Who is the Best Baseball Shortstop?
Baseball is a game that involves skill, strategy, and the ability to make quick decisions. Shortstops are the players who are usually responsible for fielding ground balls, making throws to first base, and making plays at the plate. They also have to think quickly and make decisions on the fly. Therefore, it stands to reason that not all shortstops are created equal and some are better than others. So, who is the best baseball shortstop in the world?
Derek Jeter: The All-Time Great
There is no denying that Derek Jeter is one of the greatest shortstops in the history of the game. Jeter was a member of the New York Yankees for 20 seasons and is considered one of the most iconic players in the sport. In his career, he was a five-time World Series champion, 14-time All-Star, and five-time Gold Glove Award winner. He was also an incredibly consistent performer, hitting over .300 in 11 out of his 20 seasons.
Cal Ripken Jr: Iron Man
Another all-time great shortstop is Cal Ripken Jr. He was a member of the Baltimore Orioles for 21 seasons and is widely known for his incredible durability. In fact, he holds the record for most consecutive games played (2,632). He was also a two-time AL MVP, 19-time All-Star, and an eight-time Gold Glove winner.
Alex Rodriguez: The Most Controversial Shortstop
Alex Rodriguez is one of the most controversial shortstops in the history of the game. He was a member of the New York Yankees for 12 seasons and was a 14-time All-Star, three-time AL MVP, and two-time Gold Glove winner. He was also one of the most feared sluggers, hitting 696 career home runs. However, he was also suspended for the entire 2014 season due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Ozzie Smith: The Wizard of Oz
Ozzie Smith is one of the most beloved shortstops in the history of the game. He was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals for 15 seasons and is widely known for his incredible defensive prowess. He was a 13-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner, and a World Series champion. He was also known for his iconic backflips which he did before every game.
Robin Yount: The Kid
Robin Yount is another all-time great shortstop. He was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers for his entire 20-year career and is a two-time AL MVP, three-time Gold Glove winner, and a World Series champion. He was also the first player in Major League history to record both 3,000 hits and 250 home runs.
Honorable Mentions
Though the five players mentioned above are all considered some of the best shortstops in the history of the game, there are some other players who deserve recognition. Here is a list of some of the other top shortstops in the game:
- Ernie Banks: A member of the Chicago Cubs for 19 seasons, Banks was a two-time NL MVP, 14-time All-Star, and a Gold Glove winner.
- Ichiro Suzuki: A member of the Seattle Mariners for 12 seasons, Ichiro was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and two-time AL MVP.
- Troy Tulowitzki: A member of the Colorado Rockies for nine seasons, Tulowitzki was a five-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner, and a Silver Slugger.
- Ryne Sandberg: A member of the Chicago Cubs for 16 seasons, Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, and a Hall of Famer.
- Alan Trammell: A member of the Detroit Tigers for 20 seasons, Trammell was a six-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and a World Series champion.
Determining the Best Shortstop
When it comes to determining who the best shortstop is, it is a difficult task. There are many different factors to consider, such as offensive production, defensive acumen, and overall impact on the game. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide who they believe is the best shortstop.
The Ultimate Answer
At the end of the day, the answer to the question of who is the best baseball shortstop is subjective. There are many different shortstops who have had a great impact on the game and it is tough to compare them. However, it is safe to say that Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Ozzie Smith, and Robin Yount are all considered to be some of the best shortstops of all time.
Conclusion
Shortstops are some of the most important players on the field and it takes a special type of player to excel at the position. While it is impossible to definitively answer the question of who is the best shortstop, it is clear that Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Ozzie Smith, and Robin Yount are all considered to be some of the greatest shortstops in the history of the game.
References
- MLB. “Derek Jeter Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/derek-jeter-404385.
- MLB. “Cal Ripken Jr. Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/cal-ripken-jr-114789.
- MLB. “Alex Rodriguez Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/alex-rodriguez-119717.
- MLB. “Ozzie Smith Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/ozzie-smith-117594.
- MLB. “Robin Yount Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/robin-yount-120928.
- MLB. “Ernie Banks Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/ernie-banks-105915.
- MLB. “Ichiro Suzuki Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/ichiro-suzuki-119715.
- MLB. “Troy Tulowitzki Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/troy-tulowitzki-453568.
- MLB. “Ryne Sandberg Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/ryne-sandberg-118094.
- MLB. “Alan Trammell Stats”. MLB.com. Retrieved from mlb.com/player/alan-trammell-118115.