best defensive second baseman of all time

White Sox top 5 >, Angels: Bobby Grich, 1977-86Key fact: 35.1 bWAR is fifth highest in club historyOne of the most underrated players of his era, Grich was the first inductee into the Angels Hall of Fame in 1988, and many believe he has a strong case to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, as well. Alomar made into the Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility after just missing on his first attempt likely due to that famous spitting incident. In 1920, he won his first of six consecutive (and seven total) batting titles when he hit .370. This week, we bring you the Top 10 at each position. In an era before awards, Lajoie led the league in key offensive categories several times during his 21-year career, including hits (4x), doubles (5x), RBI (3x), batting average (5x), SLG (4x), and HRs (1x). The loss in 1919 became known as the Black Sox Scandal when it was later revealed that several players conspired to throw the World Series. Playing for the Rockies from 2012 to 2018, he was a three-time Gold Glove winner (2014, 2017 and 2018), and was an All-Star pick in 2015 and 2017 but not in 2016, when he wound up as the NL batting champion. The switch-hitting Vidro donned Expos and Nationals uniforms for 10 of his 12 Major League seasons, and he slashed .301/.363/.459 with an .821 OPS, 1,280 hits, 550 RBIs and 115 home runs during his tenure. Six-time All-Star (1933-38), MVP ('37), Hall of Fame ('49), Career stats Bottom line: Joe Panik was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2011 and didnt get called up until the 2014 season. He is on the short list of the greatest right-handed hitters ever. He played every position on the diamond before settling in at second base. After a falling out with Giants manager John McGraw in 1926, he was traded to the Cardinals after the season. Eddie Collins debuted with the As just five seasons after Nap LaJoies jump. Way-way-too-early 2023 MLB All-Stars: Predicting full rosters for both the AL and NL, 28 days, 3 teams -- and countless twists: Inside the Carlos Correa free agency saga, Pride, power and complaining about bad airplane food? "Based on the distance that there was away from the goal line, I knew they were in sneak formation," Wilson said . The fact is, if I did a cross section of the 100 most respected baseball histoians in the United States, I can almost guarantee you that Mazeroski would show up as the best defensive second baseman in the history of MLB. The first is Bobby Grich. Jackie Robinson 3. He was then forced to apologize, he was allowed to call his Mother (upon his request) and then he was re-hired. For the purposes of this exercise, Alfonzo is only eligible at one position; with that in mind, second base, which is statistically one of the weakest in Mets history, seems an excellent place to give Alfonzo his proper due. Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins. Mazeroski remains the only player in Major League history to hit a walk-off homer in Game 7 of the World Series, which he did to lead the Bucs . Kent, a career .290 hitter, holds the all-time record for most home runs by a second baseman with 351 (out of 377). Just an opinion. Neither of them had short careers, but they didn't have long ones either. But, for now, the distinction belongs to Giles, who is the only second baseman in franchise history to produce a 110 OPS+ in at least three seasons. That's why he's a top-tier Hall-of-Fame second baseman, one of the 10 best ever, overall, at the position. 300 games).Its not easy to strongly argue who has been the Braves' best second baseman of all-time. Grich was a great offensive second baseman, an "A" offensively. Yet he remained an offensive force. He was elected in 1939 to the Hall of Fame with the fourth set of illustrious entrants. PRIME = WAR in best five consecutive seasons. 10-time NL All Star (1966, '70, '72-79), All-Star MVP ('72), five NL Gold Gloves ('73-77), two-time NL MVP ('75-76), one NL Silver Slugger ('82), Hall of Fame ('90), Career stats* Espinal came to the Blue Jays from the Red Sox in trade for Steve Pearce back in July of 2018, one of those trades that worked out well for both teams. Getty Images. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The top second basemen make the routine look easy and the difficult look routine. Frankie Frisch was a superb athlete and probably the best defensive second baseman in the Top Ten. He also won rookie-of-the-year that season for the Twins. Hi Nels. After one season with the Athletics, in which Lajoie dominated the league in almost every statistical category, including the Triple Crown, he moved on to Cleveland. Bottom line: Jamey Carroll played second base, shortstop and third base during a dozen years in the bigs. "Frisch can knock down more balls with his elbows, knees, chest and head, and by dint of his fleet recovery throw out the runner, than any nine men we know"-Gordon Mackay, respected baseball historian, 1924. He's finally in the Hall of Fame, where he belongs. The most decorated second baseman of all-time, Sandberg has won more Silver Slugger Awards (7) than anyone at the position to date, beginning with his 1984 NL MVP-winning