List of Major League Baseball career double plays as a third baseman leaders

Last updated

Brooks Robinson, the all-time leader in double plays by a third baseman Brooks Robinson 1963.jpg
Brooks Robinson, the all-time leader in double plays by a third baseman

In baseball statistics, a double play (denoted as DP) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous play. One double play is recorded for every defensive player who participates in the play, regardless of how many of the outs in which they were directly involved, and is counted in addition to whatever putouts and assists might also apply. Double plays can occur any time there is at least one baserunner and fewer than two outs. [1]

Contents

Most of the career leaders are relatively recent players who have benefitted from improved infield defense, with equipment of better quality; only six of the top 25 players made their major league debut before 1966, none of them before 1944. Only seven of the top 84 single-season totals were recorded before 1949, and only two of the top 152 were recorded before 1918. [2] Brooks Robinson holds the record for the most career double plays by a third baseman with 618. [3]

Key

RankRank among leaders in career double plays. A blank field indicates a tie.
Player (2023 DPs)Recorded double plays in 2023
MLBTotal career double plays as a third baseman in Major League Baseball
*Denotes elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame
BoldDenotes active player [lower-alpha 1]

List

Nolan Arenado, the active leader and tied for 9th all-time in double plays by a third baseman. Nolan Arenado 9.22.22.jpg
Nolan Arenado, the active leader and tied for 9th all-time in double plays by a third baseman.
Graig Nettles' 54 double plays in 1971 are the most by a third baseman. Graig Nettles.png
Graig Nettles' 54 double plays in 1971 are the most by a third baseman.
Mike Schmidt holds the National League record. Mike Schmidt Press Box.jpg
Mike Schmidt holds the National League record.
Evan Longoria has led the American League in double plays three times in his career. Evan Longoria Cropped.jpg
Evan Longoria has led the American League in double plays three times in his career.
Pie Traynor held the National League record for 31 years. Traynor-Pie-bain.tif
Pie Traynor held the National League record for 31 years.
Billy Nash held the major league record for 27 years. Billy Nash, Boston Beaneaters, baseball card portrait LCCN2007685693.jpg
Billy Nash held the major league record for 27 years.
RankPlayer (2023 DPs)Double plays as a third basemanOther leagues, notes
MLBAmerican LeagueNational League
1 Brooks Robinson*6186180
2 Adrián Beltré 523355168
3 Graig Nettles 47041852Holds the single-season record of 54 (set in 1971)
4 Gary Gaetti 46039565
5 Mike Schmidt*4500450
6 Buddy Bell 43036268
7 Wade Boggs*4234230
8 Aurelio Rodriguez 40839612
9 Nolan Arenado (31)3950395
Ron Santo*3956389Held National League record, 1972-1986
11 Evan Longoria (4)39030387
12 Eddie Mathews*3690369Held major league record, 1966-1968; held National League record, 1964-1972
13 Robin Ventura 35926990
14 Ken Boyer 3555350
Scott Rolen*35530325
16 Kyle Seager 3513510
17 Sal Bando 3453450
Eddie Yost 3453450Held major league record, 1959-1966; held American League record, 1959-1967
19 Vinny Castilla 33125306
Doug DeCinces 3313310
21 Tim Wallach 3194315
22 Clete Boyer 31522392
Ron Cey 3151314
Matt Williams 31521294
25 Terry Pendleton 3122310
26 Harlond Clift 3093090Held major league record, 1945-1959; held the single-season record, 1937-1971
27 George Brett*3073070
28 George Kell*3063060
Ken Keltner 3063060
30 Pie Traynor*3030303Held major league record, 1933-1945; held National League record, 1933-1964; held single-season record, 1925-1927; held NL single-season record, 1925-1950
31 Mike Lowell 302109193
32 Willie Kamm 2992990Held American League record, 1933-1945
33 Frank Malzone 2892890
34 Pinky Higgins 2882880
Manny Machado (33)288164124
36 Aramis Ramírez 2870287
37 Ken Caminiti 28010270
38 Heinie Groh 2770277Held major league record, 1924-1933; held National League record, 1922-1933; held NL single-season record, 1915-1925
39 Jeff Cirillo 276110166Holds the National League single-season record
(45 in 1998; tie)
Chipper Jones*2760276
41 Willie Jones 2732271
42 Darrell Evans 2702268Holds the National League single-season record (45 in 1974)
43 Ossie Bluege 2662660
Billy Nash 2660221Includes 37 in Players' League, 8 in American Association; held major league record, 1897-1924; held single-season record, 1890-1925
45 Eric Chavez 2622548
46 Larry Gardner 2612610Held American League record, 1923-1933; held the single-season record, 1920-1925 (tie)
47 Home Run Baker*2602600Held American League record, 1918-1924; held AL single-season record, 1910-1925
48 Ken McMullen 25824810
49 Carney Lansford 2562560
Doug Rader 2562254
51 Stan Hack 2550255
52 Arlie Latham 2530118Includes 126 in American Association, 9 in the Players' League; held major league record, 1890-1897
53 Bob Elliott 25221231
54 Josh Donaldson (9)24520342
55 Troy Glaus 24319053
56 Todd Zeile 23847191
57 David Wright 2370237
58 Charlie Hayes 23152179
59 Travis Fryman 2302300
60 Ryan Zimmerman 2290229
61 Jimmy Austin 2282280Held American League record, 1916-1918
62 Don Hoak 2270227
63 Jimmy Collins*225113112
64 Richie Hebner 22410214
Brandon Inge 2242222
Don Money 22415371
67 Matt Chapman (35)2232230
68 Eddie Foster 2202200
69 Ken Reitz 2190219
Pinky Whitney 2190219
71 Joe Randa 21816553
72 Billy Shindle 2150164Includes 51 in American Association
73 Billy Werber 214114100
74 Lave Cross 21271139Includes 2 in American Association; held National League single-season record, 1899-1915
75 Alex Rodriguez 2052050
76 Bob Bailey 2030203
77 Bill Madlock 2002198
78 Todd Frazier 19974125
Milt Stock 1990199
80 Mike Moustakas (11)19616234
81 Andy Carey 1941904
Mike Pagliarulo 19417519
83 Hank Majeski 19217121
84 Bill Mueller 19057133
85 Kevin Seitzer 1891890
86 Joe Crede 1881880
Jimmy Dykes 1881880
88 Paul Molitor*1851850
89 Steve Buechele 18412361
Bill Melton 1841840
Red Rolfe 1841840
92 David Freese 18331152
93 Bill Bradley 18216018Includes 4 in Federal League; held American League single-season record, 1901-1902 (tie)
94 Eugenio Suárez (21)18144137
95 Ken Oberkfell 1800180
96 Jim Tabor 17815325
97 Pedro Feliz 1770177
Toby Harrah 1771770
Anthony Rendon (6)17732145
100 Tony Batista 17413836
Harry Steinfeldt 1740174

