Chart for Third Basemen

Third basemen have always been in short demand among Hall of Fame voters, as just 13 MLB third sackers are enshrined in Cooperstown. The main reason to expect this would probably be that voters don’t know what to think of third basemen. Is third base a hitter’s position, or a fielder’s position? Should our third baseman be a power hitter or a gold glover? (If you’re special, like Brooks Robinson, Mike Schmidt, or Nolan Arenado, then it is possible to be both). As it is, third base is a unique defensive position, requiring many different skills, such as agility, good reflexes, and a strong arm. Third base is not an easy position to play, and there should be more third basemen in the Hall of Fame. 

Pre-1900 

Games  Slash Line     H     R   RBI HR SB F%

Deacon White            1,560     .312/.346/.393   2,067  1,140   988    24       70       .853 

Lave Cross                 2,277      .292/.329/.383   2,651  1,138  1,378  47      303     .938 

1900-1920 

                                     

                                    Games  Slash Line     H     R   RBI HR SB F%

Jimmy Collins           1,725      .294/.343/.409   1,999  1,055   983    65      194      .929

Frank Baker              1,575      .307/.363/.442    1,838   887     991    96      235     .943 

Heinie Groh                1,676      .292/.373/.384    1774    918     566    26      180     .967 

1920-1940 

                                    Games  Slash Line     H     R   RBI HR SB F%

Fred Lindstrom         1,438     .311/.351/.449    1,747  895     779    103      84      .959 

Pie Traynor                1,941     .320/.362/.435    2,416  1,183  1,273  58      158     .947 

Willie Kamm               1,693     .281/.372/.384    1,643   802      827    29     126     .967 

1940-1960 

                                    Games  Slash Line     H     R   RBI HR SB F%

Eddie Mathews         2,391    .271/.376/.509   2,315   1,509  1,453  512      68      .956 

George Kell               1,795    .306/.367/.414   2,054    880     870     78       51      .969 

Bob Elliott                    1,978    .289/.375/.440   2,061   1,064   1,195  170     60      .947 

Eddie Yost                  2,109     .254/.394/.371   1,863   1215     682    139     72      .957 

Stan Hack                  1,938     .301/.394/.397   2,193   1,239    642     57      165    .957 

Al Rosen                    1,044     .285/.384/.495   1,063     603     717     192     39     .961 

1960-1980 

                                   Games  Slash Line     H     R   RBI HR SB F%

Brooks Robinson     2,896     .267/.322/.401   2,848  1,232  1,357  268     28        .971 

Ron Santo                 2,243     .277/.362/.464   2,254  1,138  1,331  342     35        .954 

Ken Boyer                  2,034     .287/.349/.462   2,143  1,104   1,141  282    105      .952 

1980-2000 

                                    Games  Slash Line     H     R   RBI HR SB F%

George Brett              2,707    .305/.369/.487  3,154  1,583   1,596  317     201      .951 

Wade Boggs               2,439    .328/.415/.443  3,010  1,513   1,014  118      24       .962 

Mike Schmidt             2,404    .267/.380/.527  2,234  1,506   1,595   548    174      .955 

Buddy Bell                   2,405    .279/.341/.406  2,514  1,151   1,106   201     55       .964 

2000-present 

                                      Games  Slash Line     H     R   RBI HR SB F%

Chipper Jones             2,499    .303/.401/.529  2,726  1,619  1,623  468    150      .954 

Evan Longoria               1,823    .266/.335/.473  1,818   961    1,089  317     58       .966 

Nolan Arenado              1,236    .288/.345/.535   1,357   730     865    269     18       .972