Pyle of List

This week brings us to the hot corner. Now, since A-Rod and Ripken Jr. already made the list of shortstops, they are considered disqualified from this list, although both would make it on merit alone. But this is my project and I can make arbitrary decisions like that whenever I want!

If this is your first time, let’s revisit the rules:

• Must have been in their prime (we’ll use making the All-Star team as a measure) when I was intently following baseball (1993-present)
• Must have played 100 games at said position in 3 seasons
• Each position will have two categories, Best Hitters and Best Fielders (except for pitchers, which will be Best Starters and Best Relievers)
• Looking for top 5 in each category

Let’s get to it!
Best Hitters

Chipper Jones - Atlanta Braves - I think we sometimes forget how good Chipper really is. Maybe it’s the litany of injuries that have plagued him throughout his career. Maybe it’s playing down in Atlanta for his entire career that keeps him off our radars. Whatever it is, the guy is good. He’s been in the majors full time for 15 years and has only failed to hit .300 FOUR TIMES. That’s freakin’ ridiculous. Best season (1999) - .319/.441/.633, 45 HR, 110 RBI, 116 R, 25 SB, 1 MVP Award

Wade Boggs - Boston Red Sox/New York Yankees/Tampa Bay Devil Rays - The first baseball videogame I ever had was RBI Baseball 3 for the NES. I only played as the AL All-Star team and never lost a game. The best part about that game is that defense didn’t matter so you could just put all your best hitters in and not be hurt by it. And Boggs was always in my lineup. Oh, and if you’re not sold on videogame stats (then what are you doing here?!) then how about leading the AL in average 5 out of 6 years and a career average of .328. That do it for you? Best season (1987) - .363/.461/.588, 24 HR, 89 RBI, 108 R, 1 SB

Matt Williams - San Francisco Giants/Cleveland Indians/Arizona Diamondbacks - Yeah yeah yeah, the guy probably juiced and his best season was during 1994, a strike shortened season. I care not for your arguments! Williams was a masher during a time when there weren’t many at third base. Best season (1994) - .267/.319/.607, 43 HR, 96 RBI, 74 R, 1 SB [note: only 112 games played]

Robin Ventura - Chicago White Sox/New York Mets/New York Yankees/Los Angeles Dodgers - For some reason, I always had it in my head that Robin Ventura was the second best AL third baseman (behind Boggs) while growing up. So even if his numbers don’t echo that against some of the newer blood (David Wright, Miguel Cabrera, etc.) he makes the list. Best season (1999) - .301/.379/.529, 32 HR, 120 RBI, 88 R, 1 SB

Scott Rolen - Philadelphia Phillies/St. Louis Cardinals/Toronto Blue Jays - Rolen took the NL by storm when he came up with the Phillies. Immediately people talked of Mike Schmidt and Brooks Robinson and a lot of other great players in comparison to Rolen. Unfortunately, injuries sapped a lot of Rolen’s career and we’ll never get to see what could have been with all that talent. Best season (2004) - .314/.409/.598, 34 HR, 124 RBI, 109 R, 4 SB

Runners up: Ken Caminiti, Troy Glaus, David Wright

Best Fielders

Ken Caminiti - Houston Astros/San Diego Padres/Texas Rangers/Atlanta Braves - Again, I don’t care about the steroid use. All I care about is the numberous times I saw this guy make amazing plays on highlight reels. And that arm! Oh, what an arm!

Scott Rolen - Seven Gold Gloves don’t lie.

Robin Ventura - Okay, so maybe he didn’t belong on the best hitters side of things, but he definitely belongs here. Getting your braind beaten in by Nolan Ryan and still being able to go out and win 6 Gold Gloves is impressive.

Eric Chavez - Oakland A’s - People talk about the A’s missing Chavez’ bat due to his rash of injuries, but what about his glove? Let’s not forget that the guy won 6 Golden Gloves in a row in the early 2000’s.

Wade Boggs - Boggs was such a good hitter that he makes this half of the list based purely on reputation.

Runners up: none

Disagree? Got someone I totally didn’t think of? Go ahead and let me know if the comments.