Who is the best third baseman ever? I think its Brooks Robinson.?

Answer 1

FIELDING WISE BROOKS WAS BETTER THAN ANYONE WINNING MANY GOLDEN GLOVES. CHECK OUT THE PLAY HE MADE IN THE 1970 WORLD SERIES. BUT HITTING WISE GEORGE BRET WAS A LIFETIME .314 HITTER, MIKE SCHMIDT HIT 548 HOMERS AND EDDIE MATHEWS HIT 512 HOMERUNS. OH YES OLDTIMER PIE TRAYNOR HIT .320 LIFETIME. BUT JUST PLAYING THE POSITION? NOBODY WAS THE EQUAL OF BROOKS.

Answer 2

The idea of Pie Traynor as the best 3rd baseman ever originated in the 1950s, 20 years after he retired. No contemporary accounts of him considered him to be the best ever. However, with the great 3rd basemen that have come up since WWII, Traynor is no longer a legitimate candiate. (Home Run Baker was better than Pie Traynor)

Brooks Robinson was the best defensive 3rd baseman ever, but in terms of all around play, it's Mike Schmidt, easily. Schmidt didn't hit for a 'great' average (if he'd hit .320, he would have been the greatest PLAYER of all time, period), but combining his defense with his power, and his exceptional on-base-percentage (he walked a lot), he's easily number one at the position.

Third base is probably the easiest position to select the number one player.

George Brett is the 2nd best 3rd baseman ever.

Eddie Matthews would probably be next. Scott Rolen is a great defensive 3rd baseman, but there's a huge difference between 512 HRs (Matthews) and 231 HRs (Rolen, after the 2005 season).

Graig Nettles was a fantastic 3rd baseman as well. An excellent offensive player who put a lot of runs on the scoreboard, despite a low batting average (he hit with power, had just short of 400 HRs).

Darrell Evans is the most underrated player in baseball history, according to Bill James... an excellent 3rd baseman, he'll never be rated all that high, partly because his career was split between two positions and three teams.

My top five third basemen would probably be:

1. Mike Schmidt (definitely)
2. George Brett (also definitely)
3. Eddie Matthews
4. Wade Boggs (great offensive player, became an great defensive player as his career progressed).
5. Brooks Robinson (below average offensively, but the best ever in the field...and it wasn't just ONE play in the '70 World Series that made him the best...it was a whole BUNCH of plays)

Answer 3

I'm casting a vote for Schmidt. If opportunity were there, I'd trade Robinson to get Schmidt, but not the reverse.

I've watched all the others who were mentioned except Traynor. Robinson was a great glove, but I don't think he saved/won/changed the outcome of as many games as Schmidt. And while stats cannot show factors like "range" for a 3B, both these men were outstanding fielders, considered the best of their time in respective league. Robinson .971 fielding has edge on Schmidt .955.

Both have lifetime .267 batting average, but Schmidt is way ahead on OBP [.380 to .322] and OPS [.908 to .723] which takes slugging into account.

Also, both men won their league MVP, Robinson once, Schmidt three times.

As for the Gold Gloves at 3B, Robinson's 16 is the best ever, Schmidt's 10 is second best ever, no one else has more than six. Rolen and Chavez have a shot at double digits if they stay healthy.

Answer 4

Mike Schmidt. Far better than Robinson or anyone else. BTW, I don't consider A-Rod a third baseman, he is a shortstop playing third.

Answer 5

Best 3rd Baseman Ever

Answer 6

In terms of fielding the position, it's Robinson. In terms of overall performance, you'd have to go with Schmidt.

Rolen is a good fielder, but Robinson redefined the hot corner. And he had a better arm.

Answer 7

Alex Rodriguez

Answer 8

Alex Rodriguez

Answer 9

Graig Nettles

Answer 10

Armis Ramirez, or Alex Rodriguez

Answer 11

Defensively speaking, Scott Rolen is the best third baseman ever in my opinion. He by far has the best arm of all of them... that's for sure.