Yutaka Fukumoto

Did you look at Tris Speaker? The average would be high, but might be balanced fairly well by the walks difference. Tris had power relative to the era for much of his career, and Fukumoto didn't. However, Speaker was well known for his defense.

Jim Albright

Tris Speaker would be an interesting correlation, except that he was merely above-average on the bases. He never once led the league in stolen bases, and I can't imagine a correlation with Fukumoto who never led the league in stolen bases, even once. And as I said, Henderson's glove is nothing to sneeze at.

Perhaps a Negro Leaguer is a better comparison: "Cool Papa" Bell. The walks would seem to be the only possible objection, and I think Bell's average is a little higher, which means the comparison comes back into line some if Fukumoto walks more.

Jim Albright

That could be, and I have no idea about Cool Papa Bell's glove.

James Riley's Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues says Bell "used his speed in the field, with his great range allowing him to play a shallow center field and still run down pitchers' mistakes."

William McNeil writes similarly glowing reviews of Bell's defense. In "Baseball's Other Stars," p.73, he wrote Bell "was a center fielder extraordinaire, combining blazing speed with outstanding anticipation, a sure glove, and an accurate throwing arm." He wrote similar words about Bell in "Cool Papas and Double Duties," p.212.

If these two authors are to be believed, I'd say he was every bit the fielder Fukumoto was. Riley is a renowned expert on the Negro Leagues, and McNeil has published several well-researched books about the Negro Leagues, so they're quite worthy of belief. There's no question about Bell's speed, so the only real questions are 1) his ability to judge fly balls, 2) his arm, and 3) did he avoid Lonnie Smith's penchant for screwing up once he got the ball? There's no record I'm aware of that indicates Bell had the Lonnie Smith issue, and the sources I'm aware of say Bell was good in the other two areas.

Assuming that's accurate, a blazing fast guy with a good throwing arm who is a good judge of balls in flight is just about the definition of a superlative center fielder.

Jim Albright