Jason Saal
by Martín Abresch
| |
|
|
|
Jason Saal was the greatest defensive player in the history of the National Baseball League. He had a career zone rating of +445.6, nearly 200 points higher than any other player. He combined this stellar defense with an above-average bat, finishing his career with a .297 average, 2408 hits, 416 doubles, 239 triples, and 672 stolen bases. He led the league in hits (1891) and batter WAR (1890-91, 1893). Saal joined the Detroit Maroons (now the Detroit Wolverines) in 1885 and rode the pine for two seasons. He was finally given a chance to start in 1887 and wasted no time impressing management. He started for Detroit for the rest of the century, before being traded to Brooklyn in 1901 where he finished his career. Saal was named Player of the Week five times and Batter of the Month once. Despite being a part of some talented Detroit teams in the late 1890s, Saal never won a World Championship.
In 1947, Jason Saal was elected to the Hall of Fame.