Baseball Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Baseball Wiki
Baseball Wiki
10,324
pages
in: Positions, Major league shortstops

Changes: Shortstop

Back to page
Sign in to edit
m (→‎Other notable stars: Added: Jack Barry, Larry Bowa, and Bud Harrelson to list. Deleted J.J.Hardy.)
No edit summary
 
(2 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
'''Shortstop''', abbreviated ''SS'', is the [[baseball positions|baseball fielding position]] between [[second base|second]] and [[third base]]. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more [[right-handed]] hitters in baseball than [[left-handed]] hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the ball slightly, so more balls go to the shortstop than any other position. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the shortstop is assigned the number 6.
  
'''Shortstop''', abbreviated ''SS'', is the [[baseball positions|baseball fielding position]] between [[second base|second]] and [[third base]]. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more [[right-handed]] hitters in baseball than [[left-handed]] hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the ball slightly, so more balls go to the shortstop than any other position. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the shortstop is assigned the number 6.
   
−
Shortstops are required to [[covering a base|cover second base]] in [[double play]] situations when the ball is hit to the [[second baseman]], [[first baseman]], [[pitcher]], or [[catcher]]. They cover second when a runner is attempting a [[stolen base]], but only when a left-handed hitter is batting. This is because the chances of a ball being hit to the left side of the infield are almost cut in half. They also must cover third at various times, including the rotation play; that is, when there are runners on first and second and a [[sacrifice bunt]] is attempted. Shortstops generally are given precedence on catching pop-ups in the [[infielder|infield]] as well, so they end up calling off other players many times, although on deep pop-ups they fall back when called off by an [[outfielder]]. The shortstop also has to back up a throw from the catcher to the third baseman when the runner is attempting to steal third base. (Normally this action is not done at the major league level because the catcher is better at throwing, the third baseman is better at catching the ball, and the left fielder is there to back up third base. This action is usually performed in [[Little League Baseball]].)
 +
Shortstops are required to [[covering a base|cover second base]] in [[double play]] situations when the ball is hit to the [[second baseman]], [[first baseman]], [[pitcher]], or [[catcher]]. They cover second when a runner is attempting a [[stolen base]], but only when a left-handed hitter is batting. This is because the chances of a ball being hit to the left side of the infield are almost cut in half. They also must cover third at various times, including the rotation play; that is, when there are runners on first and second and a [[sacrifice bunt]] is attempted. Shortstops generally are given precedence on catching pop-ups in the [[infielder|infield]] as well, so they end up calling off other players many times, although on deep pop-ups they fall back when called off by an [[outfielder]].''' The shortstop also has to back up a throw from the catcher to the third baseman when the runner is attempting to steal third base. (Normally this action is not done at the major league level because the catcher is better at throwing, the third baseman is better at catching the ball, and the left fielder is there to back up third base. This action is usually performed in [[Little League Baseball]].)'''
−  
 
Traditionally, players are selected as shortstops for their fielding prowess, but in recent years more shortstops with excellent hitting have entered the leagues as well. It is an exclusively right-handed position, as a righty can easily throw to first or second without having to physically turn after playing a ground ball, the most common type of hit directed at the shortstop.
  
Traditionally, players are selected as shortstops for their fielding prowess, but in recent years more shortstops with excellent hitting have entered the leagues as well. It is an exclusively right-handed position, as a righty can easily throw to first or second without having to physically turn after playing a ground ball, the most common type of hit directed at the shortstop.
   
Line 90: Line 89:
 
*[[Bill Dahlen]]
  
*[[Bill Dahlen]]
 
*[[Alvin Dark]]
  
*[[Alvin Dark]]
  +
*[[Kevin Elster]]
 
*[[Jim Fregosi]]
  
*[[Jim Fregosi]]
 
*[[Chick Galloway]]
  
*[[Chick Galloway]]
Line 107: Line 107:
 
*[[Roy McMillan]]
  
*[[Roy McMillan]]
 
*[[Dobie Moore]] *
  
*[[Dobie Moore]] *
  +
*[[Ivy Olsen]]
  +
*[[Freddy Patek]]
 
