Third baseman
|
The position of the third baseman |
A
third baseman, abbreviated
3B, is the player in the sport of
baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to
third base, the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in a counterclockwise succession in order to score a run. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the third baseman is assigned the number 5.
The third baseman requires good reflexes in reacting to batted balls, as they are often the closest
infielder (roughly 90â€"120 feet) to the batter. They also need a strong arm, since they have the farthest to throw to
first base after fielding
ground balls, and sometimes must throw quickly to
second base in time to start a
double play. The third baseman must also field
fly balls in
fair and
foul territory.
Third base is known as the "Hot Corner", since most
right-handed hitters will tend to hit the ball hard in this direction. In this situation, the third baseman needs fine hand-eye coordination and quick reactions in order to catch hard
line drives. And third basemen often must begin in a position even closer to the batter if a
bunt is expected, creating a hazard if the ball is instead hit sharply. As with middle
infielders, right-handed players are standard at the position because they do not need to turn their body before throwing across the
infield to first base. Some third basemen have been converted from middle infielders or
outfielders since the position does not require them to run as fast.
Expectations of how well a third baseman should be able to hit have varied a great deal over time; in the early years of the sport, these expectations were similar to those for
shortstops, the third baseman being merely the less skilled defensive player. Players who could hit with more ability often were not suited for third base, either because they were
left-handed or because they were not mobile enough for the position. However, the beginning of the
live-ball era in the 1920s created a greater demand for more offense, and third basemen have since been expected to hit either for a high
average (.290 or better) or with moderate to substantial power. Since the 1950s the position has become more of a power position with sluggers such as Eddie Mathews, Mike Schmidt and Ron Santo becoming stars.
With the notable exception of
John McGraw, surprisingly few third basemen have gone on to have successful
managing careers, with
Jimmy Dykes and
Negro Leaguer Dave Malarcher being perhaps the next most prominent managers who began their careers at third base.
*
Frank "Home Run" Baker*
Wade Boggs*
George Brett*
Jimmy Collins*
Ray Dandridge (Negro Leagues)
*
Judy Johnson (Negro Leagues)
*
George Kell*
Freddie Lindstrom*
Eddie Mathews*
John McGraw (primarily elected as a manager, although a truly great third baseman in his short career)
*
Paul Molitor (longtime
designated hitter who played primarily 3B on the field)
*
Brooks Robinson*
Mike Schmidt*
Pie Traynor*
Jud Wilson (Negro Leagues)
-Fewer people are in the Hall of Fame as third basemen than for any other position-
*
Brooks Robinson - 16
*
Mike Schmidt - 10
*
Buddy Bell - 6
*
Scott Rolen - 6
*
Robin Ventura - 6
*
Ken Boyer - 5
*
Doug Rader - 5
*
Ron Santo - 5
*
Eric Chavez - 4
*
Gary Gaetti - 4
*
Matt Williams - 4
Other notable stars
*
Sal Bando*
Ossie Bluege*
Ken Caminiti*
Ron Cey*
Eric Chavez*
Harlond Clift*
Lave Cross*
Mike Lowell*
Jerry Denny*
Morgan Ensberg*
Darrell Evans*
Troy Glaus*
Heinie Groh*
Stan Hack*
Bob Horner*
Brandon Inge*
Howard Johnson*
Chipper Jones*
Willie Kamm*
Ken Keltner*
Arlie Latham*
Tommy Leach*
Denny Lyons*
Bill Madlock*
Dave Malarcher (Negro Leagues)
*
Ollie Marcelle (Negro Leagues)
*
Edgar Martinez (
Designated Hitter for most of his career; played as a third baseman in the field)
*
Billy Nash*
Graig Nettles*
Terry Pendleton*
Alex Rodriguez (originally a
SS, but switched to 3B upon joining the Yankees, where
Derek Jeter had manned the position since 1996)
*
Al Rosen*
Ezra Sutton*
Mark Teahen*
Tim Wallach*
Ned Williamson*
David Wright*
Eddie Yost
