Northampton author writes about the Amazin' Mets, Dwight Evans and other topics
In his 14 books about baseball, Northampton resident Jim Kaplan writes lovingly, with deep appreciation for the game itself, and for what it means to American culture.
In latest work, "Clearing the Bases," he brings together essays from his long career, which included 16 years as a baseball writer for Sports Illustrated. The book, published in September by Levellers Press of Amherst, can be obtained online at Levellerspress.com
In its centerpiece, Kaplan tells the fascinating story of Ron Taylor, a Canadian whom he calls "Dr. Baseball." Taylor pitched for 17 years in professional ball, 11 of those in the big leagues and most of them as a reliever. In 1964, he helped the St. Louis Cardinals topple the vaunted New York Yankees in the World Series. In 1969, he became one of the "Amazin' Mets" who shocked a great Baltimore club, winning that World Series in five games.
While playing pro ball, Taylor managed to earn a degree in electrical engineering. After baseball, he went to medical school and wound up as team doctor for the Toronto Blue Jays.
As a precede to his "Dr. Baseball" story, Kaplan quotes Peter Bavasi, a former president of the Blue Jays:
"Ron Taylor is one of the most accomplished people in baseball history. He's probably the most unusual and wonderful story I've experienced in the game."
Kaplan also gives the reader an in-depth look at Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, the 21-year big leaguer who now manages his hometown Minnesota Twins.
"If it's possible to be an underrated Hall of Famer, our guy (Molitor) fits the bill," Kaplan writes. As he points out, Molitor is one of only four Hall of Famers with 3,000 hits, .300 career average and 500 stolen bases. The others? Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner and Eddie Collins. In that select company, Molitor is the only one with 200 home runs.
Kaplan's other baseball books include "Playing the Field," in which he extols fielding as an under-appreciated art. He revisits that topic in his latest book with an essay entitled, "Number Nine on Your Scorecard."
In this case, "nine" is used in scorebooks as the numeric designation for right field. As Kaplan describes it, right field is a reviled position in sandlot ball, but vitally important at the major league level. To measure its value, consider the fact that 20 right fielders are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame - more than any other position besides pitcher.
The author regards Roberto Clemente as the greatest right fielder of all time. His No. 2? None other than Dwight Evans, who won eight Gold Glove Awards in 19 seasons with the Red Sox.
Kaplan reminds us that Evans made "the greatest catch in the greatest game in World Series history." That would be in the 11th inning of Game 6, 1975, when Evans caught a curving drive into Fenway Park's right field corner to rob Cincinnati's Joe Morgan of a home run.
Then . . . he made a perfect throw to first base, doubling up Ken Griffey. That was "Dynamite Dwight" at his best. That was right field at its peak of importance.
Kaplan's love of the game comes shining through in his book's second chapter, entitled, "Baseball and American Culture."
He concludes with a reminder that baseball perseveres in its age-old, perfected state.
"If a 1916 player walked out of the mists, 'Field of Dreams' style, he would have no trouble fitting in comfortably," Kaplan writes. "I see him now, digging in at the plate, his pants high, exposing hose from the shoes up. The pitcher leans in, looking for the sign. The catcher and umpire close behind him squat as one, leaning forward. The pitcher starts his windup, and the stands hush. But you can hear the music. It's the summer breeze of Seals and Croft, blowing through the jasmine in our minds."
That's baseball, folks. And that's Jim Kaplan, clearing the bases.
Garry Brown can be reached at geebrown1918@gmail.com