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5 Shortstops That Stand The Test of Time [Free Featured Drill]

Posted by Camille D.C. Sutton | Feb 3, 2016 1:00:00 PM

Shortstops.jpg 

"I'd like to be remembered. I'd like to think that someday two guys will be talking in a bar and one of them will say something like, 'Yeah, he's a good shortstop, but he's not as good as ole Ripken was' " (source).

Guess what folks, we're still talkin' about him.

He still holds the record, and in this game that counts for alot. You may or may not agree that he was the best, and that's fine, but let's open the conversation and take a good look at the best defenders to play the position of shortstop to date. And why don't we throw in some drills to give to your shortstops while we're at it?

In no significant order, the following list of players comes to mind as the outstanding shortstops spanning the history of the game. We'd love to know how you would rank them, or who else you think deserves a hat tip. Feel free to leave a comment here or on our FungoMan Facebook page.

 

cal-ripken-fungoman-blog.jpg

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1. Cal Ripken Jr.

The number 2,131 will represent the Iron Man for as long as baseball exists. It is the number of resilience. It is the number of Cal Ripken Jr.'s tenacity and love for the game. It is the number that broke Lou Gehrig's record of most consecutive games played, which held for 56 years unbroken.

Despite standing at 6'4'', his range, acute understanding of ball angles, and the harness of physic and geometric tracking account for not only his longevity as a dominant defender, but as a phenomenal athlete. Period.

After over 16 years playing Major League Baseball, Cal Ripken Jr. played 2,632 consecutive games, solidifying him as the record holder.

Besides the sole feat of consistency, his aptitude and keen mind for the game and showmanship has wowed the world of baseball for a long time and continues to stun those who watched him play.

His fielding stats speak for themselves.

YearTmLgAgePosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRtot/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
1981 BAL AL 20 SS 12 8 3 69.0 37 11 24 2 5 .946 -1 -12 4.57 2.92 .967 5.00 4.98  
1981 BAL AL 20 3B 6 1 0 17.0 9 2 6 1 1 .889 1 71 4.24 1.33 .950 2.96 2.93  
1981 BAL AL 20 DH 1 0                                
1982 BAL AL 21 SS 94 91 89 813.1 457 155 289 13 47 .972 3 5 4.91 4.72 .965 4.87 4.84 MVP-30,RoY-1
1982 BAL AL 21 3B 71 68 59 604.0 223 66 151 6 17 .973 3 6 3.23 3.06 .954 3.07 3.05 MVP-30,RoY-1
1983 BAL AL 22 SS 162 162 162 1452.1 831 272 534 25 113 .970 11 9 4.99 4.98 .963 4.75 4.72 AS,MVP-1,SS
1984 BAL AL 23 SS 162 162 162 1439.1 906 297 583 26 122 .971 23 20 5.50 5.43 .962 4.75 4.72 AS,MVP-27,SS
1985 BAL AL 24 SS 161 161 161 1427.1 786 286 474 26 123 .967 0 0 4.79 4.72 .964 4.64 4.60 AS,MVP-17,SS
1986 BAL AL 25 SS 162 162 162 1436.2 735 240 482 13 105 .982 16 13 4.52 4.46 .967 4.53 4.49 AS,SS
1987 BAL AL 26 SS 162 162 160 1430.2 740 240 480 20 103 .973 0 0 4.53 4.44 .970 4.59 4.54 AS
1988 BAL AL 27 SS 161 161 159 1409.0 785 284 480 21 119 .973 -6 -5 4.88 4.75 .971 4.69 4.65 AS
1989 BAL AL 28 SS 162 162 159 1433.1 815 276 531 8 119 .990 20 17 5.07 4.98 .971 4.79 4.74 AS,MVP-3,SS
1990 BAL AL 29 SS 161 161 150 1406.1 680 242 435 3 94 .996 22 19 4.33 4.20 .973 4.74 4.69 AS,MVP-24
1991 BAL AL 30 SS 162 162 146 1427.2 806 267 528 11 114 .986 22 19 5.01 4.91 .971 4.67 4.66 AS,MVP-1,GG,SS
1992 BAL AL 31 SS 162 162 153 1440.0 744 287 445 12 119 .984 12 10 4.58 4.52 .969 4.71 4.69 AS,GG
1993 BAL AL 32 SS 162 162 154 1425.2 738 226 495 17 101 .977 11 10 4.55 4.45 .973 4.69 4.64 AS,MVP-19,SS
1994 BAL AL 33 SS 112 112 106 986.2 460 132 321 7 72 .985 17 20 4.13 4.04 .969 4.64 4.60 AS,MVP-12,SS
1995 BAL AL 34 SS 144 144 136 1250.0 622 206 409 7 100 .989 22 21 4.43 4.27 .974 4.71 4.65 AS,MVP-19
1996 BAL AL 35 SS 158 157 142 1379.2 709 228 467 14 109 .980 2 2 4.53 4.40 .971 4.66 4.64 AS
1996 BAL AL 35 3B 6 6 4 49.0 21 5 16 0 1 1.000 1 32 3.86 3.50 .956 2.55 2.55 AS
1997 BAL AL 36 3B 162 162 137 1401.0 434 98 314 22 25 .949 -3 -3 2.65 2.54 .953 2.67 2.65 AS
1997 BAL AL 36 SS 3 0 0 5.0 2 2 0 0 0 1.000 -0 -72 3.60 0.67 .975 4.50 4.50 AS
1998 BAL AL 37 3B 161 161 133 1365.2 374 101 265 8 22 .979 -0 -0 2.41 2.27 .948 2.55 2.52 AS
1999 BAL AL 38 3B 85 85 58 700.0 191 36 142 13 11 .932 -1 -2 2.29 2.09 .950 2.58 2.54 AS
2000 BAL AL 39 3B 73 73 57 608.1 195 56 134 5 17 .974 5 9 2.81 2.60 .947 2.67 2.64 AS
2000 BAL AL 39 DH 10 10                               AS
2001 BAL AL 40 3B 111 111 106 981.2 320 97 209 14 23 .956 -1 -1 2.81 2.76 .947 2.73 2.71 AS
2001 BAL AL 40 DH 14 14                               AS
  17 Seasons SS 2302 2291 2204 20232.0 10853 3651 6977 225 1565 .979 176 10 4.73 4.62 .969 4.69 4.66  
  8 Seasons 3B 675 667 554 5726.2 1767 461 1237 69 117 .961 5 1 2.67 2.52 .950 2.68 2.66  
  3 Seasons DH 25 24                                
  21 Seasons TOT 2977 2958 2758 25958.2 12620 4112 8214 294 1682 .977 181 8 4.27 4.14 .966 4.25 4.20  
Lg PosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRtot/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
Check out more of his stats here.
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/3/2016.

 The night he broke Lou Gehrig's record.

via GIPHY

 

 

 

 

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photo source

2. Derek Jeter

"My dad had been shortstop when he was in college, and you know, when you're a kid, you want to be just like your dad" (source).

-Jeter

If the phrase "Being at the right place at the right time" were in the dictionary, you wouldn't have too many arguments about who's picture should be underneath it.

When Jeter played, he had a way of being BIG in BIG moments. 

Hitting a walk-off homerun in New York in the World Series late into the night after 12:00AM, he was crowned the name Mr. November -- immortalizing him forever, joining him in an sacred group with Reggie Jackson, Mr. October -- the ultimate clutch player. Talk about BIG.

Not only did he was he clutch in big situations, he managed to handle every aspect of the game with a certain class that teamates and competitors alike respects.

He exclusively played the position of shortstop, for one team for the length of his whole career. And that is pretty special.

His fielding percentage is unreal.

YearTmLgAgePosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRdrsRtot/yrRdrs/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
1995 NYY AL 21 SS 15 14 13 120.0 53 17 34 2 7 .962 -5   -46   3.82 3.40 .974 4.71 4.65  
1996 NYY AL 22 SS 157 156 149 1370.2 710 244 444 22 83 .969 -14   -12   4.52 4.38 .971 4.66 4.64 RoY-1
1997 NYY AL 23 SS 159 159 151 1417.0 719 244 457 18 87 .975 -3   -2   4.45 4.41 .974 4.55 4.51 MVP-24
1998 NYY AL 24 SS 148 148 140 1304.2 625 223 393 9 82 .986 2   2   4.25 4.16 .972 4.71 4.66 AS,MVP-3
1999 NYY AL 25 SS 158 158 154 1395.2 635 230 391 14 87 .978 -11   -10   4.00 3.93 .970 4.73 4.66 AS,MVP-6
2000 NYY AL 26 SS 148 148 136 1278.2 610 237 349 24 78 .961 -23   -21   4.12 3.96 .973 4.71 4.66 AS,MVP-10
2001 NYY AL 27 SS 150 150 133 1312.1 570 212 343 15 68 .974 -17   -15   3.81 3.70 .973 4.49 4.45 AS,MVP-10
2002 NYY AL 28 SS 156 156 146 1383.1 600 219 367 14 69 .977 -18   -16   3.81 3.76 .975 4.56 4.51 AS
2002 NYY AL 28 DH 1 1                                   AS
2003 NYY AL 29 SS 118 118 108 1033.2 444 159 271 14 51 .968 -14 -13 -16 -15 3.74 3.64 .971 4.54 4.49 MVP-21
2004 NYY AL 30 SS 154 154 137 1341.2 678 273 392 13 96 .981 5 -13 4 -11 4.46 4.32 .972 4.56 4.53 AS,MVP-13,GG
2005 NYY AL 31 SS 157 157 146 1352.2 731 262 454 15 96 .979 -5 -27 -4 -24 4.76 4.56 .972 4.60 4.55 MVP-10,GG
2005 NYY AL 31 DH 1 1                                   MVP-10,GG
2006 NYY AL 32 SS 150 149 131 1292.1 610 214 381 15 81 .975 -3 -16 -3 -15 4.14 3.97 .970 4.49 4.42 AS,MVP-2,GG,SS
2006 NYY AL 32 DH 5 5                                   AS,MVP-2,GG,SS
2007 NYY AL 33 SS 155 153 127 1318.1 607 199 390 18 104 .970 -14 -24 -13 -22 4.02 3.80 .970 4.47 4.42 AS,MVP-11,SS
2008 NYY AL 34 SS 148 147 127 1258.2 579 220 347 12 69 .979 -5 -10 -5 -10 4.05 3.83 .971 4.39 4.35 AS,SS
2008 NYY AL 34 DH 2 2                                   AS,SS
2009 NYY AL 35 SS 150 147 121 1260.2 554 206 340 8 75 .986 4 3 4 3 3.90 3.64 .972 4.36 4.31 AS,MVP-3,GG,SS
2009 NYY AL 35 DH 5 5                                   AS,MVP-3,GG,SS
2010 NYY AL 36 SS 151 150 130 1303.2 553 182 365 6 94 .989 -9 -9 -8 -8 3.78 3.62 .973 4.40 4.36 AS,GG
2010 NYY AL 36 DH 5 5                                   AS,GG
2011 NYY AL 37 SS 122 121 109 1047.1 432 140 280 12 60 .972 -13 -15 -14 -17 3.61 3.44 .972 4.36 4.33 AS
2011 NYY AL 37 DH 10 10                                   AS
2012 NYY AL 38 SS 135 133 128 1186.1 506 172 324 10 67 .980 -10 -18 -10 -18 3.76 3.67 .977 4.43 4.40 AS,MVP-7,SS
2012 NYY AL 38 DH 25 25                                   AS,MVP-7,SS
2013 NYY AL 39 SS 13 13 10 109.2 52 23 27 2 6 .962 -4 -5 -48 -55 4.10 3.85 .973 4.15 4.13  
2013 NYY AL 39 DH 4 4                                    
2014 NYY AL 40 SS 130 129 116 1138.1 411 144 256 11 48 .973 -27 -12 -29 -13 3.16 3.08 .973 3.98 3.97 AS
2014 NYY AL 40 DH 15 15                                   AS
  20 Seasons SS 2674 2660 2412 23225.2 10679 3820 6605 254 1408 .976 -182 -159 -9 -13 4.04 3.90 .972 4.51 4.46  
  10 Seasons DH 73 73                                    
  20 Seasons TOT 2674 2660 2412 23225.2 10679 3820 6605 254 1408 .976 -182 -159 -9 -13 4.04 3.90 .972 4.51 4.46  
Lg PosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRdrsRtot/yrRdrs/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
Check out more of his stats here.
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/3/2016.

