, NY	.989	B. McCosky, Det	428	M.Kreevich,Chi	18
1940	W. Judnich, StL	.989	M. Kreevich, Chi	428	D. DiMaggio, Bos	16
1941	M. Kreevich, Chi	.994	S.Chapman,Phi	416	G.Case,Was	21
					S. Chapman, Phi	21
1942	W. Judnich, SIL	.991	D. DiMaggio, Bos	439	D. DiMaggio, Bos	19
1943	M. Byrnes, StL	.997	T. Tucker, Chi	399	C.Laabs,StL	16
1944	T.Tucker,Chi	.991	J. Lindell, NY	468	S. Spence, Was	29
1945	D. Cramer, Det	.991	W. Moses, Chi	329	R. Cullenbine, Det	23
1946	W.Judnich,StL	.995	S. Spence, Was	412	B. Lewis,Was	16
1947	J. DiMaggio, NY	.997	S. Chapman, Phi	428	D. DiMaggio, Bos	19
1948	D.Mitchell,Cle	.991	D. DiMaggio, Bos	503	D. Philley, Clii	22
1949	D. Mitchell, Cle	.994	S. Chapman, Phi	450	D. Philley, Chi	16
					D.Kokos,StL	16
1950	H. Evers, Det	.997	S. Chapman, Phi	428	I. Noren, Was	20
1951	J.Groth,Det	.993	I. Noren, Was	420	G. Zernial, Chi-Phi	18
1952	G. Woodling, NY	.996	J. Busby, Chi-Was	472	J. Jensen,Was	17
1953	G. Woodling, NY	.996	J. Busby, Was	482	D. Philley, Phi	18
					J.Groth,StL	18
1954	J. Delsing, Det	.996	J. Busby, Was	491	M. Mantle, NY	20
1955	G. Woodling, Bal-Cle	.995	B. Tuttle, Det	442	I. Rivera, Chi	22
1956	J. Piersall, Bos	.991	J. Piersall, Bos	455	A. Kaline, Det	18
1957	C. Maxwell, Det	.997	J. Piersall, Bos	397	J.Jensen,Bos	16
1958	J.Busby,Bal	.995	H. Kuenn, Det	358	A. Kaline, Det	23
1959	M. Mantle, NY	.995	1. Landis, Chi	420	B. Tuttle, KC	17
1960	C. Maxwell, Det	.996	B. Tuttle, KC	381	B. Tuttle, KC	16
1961	J. Piersall, Cle	.991	B.Bruton,Det	410	R. Colavito, Det	16
1962	J. Piersall, Was	.997	B. Bruton, Det	394	C. Yastrzemski, Bos	15
1963	J. Landis, Chi	.993	D.Lock,Was	377	C. Yastrzemski, Bos	18
1964	T. Tresh, NY	.996	N. Mathews, KC	384	C. Yastrzemski, Bos	19
					D.Lock,Was	19
1965	R. Colavito, Cle	1.000	K.Berry,Chi	331	M. Hershberger,KC	14
1966	A. Kaline, Det	.993	T. Agee, Chi	376	C. Yastrzemski, Bos	15
1967	T. Uhlaender, Min	.996	P. Blair, Bal	369	M. Hershberger, KC	17
1968	M. Stanley, Det	1.000	R. Smith, Bos	390	D. Unser, Was	22
	K. Harrelson, Bos	1.000
1969	K. Berry, Chi	1.000	P. Blair, Bal	407	C. Yastrzemski, Bos	17
1970	M. Stanley, Del	1.000	A. Otis, KC	388	B. Murcer, NY	15
					R. Smith, Bos	15
					A. Otis, KC	15
1971	R. White, NY	1.000	A. Otis, KC	404	C. Yastrzemski, Bos	16
	A. Kaline, Det	1.000
1972	K. Berry, Cal	1.000	B. Murcer, NY	382	C.May,Chi	13
					K. Berry, Cal	13
1973	K. Berry, Cal	.997	B. North, Oak	429	P. Blair, Bal	14
					B. Murcer, NY	14
					B. North, Oak	14
1974	S. Brye, Mm	.997	K. Henderson, Chi	462	B. Murcer, NY	21
1975	P. Kelly, Chi	.991	B. North, Oak	420	L. Stanton, Cal	16
1976	D. Evans, Bos	.994	J. Beniquez, Tex	410	J. Beniquez, Tex	18
1977	Yastrzemski, Bos	1.000	C.Lemon,Chi	512	C. Yastrzemski, Bos	16
1978	A. Otis, KC	.995	R. Leflore, Det	440	S. Lezcano, Mil	18

*Assisted by John Schwartz

Search the Research Collection

SABR 52

Baseball’s Leading Outfielders

Support SABR today!