A few days ago I came across a question asked by a novice baseball fan. It was a he and he said he didn’t see a “C” on any MLB team uniforms. That is the “C” worn by the captain of a team. He asked if MLB teams had captains as in other major team sports. Once again it brought back a memory of an article I have written back in 2013 when I asked the same question but not as a novice. I more so asked what has happened to the captains. Perhaps the only captains I remember are Pee Wee Reese and Derek Jeter although Jeter was more of an unofficial captain while Reese was a designated captain.
“Harold Pee Wee Reese was a captain of captains,” wrote Carl Erskine, a teammate of Reese for ten years. “Our infield was full of captains – Roy Campanella was like a field general; Gil Hodges, a sharp thinker with baseball savvy; Jackie Robinson, smart, aggressive. Any of them could have been a captain. Pee Wee, however, was the respected leader. He played for at least four different type managers all of whom considered him their extension on the field.”
I also expect all Dodger fans realize there is now no Dodger captain and there has not been one for quite some time. I was fully aware of the captaincy vacancy with the Dodgers but I was amazed to learn that there have been only five official captains in Dodger history, most of them with a brief tenure – Pee Wee Reese (1949-1958), Duke Snider (1962), Maury Wills (1963-66), Willie Davis (1973), Davey Lopes (1978-79). In fact, at the time I wrote the article there were only three MLB team captains – Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees, David Wright of the New York Mets and Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox. Three great choices. Wright was the last captain standing and retired in 2018.
National Football League teams have captains as do National Hockey League teams, as well as National Basketball League teams. Why have professional baseball teams given up the position of “captain”? I would guess that as the game has evolved the position does not have the significance it did when Pee Wee Reese was captain or has simply become redundant with managers coming onto the field so often during the course of games. Perhaps the role of team captain is now seen as a distraction for a player working at the most difficult game to play in all of sports. It may also be noted that the captains in the other team sports mentioned above serve official functions which are designated by the league or team. Baseball captains have not and do not serve specific functions although some could be assigned duties such as presenting lineup cards at the beginning of the game.
What was the role of the baseball captain? According to Paul Konerko there was one specific duty that a captain can perform while he is on the field. A team captain can ask the umpire about the interpretation of a rule. For instance, a ruling on an an infield fly. If the umpire has used the wrong interpretation, the captain had the right to ask the umpire to consult with the other umpires on the field. The captain also had the right to ask the umpire if he was in the proper position to make the call. The team captain did not have the right to argue or verbally abuse the umpire, but he did have the right to ask questions. It seems to me that was a non-confrontational way to question a ruling on the field without shouting, screaming and kicking dirt.
Beyond asking about rule interpretations, a baseball captain could play a more subtle role on a team. He in essence becomes the face of the team on and off of the field. He may well not be the best player with the highest batting average or most home runs but the one who best represents the team. Although I am not one to applaud unwritten rules, there may be some unwritten ones for the captain, a set of expectations so to speak. A captain, a highly respected player on the team, may serve as an intermediary for the manager in dealing with player personnel issues. That is, he can help avoid a manager-player confrontation with a quiet conversation with a teammate or even help avoid the necessity of a full team meeting with the manager.
Every team has a heart beat, a pulse that makes it a living entity and different from every other team. A captain takes the blood pressure of the team, checks the pulse rates, and observes what his teammates are thinking and feeling. The team captain definitely has to understand what his teammates are thinking and feeling and even have some understanding of why they think and feel as they do. He then becomes a representative for his teammates taking their concerns to the coaching staff or manager when the players are unwilling or unable to do do themselves. As with all difficulties early intervention is something a captain can provide to help avoid more serious issues.
Perhaps one of the greatest roles a team captain can play is to help young players – rookies – to adjust to major league baseball and especially to the team. It may be as simple as how to dress for a road game or as complicated as how to deal with the inevitable failure that baseball inflicts on all players, especially those that are young. Perhaps part of his role may be to help young players understand the unwritten rules of the game and the etiquette that infiltrates the game on the field.
So how did the role of team captain die in MLB? The death of Dodger captains, and on other teams, pretty much follows free agency. I don’t believe that a huge contract automatically would rule out a player from being a captain. His personality and style of play would compensate for that and make him approachable. eg. Derek Jeter (20 years), Paul Konerko (18 years), David Wright (14 years). At the same time a great team player regardless of his salary would have the respect of the other players in my opinion. He leads by example. However, the movement from team to team would definitely be a deterrent to being captains. The last three captains all played out their careers with one team although Konerko did split his first season between the Dodgers and Reds.
