His numbers really are eye-popping, though. Check out his 1935 season, where hit batted .385/.491/.607. He comes in second to Wagner in almost anyway you try to look at the numbers. He also had some of the most impressive BB/K rations of all time, including seasons of 97/18, and 104/21.
His career numbers would be more impressive had he not missed all of ’44, ’45, and ’46 due to serving in the Second World War. Had he been permitted to play out those three seasons, his career batting line would resemble something like this:
H-2503, D-446, T-138, HR-108, R-1456, RBI-1108, SB-140, BB-1088 .318/.406/.453/.859, he would have had a career WARP of at least 150.
3. Cal Ripken Jr.
It’s funny, all people think about when they think about Cal Ripken Jr. are the games played, forgetting how unbelievably good he was. Despite his lack of speed, Cal was a remarkable defensive player, worth 113 fielding runs above average during his career (this is more than Omar Vizquel, for example).
His positioning, instincts, and incredible throwing arm made him one of the best shortstops of his time, although his frame and lack of foot-speed kept him from feeling like a great defender. His 1983, 1984, 1986, and 1991 seasons rank among the best ever from the position.
His offensive numbers do not look quite so impressive compared to the big shortstops of the late 1990’s, but they are fantastic remembering that his offensive peak came from 1982-1991, before the offensive explosion of the “steroid era." He was one of the dominant offensive players at the time (easily the dominant offensive player of 1991, and perhaps in ’83 and ’84 as well), and did so while being a gold glove quality shortstop.
Beyond all this, the consecutive games record is not just ceremonial. Their is remarkable talent in being able to take the field every day, and incredible value as well.
4. Ozzie Smith
I am having a lot of trouble figuring out a way to differentiate between the rest of the men on the list. Davis and Dahlen have by far the most impressive statistics, until on realizes that they played the majority of their careers in the 19th century, tailing into the dead-ball area.
Barry Larkin is one of those perfect players; every facet of his game was beyond reproach, even if he was not ever the best in any single way.
Ernie Banks and Lou Boudreau had the impressive peaks, but didn’t last long enough at the position. Given a combination of peak value and longevity, I think I am going to go with, in the number 4 spot...Ozzie Smith.
Obviously the greatest defensive shortstop in the game’s history; perhaps the single greatest defensive performer at any position. Ozzie, after spending the first eight years of his career as an offensive zero, became an asset with the bat as well. He hit for a reasonable average, drew a great deal of walks, and stole bases at a high success rate. His numbers are depressed somewhat by the low-offense ‘80’s, BP’s translations change his .262/.337/.328 line into .278/.356/.364.
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