second baseman

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2007)

The position of the second baseman

Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base. Also called second bagger, the second baseman often possesses quick hands and feet, needs the ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and must be able to make the pivot on a double play. In addition, shortstops and second basemen are usually right-handed as this is preferential for turning a double play. Second base is also known as the keystone sack. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the second baseman is assigned the number 4.

Second basemen must be quick on their feet to hold the runner on base, back up the shortstop on all throws from the catcher, cover first base on bunted balls, and to field the position to either side. Good second basemen need to have very good range, since they have to field balls closer to the first baseman who is often holding runners on, or moving towards the base to cover. Good range is also helpful since many balls are hit to this position. On a batted ball to right field, the second baseman goes out towards the ball for the relay. Due to these requirements, second base is sometimes a primarily defensive position in the modern game, but there are hitting stars, too, such as Craig Biggio, Brian Roberts, Chase Utley, Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia, Dan Uggla and Robinson Cano.

For baserunners, second is the easiest base to steal, because the catcher must throw a farther distance.

Phillies second baseman Plácido Polanco (now with the Detroit Tigers) ranges onto the outfield grass to field a ground ball

National Baseball Hall of Fame second basemen

Note: Year of induction included in parentheses.^[1]

• Rod Carew (1991)^[2] *
• Eddie Collins (1939)^[3]
• Bobby Doerr (1946)^[4]
• Johnny Evers (1956)^[5]
• Nellie Fox (1967)^[6]
• Frankie Frisch (1947)^[7]
• Charlie Gehringer (1949)^[8]
• Joe Gordon (2009)
• Frank Grant (2006)^[9]
• Billy Herman (1975)^[10]
• Rogers Hornsby (1942)^[11]
• Nap Lajoie (1937)^[12]
• Tony Lazzeri (1991)^[13]
• Bill Mazeroski (2001)^[14]
• Bid McPhee (2000)^[15]
• Joe Morgan (1990)^[16]
• Jackie Robinson (1962)^[17] **
• Ryne Sandberg (2005)^[18]
• Red Schoendienst (1989)^[19]

  * Later played at first base
** Started his career at 1B, then moved to 2B

References

v • d • e Baseball positions Pitchers (1) Ace pitcher · Starting pitcher · Relief pitcher · Setup pitcher · Middle relief pitcher · Closer · Left-handed specialist · Long reliever · Power pitcher · Control pitcher · Groundball pitcher · Flyball pitcher · Switch pitcher Defensive players Basic: Catcher (2) · First baseman (3) · Second baseman (4) · Third baseman (5) · Shortstop (6) · Left fielder (7) · Center fielder (8) · Right fielder (9) Other terms: Infielder · Outfielder · Utility player · Utility infielder · Position player · Battery · Fourth outfielder · Corner outfielder Offensive players Batter · Runner · Batting order (1-9) · Designated hitter · Pinch hitter · Pinch runner · Lead off · Cleanup hitter · Clutch hitter · Contact hitter · Switch hitter Non-players Official scorer · Umpire · Manager · Coaches · General manager Related Disabled list · Phantom ballplayer See also Baseball concepts · Baseball pitches · Baseball statistics and records · Baseball jargons