The evolution of the games has changed on field procedures a lot. At one time playing managers were common, then captains to perform the duties of playing managers. In time managers and coaches took over the duties of the captain so the job became somewhat redundant. It eventually became more of an honorary position.
In other team sports head coaches aren’t permitted on the playing area (hockey arena, basketball court, football field). There is a bit of leeway in football and basketball but anything serious results in a penalty to the team or removal from the game. Managers in baseball are frequently on the field so a captain is not necessary to ask questions of umpires.
I am not advocating for a return to a time when a MLB team had a captain. I know that on teams there are players that assume the role of a captain without being designated. Their personality, work ethic, experience, empathy simply cast them willingly or unwillingly into that role. Perhaps there are no longer any Pee Wee Reese’s but most teams most likely have a Justin Turner. The demise of the captain in MLB is just one more piece of baseball gone.
Discussion (90)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I am not suggesting that the Dodgers include Lux in a Hader deal, but I would at least think about it. After all, although no longer a prospect, Hader is young and still has 4 years of control. In essence it’s almost like trading one top prospect for another.
I know that there are myriad other considerations, but including Lux in such a deal is not completely out of the question.
I’ve recovered!
Here’s the thing:
I started my business in my garage almost 20 years ago. I may or may not have made some dope-fiend moves, but if I did, I learned from them. Here’s an e-mail I got today (I get 2 or 3 a week):
…. we would like to get a mutual NDA signed which I have attached so that we can each share information on a confidential basis. You’ll see the name of the company once you get the NDA back signed and we’ll ask you to keep the identity of our client and our discussions confidential since they are publicly traded. I am happy to send an easy to sign agreement via DocuSign to simplify this process.
Once we get that signed, we can share with you detailed information about our client and then we’d like to have a high-level discussion about buying your business …
Here’s my eloquent reply:
You are wasting your time and mine.”
We have finally built a very profitable, sustainable business. My point is: The Dodgers are sustainable. A couple of teams have 6 prospects in the Top 100. The Dodgers have 5. Keep those prospects and don’t make Dope-Fiend Moves, but you can be bold with signings… not trades!
What r the better odds. Cole or Strasburg and Rendon or none of the three? I think we all know what’s more likely!
Bleacher Report is saying that Cole expressed to the Yankees that he has no West Coast bias. But I suspect that if the Dodgers made him a serious offer that he would be LA bound. In any case, if the bidding gets close to dope fiend territory the Dodgers should consider doing their very best to drive up the price for the Yankees.
I’m all in on Rendon.
After further review, I have decided that Anthony Rendon and Gerrit Cole should be Dodgers next year.
Forget Donaldson. The Dodgers need more contact from the #3 Hole. Rendon is 4.5 years younger than Donaldson, so they could afford to give Rendon a 6 or 7-year deal and he would still be younger than Donaldson at the end.
So give Rendon 6 years/$220 Million or 7 Years/$250 Million.
Then trade Joc, Maeda, and Kike or CT3. That saves about $26 Million and the Dodgers would be barely over the Luxury Tax Threshold. I want to hit Bellinger 2nd next year and have him use more of the field. He can do it! Bellinger has to play CF – Verdugo is not fast enough. Here’s the lineup:
1. Verdugo RF
2. Bellinger CF
3. Rendon 3B
4. Muncy 2B
5. Turner 1B
6. Seager SS
7. Pollock/Beaty LF
8. Smith C
Starters:
1. Cole
2. Buehler
3. Kershaw
4. Urias
5. May, Stripling, Gonsolin, Gray (he’ll be ready the 2nd half)
Hopefully, Pederson, Maeda, and CT3 or Kike, will net some relief help.
The Dodgers are all in on Cole, Strasburg, and Rendon. I have not seen them connected with Donaldson for whatever reason.
AF thought Greinke was ready to sign a 5 year $160 million dollar deal… and Greinke made it known he would go to the highest bidder, but AZ swooped in and added a year and $46 million to the deal. They could have added $5 million and got him. What a dope-fiend move!
