The 25 Greatest Shortstops 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. Honus Wagner (1897-17, Pirates) WAR 130.95 OPS+151, PA 11749 (WAR/PA .0111) EMVPQ: 08 MVPQ: 05, 06, 09, 07, 12, 

2. Alex Rodriguez (1994-16. Yankees) WAR 123.7 OPS+140 PA 12207 (.0101) EMVPQ: 00, MVPQ: 07, 96, 05, 02, 98, 03, 01,

3. Cal Ripken (1981-01, Orioles) WAR 105.6 OPS+112 PA 12883 (.0082)  EMVPQ: 84, 91 MVPQ: 83,

4. Arky Vaughan (1932-48, Pirates) WAR 76.2, OPS+ 136 PA 7722 (99) MVPQ: 35,

5. Barry Larkin (1986-04, Reds) WAR 76.1, OPS+116 PA 9057 (84)

6. Ozzie Smith (1978-96, Cardinals) WAR 82.3, OPS+ 87 PA 10778 (76)

7. Robin Yount (1974-93, Brewers) WAR 81.8 OPS+ 115 PA 12249 (67) EMVPQ: 82

8. Alan Trammell (1977-96, Tigers) WAR 78.35, OPS+110 PA 9396 (83)  MVPQ: 97,

9. Derek Jeter (1995-2014, Yankees) WAR 74.5 OPS+115 PA 12602 (59)

10. George Davis (1890-09, Giants) WAR 78.5, OPS+ 121 PA 10178 (77)

11. Bill Dahlen (1891-1911, Colts) WAR 78.1 OPS+110 PA 10405 (75)

12. Lou Boudreau (1938-52, Indians) WAR 63.65 OPS+120 PA 7024 (91) EMVPQ: 48,

13. Joe Cronin (1926-45, Red Sox) WAR 67.7 OPS+119 PA 8840 (77) MVPQ: 30,

14. Luke Appling (1930-50, White Sox) WAR 72.3 OPS+ 113 PA 10254 (71)

15. Pee Wee Reese (1940-58, Dodgers) WAR 64.1 OPS+99 PA 9470 (68)

16. Ernie Banks (1953-71, Cubs) WAR 62.75 OPS+ 122 PA 10394 (60) EMVPQ: 59 MVPQ: 58, 55, 60

17. Jack Glasscock (1879-95, Blues) WAR 63.35, OPS+112 PA 7552 (84)

18. Bobby Wallace (1894-1918, Browns) WAR 64.65 OPS+ 105 PA 9612 (67) MVPQ: 01

19. Troy Tulowitzki (2006-, Rockies) WAR 50.75 OPS+118 PA 5402 (94) MVPQ: 07

20. Nomar Garciaparra (1996-09, Red Sox) WAR 49.95 OPS+ 124 PA 6116 (82) MVPQ: 00,

21. Joe Sewell (1920-33, Indians) WAR 53.6 OPS+ 108 PA 8333 (64) MVPQ: 23

22. Tony Fernandez (1983-01, Jays) WAR 56.2 OPS+ 101 PA 8793 (64)

23. Miguel Tejada (1997-13, A’s) 54.85 OPS+ 108 PA 9205 (60) MVPQ: 04

24. Art Fletcher (1909-22, Giants) WAR 46.75 OPS+ 100 PA 6036 (77)

25. Joe Tinker (1902-16, Cubs) WAR 49.75 OPS+ 96 PA 7153 (70)

(last out - Monte Ward)

The 25 Greatest Second 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. Rogers Hornsby  (1915-37, Cardinals) WAR 115.8 OPS+ 175 PA 9480 (WAR/PA  .0122) EMVPQ: 24, 21 MVPQ: 29, 25, 27, 22, 17, 20, 28, 

