shortstop

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 often cover second when a runner is attempting a stolen base. 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. The shortstop also has to back up a throw from the catcher to the third baseman when the runner is attempting to steal third base (Normally this action is not done at the major league level because the catcher is better at throwing, the third baseman is better at catching the ball, and the left fielder is there to back up third base. This action is usually performed in little league baseball.).

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
• 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
• Joe Sewell
• Ozzie Smith
• Joe Tinker
• Arky Vaughan
• Honus Wagner
• Bobby Wallace
• John Montgomery Ward
• Willie Wells *
• Robin Yount (moved to the outfield for his last nine seasons)

Anderson Machado, a shortstop, moving to his left to field a ground ball.

*=Negro Leagues player

Multiple Gold Glove Award winners

• Ozzie Smith - 13
• Omar Vizquel - 11
• Luis Aparicio - 9
• Mark Belanger - 8
• Dave Concepcion - 5
• Tony Fernandez - 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 Renteria - 2
• Cal Ripken, Jr. - 2
• Alex Rodriguez - 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. Ivan DeJesus: 595 (Chicago Cubs, 1977)
6. Cal Ripken: 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 (Phiadelphia Phillies, 1906)
10. Buck Weaver: 392 (Chicago White Sox, 1913)

Other notable stars

• Dick Bartell
• Nomar Garciaparra
• Chico Carrasquel
• Bert Campaneris
• Ray Chapman
• Bill Dahlen
• Alvin Dark
• Jim Fregosi
• Jack Glasscock
• Dick Groat
• Herman Long
• Marty Marion
• Johnny Pesky
• Rico Petrocelli
• Vern Stephens
• Garry Templeton
• Maury Wills
• Steve Jeltz
• Dickie Thon

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

Baseball positions
	Outfielders:	Left field | Center field | Right field
	Infielders:	3rd base | Shortstop | 2nd base | 1st base
	Battery:	Pitcher | Catcher
	Other:	Designated hitter

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