Baseball can sometimes look like an easy game to play. As many non-fans will point out, there is quite a lot of standing around being done at any given point. But I think baseball devotees recognize that there is an inherent level of difficulty associated with each position on the field.
For today’s open thread, I want to debate the topic of which position player role is the most difficult. The job of a pitcher is, without question a tough one—I certainly can’t throw 95mph—but to keep it fair let’s just focus on who is in the field.
Is it the first baseman? Responsible for tagging out baserunners, catching line drives, and being atuned to a pitcher who wants to catch a runner taking just a bit too much of a lead? Is it the shortstop? Essential for covering the gap between second and third, key player of the 6-4-3 double play? For my money I would go with the catcher, forced into a crouch position behind home plate for three hours, telling the pitcher what to throw, and helping guide the read of the umpire if his framing is good enough. Not to mention being almost solely responsible for catching runners stealing second?
Who do you think had the toughest job in baseball?