Lajoie/Hornsby: The Best Single Season in MLB History for a Second Baseman?

The season that Dustin Pedroia just had got me thinking, who has the best single season in the history of MLB for a Second Baseman? He had a great one this year, .326 BA, 20 SB, 118 R, 54 2B and .992 FA.

That's one hell of a season for a Second Baseman. But there are three other seasons that present themselves in the forefront of my mind for comparison and arguments as the best single seasons in history for a Second Baseman. They are: Nap Lajoie-1901, Rogers Hornsby-1922 and Hornsby-1929.

Lajoie

In 1901, Nap Lajoie hit for the triple crown and only 11 other players in history have ever done it. Of course, they're all in the Hall of Fame, except for Tip O'Neill. O'Neill was the first player in history to do it, he's not in the Hall and that's a-whole-nother story, don't get me started.

Anyway, Lajoie had a .426 BA during his magical 1901 season and that .426 BA still ranks 4th on the all time single season list. His .960 FA doesn't look impressive by today's standards, but it was for back then and he led the league in FA that season.

Here are some of his stats for that 1901 season: .426 BA, .463 OB%, .643 SLG%, 27 SB, 145 R, 48 2B, 14 3B, 14 HR, 125 RBI and .960 FA.

So, not only did he lead the league in BA, HR and RBI to hit for the triple crown, he also led the league in OB%, SLG%, R, 2B and FA.

Hornsby 1922

Rogers Hornsby has two seasons that are possibly the best ever for a Second Baseman and we'll start with his 1922 season. Hornsby also hit for the triple crown in 1922. He had a .967 FA that season and it also looks low by today's standard, but it was great for the 1920s and he led the league that season in FA. YES, it's true, Hornsby led the league in FA.

Here are some of his stats for that 1922 season: .401 BA, .459 OB%, .722 SLG%, 141 R, 46 2B, 14 3B, 42 HR, 152 RBI and .967 FA.

So, not only did he lead the league in BA, HR and RBI to hit for the triple crown, he also led the league in OB%, SLG%, R, 2B and FA. Interesting, the exact same 8 categories that Lajoie led the league in 1901.

Hornsby 1929

Hornsby and his 1929 season is the other season I had in mind. He led the league in SLG% and R that season.

Here are some of his stats for that 1929 season: .380 BA, .459 OB%, .679 SLG%, 156 R, 47 2B, 39 HR and 149 RBI.

The question is, who has the best single season in the history of MLB for a Second Baseman?