The position of the shortstop
Anderson Machado, a shortstop, moving to his left to field a ground ball.
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 often cover second when a runner is attempting a stolen base. 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.
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
- Luis Aparicio
- Luke Appling
- Dave Bancroft
- Ernie Banks
- Lou Boudreau
- Joe Cronin
- George Davis
- Travis Jackson
- Hughie Jennings
- John Henry "Pop" Lloyd *
- Rabbit Maranville
- Pee Wee Reese
- Phil Rizzuto
- Joe Sewell
- Ozzie Smith
- Joe Tinker
- Arky Vaughan
- Honus Wagner
- Bobby Wallace
- Monte Ward
- Willie Wells *
- Robin Yount
- Negro Leagues
Multiple Gold Glove Award winners
- Ozzie Smith - 13
- Omar Vizquel - 11
- Luis Aparicio - 9
- Mark Belanger - 8
- Dave Concepcion - 5
- Tony Fernandez - 4
- Alan Trammell - 4
- Barry Larkin - 3
- Roy McMillan - 3
- Rey Ordóñez - 3
- Gene Alley - 2
- Larry Bowa - 2
- Derek Jeter - 3
- Don Kessinger - 2
- Edgar Renteria - 2
- Cal Ripken, Jr. - 2
- Alex Rodriguez - 2
- Zolio Versalles - 2
- Maury Wills - 2
Other notable stars
- Dick Bartell
- Larry Bowa
- Chico Carrasquel
- Bert Campaneris
- Ray Chapman
- Bill Dahlen
- Alvin Dark
- Jim Fregosi
- Jack Glasscock
- Dick Groat
- Herman Long
- Marty Marion
- Johnny Pesky
- Rico Petrocelli
- Vern Stephens
- Garry Templeton
- Maury Wills
Currently Active Shortstops
- Clint Barmes
- Angel Berroa
- Yuniesky Betancourt
- Orlando Cabrera
- Alex Cora
- David Eckstein
- Adam Everett
- Rafael Furcal
- Carlos Guillen
- Bill Hall
- J.J. Hardy
- Cesar Izturis
- Felipe Lopez
- Julio Lugo
- Derek Jeter
- Jhonny Peralta
- Hanley Ramirez
- Edgar Renteria
- Jose Reyes
- Jimmy Rollins
- Miguel Tejada
- Omar Vizquel
- Jack Wilson
- Michael Young
See also
- Gold Glove award winners: AL, NL
- List of Gold Glove middle infield duos
- One theory of how the shortstop position got its name
| Baseball positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Outfielders: | 
|
Left field | Center field | Right field | |
| Infielders: | 3rd base | Shortstop | 2nd base | 1st base | ||
| Designated hitter | |||