Defensive Spectrum - Shifts in The Defensive Spectrum

Shifts in The Defensive Spectrum

A retrospective analysis of the 130-year history of baseball shows that the defensive spectrum has shifted only once. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, third base was generally considered to be more challenging than second base. This was because the double play was relatively uncommon in this period; thus, the third baseman, who had to field hard hit grounders and throw the ball 120 feet to first base, had a far more challenging job than the second baseman, who threw the ball 70 feet at most. Frequent bunting also meant that the third baseman would be more often challenged defensively.

As a result, there were far more good hitters at second base than third (great-hitting early second basemen include Nap Lajoie and Rogers Hornsby), and the defensive spectrum was:

First baseman - Left fielder - Right fielder - Second baseman - Center fielder - Third baseman - Shortstop - Catcher - Pitcher

However, by the 1920s and 1930s, the defensive spectrum was beginning to shift. Double plays were becoming steadily more common, increasing the defensive responsibilities of second base. Offense was therefore increasingly important at third base. One of the first new third basemen was Harlond Clift of the St. Louis Browns, who was notable as the first third basemen to hit 30 home runs. By 1945, second base was firmly established as a more defensively important position than third base.