Wee Willie Keeler was a left-handed hitting outfielder who played in the majors more than 100 years ago. But his advice also works in today’s game, with multiple shifts employed by managers at every level of pro baseball.
“Keep your eye clear, and hit ‘em where they ain’t,” was the advice from Keeler.
Wilmer Difo may not have heard of Keeler, but the Nationals infielder had a similar approach in the last of the ninth inning Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park.
With the Phillies using just two outfielders and five infielders with the bases loaded and no out in a tie game, Difo drilled a line drive to straightaway center field where no one was standing for an RBI single that gave the Nationals a 5-4 win.