Dodgers: Ranking the best second basemen in franchise history

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NEW YORK – CIRCA 1962: Jim Gilliam #19 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in action against the New York Mets during an Major League Baseball game circa 1962 at the Polo Grounds in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Gilliam played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1953-66. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

2) Jim Gilliam

It’s a bit ironic putting Jim Gilliam second on this list behind Jackie Robinson (spoiler alert!), as he was the player who had to replace Robinson at second, when Jackie finished out his career at third base and in left field. Filling in for big shoes, the former Negro Leagues star proved up for the task.

Gilliam’s rookie season in 1953 was one of the best of his career. He won the Rookie of the Year Award while hitting .278/.383/.416, leading the league in triples (17), and swiping 21 bases. He carried his superlative performance over to the World Series, in which he went 8-27 at the plate, with two home runs and three doubles in the team’s six-game loss to the Yankees.

The middle infielder ranks among several top-ten lists in Dodgers history, independent of position. He accumulated the 8th most WAR, while playing in the fifth most games in team history. He currently ranks fourth in runs scored, eighth in hits, seventh in triples, and second in walks, among Dodger greats.

The four-time World Series champ and two-time All-Star ranks only behind his predecessor as the best second baseman in franchise history.

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