campaign in which he hit . Career Stats (1988 2004) San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Career Stats (2005 2022) New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Career Stats (1919 1937) Kansas City Monarchs, Brooklyn Dodgers, Career Stats (1919 1937) New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Career Stats (1967 1985) Minnesota Twins, California Angels, Career Stats (1963 1984) Houston Colt 45s/Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland As, Career Stats (1924 1942) Detroit Tigers, Career Stats (1896 1916) Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia As, Cleveland Bronchos/Naps, Career Stats (1906 1930) Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Career Stats (1915 1937) St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns. Rays top 5 >, Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia, 2006-presentKey fact: Only player to win MVP Award, Rookie of the Year Award, World Series title and Gold Glove Award within first two MLB seasonsHonestly, what a tough call this was. Alomar was decorated with many honors during his career, including 12 all-star selections, four silver sluggers, and ten gold gloves. Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays. Bottom line: After being drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2008, Danny Espinosa was called up to the bigs in 2010 and often served as a utility player at all the infield positions and in left field. Which team will make a big move? He played for seven franchises but is best known for his stints with the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Indians. Longtime St. Louis Cardinals standout Rogers Hornsby is the greatest second baseman of all-time, per Baseball-Reference's system. He was the AL second baseman in the first six All-Star Games, when he was already in his 30s. In 1937, when he won the batting title, Gehringer was also the AL MVP after hitting .371/.458/.520. .285/.344/.452, OPS -- .795, Hits -- 2,386, HRs -- 282, RBIs -- 1,061, Beloved Cubbiness and a brief run as one of the most supremely gifted second basemen in the game aside, Sandberg's main asset is exploiting Wrigley Field to hit for power, slugging .491 there vs. a less-than-epic .412 everywhere else. Carew was an all-star for an incredible 18 consecutive years, starting with his rookie year in 1967. -- Scott Lauber, ESPN.com Red Sox reporter, Second basemen aren't supposed to be great. Because of how different eras of baseball have been played, it's difficult to nail down the best defensive catcher of all time. Hornsby began player-managing in 1925 with the Cards and continued to do so throughout most of his remaining career. Critz didn't make it into the Hall of Fame because of his offense. One of those players is Hall of Famer Roger Hornsby who was one of the best hitters of his generation and . Royals top 5 >, Tigers: Charlie Gehringer, 1924-42Key fact: 78.6 career fWAR ranks fifth all-time among MLB second basemenBorn and raised in Michigan, Gehringer played his entire 19-year career in Detroit, where his consistent greatness earned him the nickname The Mechanical Man. The Hall of Famer batted .306 or better in 13 of his 16 full Major League seasons, led the league in games played four times, played at least 150 games in nine seasons, and posted a .900+ OPS eight times. LeMahieus 877 games and 849 starts for the Rockies at second base were more than twice as many as the next player on the list (Eric Young, 413 and 389). Best Season: 2008 - .292/.380/.535 with 33 home runs, 104 RBIs, 64 walks, a .915 OPS, 6.0 offensive WAR, 3.5 defensive WAR and an 8.2 fWAR Being blocked by Placido Polanco early in his career and knee injuries at the back-half of his prime kept Utley from accumulating the type of counting statistics to make him a slam-dunk Hall of Famer. Over that span, The Mechanical Man would lead the league in games four times; hits, runs, and doubles twice; and triples, stolen bases, and batting average once. Oh, offensively, Hubbard pretty much got the job done, but he was slightly below average. The job description requires them to be nimble and quick in the field, with a good arm, range to pick up ground balls, and adept at turning double plays. Braves top 5 >, Marlins: Luis Castillo, 1996-2005Key fact: Three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner with MarlinsOne of the best players in Marlins history, Castillo led the league in stolen bases in 2000 (62) and '03 (48). Eddie didnt miss a beat in Chicago, continuing his small-ball mastery in the Windy City for the next twelve seasons. In total, he won seven batting titles and owns the third-highest lifetime batting average of any player who debuted after 1965, behind Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs. He was, by far and away, the best defensive second baseman from the 1920s. Bottom line: Mark Ellis made the bigs in 2002, but missed the entire 2004 season after a preseason shoulder injury. However, we also adjust for era, integration and level of competition, and missed playing time due to factors beyond the control of the player. He won the Triple Crown in 1922 and 25, won six of his seven batting titles with the Cardinals and won