 

 Jeter's ridiculous catch against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on July 1, 2004

via GIPHY

 

ozzie-smith-fungoman-blog.jpg

photo source

3. Ozzie Smith

"I may not drive in 100 runs a year, but I can prevent 100 runs from scoring against us" (source).

-Smith

Ozzie brought a certain flair for the position that distinguished his play-making with style that influence all those who would play the position after him.

The Wizard -- as he was so fittingly nicknamed, came to prominence with magic-like acrobatics, that didn't sacrifice execution.

Unlike many who followed him, he had a way of consistently getting the job done, with a magnficent ease without valuing flash over getting the out.

His presence as a franchise player and charismatic personality drew people to the ballpark to see what The Wizard just might do. And he would always deliver.

This guy has more Golden Gloves than he has fingers.

YearTmLgAgePosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRtot/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
1978 SDP NL 23 SS 159 154 137 1327.0 837 264 548 25 98 .970 3 3 5.51 5.11 .966 4.88 4.84 RoY-2
1979 SDP NL 24 SS 155 153 136 1339.0 831 256 555 20 86 .976 14 13 5.45 5.23 .965 5.00 4.98  
1980 SDP NL 25 SS 158 157 149 1398.1 933 288 621 24 113 .974 21 18 5.85 5.75 .966 5.01 5.02 GG
1981 SDP NL 26 SS 110 110 105 986.1 658 220 422 16 72 .976 4 5 5.86 5.84 .960 5.10 5.12 AS,GG
1982 STL NL 27 SS 139 139 136 1249.0 827 279 535 13 101 .984 21 21 5.87 5.86 .967 5.01 5.02 AS,MVP-13,GG
1983 STL NL 28 SS 158 154 132 1343.2 844 304 519 21 100 .975 12 10 5.51 5.21 .967 4.85 4.83 AS,MVP-21,GG
1984 STL NL 29 SS 124 124 113 1065.1 682 233 437 12 94 .982 14 16 5.66 5.40 .965 4.87 4.86 AS,GG
1985 STL NL 30 SS 158 158 149 1407.0 827 264 549 14 111 .983 20 17 5.20 5.15 .963 4.88 4.88 AS,MVP-18,GG
1986 STL NL 31 SS 144 144 132 1287.0 697 229 453 15 96 .978 16 15 4.77 4.74 .963 4.75 4.76 AS,GG
1987 STL NL 32 SS 158 153 139 1357.1 771 245 516 10 111 .987 14 12 5.05 4.82 .965 4.72 4.69 AS,MVP-2,GG,SS
1988 STL NL 33 SS 150 150 138 1329.0 775 234 519 22 79 .972 18 16 5.10 5.02 .967 4.63 4.64 AS,GG
1989 STL NL 34 SS 153 152 145 1336.1 709 209 483 17 73 .976 32 29 4.66 4.52 .966 4.51 4.52 AS,GG
1990 STL NL 35 SS 140 137 129 1203.1 602 212 378 12 66 .980 14 14 4.41 4.21 .967 4.59 4.56 AS,GG
1991 STL NL 36 SS 150 148 126 1253.1 639 244 387 8 79 .987 3 3 4.53 4.21 .966 4.67 4.65 AS,MVP-20,GG
1992 STL NL 37 SS 132 128 117 1156.1 662 232 420 10 82 .985 13 13 5.07 4.94 .969 4.59 4.60 AS,MVP-22,GG
1993 STL NL 38 SS 134 131 115 1139.1 721 251 451 19 98 .974 4 4 5.55 5.24 .965 4.69 4.66  
1994 STL NL 39 SS 96 94 85 822.0 434 135 291 8 67 .982 12 17 4.66 4.44 .966 4.53 4.50 AS
1995 STL NL 40 SS 41 41 34 343.1 196 60 129 7 28 .964 -0 -0 4.95 4.61 .968 4.51 4.49 AS
1996 STL NL 41 SS 52 50 48 442.2 260 90 162 8 36 .969 4 11 5.12 4.85 .967 4.60 4.57 AS
  19 Seasons SS 2511 2477 2265 21785.2 12905 4249 8375 281 1590 .978 239 13 5.22 5.03 .966 4.78 4.77  
  19 Seasons TOT 2511 2477 2265 21785.2 12905 4249 8375 281 1590 .978 239 13 5.22 5.03 .966 4.78 4.77  
Lg PosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRtot/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
Check out more of his stats here.
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/3/2016. 

