The hot corner is home to some of the greatest players of all time. It is historically known for big time sluggers and great defense. It is one of the hardest positions to play. On a routine basis lasers are shot from a bat at third baseman at great speeds. A third baseman can't just be all about the power; he has to have a good glove. Five select players have risen above all as the greatest to play the position.
5. The 5th greatest third baseman is Larry Jones. Never heard of him? It is because he goes by Chipper. A lifetime .310 hitter he has hit over 400 home runs. He has 2,234 hits and over 1,300 runs batted in. Chipper is also one of the greatest and most feared switch hitters in the history of baseball. What sets Chipper apart is how he thinks about the team first. When the Braves needed a left fielder, he learned to play left. When they needed money, he took a pay cut. Chipper is a great team player and a great person. Chipper is a 6-time All-Star and 1999 MVP. His career is not over so he will only add to his statistics and success. This makes Chipper Jones the 5th best third baseman of all time.
4. Next is Kansas City Royal George Brett. He is one of the greatest hitters of all time. A lifetime .305 average does not do him justice to how good he really was. He has only hit 317 home runs but he did drive in over 1,500 runs. He had 3,154 hits in his career, 665 of which were doubles. Brett was a 13-time All-Star and 1980 MVP. He is by far the greatest player in Kansas City Royal history but one of the best ever.
3. Number 3 was arguably the greatest defensive third baseman ever as he earned the nickname " Vacuum Cleaner." Brooks Robinson was one of the best in the Baltimore Orioles history. Robinson was not a great hitter with only a .267 lifetime average. He did have 2,848 hits and over 1,300 runs batted in. He may have only hit 268 home runs but he did accumulate 482 doubles. His offense was not great but his defense was the best. He sports 16 Gold Gloves and a 1964 MVP trophy. Robinson was a fan favorite as he was selected to 18 All-Star games. A great defender and team leader, Brooks Robinson is the 3rd greatest third baseman of all time.
2. Eddie Matthews would be argued by many to be the greatest third baseman ever. With 512 home runs he had devastating power. He is the only player to play for the Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta Braves. A 9-time All-Star and was thought to be the first to break Babe Ruth's home run record. Eddie had over 2,000 hits and drove in 1,453 runs. Eddie Matthews is the 2nd greatest third baseman of all time.
1. Number 1 is a Philadelphia Phillie. Mike Schmidt crushed 548 home runs, which is the most among third baseman. His .267 average could have been better but he did drive in over 1,500 runs and had 2,234 hits. He was a 12-time All-Star, 9 of which he was selected as the starter. He won three MVP awards in 1980,1981 and in 1986. He was a decent defensive third baseman but could hit with anyone. He was a pure power hitting third baseman. This makes Mike Schmidt the greatest third baseman in the history of baseball.