Who is the best defensive first baseman of all time?

Answer 1

There have been many. Ortiz is probably the best active first base person,
And he does measure up well to the Iron Horseman of the Yankees of many years ago.

Answer 2

1st of all - David Ortiz is not a 1st baseman, and the only reason he ever steps on a field with a glove is during interleague play because he can't be the DH against NL teams. He may be one of the greatest clutch hitters and DH's of all time but he is a travesty to watch at 1st base. The question is "Who is the best defensive first baseman of all time?"

Defensively - Keith Hernandez was a great defensive 1st baseman, probably one of the few that is known for his defensive prowess and not a monster bat.

Lou Gerhig was probably the best all around 1st baseman ever (and I hate the Yankees). "The Iron Horse" had 13 consecutive seasons with both 100 runs scored and 100 RBI, averaging 139 runs and 148 RBI; set an American League mark with 184 RBI in 1931; hit a record 23 grand slams; and won the 1934 Triple Crown. His .361 batting average in seven World Series led the Yankees to six titles.
Offense aside, he was also a tremendous defensive player. He played in the era before Gold Gloves but in 17 seasons he only commited 196 errors and finished with a lifetime .991 fielding percentage. Gehrig's consecutive games played streak ended at 2,130 a record that stood for nearly 50 years.

If you want to look at current 1st baggers - Albert Pujols, Mark Teixeira, and Todd Helton rank right up at the top every year in fielding (and they've all three been known to swing a decent bat from time to time).

Answer 3

I am amazed that so many people chose to answer this question by talking about the best OFFENSIVE, or best ALL-AROUND, 1st baseman. It is just an indication of how little respect the average fan has for defense in baseball.

I would give Keith Hernandez the nod as the greatest defensive 1st baseman of all-time.

Answer 4

Keith Hernandez was probably the best defensive 1st baseman, but Rafael Palmiero was also amazing. The best active defensive 1st baseman is generally consider to be Doug Mientkiewicz.

Answer 5

I'd have to go with Don Mattingly too, prior to his back injury, he had great range to go with, probably, the best glove ever at that position.

He was a LEGEND for scooping bad balls in the dirt.

Frank Chance and Lou Gehrig were no slouches over there either, from what I'm told.

Bill White was also excellent.

And Keith Hernandez won 11 gold gloves, not 13.

Answer 6

First of all, baseball history goes back more than 20 years....

Best defensive first baseman? Maybe a guy named Hal Chase... I'll wait and see if anyone bothers to look him up...

Answer 7

Don Mattingly

Answer 8

Won 11 consecutive Gold Glove Awards (1978-1988) at first base.......Keith Hernandez!

Answer 9

J.T. Snow was one of the best defensive first baseman!!

Answer 10

Keith Hernandez for sure, but here is another good choice that many forget, Cecil Cooper. Played for the Red Sox and Brewers.

Answer 11

well, offensively, it is David Ortiz, by far the best clutch hitter in the Leagues last 20 years, i cant even think of anyone better. As it goes for defensively, I can really say because not many first basemen try and make diving plays and stuff for their team. They are the ones just chilling waiting for the ball to come to them instead of going after the ball.