2. Nap Lajoie (1896-16, Naps) WAR 107.8, OPS+ 150 PA 10461 (.0103) MVPQ: 06, 01, 10, 04, 03,

3. Eddie Collins (1906-30, White Sox) WAR 114.6 OPS+ 142 PA 12046 (.095) MVPQ: 10, 09, 15, 13, 12, 20

4. Joe Morgan (1963-84, Reds) WAR 98.25, OPS+ 132 PA 11329 (87) EMVPQ: 75 MVPQ: 76, 72, 73, 74

5. Bobby Grich (1970-86, Angels) WAR 80.5 OPS+ 125 PA 8220  (98) MVPQ: 73, 74, 75,

6. Robinson Cano (2005-, Yankees) WAR 75.95 OPS+ 126 PA 8493 (89) MVPQ: 12, 10,

7. Lou Whitaker (1977-95, Tigers) WAR 80 OPS+ 117 PA 9967 (80)

8. Rod Carew (1967-85, Twins) WAR 77.75 OPS+ 131 PA 10550 (74) MVPQ: 77,

9. Charlie Gehringer (1924-42, Tigers) WAR 76.3 OPS+124 PA 10245 (74) MVPQ: 34, 37, 36,

10. Roberto Alomar (1988-04, Blue Jays) WAR 75.6 OPS+116 PA 10400 (73)

11. Jackie Robinson (1947-56, Dodgers) WAR 61.9 OPS+ 132 PA 5804 (107) MVPQ: 51, 49, 52,

12. Chase Utley (2003-, Phillies) WAR 62.35 OPS+ 118 PA 7676 (81) MVPQ: 08,

13. Ryne Sandberg (1981-97, Cubs) WAR 70.45 OPS+ 114 PA 9282 (76) MVPQ: 84, 92,

14. Willie Randolph (1975-92, Yankees) WAR 70.65 OPS+104 PA 9461 (75)

15. Jeff Kent (1992-2008, Giants) WAR 63.95 OPS+ 123 PA 9537 (67)

16. Frankie Frisch (1919-37, Cardinals) WAR 69.65 OPS+110 PA 10999 (63) MVPQ: 27,

17. Ian Kinsler (2006-, Rangers) WAR 61.45 OPS+ 109 PA 7484 (82) MVPQ:11

18. Joe Gordon (1938-50, Yankees) WAR 57.55 OPS+ 120 PA 6535 (88)

19. Bobby Doerr (1937-51, Red Sox) WAR 60.75 OPS+ 115 PA 8028 (76)

20. Craig Biggio (1988-2007, Astros) WAR 64.05 OPS+ 112 PA 12504 (51) MVPQ: 97

21. Dustin Pedroia (2006-, Red Sox) WAR 53.65 OPS+ 114 PA 6743 (80)

22. Billy Herman (1931-47, Cubs) WAR 59.05 OPS+ 112 PA 8638 (68)

23. Tony Phillips (1982-99, Tigers) WAR 56.6 OPS+ 109 PA 9110 (62)

24. Hardy Richardson (1879-92), Bisons) WAR 47.6 OPS+ 131 PA 6044 (79)

25. Ben Zobrist (2006-, Rays) WAR 46.2 OPS+ 114 PA 6140 (75) MVPQ: 09

(last out - Bid McPhee)

The 25 Greatest First 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. Lou Gehrig (1923-39, Yankees) WAR 105.25 OPS+179 PA 9663 (WAR/PA .0109) EMVPQ: 27 MVPQ: 28, 35, 34, 30, 36 

