The best shortstops in baseball history

Shortstop is arguably the most important position on the baseball diamond, and these men held down the fort most admirably. Here are our selections for the five greatest shortstops in MLB history.

5. Robin Yount

Yount was a model of consistency for the Milwaukee Brewers over his 20-year career, though only 11 of them were played at shortstop, following a shoulder injury. He retired in 1993, with 3,142 hits to his name, good for 20th all-time.

His 1982 MVP campaign was the stuff of legend. He led the majors in hits (210), clubbed 29 home runs, and drove in 114 runs.

4. Derek Jeter

Jeter was a daunting presence at the top of the Yankees’ order during his 20-year career. He amassed 3,465 hits, the most by any shortstop. Jeter never won a regular-season MVP but was a World Series MVP in 2000. He also won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1996 and was selected for the All-Star game 14 times.

The lone knock against Jeter, despite his five Gold Glove awards, is that he was considered by many to be a mediocre defender at a crucial position.

3. Ernie Banks

Banks, affectionately known by the Wrigley Field faithful as "Mr. Cub," played only nine of his 19 big-league seasons at shortstop, but he is still deserving of inclusion on this list.

Banks won both of his MVP awards at short, in 1958 and 1959. The 14-time All-Star tallied 512 home runs.

2. Cal Ripken Jr.

The  accolades Ripken earned in his career is astonishing. He was the 1982 Rookie of the Year, and followed that up with a 1983 MVP campaign, en route to a World Series title. He earned one more MVP award in his 21-year tenure as an Oriole, in 1991. The 11.5 WAR he produced that season is the highest ever recorded by a shortstop.

The 19-time All-Star also broke baseball’s "Ironman" streak for consecutive games played. His 2,632 consecutive games mark is unlikely to be approached ever again.

1. Honus Wagner

Much like the T206 card that bears his image, Wagner’s talent was exceedingly rare. He was never a power hitter, and amassed just 101 home runs over a 21-year career, but he could do just about everything else.

Wagner led the NL in batting during the dead-ball era eight times, all with the Pirates. He was also the NL leader in stolen bases five times and finished with 723 swiped bags, good for 10th all-time. Wagner’s 3,420 hits place him eighth among all major leaguers.

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