I mean, how could you not love this guy? 

via GIPHY

 

omar-Vizquel-fungoman-blog.jpeg

photo source

4. Omar Vizquel

"There is no doubt in my mind, I've played a great shortstop this year" (source).

-Vizquel

Vizquel was arguably one of the most surehanded players of all time.

He was so good, confidently making plays with his barehands as if it were the most normal thing to do on the field.

The value he would bring to a team to make plays for his pitching staff and team, was unparallelled. Vizquel also managed to draw the crowds with sheer magneticism; audiences came as well to see something they could tell their grandkids about one day. This expectation to see the impossible brought folks out to the ballpark by the droves.

The man would literally rob base hits, getting outs where there were none.

MVP for more reasons than one.

YearTmLgAgePosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRdrsRtot/yrRdrs/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
1989 SEA AL 22 SS 143 131 95 1124.0 614 208 388 18 102 .971 6   7   4.77 4.17 .971 4.79 4.74  
1990 SEA AL 23 SS 81 78 67 680.0 349 103 239 7 48 .980 13   22   4.53 4.22 .973 4.74 4.69  
1991 SEA AL 24 SS 138 123 114 1134.1 659 224 422 13 105 .980 14   14   5.13 4.68 .971 4.67 4.66  
1991 SEA AL 24 2B 1 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0           0.00 0.00   5.40 5.20  
1992 SEA AL 25 SS 136 128 120 1152.0 633 223 403 7 92 .989 12   13   4.89 4.60 .969 4.71 4.69  
1993 SEA AL 26 SS 155 150 140 1330.2 735 245 475 15 108 .980 16   14   4.87 4.65 .973 4.69 4.64 GG
1993 SEA AL 26 DH 2 0                                   GG
1994 CLE AL 27 SS 69 68 66 612.2 323 113 204 6 54 .981 4   8   4.66 4.59 .969 4.64 4.60 GG
1995 CLE AL 28 SS 136 135 125 1187.0 624 210 405 9 84 .986 1   1   4.66 4.52 .974 4.71 4.65 GG
1996 CLE AL 29 SS 150 149 135 1312.1 693 226 447 20 91 .971 1   1   4.62 4.49 .971 4.66 4.64 GG
1997 CLE AL 30 SS 152 149 141 1307.1 684 245 429 10 98 .985 2   1   4.64 4.43 .974 4.55 4.51 GG
1998 CLE AL 31 SS 151 149 134 1316.0 720 273 442 5 94 .993 9   8   4.89 4.74 .972 4.71 4.66 AS,GG
1999 CLE AL 32 SS 143 140 121 1214.1 632 221 396 15 88 .976 14   14   4.57 4.31 .970 4.73 4.66 AS,MVP-16,GG
1999 CLE AL 32 OF 1 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0   0   0   0.00 0.00   2.70 2.30 AS,MVP-16,GG
1999 CLE AL 32 RF 1 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0   0   0   0.00 0.00   1.80 2.10 AS,MVP-16,GG
2000 CLE AL 33 SS 156 154 140 1328.2 648 231 414 3 99 .995 -1   -1   4.37 4.13 .973 4.71 4.66 GG
2001 CLE AL 34 SS 154 152 140 1320.2 640 219 414 7 88 .989 -8   -7   4.31 4.11 .973 4.49 4.45 GG
2002 CLE AL 35 SS 150 148 141 1291.0 677 239 431 7 98 .990 -2   -2   4.67 4.47 .975 4.56 4.51 AS
2003 CLE AL 36 SS 64 63 59 551.1 324 114 203 7 59 .978 14 10 32 22 5.17 4.95 .971 4.54 4.49  
2004 CLE AL 37 SS 147 141 126 1245.0 607 200 396 11 91 .982 -1 2 -1 2 4.31 4.05 .972 4.56 4.53  
2005 SFG NL 38 SS 150 144 141 1292.1 668 234 426 8 81 .988 6 1 6 1 4.60 4.40 .976 4.51 4.45 GG
