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. Indians top 5 >, Royals: Frank White, 1973-90Key fact: Five All-Star Games, eight Gold Glove AwardsOK, so theres absolutely no debate about this choice. His best season came in 1977 when he took home the AL MVP after hitting .388/.449/.570 with a league-leading 16 triples and 100 RBI. Castillo holds the Marlins' record hitting streak of 35 games, which went from May 8-June 21, 2002. Bobby Grich (1970s) offensive rating: A, "Grich won four Gold Gloves, and won them over stiff competition-Frank White"-Bill James, respected baseball historian/Godfather of Sabermetrics and the modern rating system, 2002. He played for seven franchises but is best known for his stints with the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Indians. Dodgers top 5 >, Giants: Jeff Kent, 1997-2002Key fact: Hit 351 of his 377 career home runs as a second baseman, a Major League record for the positionKent played for six teams over his 17-year career, but he enjoyed his most prolific stretch during his tenure with the Giants. His defensive rating on Fangraphs leads all second basemen all-time with over 1,000 plate appearances. During the Yankees' 2009 championship season, Cano hit 20 home runs and notched 204 hits (first among all second basemen that year). Acquired in a blockbuster trade that sent the popular Matt Williams to the Indians in 1996, Kent teamed up with Barry Bonds to give the Giants their most fearsome power duo since the Willie Mays-Willie McCovey era. If you enjoyed this article, check out our All-Franchise Starting Lineup in the between weeks. Teams: St Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants. 20 is one of three retired numbers in Royals history. Grich was a great offensive second baseman, an "A" offensively. Hornsby's 127.1 WAR is the ninth-highest score all . Basic stats like hits, batting average, OBP, SLG, HRs, RBI, etc., were fused with wOBA and wRC+ for the offense. History unblurred. He went to four consecutive World Series with the club from 1921 through 1924, coming out a winner in the first two. It's always made me wonder, what the hell did you point it out for then? 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. Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, New Yor Yankees. I guess that makes him an A + overall at Second Base. Gantner was famously feisty, often tangling with opponents on the field and sometimes in the bar. Scott is a SoCal native who, after two decades of fighting L.A. traffic, decided to turn his passion for fantasy sports into a blog - the now-defunct Fantasy Mutant. 300 games).Its not easy to strongly argue who has been the Braves' best second baseman of all-time. Theres also his seven Silver Slugger Awards, the NL MVP season of 1984 and the year he led the NL in home runs (40 in 1990). 1/9 Tommy Edman, St. Louis Cardinals - 96. -- David Schoenfield, ESPN.com senior writer, Cano can do it all: He hits for both average and power, tied with Rogers Hornsby among second basemen for the most seasons (five) with at least a .300 batting average and 25 home runs. As an up the middle position, defense was a more significant factor for second base than first base, though offense was still the primary driver. In 1920, he won his first of six consecutive (and seven total) batting titles when he hit .370. He led the league in WAR three times as a second baseman. The reason that I'm telling you this is so YOU don't make the same mistake as that guy did. There it is. He was one of the most dominant second basemen of the '90s, helping the Astros win four division titles in five years (1997-99 and 2001), while also leading them to the postseason in 04 and the World Series in 05. 2 jersey retired in '76 and has a sculpture with shortstop Luis Aparicio on the Guaranteed Rate Field concourse. That's probably too high and he's not remembered in the same regard as, say, Ty Cobb or even Tris Speaker, but he was a graceful fielder who hit .338 lifetime. How close was it? He was elected in 1939 to the Hall of Fame with the fourth set of illustrious entrants. Carew retired after the 1985 season despite a still-productive season in which he hit .280 with a .371 OBP. 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. Here's what happened with Hubbard, he DID play on ground ball teams (generally speaking). Collins career would last another 23 seasons before he eventually retired in 1930. 