The Top 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years- Third Base

 

Continuing my list 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years, today I am looking at third base. For players who played multiple positions, I am only including them at 1 position. Most of the time it will be for the position they played the most games. However, I may use judgement and select a player at the position where he had most success.  Since this is based on the last 50 years, the player must have played in MLB for at least 5 years since the 1973 season. Note players who began their career prior to 73 can be considered. However only their performance and accomplishments since the 1973 season will be counted for. For example, Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski. He played through 1983. But all his great accomplishments were prior to 1973 (3 batting titles, the triple crown and MVP). So, he did not make the cut for the left fielders. The top accomplishments for each player will be noted.

Here is my list of the top 10 greatest third basemen in the last 50 years.

10. Graig Nettles (1973-1988)- LCS MVP, 2 X Gold Glove award winner.

9.  Bill Madlock (1973-1987)- 4X batting champion. Lifetime .305 average.

8. Adrian Beltre (1998-2018)- HR champion. 5X Gold Glove award winner. 3,000 career hits.

7. Pete Rose (1973-1986)- World Series MVP (as third baseman).

6. Scott Rolen (1996-2012)-   8X Gold Glove award winner

5. Nolan Arenado (2013-2022 active)- 10X Gold Glove award winner

4. Chipper Jones (1995-2012)- HOF, MVP, batting champion.

3. Wade Boggs (1982-1999)- HOF, 5X batting champion. 2X Gold Glove award winner.  

2. George Brett (1973-1993)- HOF, MVP, 3X batting champion, Gold Glove award winner. ALCS MVP.

1. Mike Schmidt (1972-1989)-HOF, 3X MVP, 8X HR champion, 10X Gold Glove award winner. WS MVP.

Notes.  Nettles is one of the greatest defensive third basemen of all time. The 1978 World Series was his greatest moment. Madlock is often overlooked and should be considered for the Hall of Fame. A terrific hitter, he is the only player with at least 4 batting titles not inducted. Beltre is the only third basemen with at least 3000 hits and 400 home runs. Rose played over 500 games at 5 different positions. I selected him at third base since there is where had his greatest success, winning 2 World Series Championships for the Big Red Machine in 75 and 76. Rolen was a great all around third basemen who should have won the WS MVP in 06. He hit .421 in the WS leading the Cardinals to the championship over the Tigers. Arenado has turned into the best third basemen of today’s generation.  He has won a gold glove in every single season he has played in the majors. Jones played a few years in left field, but, had his greatest seasons playing third base. Boggs is one of the great hitters of all time. He hit over .360 (4) times in his career. Brett is the last player to hit .400 in September. He came close and ended up with a .390 average in 1980. Schmidt is the greatest third basemen of all time (not just the last 50 years).

Next up is the 10 greatest left fielders in the last 50 years.

The Top 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years- Shortstop

 

Continuing my list 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years, today I am looking at shortstop. For players who played multiple positions, I am only including them at 1 position. Most of the time it will be for the position they played the most games. However, I may use judgement and select a player at the position where he had most success.  Since this is based on the last 50 years, the player must have played in MLB for at least 5 years since the 1973 season. Note players who began their career prior to 73 can be considered. However only their performance and accomplishments since the 1973 season will be counted for. For example, Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski. He played through 1983. But all his great accomplishments were prior to 1973 (3 batting titles, the triple crown and MVP). So, he did not make the cut for the left fielders. The top accomplishments for each player will be noted.

Here is my list of the top 10 greatest shortstops in the last 50 years.

10. Jimmy Rollins (2000-2016)- MVP, 4X Gold Glove award winner.

9. Omar Vizquel (1989-2012)- 11X Gold Glove award winner.

8. Nomar Garciaparra (1996-2009)- 2X batting champion

7. Alex Rodriguez (1994-2016)- 1 MVP, 3X HR champion, 2X Gold Glove award winner.  As shortstop

6. Alan Trammell (1977-1996)- HOF, WS MVP, 4X Gold Glove award winner

5. Barry Larkin (1986-2004)- HOF, MVP, 3X Gold Gove award winner.

4. Ozzie Smith (1978-1996)- HOF, NLCS MVP, 13X Gold Glove award winner.

3. Robin Yount (1974-1993)- HOF, MVP, Gold Glove award winner. As shortstop.

2. Derek Jeter (1995-2014)- HOF, 5X WS champion, WS MVP, 5X Gold Glove award winner.

1. Cal Ripken (1981-2001)-HOF, 2X MVP, 2X Gold Glove award winner. Record 2632 consecutive games played.

Notes. Rollins had some terrific years for the Phillies and led them to a WS in 08. Vizquel was probably the 2^nd best fielding ss behind Smith during his playing career. Garciaparra had a rookie of the year and 2 batting titles in his first 5 seasons. He was on his way to a HOF career before injuries curtailed him.  ARod had his career split between shortstop and third base. He won 1 of his 3 MVPs at SS. Trammell was a terrific shortstop for Tigers throughout the 1980s and should have won the MVP in 1987 (went to George Bell). Larkin hit over .300 (8) times for the Reds. Smith is the greatest defensive shortstop of all time. Yount had a HOF career playing 2 positions, SS and CF, winning an MVP at both. He played more games at SS. Jeter was the leader of the 5 X champion Yankees and should have won 1 or more MVPs. Ripken’s Iron Man record will never be broken. He deserves to be #1 on this list.

Next up is the 10 greatest third basemen in the last 50 years.