Does anyone remember that prior to the current baseball shoes, they had the steel spikes?

Question

I am not advocating a return to this practice, but does anyone recall in MLB they used to wear black leather shoes with what amounted to little steel knives on the bottom. It was even rumoured that some guys would sharpen them with a file. In those days, breaking up a double play usually consisted of sliding into second, foot high in the air, knives first. At almost every game at least once, the 2nd baseman or shortstop would be half-carried off the field with the bottom of his pants literally dripping blood. A little while later, the TV announcer would inform us that he took 13 or so stitches to the leg down in the locker room and yet the guy would be in the starting lineup the very next day. Even the catcher was not immune to the "flying knives of death", but he was somewhat protected by the shinguards.
This was in the days when the home plate umpire wore a chest protector that looked like he had a big thick mattress hanging around his neck.
Does anyone remember this stuff?

Answer 1

I Remember it all as recent as the 1960's and 70's. Have you ever seen the pictures of Ty Cobb flying into second base three feet off the ground with his cleats pointed at the chest of the shortstop waiting to tag him? In years gone by if a pitcher threw at a hitters head the hitter would get back into the batters box awaiting the next pitch. No batting helmet's back then either. Today, if pitch comes in a little high and inside the hitter is charging the mound. Can we agree it is a different game today?

Answer 2

Yea, they still wear them if they are playing on a Natural grass field. Most outfielders wear turf shoes if playing on artificial turf, but the infielders still wear the metal spikes.

As far as it being a different game, I hate to say it is. It is a bunch of pre-madonnas out there trying to make as much money as possible. I do miss even the late 80s baseball. It was so much better then than it is now.

Answer 3

As an old timer I can tell you that i wore them, and felt the fury of them. Took many a stitch when I played as a result of them, but I can't honestly admit to playing against anyone who sharpenned them.
Funny enough, there are even times when I spiked myself.

Answer 4

As far as I know they still wear steel spikes. Unless its on artificial turf. I played college ball in the 90's & i wore them in college.

Answer 5

You can read stories of how fielders were intimadated by players like Cobb who sharpend thier metal spikes.The chest protector of old is funny when compared to todays.

Answer 6

sure do. wore a balloon for years as amateur umpire. at 82 still calling balls and strikes. still have bow tie. playing high school second base wore cardboard under my socks.