Best Third Baseman of All Time

[Chris M.]

Figured I'd get this one going too since it might be another close one.

Poll coming.

[bigmike]

I'll take Mike Schmidt, but he honestly BARELY edges out Eddie Mathews (criminally underrated) and Frank Robinson.

[Chris M.]

I'll take Mike Schmidt, but he honestly BARELY edges out Eddie Mathews (criminally underrated) and Frank Robinson.

*Brooks Robinson

It was between Mathews, Schmidt and A-Rod for me. All three are similar offensively, but Schmidt and A-Rod played in tougher eras, and Schmidt was the best defensively so that's what led me to choose him. This one was tougher than Wagner vs. A-Rod or Morgan vs. Hornsby vs. Robinson for me.

[bigmike]

Whoops, I meant Brooks Robinson. And I didn't include A-Rod in my thought process -- again, majority of his career at SS. If we're going that route, Cal Ripken should've been on this list, as well.

[Chris M.]

I don't think so. A-Rod's already played like 200 more games than Ripken did at third and he'll likely finish off his career at the position. Plus, their offensive contributions at third base aren't even close.

[bigmike]

I know, I'm just saying that A-Rod on this list (and others on other lists) when the majority of his career, to this point, has been at another position just bugs me. If he retired today would he be a HOF 3rd baseman or an HOF SS? It'd be shortstop. Easily.

[SilenceBrokenTT]

Mike Schmidt.

Cause he's a Schmidt.


And, yeah, he was pretty damn good.

[baseballfreak19]

Michael Jack Schmidt. He's kind of the freakin man. No big deal.

[Jeremy Aaron]

Yep. It's Schmidt.

[Meeze]

if Mike Schmidt does not win this poll, I will boycott any other sports-related poll on this site. It would be a fucking travesty if he does not win; for Schmidt is, by far, the greatest 3rd baseman of all time.

[rcrook]

If you compare Chipper and Schmidt's stats Chipper has him in most offensive categories. I don't know how good of a defensive 3b Schmidt was but that is just something to think about.

[bigmike]

If you compare Chipper and Schmidt's stats Chipper has him in most offensive categories. I don't know how good of a defensive 3b Schmidt was but that is just something to think about.
Completely different era's though. When Schmidt played 30 HR's in a year weren't common place in the least.

[LPcatitoRJA]

Kevin Kouzmanoff

/thread.

[J.C.]

Michael Jack, but I was tempted to go Chipper. Schmidt was more dominant in his era, though I love Chipper's K:BB ratio.

[Flags of Dawn]

Kevin Kouzmanoff

/thread.
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k357/ilovebourbon/chippernonoignmn4nk4jm5.gif

[Sic Transit Zeb]

It'll be a-rod soon.

[eags2]

brooks robinson. its called the hot corner for a reason. id rather have a guy who can save a double down the line with 2 on the in the bottom of the ninth and hit for average than a guy who can hit a homerun when the yankees are up 6-1 vs the royals

[fightinirish217]

Good to see Mike Schmidt running away with this one.

[Meeze]

If you compare Chipper and Schmidt's stats Chipper has him in most offensive categories. I don't know how good of a defensive 3b Schmidt was but that is just something to think about.

Michael Jack Schmidt:

12x All Star
World Series Champion
10x Gold Glove winner
6x Silver Slugger winner
3x NL MVP
World Series MVP
Lou Gehrig Award winner

A.K.A. The Best

[Meeze]

brooks robinson. its called the hot corner for a reason. id rather have a guy who can save a double down the line with 2 on the in the bottom of the ninth and hit for average than a guy who can hit a homerun when the yankees are up 6-1 vs the royals


Mike Schmidt has 10 Gold Gloves. He saved a few doubles down the line.

[Meeze]

It'll be a-rod soon.

Roids.

[aloneatlastnj]

Roids.

so? steroids were like water for most of the past two decades. everybody was on stuff. at this point if you're downplaying his entire career for something he did WHEN IT WASN'T A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE (and also wasn't even supposed to be known he did anything in the first place) then that's absolutely absurd.

[mike'smannequin]

mike s

[joss d.]

whoever voted a-rod is fucking stupid.

[wesgemm08]

Brooks for the defense

[Killadelphia]

What? No Dave Hollins?