2006 SFG NL 39 SS 152 148 131 1281.1 599 205 390 4 87 .993 3 7 3 6 4.18 3.91 .972 4.41 4.38 GG
2007 SFG NL 40 SS 143 136 130 1219.1 651 198 444 9 90 .986 23 16 22 16 4.74 4.49 .975 4.44 4.42  
2008 SFG NL 41 SS 84 76 61 657.2 289 108 179 2 43 .993 3 9 5 16 3.93 3.42 .976 4.43 4.40  
2009 TEX AL 42 SS 27 22 17 196.2 108 32 76 0 22 1.000 6 2 38 12 4.94 4.00 .972 4.36 4.31  
2009 TEX AL 42 3B 20 9 8 101.0 27 5 22 0 2 1.000 4 5 52 61 2.41 1.35 .957 2.68 2.65  
2009 TEX AL 42 2B 16 14 13 126.0 72 23 49 0 12 1.000 3 0 26 0 5.14 4.50 .986 4.76 4.70  
2010 CHW AL 43 3B 83 62 55 582.1 144 31 110 3 15 .979 -5 -7 -9 -14 2.18 1.70 .956 2.64 2.61  
2010 CHW AL 43 2B 19 18 12 151.0 63 22 41 0 9 1.000 -2 0 -12 0 3.75 3.32 .984 4.80 4.75  
2010 CHW AL 43 SS 9 8 4 61.0 28 13 15 0 6 1.000 -0 1 -2 20 4.13 3.11 .973 4.40 4.36  
2010 CHW AL 43 DH 1 1                                    
2011 CHW AL 44 3B 29 20 17 182.0 44 13 31 0 2 1.000 -0 1 -1 7 2.18 1.52 .954 2.62 2.60  
2011 CHW AL 44 2B 16 14 10 130.1 61 23 37 1 7 .984 -5 -2 -42 -18 4.14 3.75 .984 4.76 4.73  
2011 CHW AL 44 SS 9 8 7 72.0 26 8 18 0 3 1.000 -0 -1 -2 -13 3.25 2.89 .972 4.36 4.33  
2011 CHW AL 44 DH 3 0                                    
2011 CHW AL 44 1B 1 0 0 3.0 2 1 1 0 0 1.000 0 0 160 0 6.00 2.00 .995 9.30 9.20  
2012 TOR AL 45 2B 24 18 16 164.0 84 32 52 0 13 1.000 -1 2 -7 15 4.61 3.50 .983 4.63 4.60  
2012 TOR AL 45 3B 18 10 9 111.2 44 10 31 3 3 .932 3 1 31 11 3.30 2.28 .952 2.60 2.59  
2012 TOR AL 45 SS 10 9 6 73.0 30 10 20 0 3 1.000 0 1 3 16 3.70 3.00 .977 4.43 4.40  
2012 TOR AL 45 1B 2 0 0 5.0 6 6 0 0 0 1.000 0 0 48 0 10.80 3.00 .993 9.18 9.20  
2012 TOR AL 45 DH 1 0                                    
2012 TOR AL 45 LF 1 0 0 0.2 0 0 0 0 0   0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00   2.70 1.90  
2012 TOR AL 45 OF 1 0 0 0.2 0 0 0 0 0   0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00   2.70 2.20  
  24 Seasons SS 2709 2609 2361 22960.2 11961 4102 7676 183 1734 .985 134 48 7 8 4.62 4.35 .973 4.61 4.57  
  4 Seasons 3B 150 101 89 977.0 259 59 194 6 22 .977 3 0 3 0 2.33 1.69 .955 2.64 2.61  
  5 Seasons 2B 76 64 51 572.1 280 100 179 1 41 .996 -4 0 -9 0 4.39 3.67 .984 4.73 4.69  
  4 Seasons DH 7 1                                    
  2 Seasons 1B 3 0 0 8.0 8 7 1 0 0 1.000 1 0 90 0 9.00 2.67 .994 9.22 9.20  
  2 Seasons OF 2 0 0 1.2 0 0 0 0 0   0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00   2.70 2.25  
  1 Season LF 1 0 0 0.2 0 0 0 0 0   0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00   2.70 1.90  
  1 Season RF 1 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0   0   0   0.00 0.00   1.80 2.10  
  24 Seasons TOT 2940 2774 2501 24519.2 12508 4268 8050 190 1797 .985 133 48 6 7 4.52 4.19 .972 4.54 4.47  
Lg PosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRdrsRtot/yrRdrs/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
Check out more of his stats here.
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/3/2016.

