Top 10 Greatest Third Basemen of All Time

The Top Ten
1 Mike Schmidt
2 George Brett

I live in Kansas City, so I kind of have to vote for him. Kissing home plate, I mean...

He was an offensive third baseman with 3,000 hits. Sheesh.

3 Chipper Jones

Yes, he was crazy - crazy in giving Atlanta a hotbed for great baseball. Here's his 2018 Hall of Fame Plaque: Switch-hitting lineup centerpiece during the Braves' dynastic seasons of the 1990s and 2000s. Among players who were primarily third basemen, retired as the all-time leader in runs scored and driven in. Batted better than .300 from both sides of the plate during a 19-year career, totaling 468 home runs, 1,923 RBIs, and eight All-Star Game selections. First overall pick in the 1990 draft, fueled the Braves to the 1995 Championship as a dynamic rookie.

Hit 45 home runs in 1999 N.L. MVP season and won the 2008 batting crown with a .364 average. Only switch-hitter in history with at least a .300 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, and a .500 slugging percentage.

Its Joeysworld

4 Wade Boggs
5 Brooks Robinson

Because defense is half of the game and does not garner half the credit, Brooks Robinson was arguably the greatest fielder of any position of all time and carried a respectable batting average, especially for that era. It's a fair observation to say he may have saved as many runs with his defense as the others produced. Thank you for the chance to comment.

6 Eddie Mattews
7 Adrian Beltre
8 Pie Traynor

Forgotten because he played for the Pirates, one of the greatest defensive third basemen of all time.

9 A-rod
10 Ron Santo
The Contenders
11 Scott Rolen
12 Jimmy Collins
13 John Baker
14 David Wright
15 Nolan Arenado

Great guy. Ten Gold Gloves, multiple MVP runner-ups, and he just hit home run number 300.

Too bad that he made an error last night playing against the Pirates.

16 Graig Nettles

The greatest underrated third baseman of all time. This man may not be going to the Hall of Fame, but what he did for the Yankees during his time there is nothing short of spectacular. For those who witnessed his spectacular play in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series, know that he was one of the reasons the Yankees made a spectacular second-half 1978 season to overtake those Boston Red Sox and capture the American League East.

Nettles himself once joked, "When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a ballplayer and join the circus. With the Yankees, I have accomplished both."
Its Joeysworld

17 Miguel Cabrera José Miguel Cabrera Torres, commonly known as Miguel Cabrera and nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman who plays for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.
18 Pete Rose Peter Edward Rose Sr. (April 14, 1941 - September 30, 2024), nicknamed "Charlie Hustle," was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1963 to 1986, most prominently as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, known for their dominance of the National... read more
19 Paul Molitor
20 Ray Dandridge

Ray Dandridge, now there's a name from the past. Here's his 1987 Hall of Fame Plaque: Flashy but smooth third baseman defensively. A brilliant fielder with a powerful arm. Offensively, a spray hitter with outstanding bat control.

He played for the Detroit Stars, Newark Dodgers, Newark Eagles, and New York Cubans in the Negro Leagues and for Veracruz and Mexico City in the Mexican Leagues. American Association MVP in 1950 with a .311 average, 11 home runs, and 80 RBIs playing for the Minneapolis Millers.

Its Joeysworld.

21 Al Rosen
22 Buddy Bell
23 Deacon White

The most ignored greatest third baseman of all time. Then, in 2013, after over a century, he finally got into the Hall of Fame. Here's his plaque: Consummate gentleman ballplayer and 19th-century star who batted .312 in 20 seasons, hitting .300 or better 12 times.

Considered one of the premier catchers of his era before making the transition to star third baseman. Led teams to six championships. Renowned for his integrity and character, superior skill, and all-around play. Two-time batting champion, paced the N.L. in nearly every offensive category in 1877. Collected the first hit in professional baseball history in 1871.

Its Joeysworld

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