Wabberjocky wrote:
Carlos Beltran of the Mets, Torii Hunter of the Twins, Mark Kotsay of the A's, Vernon Wells of the Blue Jays and Coco Crisp of the Indians (not a cannon, but well above average) come to mind.
Honestly, Wabber, the only American League guy who came to mind after I made the post was Wells. Hunter, I think, is known more for the ground he covers and his athletic ability than his arm. I never knew Kotsay or Crisp had reputations as dangerous throwers. I certainly don't fear them when the Yanks are playing the A's or Indians.
The idea behind my post was that there seems to be this fallacy that center fielders have to have great arms. Even if you count all four of the A.L. guys Wabber mentioned, that would constitute four out of 14 American League teams having center fielders with great arms. (I would count only Wells, but that's subjective.)
From what you guys say, there are many more teams with center fielders with great arms in the National League. Seems as though a better case could be made there than in the A.L. for proving the notion that great center field arms are prevalent.
The right fielder's arm is usually the one outfielder's arm that's important in terms of cutting down baserunners and usually stronger than the other outfielders' arms. Suzuki's immediately comes to mind.
Interesting discussion! Thanks for responding to everyone who has so far and who may after I post this.