 

I think I've watched this 20x and it still doesn't get old.

via GIPHY

 

Vizquel demostrating fielding techniques, ground balls courtesy of FungoMan 

 

 

 

barry-larkin-fungoman-blog.jpeg

photo source

5. Barry Larkin

"What people don't realize is that professionals are sensational because of the fundamentals" (source).

-Larkin

You could tell by the way he played that the fundamentals were his fruits and vegetables.

He was astonishingly sound in his method; watching him make the play was like a walk in the park. 

Evidently putting an exteme value on fundamental consistency, the world witnessed shocking play making day in and day out. 

Out of 19 seasons, he was selected to play in the All-Star Games 12 of those seasons. Hat tip to that. He also played every year in the Majors with the Reds. 

Not to mention, his fielding average didn't get worse over the years, it got better.

YearTmLgAgePosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRdrsRtot/yrRdrs/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
1986 CIN NL 22 SS 36 34 31 306.2 170 47 119 4 21 .976 2   10   4.87 4.61 .963 4.75 4.76 RoY-7
1986 CIN NL 22 2B 3 2 2 18.1 10 4 6 0 1 1.000 0   26   4.91 3.33 .980 5.20 5.23 RoY-7
1987 CIN NL 23 SS 119 114 108 1011.0 545 168 358 19 72 .965 0   0   4.68 4.42 .965 4.72 4.69  
1988 CIN NL 24 SS 148 147 133 1278.1 730 231 470 29 67 .960 11   10   4.94 4.74 .967 4.63 4.64 AS,SS
1989 CIN NL 25 SS 82 82 69 691.0 419 142 267 10 31 .976 4   7   5.33 4.99 .966 4.51 4.52 AS,SS
1990 CIN NL 26 SS 156 154 141 1344.0 740 254 469 17 86 .977 10   9   4.84 4.63 .967 4.59 4.56 AS,MVP-7,SS
1991 CIN NL 27 SS 119 119 111 1032.0 613 226 372 15 65 .976 3   3   5.22 5.03 .966 4.67 4.65 AS,MVP-17,SS
1992 CIN NL 28 SS 140 140 126 1208.0 652 233 408 11 67 .983 -2   -2   4.78 4.58 .969 4.59 4.60 MVP-12,SS
1993 CIN NL 29 SS 99 98 89 845.2 456 159 281 16 56 .965 -2   -2   4.68 4.44 .965 4.69 4.66 AS
1994 CIN NL 30 SS 110 108 101 960.1 500 178 312 10 62 .980 5   6   4.59 4.45 .966 4.53 4.50 AS,GG
1995 CIN NL 31 SS 130 130 105 1090.2 544 192 341 11 72 .980 -5   -6   4.40 4.10 .968 4.51 4.49 AS,MVP-1,GG,SS
1996 CIN NL 32 SS 151 148 123 1243.1 673 230 426 17 80 .975 -2   -2   4.75 4.34 .967 4.60 4.57 AS,MVP-12,GG,SS
1997 CIN NL 33 SS 63 63 41 502.2 253 77 171 5 33 .980 7   16   4.44 3.94 .973 4.58 4.54 AS
1997 CIN NL 33 DH 2 2                                   AS
