Baseball Toaster: Mike's Baseball Rants : The Long and the Short of It, II

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The Long and the Short of It, II

2006-04-05 11:21

by Mike Carminati

Part I

As Matt Philip pointed out in the last post, shortstop Harry Chappas (5'3") and second baseman Joe Gates (5'7"), White Sox 1978-79, are the shortest documented doubleplay combination in baseball history. However, there are shorter possible combos that we cannot confirm given that they predate the box score data available in Retrosheet.

Here are the shortest men to ever play second base and short for the same team in the same year (though they perhaps never played together in the same game). They are all as short or shorter than Chappas and Gates:

Team	Lg	Yr	2B	Ht	SS	Ht	Tot Ht	Ft	In
St. Louis Browns	AA	1886	Hugh Nicol	64	Trick McSorley	64	128	10	8
Chicago/Pittsburgh	UA	1884	Richardson	64	Charlie Baker	64	128	10	8
New York Highlanders	AL	1911	Birdie Cree	66	Stubby Magner	63	129	10	9
New York Highlanders	AL	1911	Stubby Magner	63	Birdie Cree	66	129	10	9
New York Giants	NL	1897	Yale Murphy	63	Ducky Holmes	66	129	10	9
Louisville Colonels	NL	1896	Doggie Miller	66	Frank Shannon	63	129	10	9
Louisville Colonels	NL	1896	Doggie Miller	66	Tom Morrison	63	129	10	9
Louisville Colonels	NL	1896	Ducky Holmes	66	Frank Shannon	63	129	10	9
Louisville Colonels	NL	1896	Ducky Holmes	66	Tom Morrison	63	129	10	9
New York Giants	NL	1895	Yale Murphy	63	Shorty Fuller	66	129	10	9
New York Giants	NL	1894	Shorty Fuller	66	Yale Murphy	63	129	10	9
New York Giants	NL	1894	Yale Murphy	63	Shorty Fuller	66	129	10	9
Washington Senators	NL	1893	Paul Radford	66	Cub Stricker	63	129	10	9
Baltimore Orioles	NL	1892	Cub Stricker	63	George Shoch	66	129	10	9
Washington Senators	NL	1892	Paul Radford	66	Frank Shannon	63	129	10	9
Boston Reds	AA	1891	Cub Stricker	63	Paul Radford	66	129	10	9
Cleveland Infants	PL	1890	Cub Stricker	63	Paul Radford	66	129	10	9
Cleveland Infants	PL	1890	Paul Radford	66	Cub Stricker	63	129	10	9
Cleveland Blues	AA	1887	Cub Stricker	63	Jim Toy	66	129	10	9
St. Louis Brown Stockings	NA	1875	Ned Cuthbert	66	Dickey Pearce	63	129	10	9
Washington Olympics	NA	1871	Tommy Beals	65	Davy Force	64	129	10	9
Chicago White Sox	AL	1979	Joe Gates	67	Harry Chappas	63	130	10	10
Chicago White Sox	AL	1978	Joe Gates	67	Harry Chappas	63	130	10	10
Boston Braves	NL	1931	Rabbit Maranville	65	Buster Chatham	65	130	10	10
Boston Braves	NL	1927	Doc Gautreau	64	Andy High	66	130	10	10
Detroit Tigers	AL	1921	Ralph Young	65	Jackie Tavener	65	130	10	10
New York Giants	NL	1897	Kid Gleason	67	Yale Murphy	63	130	10	10
New York Giants	NL	1897	Yale Murphy	63	Kid Gleason	67	130	10	10
Baltimore Orioles	NL	1892	Cub Stricker	63	John McGraw	67	130	10	10
St. Louis Browns	NL	1892	Bob Caruthers	67	Cub Stricker	63	130	10	10
St. Louis Browns	NL	1892	Kid Gleason	67	Cub Stricker	63	130	10	10
Boston Reds	AA	1891	Cub Stricker	63	Hugh Duffy	67	130	10	10
Kansas City Cowboys	AA	1888	Monk Cline	64	Henry Easterday	66	130	10	10
Cleveland Blues	AA	1887	Cub Stricker	63	Frank Scheibeck	67	130	10	10
Washington Nationals	NL	1886	Davy Force	64	George Shoch	66	130	10	10
Philadelphia Athletics	AA	1885	Cub Stricker	63	George Strief	67	130	10	10
Philadelphia Athletics	AA	1885	Cub Stricker	63	Sadie Houck	67	130	10	10
Philadelphia Athletics	AA	1884	Cub Stricker	63	Sadie Houck	67	130	10	10
St. Louis Browns	AA	1884	Joe Quest	66	Hugh Nicol	64	130	10	10
Chicago White Stockings	NL	1882	Joe Quest	66	Hugh Nicol	64	130	10	10
Philadelphia Athletics	AA	1882	Cub Stricker	63	Lou Say	67	130	10	10
Chicago White Stockings	NL	1881	Joe Quest	66	Hugh Nicol	64	130	10	10
St. Louis Brown Stockings	NL	1877	Mike McGeary	67	Dickey Pearce	63	130	10	10
Philadelphia Athletics	NL	1876	Wes Fisler	66	Davy Force	64	130	10	10
St. Louis Brown Stockings	NL	1876	Denny Mack	67	Dickey Pearce	63	130	10	10
St. Louis Brown Stockings	NL	1876	Dickey Pearce	63	Denny Mack	67	130	10	10
St. Louis Brown Stockings	NL	1876	John Clapp	67	Dickey Pearce	63	130	10	10
St. Louis Brown Stockings	NL	1876	Mike McGeary	67	Dickey Pearce	63	130	10	10
Philadelphia Athletics	NA	1875	Al Reach	66	Davy Force	64	130	10	10
Philadelphia Athletics	NA	1875	Wes Fisler	66	Davy Force	64	130	10	10
Baltimore Canaries	NA	1873	John Radcliff	66	Davy Force	64	130	10	10
Washington Blue Legs	NA	1873	Tommy Beals	65	Bob Reach	65	130	10	10
Washington Olympics	NA	1872	Tommy Beals	65	Bob Reach	65	130	10	10

