Catcher: How the Man Behind the Plate Became an Iconic American Folk Hero

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 study. In baseball's early days, catchers stood a safe distance back of the batter. 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 protective equipment. Extraordinary courage became the catcher's most notable requirement, but the new positioning also demanded that the catcher have lightning-fast reflexes, great hands, and a cannon for a throwing arm. With so great a range of needed skills, a special mystique came to surround the position, and it began to seem that a good catcher could single-handedly make the difference between winning and losing.

Today's baseball catcher 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 study. 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. Extraordinary courage became the catcher's most notable requirement, but the new positioning also demanded that the catcher have lightning-fast reflexes, great hands, and a throwing arm with the power of a cannon. With so great a range of required skills, a special mystique came to surround the position, and it began to seem that a good catcher could single-handedly make the difference between a winning and losing team.

Publishers Weekly

Morris (But Didn't We Have Fun?) offers a thorough look at the evolution of the catcher from the 1870s-when the position became the ultimate example of the American ideal of the rugged individualist-to the early 1900s. Indeed, the position was not for the timid. Early catchers dealt with pitches and foul tips without the benefit of today's fancy protection, just a pair of gnarled hands and tons of grit. However, as baseball's rules changed and equipment such as chest protectors and mitts became part of the catcher's uniform, public opinion plummeted. Additional changes in the game saw the catcher valued again in the early 20th century, this time for his intelligence as he didn't need to endure pain to become a hero. Morris's superlative research and keen observation never leads to dry or academic writing. He has produced a fascinating merger of social and baseball history, taking an almost irrelevant subject and filling it with color-thanks to the generous use of old newspaper accounts-and stirring profiles of long-forgotten players who were daring, deranged or both. (Apr.)

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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. Introduction. A Generation In Search Of A Hero -- 1. In The Beginning -- 2. The Catcher As Tough Guy -- 3. The Catcher As Indispensable -- 4. The Catcher As One In A Million -- 5. The Catcher As A Man In Disguise -- 6. The Breaking Point -- 7. Protecting The Catcher's Face (but Bruising His Ego) -- 8. A Lot Of Fools In The Crowd Laugh At Him -- 9. The Thinking-man Catcher -- 10. The Catcher As Desperado -- 11. Harry Decker, The Don Juan Of Shaven Head -- 12. The 1890s : An Era When Most Of The Catchers Were Pot-bellied And Couldn't Get Out Of Their Own Way -- 13. The Last Of The Old Guard Of Ball Players -- 14. A New Pitch And A New Crisis -- 15. An Enduring New Model -- 16. The Catcher's Legacy -- Afterword. The Man The Hall Of Fame Forgot. Peter Morris. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 363-370) And Index. 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 study. In baseball's early days, catchers stood a safe distance behind the batter. 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 protective equipment. Extraordinary courage became the catcher's most notable requirement, but the new positioning also demanded that the catcher have lightning-fast reflexes, great hands, and a cannon for a throwing arm. 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.