We mocked him repeatedly because we had no idea what or why he kept yelling that at us! To this day, I still don’t know what it means but have never forgotten can of corn

It’s a weird one, to be sure

Table setter refers to second level players whose job it is to get on base ahead of the heavy hitters. Usually the 7-8-9 guys in the lineup

Inside out swing is when the batter pulls his elbows in close to his body and hits the ball to the opposite field.

Seeing eye single refers to a ground ball that just sneaks between two infielders, so what might be an easy out at first becomes a single.

Sno cone is when a fielder catches a fly ball in the very tip of his glove where the ball is easily visible instead of deeper in the pocket.

No idea about bug on a rug.

A batted ball that just rolls with a lot of speed on the ground … no air or no bounce.

I think you got everything else …. I wonder though if table setters are the first guys in the lineup who get on base ahead of the cleanup batter?

either someone who gets a lot of hits and/or who walks a lot.

7-8-9 are more likely averaging below the mendoza line and need gps to find second base. . you hope, but it is less likely they will "set the table"

Nehi fast ball.

That stuff's GREAT on vanilla ice cream!!

In my circles, Peach Nehi on vanilla is like GOLD!

Anyway, that's what I "see" on a radio broadcast. Nehi fast ball, that is. Not the other one.

I didn't see that one in the article.

A pitcher who throws sidearm/underhand.

"Five tool player"...not too many of those.

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Jr. Griffey, Trout, Ohtani, Pujols, Judge (maybe, fielding questionable?). IMO the most additions since the '50-60s era when several Black players came into the majors follwing Jackie Robinson's integration of the leagues.

Mays, Arron, Clemente, Robinson, maybe add Cepeda and McCovey, the same question as Judge?

Any others, PG?

So, maybe 4 tools. Orlando Cepeda got thrown out at first from left field.
A bullet right at Billy Williams. Cepeda was typically slow out of the box, and ran like he was tied to a car.
I know this because we were there. We went to Wrigley to see Cubs/Giants because my dad wanted me to see Willie Mays. I was probably 8 or 9, so '65 or '66.
Clemente, definitely. He was my dad's favorite non-Cub. Saw him a few times at Wrigley.
Hank only won a couple gold gloves, so not sure he would be 5 tool either. But, over 3k hits & 755 HR while never hitting over 47 in a season is astounding. And, quite the gentleman given the horrible treatment he endured.

always high 30s to that 47 year.

I forgot Mike Schmitt. Maybe? Also Stan Musial.

I noticed you didn't mention any of the steroid tainted players either.

Because we can never know what tools were chemically enhanced & whether the longevity was augmented.
Musial is a good one. I do, however, have a bias against left fielders, knowing that teams hid their weakest arms in left.
I never know if a LF has a great arm, or a great arm for a left fielder. It's one of my knocks on Bonds, even before the 'roads. I feel like great defensive players play right or center.

which meant for the batter to chop down on the ball to hit a high hopper, so he could use his speed to beat out an infield hit.

He used to yell this at a young Mickey Mantle who had no idea what he was talking about.

It’s especially confusing because a butcher boy was someone who would pass through passenger cars on trains, selling snacks, newspapers, etc.

When a batter hit a line drive for a hit right past past an infielder his usual comment was
"well that one left him blinking like a mouse in a bran barrel."

A home run that barely left the playing field.

Hitting the ball downward directly on the Plate

Not sure where this comes from, but I am one

In the very early days of baseball, diamonds were set up with the pitcher throwing west so the afternoon sun wasn't in the hitters eyes.
If you face west, your left arm is to the south.
Hence, southpaw!

Generally referring to minor leagues but also doing something unprofessional

Glad it didn’t mean anything related to Dubya (he was part owner of the Texas Rangers)

always read it to my class each spring. Some terms they learned while learning to manage a team.
frozen rope
can of corn
fly hawk
hot corner
smoke artist

By the way, in the first Frank and Ernest book they learn to run a diner and learn all that terminology. In Frank and Ernest “On the Road” they learn about semi truck driving.

Chin music???

Dying quail???

Uncle Charlie???

That was one of Mudcat Grant’s favorite sayings as a broadcaster for Indians games.

“Uncle Charlie” the old number two. (catchers sign). Meaning curveball. Fastball is the number one.

“Dying quail” a ball batted in the air that drops right in between the outfielders.

Re catchers’ signs. Are those obsolete now that they use the new communication system?

For a Police Benevolence Association team long ago…

It was amazing how much info he could
give his pitchers w/ those finger signs…
Beyond the everyday middle finger salute…

Growing up w/ baseball made for good times… Thanks for the memories!!!

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Wally Pipp played 1st base for the Yankees. On June 2, 1925, he requested to sit because of a headache. Lou Gehrig started in his place, thus beginning a streak of 2,130 consecutive games played at 1st.

Urban Dictionary: To be "Wally Pipped" is when someone in a role temporarily leaves their position and is replaced by a much better unknown person who then takes over the position.


From wikipededia:

Last edited Sat Aug 9, 2025, 11:44 AM - Edit history (1)

Nolan Jones may be Wally Pipped by C.J. Kayfus.

Great thread. Thanks for starting it.

I’m really liking what I see from Kayfus so far.

Most xlnt…

Means a full count. Attributed to Indians' Jimmy Dudley, 1948 to 1968.

Duck Snort - a weakly hit pop fly that is too far for the infielders but too short for the outfielders. Often called a "blooper".
Aspirin Tablet - a fastball so quick that the ball looks like a pill going by. Goes back at least as far as Lefty Grove.
Yakker - Slow, broadly breaking curve ball.
There are others I thought of, but that's enough

Sometimes even called a “dinker”.
The type of hit often seen when a team plays “small ball”.
Usually doesn’t get past the “hot corner”.