Top 50 Third Basemen of All-Time | The Baseball Page.com

Ranking the Third Basemen

Fewer third basemen are enshrined in Cooperstown than any other position. Our top six are all in the Hall of Fame, including MVP winners Mike Schmidt and George Brett, who faced each other in the 1980 World Series. Several young active third basemen: Miguel Cabrera, Scott Rolen, and David Wright, have a chance to be greats.

♦  Most raw power, Horner ⇒
♦  Most underrated, Ken Boyer ⇒
♦  Most likely to climb chart, Chipper ⇒

Negro Leaguers
Third baseman Judy Johnson was a great ballplayer, both at the plate and with the glove. Compared with Pie Traynor, Johnson was a better hitter, and just as solid with the leather. Johnson is a Hall of Famer.

In 1987, Darrell Evans became the first 40-year old to hit 40 homers... Chipper Jones and Buddy Lewis were both elected to the All-Star Game as third basemen and outfielders... The Mets acquired David Wright in the 2001 amateur draft as compensation for their loss of Mike Hampton via free agency.

Most Slighted
Unfortunately for Ron Santo, he played his prime years in an era when hitting .270 was like hitting .300, so his offensive numbers seem low. He never appeared in the post-season, which also hurt his rep, but he ranks ahead of six HOF third basemen on our list.
Ron Santo's page ⇒

"I think he sees that baseball is what he wants to do, what he loves. He has all my support, but he has to be willing to listen. What you say can't go in one ear and out the other."
— Tony Perez on Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera's page ⇒