*[[Dickey Pearce]]
  
*[[Dickey Pearce]]
 
*[[Johnny Pesky]]
  
*[[Johnny Pesky]]
Line 112: Line 114:
 
*[[José Reyes (shortstop)|José Reyes]]
  
*[[José Reyes (shortstop)|José Reyes]]
 
*[[Jimmy Rollins]]
  
*[[Jimmy Rollins]]
  +
*[[Bill Russell]]
 
*[[Everett Scott]]
  
*[[Everett Scott]]
 
*[[Vern Stephens]]
  
*[[Vern Stephens]]
Line 165: Line 168:
   
 
{{BaseballPositions}}
  
{{BaseballPositions}}
−  
 
[[Category:Positions]]
  
[[Category:Positions]]
 
[[Category:Major league shortstops|*]]
  
[[Category:Major league shortstops|*]]

Latest revision as of 05:44, 14 February 2010

Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the ball slightly, so more balls go to the shortstop than any other position. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the shortstop is assigned the number 6.

Shortstops are required to cover second base in double play situations when the ball is hit to the second baseman, first baseman, pitcher, or catcher. They cover second when a runner is attempting a stolen base, but only when a left-handed hitter is batting. This is because the chances of a ball being hit to the left side of the infield are almost cut in half. They also must cover third at various times, including the rotation play; that is, when there are runners on first and second and a sacrifice bunt is attempted. Shortstops generally are given precedence on catching pop-ups in the infield as well, so they end up calling off other players many times, although on deep pop-ups they fall back when called off by an outfielder. The shortstop also has to back up a throw from the catcher to the third baseman when the runner is attempting to steal third base. (Normally this action is not done at the major league level because the catcher is better at throwing, the third baseman is better at catching the ball, and the left fielder is there to back up third base. This action is usually performed in Little League Baseball.) Traditionally, players are selected as shortstops for their fielding prowess, but in recent years more shortstops with excellent hitting have entered the leagues as well. It is an exclusively right-handed position, as a righty can easily throw to first or second without having to physically turn after playing a ground ball, the most common type of hit directed at the shortstop.

Significant shortstops

Baseball Hall of Fame members

File:Jetershortstop.JPG

Derek Jeter, a shortstop, getting ready to field his position in 2007

Multiple Gold Glove Award winners

All time single season assist leaders among shortstops

  1. Ozzie Smith: 621 (St. Louis Cardinals, 1980)
  2. Glenn Wright: 601 (Pittsburgh Pirates, 1924)
  3. Dave Bancroft: 598 (Philadelphia Phillies/New York Giants, 1920)
  4. Tommy Thevenow: 597 (St. Louis Cardinals, 1926)
  5. Iván DeJesús: 595 (Chicago Cubs, 1977)
  6. Cal Ripken, Jr.: 583 (Baltimore Orioles, 1984)
  7. Whitey Wietelmann: 581 (Boston Braves, 1943)
  8. Dave Bancroft: 579 (New York Giants, 1922)
  9. Rabbit Maranville: 574 (Boston Braves, 1914)
  10. Don Kessinger: 573 (Chicago Cubs, 1968)

All time single season putout leaders among shortstops

  1. Donie Bush: 425 (Detroit Tigers, 1914)
  2. Hughie Jennings: 425 (Baltimore Orioles [National League], 1895)
  3. Joe Cassidy: 408 (Washington Senators, 1905)
  4. Rabbit Maranville: 407 (Boston Braves, 1914)
  5. Dave Bancroft: 405 (New York Giants, 1922)
  6. Eddie Miller: 405 (Boston Braves, 1940)
  7. Monte Cross: 404 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1898)
  8. Dave Bancroft: 396 (New York Giants, 1921)
  9. Mickey Doolan: 395 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1906)
  10. Buck Weaver: 392 (Chicago White Sox, 1913)

Other notable stars

* = Negro Leagues player

Currently Active Shortstops

See also

Baseball positions
Outfielders: 80px-Baseball fielding positions tiny Left field | Center field | Right field
Infielders: 3rd base | Shortstop | 2nd base | 1st base

Pitcher | Catcher

Designated hitter
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.