who were or r the best middle infield combo?

Answer 1

I looked up all the 2B/SS combos that won Gold Gloves together playing for the same team; they are as follows:

Nellie Fox & Luis Aparicio: Cubs, 1960
Bill Mazeroski & Gene Alley: Pittsburgh, 1966, '67
Bobby Knoop & Jim Fregosi: Angels, 1967
Davey Johnson & Mark Belander: Baltimore, 1969, '71
Bobby Grich & Mark Belander: Baltimore, 1973, '74, '75, '76
Joe Morgan & Dave Concepcion: Cincinnati, 1974, '75, '76, '77
Lou Whitaker & Allan Trammell: Detroit, 1983, '84
Roberto Alomar & Omar Vizquel: Cleveland, 1999, 2000, '01
Fernando Vina & Edgar Renteria: St. Louis, 2002

Obviously, this leaves out players from before 1957 (the first year Gold Gloves were awarded), but gives a decent start for the past 50 years.

For sheer length of greatness, one would have to look at the Morgan/Concepcion and Grich/Belander combos, which each has 4 double-Gold Glove years. Of the two, I'd give the edge to Morgan/Concepcion. However, any of the combos above would have to be considered high on any list of great middle infields.

Answer 2

I like most of those named, and particularly feared the Mazeroski/Alley combination when they played against the Mets. I saw almost all of the Gold Glove combinations when they played.

My pick, though, is another biased one: Roy McMillan and Ron Hunt of the 1964 Mets. McMillan was such a legendary shortstop that in 1969 Cincinnati fans voted him their greatest shortstop ever, despite the fact that he spent the last six years of his career with the Braves and Mets. He had lost a step or two by the mid-60s, but still had phenomenal range and skill. McMillan won the first three Gold Gloves awarded to NL shortstops and was a two-time All-Star, though this was in the 1950s. As for Hunt, the players voted him the starting second baseman in the 1964 All-Star game and he was also chosen for the 1966 team (Hunt was out most of 1965 with a shoulder separation). In 1963 he came closest in the balloting for Rookie of the Year to the winner, Pete Rose; they had nearly identical seasons. Although Hunt never won a Gold Glove, there also were no complaints about his fielding. Between Hunt and McMillan, many double plays were turned, and they laid to rest the spectre of the horrid fielding displayed by the Mets in 1962.

McMillan retired after the 1966 season and Hunt was traded to the Dodgers (ugh!) in 1967...Mets fans were heartbroken, as was Hunt. Luckily, the Mets quickly developed another great middle infield combo in 1968 with Bud Harrelson and Al Weis, though Weis was platooned with Ken Boswell (who wasn't too bad a fielder himself). Still, when I see good infield play, I still think of Roy McMillan and Ron Hunt.

Answer 3

Gene Alley and Bill Mazeroski were the best especially at turning the double play. I believe that Mazeroski is credited with 161 double plays in a season. Another good combination was Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio.

Answer 4

I concur with Trammell and Whitaker, I think they were together longer than any other pair. But I, who grew up in Cincinnati, would be hard pressed to beat the combination of Concepcion (who should be in the Hall of Fame), and Morgan.

Answer 5

personally, I like Alomar/Vizquel as the combo. But, I believe the best all-time is Joe Morgan/Dave Concepcion.

Answer 6

at teh moment, best double play tandem in baseball is yunieky betancourt and jose lopez of the seattle mariners. betancourt is already being compared to the likes of omar visquel and ozzie smith in terms of defense

Answer 7

Yo Dodger Blue 27...awsome...
...it was sweet while it lasted...
Izturis & Cora.
yeah the other answers are okay too.

by the way...will U pleez pick this as best answer. U R sweet if u do. thin-Q vry mch!

Answer 8

How about Trammel and Whitaker on those great Tiger teams?

Answer 9

take your pick:

1) ozzie smith & tommy herr

2) roberto alomar & omar vizquel

3) bert campaneris & dick green (okay on this one i'm biased as i have been an a's fan since i was little)

Answer 10

i think it used to be giles/furcal but all time ozzie smith and tommy herr...