Who is the second greatest third baseman of all-time?

[saturdaysarebetter]

It's generally acknowledged, by those with a working cerebrum, that Michael Jack Schmidt is the greatest third baseman of all-time.

Who was/is the second greatest third baseman of all-time? George Brett? Brooks Robinson? Pie Traynor? Eddie Matthews? Wade Boggs? Chipper Jones? Adrian Beltre? Others?

 

[razpsu]

It's generally acknowledged, by those with a working cerebrum, that Michael Jack Schmidt is the greatest third baseman of all-time.

Who was/is the second greatest third baseman of all-time? George Brett? Brooks Robinson? Pie Traynor? Eddie Matthews? Wade Boggs? Chipper Jones? Adrian Beltre? Others?

Graig Nettles

 

[WestSideLion]

Eddie Matthews if you go by WAR. Adrien Beltre is very close though.

Brooks’ dWAR is off the charts.

 

[FHSPSU67]

Ken Boyer and Clete Boyer

 

[PSU89er]

I was going to say Mike Schmidt, since I figured Brooks Robinson was the given at third base. Yes, Schmidt was a better offensive player, but as good as Schmidt was was a glove and he was very good Robinson has no equal as a defensive player at third base, and to me that really sticks out.

If you were to show me the top ten defensive plays ever as a third baseman, I would think Robinson will have at least half of them. His ability to throw bullets to first while off balance was unbelievable.

 

[Blair10]

Schmidt is the greatest all-around 3rd baseman I have seen play.

Brooks Robinson is the greatest defensive 3rd baseman I have seen play.

 

[Mrdibbs]

Richie Hebner?

 

[Moogy]

I was going to say Mike Schmidt, since I figured Brooks Robinson was the given at third base. Yes, Schmidt was a better offensive player, but as good as Schmidt was was a glove and he was very good Robinson has no equal as a defensive player at third base, and to me that really sticks out.

If you were to show me the top ten defensive plays ever as a third baseman, I would think Robinson will have at least half of them. His ability to throw bullets to first while off balance was unbelievable.

Schmidt: 106.9 WAR over 18 years (16 full)
Robinson: 78.3 WAR over 23 years (19 full)

The difference between Schmidt and Robinson is pretty enormous. Not only did he accumulate a large WAR advantage over his career, but he did it in less time.

Schmidt's 162 game average WAR is 7.2
Robinson's 162 game average WAR is 4.4

Schmidt's not quite twice the player Robinson was, but he's closer to that than Robinson is to being better than Schmidt.

 

[NittanyBuff]

It's generally acknowledged, by those with a working cerebrum, that Michael Jack Schmidt is the greatest third baseman of all-time.

Who was/is the second greatest third baseman of all-time? George Brett? Brooks Robinson? Pie Traynor? Eddie Matthews? Wade Boggs? Chipper Jones? Adrian Beltre? Others?

I'll go Brett, didn't get any better than in the 80's with those 2

 

[PSU Mike]

Zero love for Ron Santo?

 

[ChandlerPearce58]

Chipper Jones

 

[MtNittany]

Well, it wasn't this guy...

 

[carrier9]

I'll throw Pete Rose out there, played on the best baseball team I ever watched play, the '75, and '76 big red machine.

 

[Blair10]

I'll throw Pete Rose out there, played on the best baseball team I ever watched play, the '75, and '76 big red machine.

Pete Rose was without question the most versatile player in the history of baseball.

Rose played every outfield position, 1B, 2B, and 3B. Simply incredible.

 

[LionsAndBears]

1. Michael Jack Schmidt
2. Brooks Robinson

I don't have or need statistics. This is what most people who follow baseball would say if asked and I believe they'd be right.

 

[MacNit]

It's generally acknowledged, by those with a working cerebrum, that Michael Jack Schmidt is the greatest third baseman of all-time.

Who was/is the second greatest third baseman of all-time? George Brett? Brooks Robinson? Pie Traynor? Eddie Matthews? Wade Boggs? Chipper Jones? Adrian Beltre? Others?

