The year before Elster made only 14 errors in 740 opportunities. Gil's fielding percentage was .963. Elster's had been .981. Elster at least had handled everything hit to him. The thing about this game is it's so subjective.
People see what they want to see.
Since he wouldn't say it, please let me. Shortstop, which had been such a strong position for the Rangers in that championship season of 1996, was a real bummer in 1997. So in the off-season, Gil signed with the White Sox, and Texas wisely picked up Elster, who was on a pace to hit 25 home runs, knock in 100 runs and make just four errors after 39 games as the Pittsburgh Pirates' shortstop last year. He broke his wrist in a collision at first base on May 16 and missed the remainder of the season. After suffering a major shoulder injury with the Mets in the sixth game of the 1992 season, he missed most of the next four years.