Other Hall of Famers

PlayerDouble plays as a third basemanOther leagues, notes
MLBAmerican LeagueNational League
Tony Pérez*1410141
Freddie Lindstrom*1350135
Deacon White*1180100Includes 18 in Players' League
Cal Ripken Jr.*1171170
John McGraw *1041193
Joe Sewell*1031030
George Davis*90090
Edgar Martínez*90900
Harmon Killebrew*88880
Bill McKechnie*88043Includes 45 in Federal League
Frankie Frisch*83083
Jim Thome*77770
Joe Torre*71071
Judy Johnson *6800Includes 28 in Eastern Colored League, 25 in Negro National League (second),
10 in American Negro League, 5 in East–West League (incomplete)
Bobby Wallace*601842
Jackie Robinson*54054
Cap Anson*29018Includes 11 in National Association
Jud Wilson*2700Includes 18 in Eastern Colored League, 6 in Negro National League (second),
2 in East-West League, 1 in American Negro League (incomplete)
Rogers Hornsby*26125
Honus Wagner*26026
Ray Dandridge*2500Includes 25 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)
Buck Ewing*22022
Ryne Sandberg*19019
Jimmie Foxx*18180
Jim O'Rourke*18015Includes 3 in National Association
Johnny Bench*17017
Joe Cronin*13130
Roger Connor*12012
King Kelly*907Includes 2 in American Association
Willie Wells*400Includes 4 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)

Notes

  1. A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or has not played for a full season.

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References

  1. "Official Baseball Rules (2022 Edition): Rule 9.11" (PDF). Major League Baseball. Retrieved 23 Dec 2022.
  2. "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Double Plays Turned as 3B". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  3. "Brooks Robinson Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2022.