Second baseman

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. 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. In fact, second basemen are required to have the greatest range of any infielder, since they have to field balls closer to the first baseman who is often holding runners on, or moving towards the base to cover. On a batted ball to right field, the second baseman goes out towards the ball for the relay.

[edit] Hall of Fame second basemen

• Rod Carew (later played first base)
• Eddie Collins
• Bobby Doerr
• Johnny Evers
• Nellie Fox
• Frankie Frisch
• Charlie Gehringer
• Frank Grant
• Billy Herman
• Rogers Hornsby
• Nap Lajoie
• Tony Lazzeri
• Bill Mazeroski
• Bid McPhee
• Joe Morgan
• Jackie Robinson (began his career at 1B then moved to 3B)
• Ryne Sandberg
• Red Schoendienst

[edit] Other well-known second basemen

• Roberto Alomar
• Bobby Avila
• Craig Biggio (began his career as a catcher)
• Bret Boone
• Jeff Kent
• Bobby Lowe (1890s star)
• Bobby Richardson
• Alfonso Soriano (Now plays left field)
• Johnny Temple
• Manny Trillo
• José Vidro
• Lou Whitaker
• Frank White
• Fernando Viña

Second base is an athletic position usually filled with a small, quick guy. Because the second baseman plays so close to first base, having a strong throwing arm isn't as important as it is for a third baseman or shortstop.

A list of the top ten second basemen of all-time

The top ten active second basemen as voted on by the ArmchairGM Voting Committee based on their ability to play the game. The "PTS" category is the number of points they scored in the AGMVC voting. The numbers listed are their 2005 numbers.

Ten propsects to keep an eye out for