Brooks was the Greatest.

 

[Marshall2323]

Ken Boyer and Clete Boyer

Ken was the better with the stick. I didn't see as much of him as Cletus. But IMO, no one was better than

Ken Boyer and Clete Boyer

Ken was better with the stick. IMO, No one was better than Cletus with the leather. 7 brothers played pro ball. Cloyd was a pitcher for the Cards in the 50s as well.

 

[Marshall2323]

Well, it wasn't this guy...

Baby Bomber

 

[LionJim]

1. Michael Jack Schmidt
2. Brooks Robinson

I don't have or need statistics. This is what most people who follow baseball would say if asked and I believe they'd be right.

You have to be able to hit. I wouldn’t doubt that Robinson is the greatest defensive third baseman ever but you gotta hit. I’d pick Brett or Matthews over Robinson.

 

[BobPSU92]

I guess I have to go with Schmidt as the best third baseman ever. His batting average was MEH. , but of course, he was a slugger. Home runs and great defense. He could do it all most.

Second-best? Good question. George Brett was a great hitter, but only O.K. defensively (one Gold Glove). Brooks Robinson was more or less the opposite. Eddie Matthews? Well before my time, so I can only go by statistics.

I have no idea.

 

[Bison13]

Schmidt is 1, after that it just depends on what you prefer as your primary tool to gauge by: power, average, glove, clutchness...

Personally I have not seen Brooks Robinson (#1 defensive and pretty clutch) or Eddie Matthews (#2 in the power department) and you cant go wrong with George Brett, Chipper Jones and Adrian Beltre in the next group based off of who I have seen play. But I personally have ARod as #2 even though I know most either hate him or use the PED's against him, but like Bonds, he was the best in his time period , while others were using them as well.

 

[Connorpozlee]

Well, it wasn't this guy...

How about Mike Pagliarulo?

 

[razpsu]

ESPN has their top 10 3rd baseman as Schmidt number 1, Brett number 2, Robinson number 5.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Mike Schmidt -- "Philadelphia is the only city, where you can experience the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day."​

 

[LionJim]

One thing about Schmidt is that he always kept getting better. Bill James has said that Schmidt had the worst rookie season of any great player ever.

 

[LionJim]

interesting article here.

The nine worst players in the Baseball Hall of Fame – Baseball Egg

UPDATE: In 2021, the Golden Days Era committee elected four former players to the Baseball Hall of Fame . That election has prompted me to update this list, whi

baseballegg.com

 

[LionJim]

Some more: posted without comment.

Best Third Basemen of All Time

The 100 greatest third basemen of all-time. Ranking the 100 best MLB third basemen.

baseballegg.com

 

[Bison13]

interesting article here.

The nine worst players in the Baseball Hall of Fame – Baseball Egg

UPDATE: In 2021, the Golden Days Era committee elected four former players to the Baseball Hall of Fame . That election has prompted me to update this list, whi

baseballegg.com

Agree WRT Kaat and Baines, Hall of Very good, not HOF material

 

[MtNittany]

ESPN has their top 10 3rd baseman as Schmidt number 1, Brett number 2, Robinson number 5.

Didn't Brett end his career as a 1st Baseman?

 

[razpsu]

Didn't Brett end his career as a 1st Baseman?

Perhaps. Like hatteberg

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

interesting article here.

The nine worst players in the Baseball Hall of Fame – Baseball Egg

UPDATE: In 2021, the Golden Days Era committee elected four former players to the Baseball Hall of Fame . That election has prompted me to update this list, whi

baseballegg.com

I have various thoughts on articles such as these and all those asking which former great is overrated.

The players in the Hall of Fame were stars who made a difference in games time after time for a decade or more. They were vetted by people who were thoroughly familiar with their careers. Someone who has been to a few games and has access to a computer doesn't get to second-guess the qualified voters. I suggest taking away their computers.

These articles are written by someone that most likely had little or no athletic ability and never got close to playing professional sports and not even in their wildest dreams had the athletic ability to play professional sports but will write an article to tear down those that accomplished so much more than they did to evidently make themselves feel better which speaks volumes about that individual.

