Dodgers: Ranking the best second basemen in franchise history

1) Jackie Robinson

Sometimes these positional ranking lists are cause for great debate over who should finish at the top. There is no argument over who is the best second baseman in Dodger history. Hands down, it’s Jackie Robinson.

Even if we leave the historical significance of his time with the Dodgers aside, his play on the field still merits him to be number one in team history.

The Hall-of-Famer spent all ten seasons of his career with the Dodgers, retiring two seasons before the team moved to Los Angeles. An all-around player, he won a batting title with his steady hitting in 1949 (.342), used his speed to lead the league in stolen bases in 1947 (29) and 1949 (37), and flashed some power with double digit home run totals in nine of the ten seasons he played.

Robinson ranks third all-time in wins above replacement level among Dodger greats. His career average in batting (.311) ranks 12th and on-base percentage (.409) ranks fourth in team history. He has scored the seventh most runs, recorded the 12th most hits, and tallied the 18th most home runs of any Dodger player.

The 1949 National League MVP, who arguably could have won the MVP in two more seasons, was an elite athletic talent who passed every test placed in front of him.

Both for character and output, Jackie Robinson is a level ahead of his competition. He is the best second baseman in Dodger history.