From what I hear, Cole would like to play in Southern California, so what if AF offers him $250 Million for 6 years and the Angels or Yankees do what the Snakes did with Greinke?
I have heard that Cole is not fixated on the highest bid, so AF could make him the highest-paid pitcher, but not have the highest bid… and Cole might take it.
Chris Archer? Chris Archer? Yeah, trade Joc for him!
I do not get the fascination with Archer… and I never have. In his age 24, 25, and 26 years he had an ERA in the low 3’s and appeared destined to be a star. Instead, in his age 27, 28, 29, and 30 years his ERA went into the 4.00’s and last lear was 5.19. So in his age 31 year, he is suddenly going to revert back to age 24, 25 and 26? That seems very unlikely!
Let’s just hope AF doesn’t stand pat like the Trojans just did. They may as well play next year’s games at Cerritos College. They won’t need all that room at the Coliseum!
A new report:
“Will Harris Connected to LA by The Athletic”
Lindor and Kluber for Taylor, Maeda, Muncy .
The Braves continue to do well. Cole Hamels has one more year in him, and he should be a good mentor for the Braves’ kid pitchers. Soroka is their Ace, followed by Fried, Folty (should recover), and Newcomb, with Kyle Wright and Bryce Wilson in the wings. They have the bullpen and offense to make up for any rotation shortcomings.
Not considering the top tier starting pitching (Cole and Strasburg), it looks like ChiSox, Minnesota, Texas, Milwaukee, Pads, and Cincinnati will be fighting for the remainder of the 2nd tier…MadBum, Ryu, and Keuchel. It is also conceivable that NYY and LAA will also be fighting at this level if they do not feel comfortable about signing either of the top 2. LAD could still re-sign Ryu. Other than LAD and NYY, the teams that do not get any of the three will be picking at Michael Pineda, Tanner Roark and Julio Teheran. Decent starting pitching could be gone by New Year. The Cole and Strasburg will heat up.
Every team but the contenders will be looking to fill their rotation from the next tier of Wade Miley, Rick Porcello, Alex Wood, Rich Hill, Michael Wacha, Ivan Nova, and Drew Smyly.
Outside of Will Harris, the FA relievers are pretty weak. There are reliever gambles available that could pan out. Pickings are getting very slim.
Take Dylan Bundy off the prospective trade candidate board, as he goes to the Angels! Good pick-up for the Halos
If that is true, SoCalBum, and I have no reason to doubt your knowledge on this subject, I am even more disappointed in Greinke, to go to an arch rival. I may cover my Greinke bobble head now.
With Wheeler and Hamels off the board, the Dodgers’ options to upgrade their starting rotation next year are becoming more expensive (although Hamels was not being considered, I’m sure).
Ryu is another year older and has that history of arm surgeries and injuries. I’m sure that the Dodgers would prefer Strasburg or Cole (although Strasburg has an injury history too).
I would be surprised if the Dodgers spent that much for as long as it will take to sign either one of them.
Here’s an interesting idea for a poll: who thinks that the Dodgers will open the checkbook to sign a free agent for over $100MM or for more than 4 seasons?
SoCal, the Giants made a similar offer to the Dodgers, but Greinke liked LA so he told them he was going to sign BACK with the Dodgers. This is from the Giants GM at the time. He was surprised that the DBacks jumped in with that kind of offer.
Still waiting on Boras clients! They all can’t wait until Feb to sign. Can’t blame the owners this year Scott!
Watford my Man – Could you call in a couple favors and see if our POTUS could get a job in Parliament…
Could you believe the photo ops with Boris and whats his name… Brothers from a different Mother…
PS – MT I couldnt help it…Mea culpa…
Why wasn’t captain caveman mentioned ?
Wheeler to Phillies.
Here we go….
Braves reportedly sign Cole. Hammels that is for one year, 18 million.
If any of you guys happen to watch the news today, the footage of Mr Trump at the NATO Conference In the UK today, is actually in Watford at a resort hotel about a minute walk from my house.
Absolute chaos with roads closed, Police & Army everywhere, Helicopters overhead, and a load of Protesters.
Funny having the eyes of the World on somewhere so familiar. I’m in and out of there every day, as the company I work for, does the Car Service there.
I’m hoping we tie up a deal for Rendon soon. That would give us an amazing Lineup.