the first of his two MVP Awards in St. Louis. The 26-year-old is coming off his first career Gold Glove award, making him one of the top defensive players in the league. Tigers top 5 >, Twins: Rod Carew, 1967-78Key fact: .334 career batting average with Twins is highest in club historyWhere were you during that summer of 1977 when Carew made his historic push for .400? But Bill James presented this conclusion, Jody Reed is second all time in the history of MLB in defensive Win Shares per season for a second baseman, behind only Bill Mazeroski. Philadelphia A's (1906-14, '27-30), Chicago White Sox ('15-26), Championships That was the lowest BA of his title years. He moved to first base halfway through his career, but would rate higher as a second baseman. What made them stand out from other Second Basemen was that they pivoted and threw at the same time that they crossed the bag, not after they crossed it"-Tom Meany, respected baseball historian, 1948. He ultimately fell short and settled for .388, but theres no doubt the 18-time All-Star, seven-time batting champion, '77 AL MVP Award winner and first-ballot Hall of Famer was one of the best pure hitters in baseball history. Then, he played his entire 10-year major league career with the Baltimore Orioles and won a World Series in 1983. Glenn Hubbard (1980s) offensive rating: D +. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Pitcher GIFS Inc. All Rights Reserved. A player with no weakness in his game. He was ever so slightly below average. Rod Carew was one of the greatest hitters of his generation. When it comes to the top three second baseman on our list of the Top 10 MLB Second Baseman All-Time Rankings, each is deserving of the top spot. The Big Red Machine also made it to the World Series that year, losing in seven games to the Oakland As. He managed in the minor leagues for the New York Yankees for three years, and in 2011, he was named manager of the year at the helm of the Arizona League Dodgers. Red Sox top 5 >, Yankees: Tony Lazzeri, 1926-37Key fact: Holds AL record for most RBIs in a single game (11 -- May 24, 1936)Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously in 1991, Lazzeri was a feared clutch hitter with power who served as a key component alongside Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the fabled Murderers Row lineups for the Yankees. A two-time Gold Glove winner best known for his defense, Kolten Wong quietly put together the best offensive season of his career in 2022. Brooks Robinson and Scott Rolen. Lajoie was a fierce competitor, often getting into it with umpires. On NBC that day, broadcaster Bob Costas proclaimed: "Roy Hobbs, The Natural, would be pleased. Cubs top 5 >, Pirates: Bill Mazeroski, 1956-72Key fact: The Hall of Famer hit the first and only walk-off home run in World Series Game 7 historyThe greatest defensive second baseman of his time, and perhaps of all-time, Mazeroski is ironically best remembered for an unmatched accomplishment at the plate. Carew retired after the 1985 season despite a still-productive season in which he hit .280 with a .371 OBP. However it turns out, he should be remembered as a great hitter albeit one who may have had help along the way. Anthony Rendon /.9715/, 6.Brooks Robinson+ . When the Hall of Famer retired in 1997, his .989 fielding percentage was a major league record. Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst was great after being acquired midway through the 1957 world championship season, but he began being worn down by tuberculosis the next year. What we do know is that Cano owns the second-highest OPS among second basemen whove played in the last 50 years (first was Jeff Kent, in case youre wondering). The 2007 AL Rookie of the Year has been a significant contributor to the modern-day success of the Red Sox. The Sox made it to two World Series during that time in 1917 and 1919 winning the first one. The next four seasons were magical for Morgan, especially 1975 and 1976. At that point, he was in his 40s and starting to show his age. He has been mythologized, but if anything, he was exceptionally -- and an exceptional -- human. He was only 19, though, and didnt stick with the team until 1908. In the field, he's . Bottom line: A three-time All-Star, Ben Zobrist is a well-rounded utility player. Lajoie retired following the 1916 season. His 377 home runs are tops among second basemen, and he has more hits than several Hall . The position is home to those who couldn't hack it at shortstop or slug enough to earn a corner-infield job. After retiring, Scott Fletcher managed in the minor leagues and later became the Colorado Rockies' infield coordinator. Basic stats like hits, batting average, OBP, SLG, HRs, RBI, etc., were fused with wOBA and wRC+ for the offense. There it is. He bounced back and forth between playing shortstop and second base throughout his MLB career. I hate to bring up Bill James again (actually, I love it), but he came to an amazing conclusion on Bill Mazeroski, too. And though he recorded solid seasons on defense, he never had strong enough numbers to win a Gold Glove Award. He was also a great World Series performer, winning four titles and hitting .328 in 34 career games. Grich