Shortstop is one of the most important positions in baseball. It is also one of the most difficult to play, requiring a combination of speed, agility, and quick thinking to make plays. As such, the shortstop position has seen its fair share of legendary players, some of whom have become household names. Here, we take a look at the most famous shortstops of all time.
Cal Ripken Jr.
One of the most famous shortstops of all time is Cal Ripken Jr. He is a member of the Hall of Fame and is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in history. He first broke into the majors with the Baltimore Orioles in 1981 and went on to play 21 seasons in the majors. He was an All-Star in 19 of those seasons and won the AL MVP award in 1983. He is also remembered for his record-breaking streak of 2,632 consecutive games played, a record which still stands today.
Ernie Banks
Another iconic name in the shortstop position is Ernie Banks. He is a Hall of Famer who played 19 seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He was a two-time NL MVP and a 14-time All-Star selection. He was also the first black player to ever play for the Cubs and is widely remembered for his iconic phrase “Let’s play two!” Banks is often credited with helping to revitalize the Cubs franchise at a time when the team was struggling.
Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith is another legendary name associated with the shortstop position. He is a Hall of Famer who spent 19 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres. He was a 15-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove winner, and one-time NL MVP. He was also known for his incredible defensive skills, earning the nickname “The Wizard of Oz.” He is remembered for his iconic backflip after winning the 1985 World Series.
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez is another name that is often mentioned among the greatest shortstops of all time. He is a three-time AL MVP and a 14-time All-Star selection. He is also the all-time leader in home runs (696) and RBIs (2,086) by a shortstop. He spent his first 12 seasons with the Seattle Mariners before moving on to the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.
Honorable Mentions
While the players mentioned above are certainly some of the most famous shortstops of all time, there are a few other names worth mentioning. Derek Jeter is a five-time World Series champion who spent 20 seasons with the New York Yankees. Robin Yount is a Hall of Famer who played 20 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. And Omar Vizquel is an 11-time Gold Glove winner who played 24 seasons in the majors.
Conclusion
There have been many great shortstops throughout baseball’s history, but the players mentioned above are some of the most iconic. From Cal Ripken Jr. to Alex Rodriguez, these players have cemented their place in baseball history and will be remembered for years to come.