The Key to Success in Baseball Is...Second Basemen?

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Let's take a minute to reflect on the greatest baseball players of all time.  You know the guys I'm talking about: Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, and Henry Aaron.

What do these guys all have in common?

None of them were second basemen.

So does someone want to explain to me why the least important position in baseball has suddenly become the difference-maker for successful teams?

I know it's early in the season to be making predictions, but come on.  Just looking at the names and stats of the division-leading second baseman lets kids know that you can be a great hitter and still limit yourself to a 65-foot throw to first base.  That's the kind of physical strain that molds a 20-year player.

Allow me to illustrate for you:

The Dodgers may not be a surprise as the NL West leaders, though it is a surprise that the division is not even close after last year's dramatic race into September. 

The Dodgers have a six-game lead after only 37 games of baseball.  Most teams would feel fortunate to have that kind of lead when summer ends.

And who leads the team in batting average?

Well okay, my argument about second basemen weakens here, because Manny Ramirez is the leader at .348 (minimum 90 AB).

But who is first on the team among players not looking to go on maternity leave come playoff time?  Well, in that case, it's Orlando Hudson, hitting .344 with a solid 21 RBIs.

In the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers share the lead with the St. Louis Cardinals, and we as fans can only hope that this battle goes down to the wire the way the Cubs and Brewers fought for Central supremacy last year. 

And Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks is hitting a solid .282 (fourth among starters on the team) with 24 RBIs (that ranks third).

The NL East is brought to you by two teams whose second basemen make big contributions, starting with the New York Mets. 

While it will take more than a solid No. 4 on the scoresheet to make sure this team doesn't blow another division lead, Alex Cora and Luis Castillo come in at a respectable fourth and fifth in batting average, respectively, among players playing in at least 24 games this season. 

And the defending champs don't need to defend their second baseman by citing statistics.  Chase Utley has been an integral part of the championship, and will continue to make a difference in the team's performance in the 2009 season.

But in case you're curious, Chase is tied for first on the team in home runs and stands alone at third in RBIs.

Moving on to that league with the DH rule, second basemen aren't treated much differently. 

Ian Kinsler is leading his AL West-leading Rangers in homers and RBIs, and ranks third in batting average.  It's too early to tell, but you had better believe that this kid is competing for the AL MVP award.

Guess which Royals' everyday-man ranks first on the team in average and doubles, and ranks fifth in RBIs?

That's right, it's the second baseman, Alberto Callaspo.  You know, that guy that no one in your fantasy league picked up.

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