Who is the best "glove man" (defensive player) of all-time? Bill Mazeroski, Brooks Robinson, Ozzie Smith

Question

Please take note that I am asking about infielders only. Of course, you can add other infielders other than these two.

Kudos to itsa fact jack.
2 more names Vic Power/1b Ray Dandrige/ss The oringal discussion was for infielders however it has included outfielders.
Add to defensive prowess of an outfielder a cannon/rifle throwing arm -Rocky Calivito, Roberto Clemente, Dwight Evans and Al Kaline.

Answer 1

Oh boy, am I going to turn over some apple carts...
How about the best since 1946!

Catcher and 1st base are more subjective than the other positions.
C - Johnny Bench - 1968 - G-154 A-102 DP-10

1B - Steve Garvey - 1984 - G-159 TC-1319 PO-1232 A-87 E-0 DP-117

2B - Jerry Priddy - 1950 - G-157 TC-1001 PO-440 A-542 E-19 DP-150 TCPG-6.38 - only player with 1000 total chances 1946-2006

SS - Ozzie Smith - 1980 - G-158 TC-933 PO-288 A-621 E-24 DP-113 TCPG-5.91 . He had a 5.95 one year with the Cardinals but he missed quite a few games that year...BION - Garry Templeton also in 1980 for the Cardinals had a TCPG better than Ozzie - 6.11 but Templeton only played in 118 games that year...

3B-Clete Boyer - 1962 - G-157 TC-605 DP-41 TCPG-3.85
3B-Graig Nettles-1971- G-158 TC-587 DP-54 TCPG-3.72
3B-Ron Santo -1961 G-161 TC-606 DP-33 TCPG-3.76
3B-B Robinson- 1967 G-158 TC-563 DP-37 TCPG-3.56
Robinson had an incredible FLD% in 67 .980 . you could pretty much throw a blanket over the four, it's so close.

OF - Richie Ashburn - 1951 - TC-560 PO-538 TCPG-3.64
OF - Chet Lemon - 1977 - TC-536 PO-536 TCPG-3.60
OF-Dwayne Murphy - 1980 TC-525 PO-507 TCPG-3.32

Ashburn went over 500TC , 7 times in his career and is the most dominant defensive player at his position in the modern(46-06) history of baseball...

I would like to give an honorable mention to a corner OF...The ONLY(IKO) LF or RF to average over 3.00-TCPG...

Willie Wilson - LF -1980 G-159 TC-497 PO-482 TCPG-3.13
He played a few games in CF that year when Amos Otis was injured, but, Wilson still averaged over 3.00-TCPG in LF, an amazing feat, since 400PO & over 2.50-TCPG is rare for a corner OF...

Answer 2

My favorite of those was Ozzie, with other great defensive shortshops such as Omar Vizquel , Larry Bowa and even Mark Belanger not too far behind.

Brooks was awesome, but I think Mike Schmidt had more range, and made it look so easy.

Maz was probably the best second baseman, although I really didn't see much of his career.

How about Keith Hernandez at first?

Best overall infielder that I've seen? Still, the Wizard of Oz.

Answer 3

Brooks Robinson for 3rd base, Ozzie for SS. Dwight for Right Fielder. Will Mays for Center Field.

Answer 4

You could add Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Davey Conception, Johnny Bench and I could go on. Narrow your question down to position and you'd have a better idea who people think is better. Personally Roberto Clemente combined range and a very strong, accurate arm so in my lifetime, I have to go with him. Many great candidates though.

P.S.
Out of your choices, Brooks and Ozzie are tied.

Answer 5

Brooks Robinson

Answer 6

No doubt Ozzie Smith

Answer 7

Bill Brunkner of the 1986 Boston Red Sox, just ask any NY Met Fan.

Answer 8

Omar Vizquel was quite impressive, but Id say Ozzie Smith was probably better

Answer 9

Of your three, Ozzie Smith.

Third Base (ask ANY "expert") belongs to Mike Schmidt.
Pitcher is Greg Maddux.

Answer 10

Ozzie and Brooks a tie