2. Albert Pujols (2001-, Cardinals) WAR 107.85 OPS+152 PA 11188 (.0097) EMVPQ: 09
MVPQ: 08, 07, 03, 04, 06, 05, 10, 

3. Jimmie Foxx (1925-45, A's) WAR 88.5 OPS+ 163 PA 9676 (91) EMVPQ: 32 MVPQ: 33, 34,

4. Cap Anson (1871-97, White Stockings) WAR 95.45 OPS+ 142 PA 11331 (84)

5. Frank Thomas (1990-08, White Sox) WAR 84.05 OPS+ 156 PA 10075 (83) MVPQ: 91

6. Dan Brouthers (1879-04, Bisons) WAR 81.3 OPS+ 171 PA 7691 (.0106) MVPQ: 92, 86, 82,

7. Roger Connor (1880-97, Giants) WAR 87 OPS+153 PA 8847 (98) MVPQ: 85, 88,

8. Jim Thome (1991-2012, Indians) WAR 81.6 OPS+ 147 PA 10313 (79) MVPQ: 02,

9. Johnny Mize (1936-53, Cardinals) WAR 71.35 OPS+158 PA 7370 (97) MVPQ: 40,

10. Mark McGwire (1986-01, Athletics) WAR 68.65 OPS+ 163 PA 7660 (90) MVPQ: 98,

11. Jeff Bagwell (1991-05, Astros) WAR 75.55 OPS+149 PA 9431 (80) MVPQ: 94,

12. Todd Helton (1997-2013, Rockies) WAR 66.8 OPS+133 PA 9453 (71) MVPQ: 00, 04,

13. Willie McCovey (1959-80, Giants) WAR 65.9 OPS+147 PA 9692 (68)

14. David Ortiz (1997-16, Red Sox) WAR 66.9 OPS+141 PA 10091 (67)

15. Rafael Palmeiro (1986-05, Rangers) WAR 73 OPS+ 132 PA 12046 (61)

16. Eddie Murray (1977-97, Orioles) WAR 69.95 OPS+ 129 PA 12817 (55)

17. Joey Votto (2007-, Reds) WAR 59.9 OPS+ 158 PA 6141 (98) MVPQ: 17

18. Hank Greenberg (1930-47, Tigers) WAR 54.4 OPS+158 PA 6098 (89) MVPQ: 37

19. Will Clark (1986-00, Giants) WAR 60.1 OPS+ 137 PA 8283 (73) MVPQ: 89

20. John Olerud (1989-05, Blue Jays) WAR 63.85 OPS+ 129 PA 9063 (70) MVPQ: 93,

21. Keith Hernandez (1974-90, Cardinals) WAR 63.25 OPS+ 128 PA 8553 (74)

22. Jason Giambi (1995-14, A’s) WAR 60.7 OPS+ 139 PA 8908 (68) EMVPQ: 01 MVPQ: 00, 02

23. Mark Teixeira (2003-16, Yankees) WAR 58.9 OPS+ 126 PA 8029 (73)

24. Bill Terry (1923-36, Giants) WAR 50.7 OPS+ 136 PA 7108 (71)

25. Fred McGriff (1986-04, Blue Jays) WAR 54.3 OPS+ 134 PA 10174 (53)

(last out - Adrian Gonzalez)

2017-2018 College Bowl Predictions

As one does, I'm picking all the bowl games for the 2017-2018 season, both straight up and against the spread.  I've got Alabama winning the whole thing.

Celebration Bowl NC AT over Grambling  Win 1-0 Money Line
New Orleans Bowl Troy -7 over NTex        Win Money Line 2-0, Win ATS 1-0
Cure Bowl WKY over Georgia St +6          Loss ML 2-1, Win ATS 2-0
Las Vegas Bowl Oregon over Boise +7.5    Loss ML 2-2, Win ATS 3-0
New Mexico Bowl Colorado St over Marshall +5.5 Loss ML 2-3, Win ATS 4-0
Camellia Ark St  over Mid Tenn St +3.5     Loss ML 2-4, Win ATS 5-0
Boca Raton Bowl FAU -22.5 over Akron    Win ML 3-4 Win ATS 6-0
Frisco Bowl SMU -5  over La Tech             Loss ML 3-5, Loss ATS 6-1
Gasparilla Bowl Temple over FIU +7          Win ML 4-5, Loss ATS 6-2
Bahamas Bowl Ohio -7.5 over UAB           Win ML 5-5, Win ATS 7-2
Potato Bowl Wyoming over CMich +1       Win ML 6-5, Loss ATS 7-3
Birmingham TTech +2.5 over SFlorida       Loss ML 6-6, Loss ATS 7-4
Armed Forces SD St -7 over Army             Loss ML 6-7, Loss ATS 7-5
Dollar General  Toledo over App St.  +7.5 Loss ML 6-8, Win ATS 8-5
Hawaii Bowl Fresno +2.5 over Houston    Win ML 7-8, Win ATS 9-5
Heart of Dallas Utah over WVA +7            Win ML 8-8, Loss ATS 9-6
Quick Lane Duke over NIU  +4.5               Win ML 9-8, Loss ATS 9-7
Cactus K St -2  over UCLA                         Win ML 10-8, Win ATS 10-7
Independence FSU -15.5 over SMiss          Win ML 11-8, Win ATS 11-7
Pinstripe Iowa -3 over BC                            Win ML 12-8, Win ATS 12-7
Foster Farms  Arizona over Purdue  +3.5     Loss ML 12-9, Win ATS 13-7
Texas Bowl  Texas +3 over Missouri           Win ML 13-9, Win ATS 14-7
Military Navy +1.5  over Virginia                Win ML 14-9, Win ATS 15-7
Camping World OK St -5.5  over VT           Win ML 15-9, Win ATS 16-7
Alamo TCU  over Stanford +2.5                  Win ML 16-9, Win ATS 17-7
Wash St over Mich St  +3                             Loss ML 16-10, Win ATS 18-7
Belk Wake -3 over A&M                     Win ML 17-10, Push ATS 18-7-1
Sun NC St over Ariz St +6.5                        Win ML 18-10, Loss ATS 18-8-1
Music City Nwestern over UK   +7              Win ML 19-10, Win ATS 19-8-1
Arizona Utah St -4  over NMex St               Loss ML 19-11, Loss ATS 19-9-1
Cotton  Ohio St -7  over USC                      Win ML 20-11, Win ATS 20-9-1
Taxslayer Louisville over Miss St +6.5        Loss ML 20-12, Win ATS 21-9-1
Liberty Memphis  -3.5  over Iowa St           Loss ML 20-13, Loss ATS 21-10-1
Fiesta Penn St over Wash  +2                       Win ML 21-13, Loss ATS 21-11-1
Orange Wisconsin over Miami  +6.5            Win ML 22-13, Loss ATS 21-12-1
Outback  Michigan over S Carolina  +7.5    Loss ML 22-14, Win ATS 22-12-1
Peach  Auburn over UCF  +9.5                    Loss ML 22-15, Win ATS 23-12-1
Citrus ND +3  over LSU                              Win ML 23-15, Win ATS 24-12-1
Rose Georgia over OU +2                            Win ML 24-15, Loss ATS 24-13-1
Sugar Alabama over Clemson +2.5              Win ML 25-15     Loss ATS 24-14-1

