[greymule]

For some reason, many people (including media types) assume that players must naturally be experts on the game and therefore its rules.

I know former pro (including MLB) players whose knowledge of the rules is barely that of the average fan (and we know what level that is). I know a couple who didn't know the Braves were ever in Boston or the A's in Philadelpia. Some are unaware of certain well-known playing records. The names of some all-time greats are unfamiliar to them. As far as rules go, one of them told me, "I just let the umps call it."

One newspaper reporter was surprised to find several MLB players who had never heard of Jackie Robinson.

No surprise that not all player-announcers turn out to be knowledgeable about the game.