Quote:
Originally Posted by blasek0
The reason you see so many LH 1Bs is that they can't play other infield positions because they're left-handed. If the guy can hit, you don't care which hand he throws with, because you'll find a place to play him (and that ends up being 1B because he can't stick in LF).
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And that's the correct answer. There is a slight advantage to being left-handed (sweep tags on pick-off plays are easier, for example), but the difference is minimal. Over the last decade, eight Gold Glove awards have been won by left-handers, twelve by right-handers.
Left-handed: (NL) Adam Laroche (2012); Adrian Gonzalez (2008-09); Tod Helton (2004)
(AL) Adrian Gonzalez (2011); Carlos Pena (2008); Darin Erstad (2004); John Olerud (2003)
Right-handed: (NL) Joey Votto (2011); Albert Pujols (2006,2010); Derrek Lee (2003, 2005, 2007)
(AL) Mark Teixera (2005-06, 2009-10, 2012); Kevin Youkilis (2007)
If there were a significant difference, there wouldn't be any right-handed first basemen, just as there are no left-handed second basemen. It's pretty clear, however, that righties are just as competent at first base as lefties.