Third baseman

"Third base" redirects here. For other uses, see Third base (disambiguation).

The position of the third baseman

A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system used to record defensive plays, the third baseman is assigned the number '5'.

The third baseman requires good reflexes in reacting to batted balls, as he or she is often the closest infielder (roughly 90–120 feet) to the batter. The third base position requires a strong and accurate arm, as the third baseman often makes long throws to first base. The third baseman sometimes must throw quickly to second base in time to start a double play. The third baseman must also field fly balls in fair and foul territory.

Third base is known as the "hot corner", because the third baseman is relatively close to the batter and most right-handed hitters tend to hit the ball hard in this direction. The third baseman needs good hand-eye coordination and quick reactions in order to catch hard line drives sometimes in excess of 125 miles per hour (201 km/h). Third basemen often must begin in a position even closer to the batter if a bunt is expected, creating a hazard if the ball is instead hit sharply. As with middle infielders, right-handed throwing players are standard at the position because they do not need to turn their body before throwing across the infield to first base. Mike Squires, who played fourteen games at third base in 1982 and 1983, is a very rare example of a third baseman who threw lefty. Some third basemen have been converted from middle infielders or outfielders because the position does not require them to run as fast.

Expectations of how well a third baseman should be able to hit have varied a great deal over time; in the early years of the sport, these expectations were similar to those for shortstops, the third baseman being merely the less skilled defensive player. Players who could hit with more ability often were not suited for third base, either because they were left-handed or because they were not mobile enough for the position. However, the beginning of the live-ball era in the 1920s created a greater demand for more offense, and third basemen have since been expected to hit either for a high average (.290 or better) or with moderate to substantial power. Since the 1950s the position has become more of a power position with sluggers such as Eddie Mathews, Mike Schmidt and Ron Santo becoming stars.

There are fewer third basemen in the Baseball Hall of Fame than there are Hall of Famers of any other position. Furthermore, with the notable exception of John McGraw and Bobby Cox, few third basemen have gone on to have successful managing careers, with Jimmy Dykes and Negro Leaguer Dave Malarcher being perhaps the next most prominent managers who began their careers at third base.

Prominent third basemen

Baseball Hall of Fame members

• Frank "Home Run" Baker
• Wade Boggs
• George Brett
• Jimmy Collins
• Ray Dandridge (Negro Leagues)
• Judy Johnson (Negro Leagues)
• George Kell
• Freddie Lindstrom
• Eddie Mathews
• John McGraw (primarily elected as a manager, although a third baseman in his short but successful playing career)
• Paul Molitor (longtime designated hitter who played primarily third base on the field)
• Brooks Robinson
• Mike Schmidt
• Pie Traynor (First third baseman to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame)
• Jud Wilson (Negro Leagues)
• Ron Santo

Multiple Gold Glove Award winners

Main article: List of Gold Glove Award winners at third base

• Brooks Robinson – 16
• Mike Schmidt – 10
• Scott Rolen – 8
• Eric Chavez – 6
• Robin Ventura – 6
• Buddy Bell – 6
• Ken Boyer – 5
• Doug Rader – 5
• Ron Santo – 5
• Gary Gaetti – 4
• Adrián Beltré – 4
• Matt Williams – 4
• Nolan Arenado - 3
• Frank Malzone - 3
• David Wright – 2
• Wade Boggs – 2
• Evan Longoria – 2
• Graig Nettles - 2

All Time Single Season Assists Leaders Among Third Basemen

1. Graig Nettles: 412 (Cleveland Indians, 1971)
2. Graig Nettles: 410 (New York Yankees, 1973)
3. Brooks Robinson: 410 (Baltimore Orioles, 1974)
4. Brooks Robinson: 405 (Baltimore Orioles, 1967)
5. Harlond Clift: 405 (St. Louis Browns, 1937)
6. Mike Schmidt: 404 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1974)
7. Doug DeCinces: 399 (California Angels, 1982)
8. Brandon Inge: 398 (Detroit Tigers, 2006)
9. Clete Boyer: 396 (New York Yankees, 1962)
10. Mike Schmidt: 396 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1977)
11. Buddy Bell: 396 (Texas Rangers, 1982)

All Time Single Season Putouts Leaders Among Third Basemen

1. Denny Lyons: 255 (Philadelphia Athletics, 1887)
2. Jimmy Williams: 251 (Pittsburgh Pirates, 1899)
3. Jimmy Collins: 251 (Boston Beaneaters [National League], 1900)
4. Jimmy Collins: 243 (Boston Beaneaters [National League], 1898)
5. Willie Kamm: 243 (Chicago White Sox, 1928)
6. Willie Kamm: 236 (Chicago White Sox, 1927)
7. Frank Baker: 233 (Philadelphia Athletics, 1913)
8. Bill Coughlin: 232 (Washington Senators, 1901)
9. Ernie Courtney: 229 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1905)
10. Jimmy Austin: 228 (St. Louis Browns, 1911)