1949 Yankee Coach of the Past: Chuck Dressen

PICK ON A CRIPPLE? HERE'S WHEN There are times when hitting 3-0 is approved strategy
"'PICKING ON A CRIPPLE' isn't standard practice in pro ball. Traditionally, a three-and-nothing situation calls for waiting out the pitcher in the hope of getting a walk. The percentage is greatly in favor of conservative tactics.
But Oakland's Eddie Samcoff, with the blessing of Oakland Manager Chuck Dressen, swung at a fat pitch and knocked it into center field for a double one night this spring, scoring two runs which eventually allowed Oakland to nip Hollywood, 3-2.
Now, Samcoff is not a strong hitter. He was down in eighth place in the batting order. Pinky Woods, the Hollywood pitcher, had every reason to believe the routine strike he was forced to wheel in would go untouched, if only as a matter of courtesy.
In 100 years of baseball we daresay a three-and-nothing delivery goes unchallenged 99 per cent of the time. The refusal of batsmen to go for a lush strike can be exasperating to patrons in the stands.
Manager Dressen takes responsibility- or should we say pride?- for signaling Samcoff to swing. There is a great deal of responsibility incumbent on the manager. Suppose Samcoff had popped up? Oakland fans would have been on Dressen's neck.
'Sure I flashed Samcoff to take his cut if the fourth pitch were over the plate,' Dressen says. 'I don't ordinarily do this. Every game is different. You have to consider the circumstances.'
In the majors, picking on a cripple is not unknown, though rare, Dressen agrees.
Last season, when he was a baseline coach for the Yankees, Dressen and Manager Bucky Harris used to give the likes of DiMaggio, Henrich and Berra free reign in three-and-nothing situations.
'The Red Sox also did it with Ted Williams,' little Chuck offers. 'The privilege of swinging instead of waiting was reserved for certain batsmen who had a keen eye and the power to knock a fence ball. Or at least extra bases.
'I am not opposed to crossing up the pitcher, even though the percentage is against me. Down in Hollywood I had Don Padgett cutting at a three-and-nothing. He dribbled a single and we won that game.
'Twice this early in the season I gave Loyd Christopher his option to swing or wait. He waited. With me, the order is always optional. The strike has to be right down a batter's alley, otherwise no go. Some hitters like an outside pitch, some inside, some high, some low. There are various kinds of strikes.'"

-Will Connolly, condensed from the San Francisco Chronicle (Baseball Digest, July 1949)