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Best All-Time Shortstops in MLB History

By Bobby Mueller

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees steps up to plate for his first at bat during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, September 25, 2014 in the Bronx Borough of New York. (Photo by Taylor Baucom/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees steps up to plate for his first at bat during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, September 25, 2014 in the Bronx Borough of New York. (Photo by Taylor Baucom/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Best All-Time Shortstops
SANFORD, FL – MARCH 11: Vern Stephens #5 of the St. Louis Browns poses for an action portrait during MLB Spring Training on March 11, 1942, in Sanford, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /

Best All-Time Shortstops Vern Stephens

"“He’s tough, real tough . . . if you throw one to the outside corner, he’s liable to hit it down the right field line for two or three bases.”—Pitcher Ed Lopat, about Vern Stephens"

When Vern Stephens was a teenager, he played on the same American Legion baseball team as future major league pitcher Bob Lemon. Imagine being a teenager and facing two future major league players who would eventually make a combined 14 MLB all-star teams.

Stephens earned eight of those all-star appearances, first with the St. Louis Browns early in his career and then with the Boston Red Sox later. He led the league in home runs once and RBI once as a member of the Browns.

He was also a key part of their 1944 World Series team, which was the only year the St. Louis Browns ever made the World Series. Stephens finished third in MVP voting that year.

Three years later, with the Browns sliding down the standings after their pennant-winning year, Stephens was the centerpiece of a deal that landed him with the Boston Red Sox.

He was slotted into the lineup at the cleanup spot behind Ted Williams and had back-to-back seasons in 1949 and 1950 during which he led the league with 159 and 144 RBI. No shortstop ever had more RBI in a season than the 159 by Stephens.

One criticism of Stephens during his career was the idea that he was lucky to play in Fenway Park. It’s true that he took advantage of his home field when he was on the Red Sox. He hit .314/.395/.540 in 411 games at Fenway Park compared to career marks of .286/.355/.460. That being said, many players hit better at home than on the road.

After a 30-HR, 144-RBI season in 1950, Stephens was limited to 109 games the following year because of injuries. His playing time continued to dwindle over the next few years, and he played his final major league season in 1955 with the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox.

After being released by the White Sox, Stephens had one last hurrah with the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. The team’s manager, Fred Hutchinson, brought in a bunch of former major leaguers, including Stephens.

They won the PCL title, and Stephens hit .338/.395/.525. He returned in 1956 but didn’t play as well, and his baseball career was over.

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