THe question is mainly centered on Middle infielders in the Baseball Hall of Fame, so that would mean that they are, for a start, retired, and have played at least five years in the majors.
What I'm looking for is not offensive production, but defensive.
The firld is pretty wide, but I can tell you who has my vote on this one . . . Ryne Sandberg, played for the Chicago cubs from 1981-1997, and played a stretch of 212 straight games without making an error of any kind, that includes fielding, and throwing . . . during that stretsh, Sandberg's glove got the nickname among some of my friends as "The place base hits go to die."
Does anyone agree with me on this one?
2007-08-06 15:33:15 · 17 answers · asked by senor_police 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
In my opinion you have a really good case on Ryne he was solid for many years and I would have to agree with you b/c the numbers he put up was for a mediocre team, but also the great Cal Ripkin Jr. played most of his career at shortstop so unless you're talking about people who played their whole career in the middle I have to say Cal b/c he was a solid player and the IRON MAN playing in 2,362 consecitive games or whatever it was but it was still by far a record that will never be touched.....but that's my opinion
1. Cal Ripkin Jr.
2. Ryne Sandberg
3. Craig Biggio (played whole career w/ astros quitely putting up good numbers year in year out)
2007-08-06 15:40:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a lifelong Cubs fan, and while I agree with you that Sandberg was a pretty good infielder, I would have to go with Ozzie Smith. Actually, I think Ozzie was the greatest defensive player of all time, regardless of position.
2007-08-07 14:13:57 · answer #2 · answered by artistictrophy@sbcglobal.net 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ozzie Smith & Ryan Sandberg
2007-08-06 23:24:31 · answer #3 · answered by Magic Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're talking defense only - and only those in the HOF
SS - Ozzie Smith
2B - Bill Mazeroski
Though the best defensive 2B of all time was actually Jerry Priddy>Only SS/2B with over 1000 TC(total chances) in one season(before 162 game season at that) >Range is a far-far more important defensive factor than errors
>If player "A" gets to 200 more balls than player "B" and he makes 10 more errors, so what, he still took away 190 more hits.
2007-08-06 22:51:03 · answer #4 · answered by C_F_45 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Ozzie Smith is the best middle infielder in the Hall.The Wizard of Oz did amazing things on the field and he was a great offensive player .
2007-08-07 10:26:20 · answer #5 · answered by DYankeeFan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sandberg was very good defensively, but Bill Mazeroski was considered the best second baseman ever by many. I'm not sure his bat was good enough to get him in the Hall, but if you are going just by defense, Maz might be the man.
All-around in the middle, I'd take my chances with Cal Ripken and Joe Morgan.
2007-08-06 22:43:51 · answer #6 · answered by wdx2bb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you slightly. I think that Ozzie Smith is the best middle infielder of all time. The fans loved him. He always put on a good show with his creative back flips. Also, he had a great glove to go along with his showy gymnastics.
2007-08-06 22:43:13 · answer #7 · answered by Andy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably Bill Mazeroski or Ozzie Smith. I've seen a lot of calculation about how they consistently made far more outs that others of their era. If you put them both in the same infield that would really be amazing.
2007-08-06 22:47:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't believe that no one here said Omar Vizquel, he has got to be one of, if not the best middle infielder in the history of the game. hes 40 and he's still making better plays than most 24 year-olds. Oh yeah 11 gold gloves too. Ozzies a great one too though.
2007-08-06 22:46:58 · answer #9 · answered by Mac 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Purely defense, I'd say Ozzie Smith.
2007-08-06 22:37:43 · answer #10 · answered by koreaguy12 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