Top 5 MLB Shortstops

[jetersbatboy]

Just taking a poll, what do you guys think top 5 current and all time.
Current
1. Hanley Ramirez
2. M. Young
3. J. Reyes
4. JETER!!!
5. M. Tejuda

All time
1. Ripken
2. Ozzie
3. Arod
4. Omar V.
5. JETER I know it a reach but what can I say. He's a least in most peoples top ten. I am also leaving out H. Wagner but the postion was a lot diffrent in that era. Maybe I should of said current era instead. You decide.

[staindsox]

I don't think you can leave Honus off since he is the best alltime. 8 batting titles is impossible to ignore in any generation. I think Ernie Banks, Joe Cronin, Robin Yount, Luke Appling, and Arky Vaughan need consideration too.

[bigtruck260]

Like all infield positions, one has to wonder what is more important...a live bat, or defensive prowess? Being a St. Louis fan for most of my life, I grew up thinking that there was nobody better than Ozzie - though there were times when his slap hitting and foul-outs frustrated me.

After briefly considering it, :D - I think that I am beginning to see the value of a guy like Jeter who has Ozzie's field generalship and defense with the offense of a guy like Cal. I would put Jeter in the All-Time list when his career is over.

For All-Around play, Cal Ripken might be the best ever.

[Nathan]

Wagner, Arky Vaughan, Ernie Banks, Alex Rodriguez (yes, he's still a SS for the majority of his career), and probably Ozzie.

As for Jeter, I have to laugh.

[MUSEOVEN]

The Best Shortstops Ever:

Omar Vizquel
Luis Aparicio
Dave Concepcion
Enzo Hernandez
Chico Carrasquel

Plus:

Honus Wagner
Ozzie Smith

[worldchamps]

Just taking a poll, what do you guys think top 5 current and all time.
Current
1. Hanley Ramirez
2. M. Young
3. J. Reyes
4. JETER!!!
5. M. Tejuda

.

So with this logic, is anyone interested in Trading me a Jeter or Reyes game used bat for my Michael Young...I would even through in my Tejada...surely #2 and #5 is better than number just #4

[Dewey2007]

Where's Jimmy Rollins?? I guess winning the MVP and Gold Glove isn't enough to get in your current Top 5?

For overall play I think Rollins should be there ahead of at least Tejada and Young.

[jetersbatboy]

Sure I'll trade, to make it fare I'll give tw0 of my jeters for your Young( that will never happen)LOL:D :D :D . Just saying the current numbers for this season have Young having a better season.

[AWA85]

Ok, I will get some people riled up here but I've done this before with my friends at school from the STL. Ozzie may be one of the most overrated players of all time. We often critique certain players because they only hit home runs, or do one thing really well and the rest drops off but not often do I hear Ozzies name in that talk. I will give it to him, he was amazing in the field and can do back flips :rolleyes: but we are looking at a lifetime .262 hitter. I have stumped many of my buddies with this one also, 19 years in the bigs and 28 Home Runs, yikes. I am a Barry Larkin homer so of course I have a little anger at the lost gold gloves but when people throw Ozzies name around it gets me a little fired up.

[mdube16]

1) Arod
2) Wagner
3) Banks
4) Ozzie
5) Yount

Not taking into account postition changes

[godwulf]

The Best Shortstops Ever:

Omar Vizquel
Luis Aparicio
Dave Concepcion
Enzo Hernandez
Chico Carrasquel

Plus:

Honus Wagner
Ozzie Smith

I didn't know Wagner and Ozzie were Venezuelan! :rolleyes:

[mdube16]

Ok, I will get some people riled up here but I've done this before with my friends at school from the STL. Ozzie may be one of the most overrated players of all time. We often critique certain players because they only hit home runs, or do one thing really well and the rest drops off but not often do I hear Ozzies name in that talk. I will give it to him, he was amazing in the field and can do back flips :rolleyes: but we are looking at a lifetime .262 hitter. I have stumped many of my buddies with this one also, 19 years in the bigs and 28 Home Runs, yikes. I am a Barry Larkin homer so of course I have a little anger at the lost gold gloves but when people throw Ozzies name around it gets me a little fired up.

I believe Ozzie was the greatest fielding player I have ever seen. His body moved in ways that defy logic. The play with the Padres is insane. You can have a highlight film of many players, but Ozzie made plays that made you shake your head every night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twiAjOyWYAY

[bigtruck260]

Ok, I will get some people riled up here but I've done this before with my friends at school from the STL. Ozzie may be one of the most overrated players of all time. We often critique certain players because they only hit home runs, or do one thing really well and the rest drops off but not often do I hear Ozzies name in that talk. I will give it to him, he was amazing in the field and can do back flips :rolleyes: but we are looking at a lifetime .262 hitter. I have stumped many of my buddies with this one also, 19 years in the bigs and 28 Home Runs, yikes. I am a Barry Larkin homer so of course I have a little anger at the lost gold gloves but when people throw Ozzies name around it gets me a little fired up.

Understand this...Buuuuuut:

Ozzie is a guy who was tailor made for ESPN's early days. The fact that he was an All star for 17 years and a gold glover for almost as many makes him one of the greatest ever. If both the players, coaches and fans agree that he is superior, he probably is.

I have heard people say that Rolen is overrated too...

He might be, but in his prime, there was never a better third baseman in either league. Edmonds is the same way.

I have seen some great defensive players in my day...and Ozzie is the best. Vizquel is a close second at SS.

[AWA85]

When we talk about TOP 5 shortstops, it is hard for me to say that player that has NO stick at all is in the top. I know he was the greatest in the field, but the bat was just not there.

I told you I still have some anger from the stolen gold gloves from Larkin :D

[mdube16]

To say Ozzie had NO stick is a bit strong. He is 21st all time in SB and he did win a Silver Slugger award in 1987. Finished with 2460 hits too.


Now BigTrucks...you lose credibility with the Rolen statements..."never" a better 3B? Thats strong. Lets not start with how great a second basemen Tom Herr was.

[Neely8]

I'm surprised that Barry Larkin hasn't been mentioned in more of your Top 5's. As far as Ozzie Smith, I agree he is overated. How many league MVPs did he win? Seems to me Larkin has one under his belt.

[Nathan]

I'm surprised that Barry Larkin hasn't been mentioned in more of your Top 5's. As far as Ozzie Smith, I agree he is overated. How many league MVPs did he win? Seems to me Larkin has one under his belt.

Larkin was a terrific fielder, although his last five (injury-filled) seasons he was worse than Jose Offerman out there.

You know...I think I will take Larkin over Ozzie. And I'm a Cards fan.