[Killadelphia]

whoever voted a-rod is fucking stupid.

brandnew6432 (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=39291), Sauceee (http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=904362)

[Sic Transit Zeb]

Roids.

yeah, I understand but roids have been around for the 60s. I'm sure many baseball players since then have used them.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

whoever voted a-rod is fucking stupid.

why?

[xbrokendownx]

these polls are funny

"if you didnt vote for who i said, youre dumb!!!!"

[joss d.]

why?

look at the numbers he has put up as a ss vs. the numbers he has put up at 3b.
1275 games at ss vs 858 at 3b, his numbers playing 3b do not even come close to most people on this list. he should not even be in the discussion.

[bigmike]

look at the numbers he has put up as a ss vs. the numbers he has put up at 3b.
1275 games at ss vs 858 at 3b, his numbers playing 3b do not even come close to most people on this list. he should not even be in the discussion.
Please. Go ahead with the statistical evidence. I'd like to see you support this notion that A-Rod's numbers at 3rd base aren't on par with the rest of the 3B on this list.

[Rodeo]

Trick question.


The best 3rd baseman of all-time is also the best short stop of all time:


Cal Ripken Jr.


EDITED.... NOW WITH COMPARATIVE STATS!

Stats:

- 19x All-Star
- World Series Champ (1983)
- 2x Gold Glove Winner
- 8x Silver Slugger Award
- 2x AL MVP
- '82 Rookie of the Year
- 2x All-Star Game MVP
- '91 Home Run Derby Winner
- Lou Gering Mem. Award
- Roberto Clemente Mem. Award
- 3rd highest Hall of Fame voting % Ever (98.53%)
- Member of the 3000 Hit Club
- 2682 Consecutive Games Played
- 431 Home Runs
- 1700 RBI's


against:



Michael Jack Schmidt:

12x All Star
World Series Champion
10x Gold Glove winner
6x Silver Slugger winner
3x NL MVP
World Series MVP
Lou Gehrig Award winner

A.K.A. The Best

[Chris M.]

Trick question.


The best 3rd baseman of all-time is also the best short stop of all time:


Cal Ripken Jr.

lol ... maybe if the question was "Who's the most overrated shortstop of all time?"

[xbrokendownx]

hahahah how is ARod not even in the discussion?

hes what, 8th all time in HRs already and hes only 34

[Chris M.]

Eddie Mathews should have more than one vote. For a guy who's the second best third baseman of all time (right now -- I'll put A-Rod ahead of him when he retires), he's getting no love. Paul Molitor having more votes than him is a joke.

[Rodeo]

hahahah how is ARod not even in the discussion?

hes what, 8th all time in HRs already and hes only 34



Yes, that was the point. He 'roided up to get to that point.

[Rodeo]

lol ... maybe if the question was "Who's the most overrated shortstop of all time?"



I''ll just let the stats do the talking.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

look at the numbers he has put up as a ss vs. the numbers he has put up at 3b.
1275 games at ss vs 858 at 3b, his numbers playing 3b do not even come close to most people on this list. he should not even be in the discussion.

yes they do.

He's put up numbers at 3B as well. 400 hrs, close to 300 avg, good defense, 100 rbis, high slg. That's one of theb est.

Now if you go with his career numbers, he will surpass every single player on this list. He already has close to or more hrs than Schmidt(who i voted for).

[Sic Transit Zeb]

Yes, that was the point. He 'roided up to get to that point.

Yeah, that is true. We dont' know how many years he used steroids but I guess we have to believe what he has said and what the tests show. Which is only a couple years.

I guess I'm on the other side of the argument. I dn't think people who used roids should be crucified. Steroids were so rampant, and have been for awhile, that they HAD to use them to stay competitive with everyone else.

[Chris M.]

The same stats that prove A-Rod and Jeter are superior?

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/1010978_1274_826_SS_aseason_full_1_ 20090823.png

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/1010978_1274_826_SS_aseason_full_2_ 20090823.png

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/1010978_1274_826_SS_aseason_full_8_ 20090823.png

Look at those graphs and then try to tell me Ripken's better than either of those two.

[Rodeo]

The same stats that prove A-Rod and Jeter are superior?

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/1010978_1274_826_SS_aseason_full_1_ 20090823.png

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/1010978_1274_826_SS_aseason_full_2_ 20090823.png

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/1010978_1274_826_SS_aseason_full_8_ 20090823.png

Look at those graphs and then try to tell me Ripken's better than either of those two.


