Shieber: The death of ‘Death to Flying Things’
From SABR member Tom Shieber at Baseball Researcher on November 11, 2019:
The Web is chock full of lists of the greatest (coolest, most unusual, favorite, etc.) nicknames in big league baseball history. … All of these lists (and lots of others) call out the eminently enjoyable nickname “Death to Flying Things.” I think we can all agree that it’s cool, fun, and unique. Well, except for the part about its being unique. Indeed, most sources today attach this nickname to not one, not two, but three big leaguers.
Jack Chapman — A baseball “lifer” who played the outfield from 1860 through 1876, he also managed in the big leagues for 11 seasons.
Bob Ferguson — An infielder and catcher whose on-field career lasted from 1865 through 1884, he is often credited with being the game’s first switch-hitter.
Franklin Gutierrez — A veteran of 14 years in the big leagues, he won a Gold Glove Award in 2010 as a center fielder.
Read the full article here: https://baseballresearcher.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-death-of-death-to-flying-things.html
Originally published: November 11, 2019. Last Updated: November 11, 2019.