The pot and the kettle and all that

“Nick Etten’s glove fields better with Etten out of it.” – Pirates pitcher Joe Trimble (1952) in Baseball’s Greatest Quotes (1982).

Etten played nine seasons (1938-1947) in the major leagues, with both Philadelphia teams and the Yankees. His lifetime batting average was .277. In 1943 and 1945, he had more than 100 runs batted in. In 903 games at first base, Etten made 107 errors, for a .988 fielding average. Not all that great for a first baseman, whose primary job in the field is to catch a thrown ball.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=ettenni01

Joe Trimble, he of the great quote, played major league ball in 1955 for the Red Sox and 1957 for the Pirates. He was a pitcher. He won 0 games and lost two and posted an ERA of 7.48. Trimble’s fielding average was .875.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=trimbjo01