With a starting rotation of Ogden-Grove-Thomas-Bentley and Harry Frank in the bullpen, there was not much use for another rookie right-hander. However, Rufe Clarke just so happened to have been a former first baseman and an all-around talented ballplayer – an attribute that came in handy in the summer of ’21. […]
Every successful team boasts at least one jack-of-all-trades utility man – a guy who a manager can feel comfortable penciling in to play multiple positions when one of the regulars was hurt, in a slump of just need a day off. Back in the 1920s, a good utility man was often the difference between the pennant and a second-place finish. Wade Lefler was the 1921 Orioles’ ultimate utility player. […]