LF Verdugo
1B JT
3B Rendon
CF Belly
RF AJP
2B Max
SS Corey
C Will
P
Bench
CT3
Kike
Joc
Rios
Beaty
Garlic
Barnes
I keep my powder dry with the pitching until the TD – we have enough to win the West.
I would not sign another Stud FA this season – I would wait for Mookie next year.
I’ve come over to Mark’s way of thinking re Bullpens. They are fickle.
Washington’s was terrible, ours was better, but it’s all about how you utilise it.
That is where I have nagging doubts…
Great article in the Athletic, written by Andy McCullough, on whether the Dodgers regret not signing Zack Greinke. Great quotes from Andrew Friedman. AF won’t say if the Dodgers had regrets. But the truth is they did. They were on the verge of a deal and only needed to work out some minor details, but allowed the deal to sit, figuring to finish it on Monday. Then came Arizona’s crazy offer ($206 million) and the Dodgers (offer was six years, near $160 million) weren’t going there, the rest is history. They did tried to reacquire Greinke in a trade, but Arizona wanted them to take all the money. Non-starter.
I hated for the Dodgers to lose Greinke, one of the most exciting players to watch. He was like an artist on the mound, great defender and a pretty good hitter. I always thought the Dodgers should have extended him in the spring before he could opt out. There was interest and some discussion about it. It would have been a lot less money.
Pedro Moura also has a piece on what the Dodgers could do. Bring back Ryu and pick up a bullpen pitcher. That isn’t going to work. But, interesting, none the less.
I miss players like Pee Wee Reese and Duke Snider.
I do believe Urias will be a starter next year and Gray is a youngster I’d hate to give up. I’d rather give up Gonsolin. Maybe include both Maeda and Strip and a lower prospect for Hader and bring back Hill for insurance
I was playing with the trade simulator, I don’t know if the simulator is accurate or not, but I came upon 2 trades that the simulator said are fair trades.
The first one is:
Edwin Rios for Ken Giles.
The Blue Jays need a 1B and/or DH and Rios fits that description.
The second one is with the Brewers, I haven’t researched what the Brewers need but I bet they need starting pitching. I’d like the Dodgers to dump Joe Kelly’s bad contract, so I have 2 trades for Josh Hader from the trade simulator, one with Kelly’s contract and one without.
Downs, Gray, Kelly, Stripling for Josh Hader.
Or
Gray, Stripling, Diego Cartaya for Josh Hader.
Would any of you do those trades?
I really believe Friedman needs to build a bullpen that is Doc proof. That is, a bullpen that is strong enough that even Doc can’t mishandle. I believe this bullpen would be Doc proof.
Hader
Giles
Will Harris
Tyler Clippard
Gonsolin
Urias
Baez
Jansen
As for the starters, get either Cole or Strasburg:
Cole/Strasburg
Buehler
Kershaw
Maeda
May
As for the offense, again I wouldn’t change a thing. If the Dodgers did dump Kelly’s contract on the Brewers, I bet that pitching staff along with no changes to the offense would be slightly above the luxury tax and therefore doable from a money perspective.
I always thought Clayton Kershaw would make a great captain — leadership in the mold of Yankees’ Ron Guidry. Turner too appears to have the leadership qualities one would expect from a captain.
There are Captains all over… why not in baseball?
Captain and Tennille
Captain America
Captain Kangaroo (don’t forget Mr. Green Jeans)
Captain Underpants (Google it, if you don’t believe me)
I’m your Captain – Grand Funk Railroad
Ride Captain Ride – The Blues Image
Captain Jack – Billy Joel
… and of course, Captain by Wiz Khalifa
It was a joy to see Pee Wee and what a great team he provided leadership….
Page forward to today with so many of these spoiled bonus babies we see all around MLB. For sure they’ll have their agents listening in when the captains calls all hands on deck…
Very nice article, 1,4,39 my father´s favorite Dodger players.
Terrific article! I remember reading that Reese, as captain, would confront players who failed to execute fundamentals in a game, or were not considered to be giving 100% effort. After a particularly tough loss Reese might not let anyone leave the clubhouse until they had cleared up what gone wrong. At that time, winning the pennant was a huge financial difference to the players and someone failing to play the game the right way was viewed as taking money out of the other players’ pockets.