Greatest Shortstops in AL History by team

Baltimore Orioles: Cal Ripken (1981-2001)
Boston Red Sox: Nomar Garciaparra (1996-2004)
New York Yankees: Derek Jeter (1995-2014)
Tampa Bay Rays: Julio Lugo (2003-06)
Toronto Blue Jays: Tony Fernandez (1983-90, 1993, 1998-9, 2001)
Chicago White Sox: Luke Appling (1930-50)
Cleveland Indians: Lou Boudreau (1938-50) and Omar Vizquel (1994-2004)
Detroit Tigers: Alan Trammell (1977-96)
Kansas City Royals: Freddie Patek (1971-79)
Minnesota Twins: Joe Cronin (via Washington) (1928-34)
Houston Astros: Dickie Thon (1981-87)
Los Angeles Angels:Jim Fregosi (1961-71)
Oakland A's: Miguel Tejada (1997-2003)
Seattle Mariners: Alex Rodriguez (1994-2000)
Texas Rangers: Elvis Andrus (2009-present)

Luke Appling: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1964

Born: April 2, 1907

1930: Signed by Atlanta Crackers (left Oglethorpe College)

1930: Committed 42 errors

1930: Purchased by White Sox

Debut: September 10, 1930 (White Sox)

1936: Won first batting title ever by an AL shortstop (.388). It was the highest average for a 20^th century SS

1938: Broke his leg (played 81 games)

1943: Won batting title (.328)

1944-5: World War II service

1945: Returned from WWII (played 18 games)

1950: Retired

1964: Elected to Hall of Fame

1967: Managed the A’s after years in the minors (10-30)

1960s-70s: Coached for several teams

1975: Sox retired Appling’s #4

1980s: Braves hitting coach

1982: Homered in an Old Timer’s Game at age 75 (Oldest person to ever homer)

1991: Died

Accomplishments:

2x Batting Champ

7x All Star

.310 average

1319 runs

2749 hits

440 doubles

102 triples

45 home runs

1116 RBI

179 steals

1302 walks-528 strikeouts

.399 OBP

.798 OPS

3528 TB

Led league in games (155): 1943

111 runs (1936)

204 hits (1936)

30+ doubles: 4x

42 doubles (1937)

10+ triples: 3x

128 RBI (1936)

27 steals (1943)

100+ walks: 3x

Hit .300: 13x

Led league (.419 OBP): 1943

.400 OBP: 8x

.508 slugging (1936)

.981 OPS (1936)

As a manager: 10-30 (1 season)

Top 10 Shortstops of All Time

Honus Wagner is the greatest. The rest are in no particular order...

Ernie Banks

Luis Aparicio

Luke Appling

Lou Boudreau

Alex Rodriguez

Robin Yount

Cal Ripken

Derek Jeter

Arky Vaughan