The 25 Greatest Catchers 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. Johnny Bench (1967-83, Reds) WAR 78.1  OPS+ 126  PA 8674  (WAR/PA .0090) MVPQ: 72, 74

2. Gary Carter (1974-92, Expos) WAR 72.9 OPS+ 115 PA 9019 (.0081) MVPQ: 87

3. Pudge Rodriguez (1991-2011, Rangers) WAR 82 OPS+ 106 PA 10270  (.0080)

4. Bill Dickey (1928-46, Yankees) WAR 62.95 OPS+ 127 PA 7065 (89) MVPQ: 30

5. Gabby Hartnett (1922-41, Cubs) WAR 62.75 OPS+ 126 PA 7297 (86)

6. Carlton Fisk (1969-93, Red Sox) WAR 71.55 OPS+ 117 PA 9853 (73)

7. Mike Piazza (1992-2007, Dodgers) WAR 61.55 OPS+ 142 PA 7745 (79) MVPQ: 97

8. Yogi Berra (1946-65, Yankees) WAR 64.35 OPS+ 125 PA 8359 (77)

9. Buck Ewing (1880-97, Giants) WAR 58.85 OPS+ 129 PA 5772 (102)

10. Mickey Cochrane (1925-37, Athletics) WAR 53.9 OPS+ 129 PA 6207 (87)

11. Joe Mauer (2004-, Twins) WAR 59.8 OPS+ 126 PA 7417 (81) MVPQ: 09

12. Gene Tenace (1969-83, A's) WAR 47.95 OPS+ 136 PA 5527 (87)

13. Joe Torre (1960-77, Braves) WAR 56.85 OPS+ 129 PA 8802 (65)

14. King Kelly (1878-93, White Stockings) WAR 54.7 OPS+ 139 PA 6457 (85) MVPQ: 86

15. Jorge Posada (1995-11, Yankees) WAR 54.2 OPS+ 121 PA 7150 (76)

16. Brian Downing (1973-91, Angels) WAR 53.5 OPS+ 122 PA 9309 (57)

17. Ted Simmons (1968-88, Cardinals) WAR 52.35 OPS+ 118 PA 9685 (54)

18. Buster Posey (2009- Giants) WAR 42.1 OPS+ 135 PA 4260 (99)

19. Thurman Munson (1969-79, Yankees) WAR 46.25 OPS+ 116 PA 5905 (78)

20. Charlie Bennett (1878-93, Wolverines) WAR 45.2 OPS+ 119 PA 4310 (105)

21. Russell Martin (2006 – Dodgers) WAR 44.3 OPS+ 102 PA 6047 (73)

22. Yadier Molina (2004- Cardinals) WAR 47.95 OPS+ 98 PA 6700 (72)

23. Darrell Porter (1971-87, Royals) WAR 44.25 OPS+ 113  PA 6570 (67) MVPQ: 79

24. Ernie Lombardi (1923-39, Reds) WAR 40.05 OPS+ 126 PA 6352 (63)

25. Roy Campanella  (1948-57, Dodgers) WAR 38.85 OPS+ 123 PA 4815 (81)

(last out - Victor Martinez)