Dodgers: Top 5 shortstops in franchise history

Who are the best shortstops in Dodgers history? We rank the top five.

Throughout the Dodgers’ illustrious history, there have been several impact players to captain the infield. We ranked the best second baseman in franchise history earlier this month. Today, we will focus on the other side of the infield.

While the shortstop position has become offensively-minded recently, it is also a position that demands defense and leadership. In ranking the best shortstop in franchise history, we considered all the different aspects that make the middle infield position special.

Before we get into our ranking, let’s review some honorable mentions.

If you haven’t heard of Ivy Olson, you were probably born in the last hundred years. Olson played a long time ago, swung at a lot of pitches, and made a lot of contact. As the Dodgers’ regular shortstop from 1916 through 1922, Olson holds the Dodger record for at bats per strikeout with 26.8, despite his Dodger days coming at the tail end of his career. He never walked more than 35 times in a season, but he was a consistent contact hitter in an era devoid of power.

On the more contemporary side, Cesar Izturis had some solid years in his four-year tenure as the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop. The switch-hitting Venezuelan was always a slick fielder, but put it all together in 2004, hitting .288 with 32 doubles and 25 steals, and winning a Gold Glove. Izturis was named to the All-Star team after a red hot first half the following year, but an elbow injury derailed his Dodger career and he found himself replaced in 2006. Overall he brought quality speed and glove work, but slashed a paltry .260/.296/.322 in LA.

Now let’s get into the list of the top five shortstop in Dodgers history.