Best second basemen in history by team (American League)

Baltimore Orioles: Brian Roberts (2001-13)

Boston Red Sox: Bobby Doerr (1937-51)

New York Yankees: Robinson Cano (2005-13)

Tampa Bay Rays: Ben Zobrist (2006-14)

Toronto Blue Jays: Roberto Alomar (1991-95)

Chicago White Sox: Eddie Collins (1915-26)

Cleveland Indians: Napoleon Lajoie (1902-14)

Detroit Tigers: Charlie Gehringer (1924-42)

Kansas City Royals: Frank White (1973-90)

Minnesota Twins: Rod Carew (1967-78)

Houston Astros: Craig Biggio (1988-2007)

LA Angels: Bobby Grich (1977-86)

Oakland A's: Eddie Collins (via Philadelphia) (1906-14; 1927-30)

Seattle Mariners: Harold Reynolds (1983-92)

Texas Rangers: Ian Kinsler (2006-13)

Charlie Gehringer: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1949

Born: May 11, 1903

1922: Enrolled at the University of Michigan

1923: Discovered by Bobby Veach & signed by the Tigers

1924: Played in Minors

Debut: September 22, 1924 (Detroit Tigers)

1925: Spent most of year in minors (8 games w/Tigers)

1927-31: Played in over 500 consecutive games

1929: Tigers win “Charlie Gehringer Day” 17-13 over the Yankees

1933: Played in first All Star Game

1934: Part of the greatest infield in history (Greenberg, Owen, Rogell, Gehringer)

1934: Tigers win pennant (Lose World Series to Cardinals)

1934: Toured Japan with MLB All Stars

1931-35: Played in over 500 consecutive games for the second time

1935: Tigers win World Series

1937: AL MVP

1937: Won Batting Title (.371)

1940: Tigers win Pennant (Lose World Series to Reds)

1942: Retired

1942: Enlisted in the Navy

1944-1945: Considered comeback, but went into sales

1949: Elected to Hall of Fame

1950: Became Tigers GM

1953: Quit as Tigers GM and became vice-president. After, went back to sales

1953-1990: Member of Baseball HOF Veteran’s Committee

1974: Retired from sales & sold business

1983: Tigers retired his #2

1986: Honorary Captain of the AL All Star Team

Died: January 21, 1993

1999: Finalist for All Century Team

Accomplishments:
1935 World Champion

6x All Star

1937 AL MVP

1937 Batting Champion

.320 average

2839 hits

574 doubles

184 home runs

1427 RBI

181 steals

1186 walks-372 strikeouts

.404 OBP

.480 Slugging

.884 OPS

Led league in games played: 4x

Led league in runs: 2x

100+ runs: 12x

Led league in hits: 2x

200+ hits: 7x

Led league in doubles: 2x

30+ doubles: 10x

40+ doubles: 7x

50+ doubles: 2x

60 doubles: 1936

Led league in triples: 1929 (19)

10+ triples: 7x

15+ triples: 4x

20 home runs (1938)

100+ RBI: 7x

Led league in steals: 1929 (27)

100+ walks: 2x

.300 average: 13x

.350+ average: 3x

.400 OBP: 9x

.500 slugging: 7x

.900+ OPS: 8x

Postseason: .321 average, 1 HR, 7 RBI, .782 OPS (3 World Series)

Top 10 Second Basemen of All Time

Hornsby #1. These are not in any order...

Rod Carew

Eddie Collins

Ryne Sandberg

Frankie Frisch

Charlie Gehringer

Rogers Hornsby

Nap Lajoie

Joe Morgan

Jackie Robinson

Roberto Alomar

The Greatest Detroit Tigers Second Basemen

1. Charlie Gehringer (1924-1942): HOF, 1937 MVP, 1937 Batting Champ, All Star, 2800 hits, 1935 World Champion


2. Lou Whitaker (1977-95): All-Star, 1978 ROY, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, 1984 World Champion

3. Placido Polanco (2005-09): All-Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, 2006 ALCS MVP, .300 hitter, record errorless streak

4. Dick McAuliffe (1960-73): All-Star, 1968 World Champion

5. Eddie Mayo (1944-48): 1945 World Champion, MVP Candidate

6. Jerry Priddy (1950-53): Led league in games played 1950 and 1951

7. Frank Bolling (1954-60): Gold Glove

8. Damion Easley (1996-2002): All-Star, Silver Slugger, 100 RBI in 1998

9. Ralph Young (1915-21)

10. Jake Wood (1961-66): Led the league in 3bs in 1961