1998 CIN NL 34 SS 145 142 132 1236.0 580 207 361 12 79 .979 1   1   4.14 3.92 .968 4.52 4.50 SS
1999 CIN NL 35 SS 161 160 136 1372.2 635 220 401 14 77 .978 12   11   4.07 3.86 .967 4.42 4.39 AS,MVP-22,SS
2000 CIN NL 36 SS 102 100 83 844.2 413 153 249 11 43 .973 -4   -6   4.28 3.94 .967 4.51 4.47 AS
2000 CIN NL 36 DH 1 1                                   AS
2001 CIN NL 37 SS 44 42 29 341.1 182 65 108 9 23 .951 -4   -13   4.56 3.93 .968 4.47 4.42  
2002 CIN NL 38 SS 135 131 104 1092.1 573 191 370 12 89 .979 -7   -7   4.62 4.16 .970 4.52 4.49  
2003 CIN NL 39 SS 60 58 40 469.2 239 71 159 9 36 .962 2 -1 5 -2 4.41 3.83 .973 4.52 4.48  
2004 CIN NL 40 SS 85 81 66 684.1 326 106 216 4 33 .988 -4 -11 -6 -19 4.23 3.79 .973 4.45 4.42 AS
  19 Seasons SS 2085 2051 1768 17554.2 9243 3150 5858 235 1092 .975 28 -12 2 -12 4.62 4.32 .968 4.57 4.54  
  2 Seasons DH 3 3                                    
  1 Season 2B 3 2 2 18.1 10 4 6 0 1 1.000 0   26   4.91 3.33 .980 5.20 5.23  
  19 Seasons TOT 2088 2053 1770 17573.0 9253 3154 5864 235 1093 .975 28 -12 2 -12 4.62 4.32 .968 4.57 4.54  
Lg PosGGSCGInnChPOAEDPFld%RtotRdrsRtot/yrRdrs/yrRF/9RF/GlgFld%lgRF9lgRFGAwards
Check out more of his stats here.
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/3/2016.

 

HOW is this possible?!

via GIPHY

 

The great players of the game credit their success to the devotion of fundamentals and dealing with sizeable failures on their way to dominance on the field. In light of these truths, we are sharing our FREE Shortstop Drill Series that will challenge your shortstop's range, agility, and attention to fundamentals.

This drill includes the FungoMan routine and infographics detailing the in's and out's of the shortstop's regiment. Check it out!

 

The Shortstop Drill Series [FREE]

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Topics: FungoMan, Ozzie Smith, Omar Vizquel, Shortstops, Shortstop, Cal Ripken Jr., Barry Larkin, Baseball Drill, Derek Jeter

Written by Camille D.C. Sutton

Let's just say that I can hang with the best of them in a game of serious wiffle ball. An expert observer, baseball admirer, and baseball coach's daughter, I'm just here to share the latest and greatest in baseball development, baseball training, and maybe some of my peanuts at the ballpark.

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