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MLB: The 5 Greatest Shortstops to Ever Play the Game
The Cheat Sheet ^ | October 14, 2016 | Michael Laurila

Posted on 10/14/2016 4:13:30 PM PDT by EveningStar

While he’s no longer rocking pinstripes on a regular basis, it’s hard to think about the New York Yankees and not turn your attention to the great Derek Jeter. Even after his retirement from Major League Baseball in 2014, the captain of all captains continues to remain a permanent fixture in the city with which he spent his entire career. And really, that shouldn’t be a surprise. That’s usually what happens when you’re an all-time great shortstop.

Throughout his incredible career, Jeter showed himself to be one of the greatest shortstops to ever step on a diamond. While there have been better offensive shortstops, and better defensive shortstops, no one equaled his impressive balance of offense and defense. Which is why we feel the need to compile this particular list. Therefore, with that in mind, here’s a look the five best all-around shortstops to ever play the game from the bottom to the top, taking into account more than any single facet of the game.

(Excerpt) Read more at cheatsheet.com ...


TOPICS: History; Sports
KEYWORDS: baseball; belanger; calripken; calripkenjr; derekjeter; erniebanks; honuswagner; mlb; ozziesmith; ripken; shortstop; shortstops
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To: EveningStar

There are so many greats.
Best up and coming are Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor, Giants Brandon Crawford and Dodgers Corey Seager along with a few others.


41 posted on 10/14/2016 4:55:22 PM PDT by Karliner (Jeremiah29:11,Romans8:28 Isa 17, Damascus has fallen)
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To: the_Watchman

Harold Reese was the first to embrace Jackie. Defended him on
and off the field. Historic in baseball.


42 posted on 10/14/2016 4:58:55 PM PDT by dormouse (I lurk, therefore, I am)
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To: Carpe Cerevisi

Omar Vizquel was good. Probably the best or tops for many many years. You have to get a stat and just go with that. These lists are fun but even stats don’t tell the whole story. Sometimes a ss like someone posted Buckey Dent...no one even really heard of him until October and whamo he was a household name and Yankees starter.


43 posted on 10/14/2016 5:01:36 PM PDT by Karliner (Jeremiah29:11,Romans8:28 Isa 17, Damascus has fallen)
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To: EveningStar
I just love arguments among baseball aficionados as to who was the best. All we need is a bar and some beer.

The choices here are all outstanding but my personal opinion is that they cannot be compared. Too much difference in the times, equipment, training, pitching, and even the ball itself. Nonetheless my hat is off to all the greats mentioned on this thread.

44 posted on 10/14/2016 5:03:16 PM PDT by Robwin
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To: Karl Spooner
I think 1956 proved Mantle was better than Mays. IF Mantle could have stayed healthy there would be no debate.

Throughout the 1950s and into the early 1960s, it was pretty much the consensus that Mantle was a superior player to Mays. It was only in the mid-1960s when Mantle's injuries really caught up to him that people started to talk about Mays being Mantle's equal. In their best days, I'd take Mantle any day over Mays (but obviously given my screen name, I'm not unbiased in this debate). Of course, because of his longer career, Mays put up superior career numbers. However, in that match, both are beaten by Hank Aaron who played during the same era.

45 posted on 10/14/2016 5:03:26 PM PDT by CommerceComet (Hillary: A unique blend of incompetence and corruption.)
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To: Karliner

Carlos Correa(Astros) too.


46 posted on 10/14/2016 5:04:22 PM PDT by darkangel82
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To: lurk
"Three parts to the question.

Glove only: Ozzie Smith by a mile.

Batting: Honus Wagner

Value to Team: Name your favorite."

Best answer ever!

47 posted on 10/14/2016 5:07:02 PM PDT by Karliner (Jeremiah29:11,Romans8:28 Isa 17, Damascus has fallen)
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To: EQAndyBuzz

Concepcion was a marvel to me.
Ozzie Smith was a wizard.
Honus Wagner could do it all, even with those ridiculous little gloves they used.

All 3 of those were tough outs.

Omar Vizquel was money in the field and came just short of 3000 hits.
Derek Jeter was more than just a great 2-way player, he’s a splendid human being.


48 posted on 10/14/2016 5:07:13 PM PDT by Migraine (Diversity is great -- until it happens to YOU.)
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To: darkangel82

Yes another great. I think Carlos Correa is outstanding.


49 posted on 10/14/2016 5:08:31 PM PDT by Karliner (Jeremiah29:11,Romans8:28 Isa 17, Damascus has fallen)
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To: eekitsagreek

Babe Ruth was the most famous baseball player in history.


50 posted on 10/14/2016 5:08:39 PM PDT by luvbach1 (We are finished. It will just take a while before everyone realizes it.)
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To: luvbach1

“Babe Ruth was the most famous baseball player in history.”

My young son once asked me if I ever saw Babe Ruth play in person..


51 posted on 10/14/2016 5:13:21 PM PDT by pieceofthepuzzle
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To: TexasGator

That’s Bucky Effing Dent if you are in New England.


52 posted on 10/14/2016 5:24:48 PM PDT by Vermont Lt (Brace. Brace. Brace. Heads down. Do not look up.)
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To: Mr.Unique

“Ozzie wore Number 1 for a reason.”

As Jesse Stone will attest...


53 posted on 10/14/2016 5:25:24 PM PDT by castlebrew (Gun Control means hitting where you're aiming!))
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To: poinq

I saw Mr. Mays and he was, obviously, great. My vote, however, goes to Roberto Clemente.


54 posted on 10/14/2016 5:29:50 PM PDT by BIV (typical white person)
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To: CommerceComet

I remember reading the sports magazines at the time. They showed that the Yankees win/lost percentage without Mantle in the line up was startling. Not so much what he did with the bat particularly, but just by the players watching him playing through such pain gave them motivation.

I know that from 1961 onwards, it WAS painful just to WATCH him batting from the left side, and it only got worse.


55 posted on 10/14/2016 5:44:49 PM PDT by Karl Spooner
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To: grey_whiskers

Mike Schmidt played third base.


56 posted on 10/14/2016 5:50:20 PM PDT by gr8eman (Don't waste your energy trying to understand commies. Use it to defeat them!)
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To: Karl Spooner

Just to drop another name that belongs in the mix; Alan Trammell. Four Gold Glove awards, won three Silver Slugger awards. And of course he was a Tiger.


57 posted on 10/14/2016 5:51:25 PM PDT by WhoisAlanGreenspan? (If you followed your principles, and your principles brought you to this, what good are they?)
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To: pieceofthepuzzle
My young son once asked me if I ever saw Babe Ruth play in person..

If you are 100, could be. Even 99.

58 posted on 10/14/2016 5:52:06 PM PDT by luvbach1 (We are finished. It will just take a while before everyone realizes it.)
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To: Gay State Conservative

“-———all I knew was that the Sox weren’t destined to play in October.”


“Wait until next year.”

Probably the most repeated sentence in Boston history.

.


59 posted on 10/14/2016 5:57:54 PM PDT by Mears ("Not going down anytime soon, either. Latest Zillow just passed $350K.)
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To: gr8eman

See my post #29 this thread.


60 posted on 10/14/2016 5:59:17 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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