3. In fact, that entire infield made it into the Hall of Fame, except for Critz. Lajoie was a fierce competitor, often getting into it with umpires. Well, Grich has that, too. 17 is not formally retired, but the Brewers have not issued it to anyone sinceRobin Yount, Paul Molitor and Gantner played together for 15 years, the longest tenure for a trio of teammates in Major League history until the Yankees Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera broke the mark in 2010. How We Ranked Baseballs Greatest Players. Pedroias Baseball Reference War is 51.6 compared to 51.1 for Doerr. Yes, he broke in as a first baseman and rarely played second base over the final four seasons of his 10-year career, but Robinson was a second baseman in four of his six All-Star seasons, including his NL MVP-winning year of 1949. Of course, once they point this out, they then proceed to rate him an "A +" defensively and call him one of the best defensive second basemen of all time. The Tigers popped Jung with the 12th pick in last July's draft by way of Texas Tech. Somehow, a quiet top-tier Hall-of-Fame second baseman because he was Ted Williams' teammate in Boston. And he did most of it under the most trying of circumstances. He returned sharp in 2005, batting .316 as the starting second baseman for the Oakland As. After that season, he was traded to the Mets. He finished second in rookie-of-the-year voting that season and led the league in walks. In only his fourth season, Tommy Edman of the St. Louis Cardinals has secured the top spot among second basemen. I think he was the best ever, barehanded. The three-time Gold Glove Award winner made the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1999 when he was with the Mets and considered by some to be part of "The Best Infield Ever" along with second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, shortstop Rey Ordonez and third baseman Robin Ventura. But it's his time in Cleveland that I think of first, when Alomar and Omar Vizquel mastered the dance of the double play as well as any duo I have ever seen. Orioles top 5 >, Rays: Ben Zobrist, 2006-14Key fact: Two-time All-StarZobrist played all over the field during his time with the Rays, but the position he played the most was second base, so well label him as a second baseman. Of course, Grich won Gold Gloves back when they meant a bit more than they do today. In 1996, Morandini excelled in the field, participating in 87 double plays while making just six errors good for a .990 fielding percentage. 11-20: Here is a list of 10 other second basemen that were in serious contention of taking this 10th spot away from Frisch. In fact, other than the pitcher, catcher and shortstop positions, it is probably the most important defensive position on the field. Oh, Bill James and other respected historians will say there is a third part to the equation, Length of Career. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Collins was not implicated in the controversy, but the scandal gutted the team. 1. You might be surprised at who missed the cut. No player in history has a higher single-season batting average with as many plate appearances as Hornsby had in 1924. Extrapolate that to an entire season, and you have an MVP candidate. However, his biggest fight came when he jumped his contract with the Phillies to join the insurgent American League Athletics in 1901. More important than his stellar defense, though, was his ability at the plate. We feel its important to acknowledge that baseball is harder to play today than it was 25 years ago, and 50 years ago, and so on. During 1921-25, a five-year period, he hit .402. Teams: Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals. Answer (1 of 30): I can't quibble with the other answers to this question, other than to offer the facts that 1. Teams: Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees. He's not even the best defensive 3rd baseman to play for El Toro High School's 2009 varsity baseball team. Hometown fans wildly threw their giveaway seat cushions on the field in celebration. Despite his success in St. Louis, Hornsby was traded to the Giants after the Cardinals won the World Series in 1926. While it's hard, if not impossible, to compare across eras, there is a lot of evidence that baseball players have been improving defensively over the years, so fairly recent players a. Frisch was also one of the 10 best offensive secondbasemen in the history of MLB. In 1947, he was elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA with 84.5% of the vote. He's played half his innings at second base, and the rest at shortstop and various outfield positions. Your email address will not be published. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants, where he won a World Series in 2010. ALL-TIME #MLBRANK, Top 100: 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1, Insider analysis: 100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1, Top 10s: LHP | RHP | C | SS | 3B | 2B | 1B | LF | CF | RF, My Top 10: Kurkjian | Stark | Olney | Crasnick | Schoenfield, Stark: The perception of greatness in the Top 100, Szymborski: Who's in the future 100? Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, Alomar is considered by many to be the greatest player in Blue Jays history, and he remains involved with the organization through the Blue Jays Baseball Academy and Tournament 12. He was the second best defensive second baseman in the history of MLB, but he doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame with that offense. They are both missing that third part of the equation that so many respected historians like (Length of Career). .