The MLB's Top 10 Third Basemen Since 1980

Part Five in my Best of...from 1980-Present is third base, and if this is the first article of this series you are reading, I encourage you to take a look at the others.

This is a list that contains three Hall of Famers but also has a few present-day players sprinkled in, so there should be something for everyone.

Just to clarify things on two guys: Alex Rodriguez will be considered a shortstop, and Paul Molitor will be considered a DH.

The only specifics are that only stats after 1980 are considered, and the player must have 1,000 career games played.

David Wright therefore falls short of that, but otherwise would certainly be on this list.

I encourage you to tell me how you feel my list can be improved and look forward to your comments.

So we will start with No. 10...

No. 10: Aramis Ramirez

.285 Batting Average, 253 Home Runs, 897 RBI
All-Star Appearances: two (one start)
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: four
30+ Home Run Seasons: four
100+ RBI Seasons: six

Ramirez is one of the best clutch hitters in the game today as well as being one of the league's top run producers.

If they could have it to do all over again, you think the Pirates would still trade him and Kenny Lofton to the Cubs for Bobby Hill and Jose Hernandez?

No. 9: Vinny Castilla

.276 Batting Average, 320 Home Runs, 1,105 RBI
All-Star Appearances: two (one start)
Silver Sluggers: three
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: four
30+ Home Run Seasons: six
100+ RBI Seasons: five

Perhaps some of it had to do with the Coors Field effect, but Castilla put up some incredible offensive seasons.

None was more impressive than 1998, when his .319, 46, and 144 season would have garnered national attention if not for the Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa race.

No. 8: Robin Ventura

.267 Batting Average, 294 Home Runs, 1,182 RBI
All-Star Appearances: two
Gold Gloves: six
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: one
30+ Home Run Seasons: two
100+ RBI Seasons: three

Ventura would warrant serious consideration for this list on his defense alone, but he was also a dangerous hitter.

He never quite lived up to the incredible hype that came with winning the Golden Spikes Award in 1988 and being a first round pick, but overall he had a productive and lengthy career.

No. 7: Scott Rolen

.282 Batting Average, 275 Home Runs, 1,074 RBI
All-Star Appearances: five (three starts)
Silver Sluggers: one
Gold Gloves: seven
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: one
30+ Home Run Seasons: three
100+ RBI Seasons: five
1997 NL ROY

If not for the multitude of injuries he has suffered, who knows how high on this list Rolen would be?

That said, he has still had a stellar career.

A great all-around third baseman with a glove that matches his bat, Rolen is still one of the better third basemen in the game.

No. 6: Gary Gaetti

.255 Batting Average, 360 Home Runs, 1,341 RBI
All-Star Appearances: two
Silver Sluggers: one
Gold Gloves: four
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: one
30+ Home Run Seasons: three
100+ RBI Seasons: two

Gaetti was a staple at third base for some terrible Twins teams and played a big role in turning the team around and leading them to a World Series win.

He will always hold a special place in my heart for his .320, 8, 27 line in just 37 games for the Cubs in 1998.

His contributions at the age of 40 helped me see my first Cubs playoff appearance, short-lived as it was.

No. 5: Matt Williams

.268 Batting Average, 378 Home Runs, 1,218 RBI
All-Star Appearances: five (two starts)
Silver Sluggers: four
Gold Gloves: four
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: two
30+ Home Run Seasons: six
100+ RBI Seasons: four

Williams was an underrated slugger, and he and Barry Bonds formed perhaps the most formidable three-four hitting duo in baseball for a few years.

Many people forget about what could have been in 1994, as Williams was sitting on 43 home runs with 50 games to go when the league went on strike.

That put him on pace for exactly 61.

No. 4: Wade Boggs

.328 Batting Average, 118 Home Runs, 1,014 RBI
Hall of Fame
3,010 Career Hits
All-Star Appearances: 12 (11 starts)
Silver Sluggers: eight
Gold Gloves: two
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: 15
200+ Hit Seasons: seven
100+ Run Seasons: seven

Boggs won five batting titles in the 1980s, including four straight, and hit a career-high .368 in 1985.

While he did not have the power of a traditional third baseman, he more than made up for it with his average.

He provided the first real highlight in Tampa Bay Rays history as he picked up his 3,000th hit as a member of the team.

No. 3: Chipper Jones

.310 Batting Average, 411 Home Runs, 1,385 RBI
All-Star Appearances: six (five starts)
Silver Sluggers: two
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: 10
30+ Home Run Season: six
100+ RBI Seasons: nine
1999 NL MVP

Before his career is over, Jones could very well make a legitimate run at the No. 1 spot on this list, but for now he can be content as the best third baseman of the last 15 years.

Perhaps the best switch-hitter of all time not named Mickey Mantle, Jones won the first batting title of his career last season at the age of 36, when he hit .364.

No. 2: George Brett

.302 Batting Average, 243 Home Runs, 1,135 RBI
Hall of Fame
3,154 Career Hits
All-Star Appearances: 9 (five starts)
Silver Sluggers: three
Gold Gloves: one
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: seven
30+ Home Run Seasons: one
100+ RBI Seasons: three
1980 AL MVP

Brett is one of the best pure hitters the game has ever seen, and his longevity is equally impressive.

Playing in parts of three decades, Brett took home the AL MVP award in 1980 when he made a legitimate run at a .400 batting average and finished the season with a .390, 24, and 118 stat line.

No. 1: Mike Schmidt

.277 Batting Average, 313 Home Runs, 929 RBI
Hall of Fame
All-Star Appearances: eight (six starts)
Silver Sluggers: six
Gold Gloves: six
.300+ Batting Average Seasons: one
30+ Home Run Seasons: eight
100+ RBI Seasons: five
1980 NL MVP
1981 NL MVP
1986 NL MVP

Schmidt, thanks in part to his three MVP awards, is my pick for top third baseman.

The power numbers alone would be enough to warrant at least a top three pick, but the fact that he combined them with six Gold Gloves pushes him over the top.

Schmidt was chosen to the All-Century team in 1999 as the starting third baseman.

Honorable Mention

Travis Fryman, Tigers
Eric Chavez- A's
Terry Pendleton, Braves
Troy Glaus, Angels
Dean Palmer, Rangers
Jeff Cirillo, Brewers
Tony Batista, Blue Jays
Tim Wallach, Expos
Ken Caminiti, Padres
Mike Lowell, Red Sox
Bobby Bonilla, Pirates
Chris Sabo, Reds
Howard Johnson, Mets