shortstop

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The position of the shortstop

Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the ball slightly, so more balls go to the shortstop than any other position. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the shortstop is assigned the number 6.

Shortstops are required to cover second base in double play situations when the ball is hit to the second baseman, first baseman, pitcher, or catcher. They cover second when a runner is attempting a stolen base, but only when a left-handed hitter is batting. This is because the chances of a ball being hit to the left side of the infield are almost cut in half. They also must cover third at various times, including the rotation play; that is, when there are runners on first and second and a sacrifice bunt is attempted. Shortstops generally are given precedence on catching pop-ups in the infield as well, so they end up calling off other players many times, although on deep pop-ups they fall back when called off by an outfielder. They often become the cutoff man on flyballs to left field.

Traditionally, players are selected as shortstops for their fielding prowess, but in recent years more shortstops with excellent hitting have entered the leagues as well. It is an exclusively right-handed position, as a righty can easily throw to first or second without having to physically turn after playing a ground ball, the most common type of hit directed at the shortstop.

Significant shortstops

Baseball Hall of Fame members

• Luis Aparicio
• Luke Appling
• Dave Bancroft
• Ernie Banks
• Lou Boudreau
• Joe Cronin
• George Davis
• Travis Jackson
• Hughie Jennings
• John Henry "Pop" Lloyd *
• Rabbit Maranville
• Pee Wee Reese
• Cal Ripken, Jr.
• Phil Rizzuto
• Zac Sekerak
• Joe Sewell
• Ozzie Smith
• Joe Tinker
• Arky Vaughan
• Honus Wagner
• Bobby Wallace
• John Montgomery Ward
• Willie Wells *
• George Wright (elected as a pioneer, but also starred as a shortstop in the 1860s & 70s)
• Robin Yount (moved to the outfield for his last nine seasons)

Derek Jeter, a shortstop, getting ready to field his position in 2007

Multiple Gold Glove Award winners

• Ozzie Smith: 13
• Omar Vizquel: 11
• Luis Aparicio: 9
• Mark Belanger: 8
• Dave Concepción: 5
• Tony Fernández: 4
• Alan Trammell: 4
• Derek Jeter: 3
• Barry Larkin: 3
• Roy McMillan: 3
• Rey Ordóñez: 3
• Gene Alley: 2
• Larry Bowa: 2
• Don Kessinger: 2
• Edgar Rentería: 2
• Cal Ripken, Jr.: 2
• Alex Rodríguez: 2
• Jimmy Rollins: 2
• Zoilo Versalles: 2
• Maury Wills: 2

All time single season assist leaders among shortstops

1. Ozzie Smith: 621 (St. Louis Cardinals, 1980)
2. Glenn Wright: 601 (Pittsburgh Pirates, 1924)
3. Dave Bancroft: 598 (Philadelphia Phillies/New York Giants, 1920)
4. Tommy Thevenow: 597 (St. Louis Cardinals, 1926)
5. Iván DeJesús: 595 (Chicago Cubs, 1977)
6. Cal Ripken, Jr.: 583 (Baltimore Orioles, 1984)
7. Whitey Wietelmann: 581 (Boston Braves, 1943)
8. Dave Bancroft: 579 (New York Giants, 1922)
9. Rabbit Maranville: 574 (Boston Braves, 1914)
10. Don Kessinger: 573 (Chicago Cubs, 1968)

All time single season putout leaders among shortstops

1. Donie Bush: 425 (Detroit Tigers, 1914)
2. Hughie Jennings: 425 (Baltimore Orioles [National League], 1895)
3. Joe Cassidy: 408 (Washington Senators, 1905)
4. Rabbit Maranville: 407 (Boston Braves, 1914)
5. Dave Bancroft: 405 (New York Giants, 1922)
6. Eddie Miller: 405 (Boston Braves, 1940)
7. Monte Cross: 404 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1898)
8. Dave Bancroft: 396 (New York Giants, 1921)
9. Mickey Doolan: 395 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1906)
10. Buck Weaver: 392 (Chicago White Sox, 1913)

Other notable stars

• Dick Bartell
• Chico Carrasquel
• Bert Campaneris
• Ray Chapman
• Bill Dahlen
• Alvin Dark
• Adam Everett
• Jim Fregosi
• Rafael Furcal
• Nomar Garciaparra
• Jack Glasscock
• Dick Groat
• Steve Jeltz
• Home Run Johnson *
• Herman Long
• Dick Lundy *
• Marty Marion
• Dobie Moore *
• Dickey Pearce
• Johnny Pesky
• Rico Petrocelli
• José Reyes
• Marco Scutaro
• Vern Stephens
• Garry Templeton
• Dickie Thon
• Maury Wills
• Michael Young

* = Negro Leagues player

See also

• Gold Glove award winners: AL, NL
• List of Gold Glove middle infield duos
• One theory of how the shortstop position got its name

v • d • e Baseball positions Outfielders Left field • Center field • Right field Infielders Third base • Shortstop • Second base • First base Battery Pitcher • Catcher Other Designated hitter • Pinch hitter • Pinch runner