When thinking about the greatest second basemen of the modern era, names like Jeff Kent, Jose Altuve, and Chase Utley come to mind. But, who should be considered the greatest MLB second basemen of all time? We have our top five.
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5. Roberto Alomar
Two-time World Series winner Roberto Alomar proved to be a force both at the plate and in the field. Per Baseball-Reference, no second baseman in MLB history has more career hits than Alomar (2,687), who played key roles in the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Indians’ success in the 1990s.
However, Alomar’s most identifiable trait on the diamond was his impressive range and prowess. Alomar won 10 Gold Gloves in his career between his time with Toronto, Baltimore, and Cleveland. That number is the most among all second basemen in MLB history.
4. Charlie Gehringer
The Detroit Tigers won their first World Series title in 1935, thanks in large part to the contributions of player/manager Mickey Cochrane, Hank Greenberg, and Charlie Gehringer. Gehringer was a hitting machine during his era, as he posted seven 200+ hit campaigns with Detroit from 1929 to 1937.
Just four players in MLB history have more recorded hits at the position than Gehringer, who won the 1937 AL MVP. And among players with 3,000 or more PA at the second base position, just two — Jackie Robinson (who played considerably fewer games at the position than Gehringer) and another individual further down this list — have a higher OPS (.889) at the position than Gehringer. The Tigers legend also has the fifth-most hits (2,465) at the position.
3. Ryne Sandberg
In 1982, the Phillies traded then-rookie Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa to the Cubs for veteran infielder Ivan De Jesus. De Jesus spent just three years with the Phillies, while Sandberg developed into one of the game’s greatest offensive threats at the second base position. Sandberg became the all-time leader for home runs (277) at the position, a title ultimately taken over by Jeff Kent.
The Cubs icon won the NL MVP in his third full season in 1984 and led the Senior Circuit in home runs (40) six years later. Sandberg also held his own in the field. The seven-time Silver Slugger also won nine Gold Gloves in what was a Hall of Fame career for the man known as “Ryno.”
2. Joe Morgan
The Colt 45s/Astros franchise has been blessed with franchise second basemen. Craig Biggio and Jose Altuve are proof of that, but another star that first made his name in Houston was Joe Morgan. Morgan had several good years with Houston but exploded after a lopsided trade sent him to Cincinnati.
Morgan went to the All-Star Game eight times as a Red and had his best seasons in 1975 and 1976. The Baseball of Famer won the NL MVP in both of those seasons and the World Series with the Reds. Morgan is fourth among all second basemen in recorded hits (2,472) and home runs (265) at the position.
1. Rogers Hornsby
No list of the greatest MLB second basemen is complete without Cardinals legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby. A two-time NL MVP, Hornsby could be considered the greatest pure hitter of the 1920s. From 1920 to 1929, Hornsby led the National League in RBI four times, seven times in batting average, and nine seasons in OPS — a stat that wasn’t in the mind of baseball fans until recently.
No second baseman in MLB history has a higher career OPS (1.066) at the position than Hornsby.
Note: All stats and achievements are as of 1903 or later. All stats and split values from Baseball-Reference. Data may not be completely accurate due to the lack of game logs from the early 1900s.