I'll give you Jeter, but A-Rod's stats get the * every fucking time, man.

[Chris M.]

Unless you can prove how long A-Rod used PED's for, then no, they don't get an asterisk.

[Rodeo]

Unless you can prove how long A-Rod used PED's for, then no, they don't get an asterisk.


Why does that even matter? He's a cheater. Everything is tainted now. It's a disgrace to every player that has played the game before him with out those enhancements and it's a disgrace and travesty to the history of the game.

[Chris M.]

Why does that even matter? He's a cheater. Everything is tainted now. It's a disgrace to every player that has played the game before him with out those enhancements and it's a disgrace and travesty to the history of the game.

What's your opinion on Gaylord Perry and Hank Aaron?

[joss d.]

Please. Go ahead with the statistical evidence. I'd like to see you support this notion that A-Rod's numbers at 3rd base aren't on par with the rest of the 3B on this list.

Alex just hasn't played enough games there, if you look at hits while playing 3b it isn't even close:
Alex Rodriguez has 653 hits, Home Run Baker has 1858, Wade Boggs >3000, Brett >3000, Chipper >2000, Killebrew >2000, Mathews >2000, Molitor >3000, Brooks >2000, Rolen 1775, Santo >2000, Schmidt >2000

so the person with the least amount of hits on the list (Rolen) has roughly triple the amount rodriguez does at third base. (edit: did not take into account the dh, did anyone on the list play significant games at dh?)
I didn't really look too hard because I am in class right now, I might edit later when i can do better research. I think A Rod is a great player but he doesn't have enough games at 3b to be considered one of the best 3b of all time.
Mike you are not supposed to call me out on these things.

[xbrokendownx]

Yes, that was the point. He 'roided up to get to that point.



:-|

[Rodeo]

I know about Gaylord, but what did Hank do?

[Chris M.]

Molitor played a ton of games at DH and Killebrew played some first base, but everyone else was strictly a third baseman.

[joss d.]

yes they do.

He's put up numbers at 3B as well. 400 hrs, close to 300 avg, good defense, 100 rbis, high slg. That's one of theb est.

Now if you go with his career numbers, he will surpass every single player on this list. He already has close to or more hrs than Schmidt(who i voted for).

he only has 575 homers and most were put up as a ss, only about 230 or so were at 3b, and he has had his defensive struggles.

[Chris M.]

I know about Gaylord, but what did Hank do?

He took greenies. Tons of other players did during that time period too. If you're going to say the game's tainted now because of steroids, that's fine, but it's always been tainted if you look at it that way. Players have always been doing whatever they can to get a leg up on the competition, it's not something new.

[Rodeo]

He took greenies. Tons of other players did during that time period too. If you're going to say the game's tainted now because of steroids, that's fine, but it's always been tainted if you look at it that way. Players have always been doing whatever they can to get a leg up on the competition, it's not something new.


I agree, but why must we glorify those who cheat and even reward them just because "People have always been doing it." Cheating is cheating.

[bigmike]

Alex just hasn't played enough games there, if you look at hits while playing 3b it isn't even close:
Alex Rodriguez has 653 hits, Home Run Baker has 1858, Wade Boggs >3000, Brett >3000, Chipper >2000, Killebrew >2000, Mathews >2000, Molitor >3000, Brooks >2000, Rolen 1775, Santo >2000, Schmidt >2000

so the person with the least amount of hits on the list (Rolen) has roughly triple the amount rodriguez does at third base. (edit: did not take into account the dh, did anyone on the list play significant games at dh?)
I didn't really look too hard because I am in class right now, I might edit later when i can do better research. I think A Rod is a great player but he doesn't have enough games at 3b to be considered one of the best 3b of all time.
Mike you are not supposed to call me out on these things.
Oh, if you're going with the "A-Rod hasn't played enough at 3rd" argument, then we agree. I didn't consider him for this list when I made my decision because of that (he'll end up being the best because he's got another 8 years or so at 3rd left in him).

And I'm not supposed to call you out on these things? Huh? Why?

[bigmike]

I agree, but why must we glorify those who cheat and even reward them just because "People have always been doing it." Cheating is cheating.
Steroids doesn't teach plate discipline or how to hit a breaking ball with authority. Nevermind the fact that there were articles written in the 1950's and 60's talking of players experimenting with Horse steroids.