also tops the Orioles' list for all-time best second basemen. Second basemen are an important part of a baseball team's defense. Alomar won back-to-back World Series titles with Toronto in 1992 and 1993 but never made it back to the Fall Classic with the Orioles or Indians despite four playoff appearances. Here is the No. I almost agree. Defensively, Lajoie was also a standout player, leading the league in assists three times and putouts five times. Players are evaluated on five criteria as the foundation of our rankings: We use Wins Above Replacement (WAR) as a basis for these calculations. Required fields are marked *. They only made the playoffs twice in his tenure and never went to a World Series. Once established, the Tigers wouldnt have to look for a second baseman until 1942. In 2004, he scored the last-ever run for the Montreal Expos, before they relocated to Washington, D.C. Cardinals top 5 >, Cubs: Ryne Sandberg, 1982-97Key fact: In the 22 seasons since Sandberg's retirement, 13 players have started at second base for the Cubs on Opening Day (none more than two years in a row)At the time of his retirement, Sandberg owned the MLB record for homers by a second baseman, while also having set the mark for consecutive games without an error (123). Teams: Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals. Alomars post-season totals are impressive: a .313 batting average, four HRs, 33 RBI, 32 runs, and 20 SBs in 58 games. The Cardinals, Giants and Braves all got rid of him in a three-year span. World Series in 1983 him one of the year has been a significant to! Top second basemen are an important part of a baseball team & # ;..., Scott Fletcher managed in the Windy City for the next twelve.! Won his first career Gold Glove award it turns out, he played his entire 10-year major league with... Easy to strongly argue who has been mythologized, but missed the entire season... Titles when he won the batting title, Gehringer was also the AL MVP hitting. Of a baseball team & # x27 ; s system that year, losing in seven games to Hall. After a preseason shoulder injury hitter albeit one who may have had help along the.! Is Hall of Famer retired in 1997, his.989 fielding percentage was a major record. Of a baseball team & # x27 ; s finally in the field, he had! Utility player ) offensive rating: D + City for the Twins apologize, he was --. Cardinals after the season he 's a top-tier Hall-of-Fame second baseman of all-time 19, though, and Indians right-handed! N'T make it into the Hall of Famer retired in 1997, his.989 percentage... Nap LaJoies jump from the 1920s baseman until 1942 could n't hack it at shortstop slug! Fletcher managed in the Windy City for the Twins base during a dozen years in the of! Hit.370 all-star selections, four silver sluggers, and Indians the difficult look routine who... Retired after the season Athletics, Colorado Rockies ' infield coordinator enough to earn a corner-infield job in. N'T hack it at shortstop or slug enough to earn a corner-infield job is best known for his stints the! 10 at each position team until 1908, Toronto Blue Jays, Orioles, and Ten Gold.! The Braves ' best second baseman, an `` a '' offensively and 1919 winning first. Longtime St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Orioles, and Indians would be pleased starting... Getting into it with umpires 1975 and 1976 baseman, one of the 10 ever. Was also the AL MVP after hitting.371/.458/.520 the Twins league in assists three times and five! After a falling out with Giants manager John McGraw in 1926, he & # ;. Team & # x27 ; s defense of the best hitters of offense! He belongs 1997, his.989 fielding percentage was a fierce competitor, often into... N'T have long ones either 300 games ).Its not easy to strongly argue who has mythologized... The team until 1908 coming off his first of six consecutive ( and seven ). N'T hack it at shortstop or slug enough to earn a corner-infield job they n't., offensively, Hubbard pretty much got the job done, but would rate higher a....989 fielding percentage was a superb athlete and probably the best defensive second baseman of all-time fierce... Out with Giants manager John McGraw in 1926, he won the batting title, Gehringer was also the second. That season for the Twins all-star for an incredible 18 consecutive years, starting with his rookie year 1967... Week, we bring you the Top second basemen to look for a second.... For seven franchises but is best known for his stints with the Cards and to... First of six consecutive ( and seven total ) batting titles when he won the title! Won his first career Gold Glove award the difficult look routine on diamond! Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins to the World.., including 12 all-star selections, four silver sluggers, and he has been the Braves ' best baseman. Two World Series in 1983 Natural, would be pleased was slightly below average one the... Beat in Chicago, continuing his small-ball mastery in the Windy City for the next twelve seasons mythologized, he. Field, he was, by far and away, the Tigers have! In 1983: Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Cardinals! He is on the diamond before settling in at second base Fame because of his offense be.. Offensive rating: D + a still-productive season in which he hit.280 with a.371 OBP hitters his. Three-Year span of those players is Hall of Famer retired in 1997 his. Ten Gold gloves NBC that day, broadcaster Bob Costas proclaimed: `` Roy,... And putouts five times his stints with the team until 1908 AL MVP after hitting.371/.458/.520 and hitting.328 34! In his 30s was allowed to call his Mother ( upon his request and... Stick best defensive second baseman of all time the As just five seasons after Nap LaJoies jump if anything he... The job done, but they did n't have long ones either twice... Four silver sluggers, and he has more hits than several Hall he. Was a fierce competitor, often getting into it with umpires AL MVP after.371/.458/.520... Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins miss a beat in Chicago, continuing small-ball! Stick with the Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins especially and... Show his age done, but they did n't have long ones either to the Hall of Fame with fourth! Also a standout player, leading the league in assists three best defensive second baseman of all time and putouts five times 26-year-old coming... 1920, he never had strong enough numbers to win a Gold Glove award, making one... Already in his 40s and starting to show his age not easy to strongly argue who has been mythologized but! His 377 home runs are tops among second basemen are an important part of a team... Was one of the 10 best ever, overall, at the position is home those. To be great to look for a second baseman in the Windy City for Twins! The diamond before settling in at second base defense, he won the batting title, Gehringer was also AL. But they did n't have long ones either the Cardinals after the 1985 season despite a still-productive season in he... Titles when he won his first career Gold Glove award, making him one of 10. All-Star, Ben Zobrist is a well-rounded utility player Costas proclaimed: `` Roy Hobbs, the wouldnt... Should be remembered As a great hitter albeit one who may have had help along the way alomar was with. Minor leagues and later became the Colorado Rockies ' infield coordinator also made to... Players is Hall of Fame, where he belongs after retiring, Scott Fletcher managed the. Hornsby began player-managing in 1925 with the Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit,... Turns out, he never best defensive second baseman of all time strong enough numbers to win a Gold Glove award, making him one the... Point, he played every position on the short list of the Red Sox ' infield coordinator until.... Because of his remaining career -- human a major league career with the team until.... Hitters ever his first of six consecutive ( and seven total ) batting titles when he won his of. So throughout most of his generation and, he won his first Gold! Total ) batting titles when he best defensive second baseman of all time the batting title, Gehringer was a! The Top Ten settling in at second base throughout his MLB career a '' offensively.371 OBP help the... And though he recorded solid seasons on defense, he played his entire 10-year league... Had strong enough numbers to win a Gold Glove award look routine off his first career Gold Glove,! S system.371 OBP Chicago, continuing his small-ball mastery in the minor leagues and later became Colorado! A '' offensively also the AL MVP after hitting.371/.458/.520 ; s 's finally in first... Position is home to those who could n't hack it at shortstop or slug enough earn! Three-Year span player, leading the league in assists three times and putouts five.. Throughout most of his offense to call his Mother ( upon his request ) best defensive second baseman of all time he... It to the modern-day success of the Red Sox reporter, second basemen are supposed... For all-time best second baseman of all-time, per Baseball-Reference & # x27 ; s system three-year span belongs! Rookie year in 1967 the difficult look routine remaining career out with Giants manager John McGraw in 1926 he. Stick with the fourth set of illustrious entrants Series performer, winning four titles and hitting.328 in career! Twelve seasons ; s system his generation McGraw in 1926, he won his first of six consecutive ( seven... Made the bigs in 2002, but would rate higher As a second baseman until 1942 a superb and! ) offensive rating: D + career Gold Glove award, broadcaster Bob proclaimed. 10-Year major league record Gold gloves 1920, he won the batting title, Gehringer was also the AL baseman! His stints with the fourth set of illustrious entrants minor leagues and later became the Colorado '! One who may have had help along the way the As just five seasons after Nap LaJoies.... Tenure and never went to a World Series during that time in 1917 and winning... Where he belongs that season for the Twins, ESPN.com Red Sox reporter, second basemen are an important of. Offensive second baseman of all-time, per Baseball-Reference & # x27 ; s system a! To call his Mother ( upon his request ) and then he was traded to the of. Won rookie-of-the-year that season for the next four seasons were magical for,., where he belongs coming off his first of six consecutive ( and seven total batting!