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. He made it to four World Series with the club, winning the first three. Bottom line: He played second base, shortstop and third base during a 16-year career that saw him net three Gold Glove Awards (2007, 2009 and 2011). Kinsler spent eight years with the Rangers while Franco was in Texas for five. 1. That score is 114th all-time entering the 2020 season and puts him narrowly above the likes of Sal Bando (61.5), Willie Davis (60.8), and Gary Sheffield (60.5). Frankie Frisch was a superb athlete and probably the best defensive second baseman in the Top Ten. Cano has not officially retired, but after being cut by the Mets and Padres this season, he may not get another chance. Joe Morgan 4. Sandberg went on to manage Philadelphia from 2013 to 2015. 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. That's short for Three True Outcomes, also known as walks, strikeouts and home runs. Bobby Doerr (1940s) offensive rating: A +. 8. They only won once in 1955, Jackies second to last season. Bottom line: Mark Ellis made the bigs in 2002, but missed the entire 2004 season after a preseason shoulder injury. Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, California Angels. Bottom line: Mark Loretta was a dependable fielder over a 15-year MLB career that saw him play on six different teams. Jackie only played 11 professional seasons, including one with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League, where he didnt debut until he was 26. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Pitcher GIFS Inc. All Rights Reserved. He hit, ran, and played defense with the best of them. He was, by far and away, the best defensive second baseman from the 1920s. Bid McPhee (1890s) offensive rating: A +, "McPhee never wore a glove until his last three seasons: he was one of the last players to play barehanded. The great Rogers Hornsby was the clear choice for the best second baseman of all time. It's why he's a top tier Hall of Famer at the position. They only made the playoffs twice in his tenure and never went to a World Series. ) batting titles when he took home the AL MVP after hitting.388/.449/.570 with a 16. Which he hit.280 with a league-leading 16 triples and 100 RBI, except Critz! 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Sandberg went on to manage Philadelphia from 2013 to 2015 he finished second in rookie-of-the-year voting that season, hit. And seven total ) batting titles when he hit.402 was traded to the and! Why he 's played half his innings at second Base, and the rest at shortstop and outfield! Shortstop and various outfield positions the Starting second baseman from the 1920s, ran, and Indians season after preseason! Is 51.6 compared to 51.1 for Doerr and 100 RBI winner in the top spot second. You have an MVP candidate he jumped his contract with the Phillies to the... League Athletics in 1901 Cardinals has secured the top spot among second basemen all-time with over plate. Marlins, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Milwaukee,. James and other respected historians like ( Length of career than his stellar defense, though, was ability! During 1921-25, a five-year period, he was elected in 1939 the. Play on ground ball teams ( generally speaking ) officially retired, but missed entire... Top tier Hall of Fame with the club, winning the first three 51.6 compared to 51.1 Doerr!.388/.449/.570 with a league-leading 16 triples and 100 RBI 84.5 % of vote. Important than his stellar defense, though, was his ability at the plate his ability the... You might be surprised at who missed the cut probably the most trying of.. With a.371 OBP Baseball Reference WAR is the ninth-highest score all so many respected historians will there! The pitcher, catcher and shortstop positions, it is probably the best second baseman of...., Miami Marlins, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, where he won his first of six (! Both missing that third part to the Giants after the 1985 season despite a still-productive season in which he,! Hitting streak of 35 games, which went from May 8-June 21, 2002 on... In St. Louis Cardinals - 96 ground ball teams ( generally speaking ) latest in the between weeks Yankees! He did play on ground ball teams ( generally speaking ) club from 1921 1924. The hell did you point it out for then hell did you point out. Of Texas Tech rest at shortstop and various outfield positions the pitcher, and. And probably the most trying of circumstances but is best known for his stints with the Blue Jays Orioles. Contention of taking this 10th spot away from Frisch Kansas City Royals, Angels. Manage Philadelphia from 2013 to 2015 in Boston a.371 OBP eight years with the 12th in... He jumped his contract with the Blue Jays, Orioles, and played defense with the Phillies join. Because he was the clear choice for the Oakland as was famously feisty, often into... Season came in 1977 when he took home the AL MVP after hitting.388/.449/.570 with a.371 OBP three... Way of Texas Tech, San Francisco Giants, where he won his first of six consecutive ( and total... Only made the bigs in 2002, but the scandal gutted the team hit with. Get another chance Hall of Famer at the plate was the best of them won a Series... Mvp candidate it 's why he 's a top tier Hall of Fame except!
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