Greatest defensive 3rd baseman ever?

[VolsFan4Ever-11]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I didn't look.


We were discussing this at work the other day. To me, Brooks Robinson was the greatest defensive 3rd baseman to play. What's some other opinions?

 

[orangesox]

I think Robinson has to be in the conversation just because he has 16 gold gloves. Nobody has more as a non-pitcher. There are other guys though, who you could debate as being in his category as a defensive 3B. Mike Schmidt, Ken Boyer, Clete Boyer, and maybe even Ron Santo come to mind.

 

[005]

It's gotta be Robinson. Major League Leaderboards » 2011 » Third Basemen » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball

Rolen was great for awhile. Three great ones now in Longoria, Zimmerman, Beltre.

 

[zjcvols]

According to fangraphs.com, Robinson has the greatest UZR EVER.

 

[005]

Looking at that list of UZRs, i forgot how utterly ridiculous Andruw Jones was in center.

 

[VolBeef88]

It's so subjective. Robinson has to top the list but there are many greats. Mike Schmidt said on ESPN First take a few years ago that he thought Rolen was the best defensive 3rd baseman and def had the best arm he'd ever seen. But thanks to injury we will never know for sure.
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[volger]

George Brett
Craig Nettles
Gary Gaetti
Terry Pendleton

Some greats not yet mentioned from my era.

 

[tvols75]

It's gotta be Robinson. Major League Leaderboards » 2011 » Third Basemen » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball

Rolen was great for awhile. Three great ones now in Longoria, Zimmerman, Beltre.

Haven't kept up with Beltre's fielding the last few years, but is he really considered elite? I remember when people made fun of him when he was with the Dodgers.

 

[005]

Other than 2001 and 2007, every year he had for the Dodgers (and of his career, really) has been rather brilliant defensively.

 

[VolsFan4Ever-11]

Haven't kept up with Beltre's fielding the last few years, but is he really considered elite? I remember when people made fun of him when he was with the Dodgers.

He really is. To me he still has the potential to be one of the greatest.

 

[underscore]

Rolen used to be a vacuum at third with a canon for an arm but injuries did him in. Definitely BR.

 

[Scotty's Flat Top]

Can't believe it took so long for Rolen to be mentioned. Not the best ever but in his prime he was the best in a pretty good while

 

[005]

Might be why I mentioned him in the 2nd response. :hi:

 

[Scotty's Flat Top]

Might be why I mentioned him in the 2nd response. :hi:

Good call.

 

[2ironVol]

Robinson and then Rolen.

A-Rod is great and underrated at the position mainly because he's the best shortstop on his team and CHOSE to play third. Plus, A-Rod is hated by at least half of MLB fans

 

[emainvol]

Eric Chavez was amazing for a few years when he was healthy.

He doesn't really belong in this discussion, but he was a helluva player.

 

[lylsmorr]

I don't think anyone even compares to Robinson, just by seeing how he dominated the Gold Gloves. I don't know who was pushing him for those GGs either, though.

 

[The Ron Mexico]

I don't know if Terry Pendleton is the greatest defensive 3rd basemen, but he was definitely one of the funnest to watch. In his years with the Braves, he was just slow enough to have to make some diving catches. Also, I remember some awesome throws from the other side of the foul line.

 

[ionaVOL]

Haven't kept up with Beltre's fielding the last few years, but is he really considered elite? I remember when people made fun of him when he was with the Dodgers.

Guy has ridiculous hands and a cannon arm. Def not the best ever, but absolutely among the best playing now. Will be interesting to see how long he stays at his current level tho with his injury history. Playing in Boston really revived his career.