Retrosheet has earlier data for World Series games. Just for the record, here are the shortest possible keystone combos for the postseason. Retrosheet confirms that Dahlen and Gilbert played together in 1905, so they are indeed the shortest:

Team	Lg	Yr	2B	Ht	SS	Ht	Tot Ht	Ft	In
New York Giants	NL	1905	Billy Gilbert	Bill Dahlen	64	69	133	11	1
Boston Braves	NL	1914	Johnny Evers	Rabbit Maranville	69	65	134	11	2
Chicago Cubs	NL	1918	Chuck Wortman	Charlie Hollocher	67	67	134	11	2
Anaheim Angels	AL	2004	Chone Figgins	David Eckstein	69	66	135	11	3
Atlanta Braves	NL	1991	Mark Lemke	Rafael Belliard	69	66	135	11	3
Atlanta Braves	NL	1992	Mark Lemke	Rafael Belliard	69	66	135	11	3
Atlanta Braves	NL	1993	Mark Lemke	Rafael Belliard	69	66	135	11	3
Atlanta Braves	NL	1995	Mark Lemke	Rafael Belliard	69	66	135	11	3
Atlanta Braves	NL	1996	Mark Lemke	Rafael Belliard	69	66	135	11	3
Boston Pilgrims	AL	1903	Hobe Ferris	Freddy Parent	68	67	135	11	3
Kansas City Royals	AL	1976	Cookie Rojas	Freddie Patek	70	65	135	11	3
Seattle Mariners	AL	1995	Joey Cora	Warren Newson	68	67	135	11	3
Anaheim Angels	AL	2004	Alfredo Amezaga	David Eckstein	70	66	136	11	4
Cleveland Indians	AL	1997	Bip Roberts	Omar Vizquel	67	69	136	11	4
Detroit Tigers	AL	1907	Germany Schaefer	Charley O'Leary	69	67	136	11	4
Detroit Tigers	AL	1908	Germany Schaefer	Charley O'Leary	69	67	136	11	4
Kansas City Royals	AL	1976	Frank White	Freddie Patek	71	65	136	11	4
Kansas City Royals	AL	1977	Frank White	Freddie Patek	71	65	136	11	4
Kansas City Royals	AL	1978	Frank White	Freddie Patek	71	65	136	11	4
New York Yankees	AL	1941	Joe Gordon	Phil Rizzuto	70	66	136	11	4
New York Yankees	AL	1942	Joe Gordon	Phil Rizzuto	70	66	136	11	4
Pittsburgh Pirates	NL	1970	Dave Cash	Freddie Patek	71	65	136	11	4
St. Louis Cardinals	NL	1928	Frankie Frisch	Rabbit Maranville	71	65	136	11	4

Just for the record, here are the tallest possible:

