Harry Palmer wrote:Before he cracked his elbow, he was the best defensive shortstop I've ever seen. Better than Smith. Another player once said he was like an Oz who stayed on his feet, and I think that was apt...I've never seen anyone with that kind of range. Basically any ball middle-left was in play. Vacuum. Unbelievable.
I've sometimes looked for video of just him playing D early on, hard to find, but if you haven't seen him before the elbow, try and take a look. It's a treat. Every ground ball to his side had you holding your breath, waiting for another stunner.
Geez, I was paying attention during this era, but I never clued into that. Watching my beloved Spos play the Cards in the early 80s, there was one play where Smith chased down a ground ball up the middle in centre field, and threw to first from the turf. The Expo batter just made it in before the throw, but Duke Snider (the colour guy and former Dodger great) still said it was the "best defensive play he's ever seen in his life".
The Wizard of Oz was something special. The pregame cartwheel backflip -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztz0NLY_MLI. Raising his batting average after signing the big contract. He represented everything great about baseball. I never thought of Tony F. that way. But I'll take your word for it, Harry.
