Hideo Nomo Has a Posse

Interesting interview w/ Jack Wilson wherein he discusses the science of defense, mentioning the defensive RBI that Pittsburgh infield coach Perry Hill put into place.

“To me, you drive in runs at the plate, but you can save runs in the field. Our infield coach in Pittsburgh had a stat this year – defensive RBI – for when you’d saved a run in the field. It wasn’t just great plays, it could be big double plays, relay throws, tags – a lot of little things.

“I had 35 defensive RBI, 31 on offense.”

More on Perry Hill.

Hill inserts white plugs — imagine golf tees — into the infield dirt. That is their starting point. From there, he places the infielders in position for each hitter, each pitcher, each situation he meticulously charts and studies. He maintains he won’t use charts from 1990s Texas or even 2007 Pirates, though all are at his fingertips.

Thanks to Tango for the link. ¶