Second baseman
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Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base. Also called 2B, or second bagger, the second baseman often possesses quick hands and feet, needs the ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and must be able to make the pivot on a double play. In addition, shortstops and second basemen are usually right-handed as this is preferential for turning a double play. Second base is also known as the keystone sack. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the second baseman is assigned the number 4.
Second basemen must be quick on their feet to hold the runner on base, back up the shortstop on all throws from the catcher, cover first base on bunted balls, and to field the position to either side. Good second basemen are required to have exceptional range, since they have to field balls closer to the first baseman who is often holding runners on, or moving towards the base to cover. Good range is also helpful since many balls are hit to this position. On a batted ball to right field, the second baseman goes out towards the ball for the relay. Due to these requirements, second base has become primarily a defensive position in the modern game, with comparatively few hitting stars.
For baserunners, second is the easiest base to steal, because the catcher must throw a farther distance.
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[edit] National Baseball Hall of Fame second basemen
- Note: Year of induction included in parentheses. [1]
- Rod Carew (1991) [2] (later played first base)
- Eddie Collins (1939) [3]
- Bobby Doerr (1946)[4]
- Johnny Evers (1956)[5]
- Nellie Fox (1967)[6]
- Frankie Frisch (1947)[7]
- Charlie Gehringer (1949)[8]
- Frank Grant (2006)[9]
- Billy Herman (1975)[10]
- Rogers Hornsby (1942)[11]
- Nap Lajoie (1937)[12]
- Tony Lazzeri (1991)[13]
- Bill Mazeroski (2001)[14]
- Bid McPhee (2000)[15]
- Joe Morgan (1990)[16]
- Jackie Robinson (1962)[17] (began his career at 1B then moved to 2B)
- Ryne Sandberg (2005)[18]
- Red Schoendienst (1989)[19]
[edit] Other well-known second basemen
- Roberto Alomar
- Bobby Avila
- Craig Biggio
- Geoff Blum
- Bret Boone
- Bobby Grich
- Glenn Hubbard
- Bobby Knoop
- Dick McAuliffe
- Bobby Lowe (1890s star)
- Bobby Richardson
- Johnny Temple
- Manny Trillo
- Chase Utley
- Lou Whitaker
- Frank White
- Fernando Viña
- Edgardo Alfonzo (also played third base)
- Joe Gordon
- Jose Oquendo
- Dustin Pedroia (2007 MLB American League Rookie of the Year)
- See also: List of Gold Glove middle infield duos
[edit] Currently active second basemen
As of the 2007 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) active 2nd basemen include:
- Josh Barfield
- Ronnie Belliard
- Miguel Cairo
- Robinson Cano
- Jorge Cantu
- Jamey Carroll
- Jose Castillo
- Luis Castillo
- Alex Cora
- Ray Durham
- Mark DeRosa
- Mark Ellis
- Marcus Giles
- Ruben Gotay
- Tony Graffanino
- Mark Grudzielanek
- Brendan Harris
- Aaron Hill
- Orlando Hudson
- Tadahito Iguchi
- Akinori Iwamura (began career as third baseman)
- Kelly Johnson
- Howie Kendrick
- Jeff Kent
- Ian Kinsler
- Adam Kennedy
- José Celestino López
- Mark Loretta
- Kazuo Matsui
- Dustin Pedroia
- Brandon Phillips
- Plácido Polanco
- Brian Roberts
- Dan Uggla
- Chase Utley
- José Valentín
- José Vidro
- Rickie Weeks
- Josh Wilson
[edit] References
- ^ Hall of Fame Second Baseman. National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Rod Carew - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Eddie Collins - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Bobby Doerr - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Johnny Evers - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Nellie Fox - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Frankie Frisch - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Charlie Gehringer - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Frank Grant - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Billy Herman - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Rogers Hornsby - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Nap Lajoie - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Tony Lazzeri - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Bill Mazeroski - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Bid McPhee - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Joe Morgan - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Jackie Robinson - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Ryne Sandberg - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Red Schoendienst - National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
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