[joss d.]

yeah that was my argument, he might be the best eventually but right now he needs more games there.
You are the stat man, i am not.

[Rodeo]

Steroids doesn't teach plate discipline or how to hit a breaking ball with authority. Nevermind the fact that there were articles written in the 1950's and 60's talking of players experimenting with Horse steroids.


See, that is the lamest argument for the use of steroids in this entire discussion. It reminds me of the whole "I like the band because they are my friends." It just doesn't make any sense. If you're ok with the use of steroids in baseball, that's your choice. But, how is that fair to the players who decide not to corrupt their body?

[Rodeo]

I will say this... then I have to head out to work...


Sure, baseball is entertainment and I LOVE this sport. I even have worked in the press box for the past two seasons for a NWL team here in MI. But, is baseball REALLY on the same tier as professional wrestling now? If it is, I quit.

[bigmike]

See, that is the lamest argument for the use of steroids in this entire discussion. It reminds me of the whole "I like the band because they are my friends." It just doesn't make any sense. If you're ok with the use of steroids in baseball, that's your choice. But, how is that fair to the players who decide not to corrupt their body?
I don't see how your two examples are anything alike. Baseball is a skill game. Steroids helps recover from workouts faster and build muscle, but it still doesn't do anything to your pitch recognition or plate discipline. And what do all of the elite hitters have? Great pitch recognition and plate discipline. I don't care about steroids in the least -- and neither do the fans considering they're still showing up to the games night in, night out -- Barry Bonds is the greatest hitter I've ever seen. When it's all said and done, Albert Pujols and A-Rod will be on that same level, as well. Miguel Cabrera possibly, too.
I will say this... then I have to head out to work...


Sure, baseball is entertainment and I LOVE this sport. I even have worked in the press box for the past two seasons for a NWL team here in MI. But, is baseball REALLY on the same tier as professional wrestling now? If it is, I quit.
You work for the Battle Creek team? How was it/what'd you do?

Edit: they aren't anything close to wrestling considering, you know, wrestling's outcome is fixed before a match even starts.....

[Killadelphia]

Steroids were fair because I find it hard to believe that the number of players not using steriods or PEDs in the 80s and 90s was greater than the players using them. They were also not exactly ILLEGAL at the time under the substance program provided by MLB.

It's an era, no different than the dead ball era, the juiced ball era, the raised mound era, etc. It was a part of baseball. Deal with it. \

[Meeze]

so? steroids were like water for most of the past two decades. everybody was on stuff. at this point if you're downplaying his entire career for something he did WHEN IT WASN'T A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE (and also wasn't even supposed to be known he did anything in the first place) then that's absolutely absurd.


Mike Schmidt did not play in the last 2 decades dude. so that argument failed. he did all that CLEAN.

[aloneatlastnj]

Mike Schmidt did not play in the last 2 decades dude. so that argument failed. he did all that CLEAN.

i wasn't using the two decades statement as an argument against schmidt - hell, i even voted for the guy. alex rodriguez is one of the greatest players of this generation. i'm saying that to throw away someone's career pre and post steroid use (when it was LEGAL and a nonpunishable offense to use) is fucking stupid.

[Meeze]

i wasn't using the two decades statement as an argument against schmidt - hell, i even voted for the guy. alex rodriguez is one of the greatest players of this generation. i'm saying that to throw away someone's career pre and post steroid use (when it was LEGAL and a nonpunishable offense to use) is fucking stupid.


well, i think there is that line, where you, as a sports fan are on one side or the other. you are either in the camp of, well, everyone was using, so we might as well ignore that and accept the records they set and the stats they put up (which i assume is where you stand) and then there is the side which believes that, if you were caught using steroids then your records should be thrown out and you should be expelled from the league and the game (where I stand). In my mind, A-Rod's career started when he was caught and admitted his guilt. Since then, if I am not mistaken, he has not been the same player.

[Scott Weber]

schmidt...but it's close. i don't think people saying a-rod are that far off.

[bigmike]

schmidt...but it's close. i don't think people saying a-rod are that far off.
I don't either, but I still consider him a SS. If he went into the HOF today, it'd be as a SS given that's the bulk of his games/PA's have been at that position.

