Dode Paskert

Paskert was more widely admired for his speed and defensive skills in centerfield than for his underrated offensive contributions. In 1917, when he led NL outfielders in fielding average, one sportswriter judged him “better than [Amos] Strunk” going back for long shots, “better than Speaker” going to his left, and able to outdistance Cobb “in any direction.” A solid leadoff hitter whose high in runs scored was 102 (1912), he stole 293 bases lifetime, with a high of 51 in 1910, and walked often. The Phillies snared Paskert (and Hans Lobert) from Cincinnati for four nobodies in 1911; the Cubs traded home run champ, Cy Williams, for him, even up, in late 1917.