The smallest of individuals want to tear somebody down to make themselves feel better.

Remember those individuals who belittled Anna Kournikova for not winning tennis tournaments. At one time, she was ranked 8th in the world. I would imagine at that time, all but seven other female tennis players on the planet would have loved to have been ranked 8th in the world.

I think it speaks volumes of those individuals who belittle others that accomplished so much more than they did.

 

[MtNittany]

George Brett was one of the best hitters that ever lived obviously, but he wasn't that great defensively. When someone asks me the OP's question - w/out the Philly slant - it's obviously Schmidt, Robinson. I never would have thought of Brett b/c when you mention a particular base or SS, I think of defense first and then compare the offensive numbers.

I'll say that if Schmidt wasn't a great glove, he wouldn't be #1 b/c of his BA. Just like if Robinson wasn't an incredible glove, he wouldn't be #2 b/c of his BA and lack of power.

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

Agree WRT Kaat and Baines, Hall of Very good, not HOF material

I started doing some cursory research on which HOFer led the league the fewest times in various statistical categories during their career and/or won a major award including the number of All-Star selections, and as you can imagine, there are a lot of statistical categories for offensively and defensively.

I count Gold Gloves because you're being awarded as the best defensively at your position (in theory) and that's nothing to sneeze at.

Of those I researched thus far, Harold Baines had the smallest number, seven. Some others of note: Jack Morris 11, Rich Gossage 12, Fred McGriff 12. At some point, I'll try do a more painstakingly delve into the research.

 

[Still in State Colllege]

I am surprised that Boggs hasn't received any love here. Different type of player but very good.

Not a lot of power but pretty decent glove and 3,000 hits has to count for something.

 

[LionJim]

I started doing some cursory research on which HOFer led the league the fewest times in various statistical categories during their career and/or won a major award including the number of All-Star selections, and as you can imagine, there are a lot of statistical categories for offensively and defensively.

I count Gold Gloves because you're being awarded as the best defensively at your position (in theory) and that's nothing to sneeze at.

Of those I researched thus far, Harold Baines had the smallest number, seven. Some others of note: Jack Morris 11, Rich Gossage 12, Fred McGriff 12. At some point, I'll try do a more painstakingly delve into the research.

That kind of research is surely already out there. I'll Google and report.

 

[LionJim]

That kind of research is surely already out there. I'll Google and report.

Couldn’t find anything close to being comprehensive. I did learn that Bert Blyleven was named an all-star only twice in his career.

 

[BobPSU92]

Bert “Be home“ Blyleven

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

Couldn’t find anything close to being comprehensive. I did learn that Bert Blyleven was named an all-star only twice in his career.

In researching Bert Be Home Blyleven:
2 All-Star Game appearances
1 Time led the league in complete games 24 in 1985
3 times led the league in shutouts ('73, '85 and '89)
1 time led the league in strikeouts ('85)
3 times led the league in strikeouts to walk ratio ('71, '73, and '86)
1 time led the league in WHIP ('77)

So to me that's a score of 11.

 

[LionsAndBears]

You have to be able to hit. I wouldn’t doubt that Robinson is the greatest defensive third baseman ever but you gotta hit. I’d pick Brett or Matthews over Robinson.

IMO, MJS is the clear #1 and the rest all have flaws. I chose to elevate Robinson to #2 because the thing he did best was far and away better than all the rest. Kinda like Ozzie Smith.

 

[Mufasa94]

Here are the cumulative totals of the ten highest ten run producing seasons (with games played in parenthesis) for each of the following 3B:

• Traynor 1898 (1447)
• Jones 1744 (1458)
• Schmidt 1742 (1546)
• Mathews 1708 (1489)
• ARod 1683 (1400)
• Brett 1641 (1402)

The above only includes the seasons where each respective player played the majority of games as a 3B (NYY years for ARod, not Brett's 1B nor Jones OF years).

No doubt, there were different rates of scoring in various eras.