Despite what Ron Washington may have told you, first base shouldn’t be this hard. For athletes good enough to compete in the major leagues, first base is least demanding defensive position by a significant margin. Good defensive play at the cold corner is useful, but you are there to hit, and Seattle’s 1Bs have been unable to do so for over a decade. We’ve gnashed our teeth and made jokes and begged John Olerud to reverse the witch’s curse he placed on Safeco’s south side, all to no avail. Richie Sexson posted a 117 wRC+ in 2006, earning a 2.
40 in 40: Ryon Healy
