The 25 Greatest Third Basemen in MLB History

The WAR number is a combination of B-Ref and Davenport, the best WAR that exists for historical comparison.  Additional numbers are OPS+, plate appearances, WAR/Plate appearance, and the number of Most Valuable Player Quality Seasons (8 WAR seasons - 8 WAR is an MVPQ, 10 WAR is an EMVPQ, 12 WAR an EEMVPQ, 14 WAR an EEEMVPQ)

I've got each position carried out to 32 slots for a project that I don't believe fits this space, so I'll just include the top 25 here.  I'll also include last player out.  For some players, it's hard to slot them at a particular position (where does King Kelly go, for example) so I just chose one (if you don't see a first baseman in the top 25 who you know should be there, maybe he's a third baseman instead).

Each player is only listed with one team - the team that is most representative of his MLB performance.  This is just merit, that's the only way I rank stuff - it's not social impact or the quality of their character.  It's performance.

1. Mike Schmidt (1972-89, Phillies) WAR 108.4 OPS+ 147 PA 10062 (WAR/PA .0108) MVPQ: 80, 74, 81, 77, 79, 75

2. Eddie Mathews (1952-68, Braves) WAR 91.55 OPS+ 143 PA 10100 (.0091) MVPQ: 53

3. Wade Boggs (1982-99, Red Sox) WAR 92.2 OPS+ 131 PA 10740 (.0086) MVPQ: 85, 88, 83,

4. George Brett (1973-93, Royals) WAR 90.55 OPS+ 135 PA 11625 (78) MVPQ: 80, 79, 85,

5. Miguel Cabrera (2003-, Tigers) WAR 78 OPS+ 151 PA 9530 (82) MVPQ: 13,

6. Edgar Martinez (1987-04, Mariners) WAR 75.85 OPS+147 PA 8674 (87) MVPQ: 95

7. Chipper Jones (1993-12, Braves) WAR 81.9, OPS+141 PA 10614 (77) MVPQ: 08

8. Adrian Beltre (1998-, Rangers) WAR 82.9 OPS+117 PA 11649 (71) MVPQ: 04

9. Paul Molitor (1978-98, Brewers) WAR 79.6 OPS+122 PA 12167 (66)

10. Scott Rolen (1996-2012, Phillies) WAR 71.25 OPS+ 122 PA 8518 (84) MVPQ: 04

11. Ron Santo (1960-74, Cubs) WAR 68.75 OPS+ 125 PA 9397 (73) MVPQ: 67, 64, 66

12. Dick Allen (1963-77, Phillies) WAR 59.55 OPS+ 156 PA 7315 (81) MVPQ: 64

13. Ken Boyer (1955-69, Cardinals) WAR 58.6 OPS+ 116 PA 8272 (71)  MVPQ: 61

14. Graig Nettles (1967-88, Yankees) WAR 63.2 OPS+110 PA 10228 (62) MVPQ: 76

15. Buddy Bell (1972-89, Rangers) WAR 61.45 OPS+ 109 PA 10009 (61)

16. Brooks Robinson (1955-77, Orioles) WAR 66.45 OPS+ 104 PA 11782 (56)

17. David Wright (2004-Mets) WAR 52.8 OPS+ 133 PA 6869 (77)

18. Evan Longoria (2008-, Rays WAR 52.6 OPS+ 125 PA 6151 (86)

19. Home Run Baker (1908-22, Athletics) WAR 51.35 OPS+135 PA 6667 (77)

20. Darrell Evans (1969-89, Giants) WAR 60.75 OPS+119 PA 10737 (57) MVPQ: 73,

21. Robin Ventura (1989-04 White Sox) WAR 57.7 OPS+ 114 PA 8271 (70)

22. Harmon Killebrew (1954-75, Twins) WAR 57.1 OPS+ 143 PA 9833 (58)

23. John McGraw (1891-07, Orioles) WAR 48.35 OPS+ 135 PA 4940 (98) MVPQ: 99, 98

24. Stan Hack (1932-47, Cubs) WAR 53.2 OPS+ 119 PA 8508 (63)

25. Ron Cey (1971-87, Dodgers) WAR 51.6 OPS+ 121 PA 8344 (62)

(last out - Sal Bando)