[Scott Weber]

I don't either, but I still consider him a SS. If he went into the HOF today, it'd be as a SS given that's the bulk of his games/PA's have been at that position.
so he can't be in the greatest SS or 3B question? seems stupid to me considering that when A-rod retires, there will be a lot of people who will call him the greatest offensive infielder (not 1B) in MLB history.

[Killadelphia]

Mike Schmidt did not play in the last 2 decades dude. so that argument failed. he did all that CLEAN.

Mike Schmidt:

If I had played in the 1990s, I would have used steroids. Why? Because I'm human."

I said those words on the HBO show Costas Now in July 2005. I said them in response to a direct question from Giants running back Tiki Barber. I said them in the heat of a panel discussion -- Bob Costas and NBC's Jimmy Roberts were the other participants -- on the state of sports in America today.
Much as I wish I'd thought more carefully before I spoke -- it was uncharacteristic of me not to, I assure you -- what was said wasn't far from the truth. Hey, when I played I was the typical power hitter looking for an edge to keep up with my competition. Why, in a different time and a different situation, wouldn't I have fallen victim to the use of steroids? Certainly I would have been tempted.
But only tempted, I am now certain. In my research for this book, I have thought long and hard about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. (You'd expect that, of course, given the thousands of headlines and millions of words devoted to the subject in the past few years.) I have come to understand how steroid use has spread to the high school and college level. I have reflected on the destructive impact steroids have had on baseball's precious history, its records, and the very integrity of the sport.
And I believe in my heart that I would have chosen not to use steroids.
But I also believe I understand what drove those who did.
The Steroid Era in baseball -- roughly, 1990-2005 -- was fueled by a motive as old as the game itself: the search for a competitive edge.

[Meeze]

Mike Schmidt:

yeah, i am well aware of that quote and all the shit storm that ensued and it is a valid point. however, in the end, he never used steroids and still is the greatest of all time at 3rd base. you can not use what-ifs in a debate. that statment was nothing more than a what-if.

[startBBtoday]

how do people still throw ripken out as one of the greatest players ever? he could hit 20 home runs with a .275 avg .790 ops with no speed and good defense. compare that to schmidt who was a 40 home runs guy with a career ops over .900 i don't know how it's comparable. ripken only had an ops over .900 twice in his career while schmidt was averaging that. throw in the fact that schmidt could run at the beginning of his career and was a good defensive third baseman.

would you really say someone who's line is .276/.340/.447/.788 is the best player ever at their position? i don't even really know why longevity is a question in a lot of these cases other than the fact that it gets players to milestones like 3000 hits.

[bigmike]

so he can't be in the greatest SS or 3B question? seems stupid to me considering that when A-rod retires, there will be a lot of people who will call him the greatest offensive infielder (not 1B) in MLB history.
No, I still put A-Rod in the SS category. I know he'll probably be the greatest INF of all time when he retires (and I'd include 1B in that discussion), but as of now, I'm more comfortable going with where he's played the most which is still SS for another 2-3 years before his numbers even up on each side.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

he only has 575 homers and most were put up as a ss, only about 230 or so were at 3b, and he has had his defensive struggles.

You don't break up the stats due to position changes. Do you know how many players would be missing stats?

[Sic Transit Zeb]

he only has 575 homers and most were put up as a ss, only about 230 or so were at 3b, and he has had his defensive struggles.

But anyways. Only 573 hrs? lol. I digress though. If you really want to break it up, to be fair to him, you'd have to take his avg seasons since he's been at 3B. He's got like 40 hrs a year, .300 avg, .370 obp. .580 slg, and a close to 1.00 OPS. That is top notch 3B numbers over a career.

[joss d.]

Like Mike said he's probably going to be in this discussion in a couple years but right now he's accumulated most of his stats at shortstop. His numbers a gaudy but not enough of them have accumulated while playing 3b yet. I am tired of trying to explain this. He needs more ab while playing 3b to be in the discussion.

[QuikTrig]

there comes a point when a player should not be judged by their counting numbers if they've switched positions. say he had switched a third through his career to to 3B, then 7 years later changed to 1B. it would be pretty unfair he's not one of the all-time greats just because he hasn't accumulated enough ab's at one position.

[bigmike]

No one isn't saying he's not an all-time great -- he is. My point is this: what's going on his plaque in Cooperstown if he goes in tomorrow? Hall of Fame Shortstop. Not 3rd baseman. Guys are noted for where they play the majority of their games. Musial played a lot at 1st base, but everyone remembers him as an OFer.

