Roberto Alomar: Best Second Baseman Of All Time?

[hatehabsforever]

The title really says it all. This year, Roberto Alomar was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, as a Toronto Blue Jay. Yesterday, he had his number retired by the Jays, the first player that Toronto has honored in this fashion, despite the many greats who have preceded him on this team.

There have been many great second basemen in MLB history, including past greats as well as current players, but I would contend that Alomar was indeed the best ever at his position. He hit for average (a career .300 hitter). He hit for power (>200 home runs, >1100 RBI). He was a clutch, pressure hitter (just ask Dennis Eckersley).

He was a terrific baserunner, with plenty of stolen bases and a consistent display of savvy in this regard. His defense was second to none; steady and consistent on the routine plays, as well as acrobatic and jaw dropping on the trickier plays. He was a clubhouse leader and a fierce competitor. And he was an integral component of team success, winning consecutive World Series in 1992 and 1993, bringing the Jays over the top despite years of just falling short. He was the cornerstone of this once proud franchise.

The list of quality secondbasemen is long and deep, but I contend that he stands shoulder to shoulder with any of them, and in my opinion, when looking at who's the best ever, the nod should go to Roberto Alomar.

Agree or disagree?

 

[The Brain]

I love Roberto Alomar but I can’t call him the greatest 2B of all time. I’ve never heard mention of his defensive play as the Gold Glove came well after his career was over, but from an offensive perspective it doesn’t get any better at 2B than Rogers Hornsby.

Hornsby has an incredible lifetime batting average of .358. That is second all time only to Ty Cobb. He won seven batting titles (six consecutive) and finished second three times and third once. He hit over .400 three times. He won two MVP awards and two triple crowns. He’s 8th all time in on base percentage and 11th in slugging percentage. He had some pop for a 2B as well with 301 home runs. It is really unfair to compare eras but when discussing the greatest 2B of all time Hornsby has to be at the top of the list.

 

[Big Sexy]

If I had to choose I'd go with Hornsby as well but here's another couple names to throw out there.

Eddie Collins played around the same era as Hornsby and put up tremendous numbers with both the Philly Athletics and the Chicago White Sox. His hitting numbers weren't as good as Hornsby's but still great. He hit .333 for his career with exactly 1300 rbi's. He didn't have much power but he made up for it with speed. Collins stole 741 bases in his career to only 135 for Hornsby. Collins was also a very efficient hitter. In his 25 year career he struck out only 360 times and he was walked 1499 times. Hornsby had almost double the strike outs in two less years.

Another name to throw out there is Jackie Robinson. Now his overall numbers are no where near a lot of the other greats but remember he didn't make it to the majors until he was 28 because of the color barrier. He easily missed out on a good 7-8 years of his career. Even in just 10 years he still hit .311 with 137 homers and 734 rbi's. He also stole 197 bases which is just under 20 a year and he missed out on his fastest years. Had he been in the majors for his whole career he may very well be considered the greatest second baseman of all time.

 

[HiddenInPlainView]

This may have alot to do with the fact that he was my favorite player as a kid , but i gotta go with Ryne Sandberg here. Ten time all star. Nine time gold glover. Career .285 hitter. Seven time silver slugger award. 282 Career home runs. .989 Career fielding percentage (a record for second basemen). 1984 NL MVP. Alomar was alot flashier than Sandberg but Ryno just made everything look easier.