[Scott Weber]

No one isn't saying he's not an all-time great -- he is. My point is this: what's going on his plaque in Cooperstown if he goes in tomorrow? Hall of Fame Shortstop. Not 3rd baseman. Guys are noted for where they play the majority of their games. Musial played a lot at 1st base, but everyone remembers him as an OFer.
he will go in as a yankee and he'll go in as a 3rd baseman.

[poppa Q]

No, I still put A-Rod in the SS category. I know he'll probably be the greatest INF of all time when he retires (and I'd include 1B in that discussion), but as of now, I'm more comfortable going with where he's played the most which is still SS for another 2-3 years before his numbers even up on each side.
I think Pujols will probably take that title, but with a greater overall stat sheet despite the peaks some of A-Rod's numbers will hit.
he will go in as a yankee and he'll go in as a 3rd baseman.
Not a doubt about that.

Oh, and Mike Schmidt.

[bigmike]

he will go in as a yankee and he'll go in as a 3rd baseman.
We're just coming at this from different angles, then. As of right now, he's a career SS, which is what i look at it as. I know he'll be a 3rd baseman when he does go in because he's got a long ways to go, barring injury, but that's not what i consider him as right now.
I think Pujols will probably take that title, but with a greater overall stat sheet despite the peaks some of A-Rod's numbers will hit.

Not a doubt about that.

Oh, and Mike Schmidt.
I'm not sure Pujols is doing anything A-Rod hasn't done already. Unless you're counting the PED's against him, which is fine. I'm not, though. Add in A-Rod's done it at a more demanding position(s), then I'd give A-Rod the edge, still.

[dignan]

Scott Rolen has no business being on this list. c'mon now.

and if you're looking at all around offensive numbers i think Chipper's got everyone beat... gotta like that .309 career average with all those walks and homers.

as for a-rod.. he's still a SS in my mind. to hell with him.

i say either Chipper or Schmidt.

[Killadelphia]

Scott Rolen has no business being on this list. c'mon now.

and if you're looking at all around offensive numbers i think Chipper's got everyone beat... gotta like that .309 career average with all those walks and homers.

as for a-rod.. he's still a SS in my mind. to hell with him.

i say either Chipper or Schmidt.

Um why does Scott Rolen not have any business on the list?

[Chris M.]

Scott Rolen has no business being on this list. c'mon now.

and if you're looking at all around offensive numbers i think Chipper's got everyone beat... gotta like that .309 career average with all those walks and homers.

as for a-rod.. he's still a SS in my mind. to hell with him.

i say either Chipper or Schmidt.

Name one guy who should be on here over Scott Rolen. Career .869 OPS coupled with a .374 wOBA -- never mind the fact that he's one of the best defensive third basemen of all time.

[dignan]

Um why does Scott Rolen not have any business on the list?

because his numbers are more comparable to Matt Williams - another guy who shouldn't be mentioned among the greats.

[Scott Weber]

because his numbers are more comparable to Matt Williams - another guy who shouldn't be mentioned among the greats.
I guess the defensive part of baseball doesn't exist.

[bigmike]

Kid said that Chipper has the best offensive numbers of anyone on this list. Of course the defensive side of the game is lost on that clown.

[ihavechappedlip]

I have been looking at statistics for a while now, and it seems like the great hitters of this group all have a fielding percentage of 95%, which is not particularly impressive. The only ones that are above that, weren't great hitters.

I can see why Rolen was on there, but honestly, I didn't want to give him the time of day. In the end though, his hitting just doesn't come anywhere near the rest of these guys.

I wanted to say Molitor, but he was primarily a DH, and his power wasn't great.

I came to the conclusion that George Brett was the best all around third baseman.

My Points:
He was a great hitter- He could hit for anything. Home Runs, Doubles, Singles, and even Triples.
3000 hits, 1500 RBIs, 600 doubles, 300 home runs, and 130 triples. Definitely in the upper echelon of hitters.
Finished his career with more walks than strikeouts.
He held his own in fielding. Wasn't any better or worse than the rest of them (excluding Robinson, Rolen, etc.)

Most importantly: He was CONSISTENT. His entire career.
Post-season stats are typically worse for hitters, but his are even better than his regular season stats.

Chipper Jones makes a mean case though...