Team	Lg	Yr	2B	Ht	SS	Ht	Tot Ht	Ft	In
Detroit Wolverines	NL	1888	Parson Nicholson	78	Sy Sutcliffe	74	152	12	8
Pittsburgh Pirates	NL	1953	Dick Hall	78	Dick Cole	74	152	12	8
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1974	Enos Cabell	77	Frank Baker	74	151	12	7
Houston Astros	NL	1977	Art Howe	74	Enos Cabell	77	151	12	7
Houston Astros	NL	1977	Wilbur Howard	74	Enos Cabell	77	151	12	7
Houston Astros	NL	1978	Art Howe	74	Enos Cabell	77	151	12	7
Houston Astros	NL	1978	Wilbur Howard	74	Enos Cabell	77	151	12	7
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1986	Ricky Jones	75	Cal Ripken	76	151	12	7
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1987	Rene Gonzales	75	Cal Ripken	76	151	12	7
Chicago White Sox	AL	1987	Steve Lyons	75	Pat Keedy	76	151	12	7
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1988	Rene Gonzales	75	Cal Ripken	76	151	12	7
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1989	Rene Gonzales	75	Cal Ripken	76	151	12	7
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1990	Rene Gonzales	75	Cal Ripken	76	151	12	7
Texas Rangers	AL	1991	Monty Fariss	76	Gary Green	75	151	12	7
Texas Rangers	AL	1991	Monty Fariss	76	Jeff Huson	75	151	12	7
Texas Rangers	AL	1992	Monty Fariss	76	Jeff Huson	75	151	12	7
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1995	Jeff Huson	75	Cal Ripken	76	151	12	7
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1996	Jeff Huson	75	Cal Ripken	76	151	12	7
New York Yankees	AL	1996	Andy Fox	76	Derek Jeter	75	151	12	7
New York Yankees	AL	1996	Robert Eenhoorn	75	Andy Fox	76	151	12	7
New York Yankees	AL	1997	Andy Fox	76	Derek Jeter	75	151	12	7
San Diego Padres	NL	1998	Archi Cianfrocco	77	Andy Sheets	74	151	12	7
Anaheim Angels	AL	2000	Benji Gil	74	Troy Glaus	77	151	12	7
Anaheim Angels	AL	2000	Scott Spiezio	74	Troy Glaus	77	151	12	7
Anaheim Angels	AL	2001	Benji Gil	74	Troy Glaus	77	151	12	7
Anaheim Angels	AL	2002	Benji Gil	74	Troy Glaus	77	151	12	7
Anaheim Angels	AL	2002	Scott Spiezio	74	Troy Glaus	77	151	12	7
Chicago White Sox	AL	2005	Geoff Blum	75	Jermaine Dye	76	151	12	7

And the tallest in the postseason:

Team	Lg	Yr	2B	Ht	SS	Ht	Tot Ht	Ft	In
New York Yankees	AL	1996	Andy Fox	Derek Jeter	76	75	151	12	7
New York Yankees	AL	1997	Andy Fox	Derek Jeter	76	75	151	12	7
Arizona Diamondbacks	NL	1999	Jay Bell	Andy Fox	73	76	149	12	5
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1973	Bobby Grich	Frank Baker	74	74	148	12	4
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1974	Bobby Grich	Frank Baker	74	74	148	12	4
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1983	Rich Dauer	Cal Ripken	72	76	148	12	4
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1996	Roberto Alomar	Cal Ripken	72	76	148	12	4
New York Yankees	AL	1958	Gil McDougald	Tony Kubek	73	75	148	12	4
New York Yankees	AL	2000	Jose Vizcaino	Derek Jeter	73	75	148	12	4
New York Yankees	AL	2001	Alfonso Soriano	Derek Jeter	73	75	148	12	4
New York Yankees	AL	2002	Alfonso Soriano	Derek Jeter	73	75	148	12	4
New York Yankees	AL	2003	Alfonso Soriano	Derek Jeter	73	75	148	12	4
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1973	Bobby Grich	Mark Belanger	74	73	147	12	3
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1974	Bobby Grich	Mark Belanger	74	73	147	12	3
Boston Red Sox	AL	1967	Mike Andrews	Rico Petrocelli	75	72	147	12	3
Chicago Cubs	NL	1984	Ryne Sandberg	Tom Veryzer	74	73	147	12	3
Chicago Cubs	NL	1989	Ryne Sandberg	Shawon Dunston	74	73	147	12	3
New York Yankees	AL	1958	Gil McDougald	Jerry Lumpe	73	74	147	12	3
New York Yankees	AL	1996	Mariano Duncan	Derek Jeter	72	75	147	12	3
New York Yankees	AL	1997	Charlie Hayes	Derek Jeter	72	75	147	12	3
New York Yankees	AL	2004	Miguel Cairo	Derek Jeter	72	75	147	12	3
Oakland Athletics	AL	1981	Dave McKay	Rob Picciolo	73	74	147	12	3
San Diego Padres	NL	1998	Andy Sheets	Chris Gomez	74	73	147	12	3
Toronto Blue Jays	AL	1991	Roberto Alomar	Rene Gonzales	72	75	147	12	3

Just for the heck of it, I looked at the shortest/tallest possible infields (i.e., positions 2 through 6 on your scorecard). Here are the shortest starters:
Tm Lg Yr 2B HT SS HT 3B HT 1B HT C HT Tot Ht Avg Avg Ft Avg In
Philadelphia Athletics NA 1871 Al Reach 66 John Radcliff 66 Levi Meyerle 73 Wes Fisler 66 Fergy Malone 68 339 67.8 5 7.8
Baltimore Canaries NA 1872 Tom Carey 68 John Radcliff 66 Davy Force 64 Everett Mills 73 Bill Craver 69 340 68 5 8.0
Baltimore Canaries NA 1873 Tom Carey 68 John Radcliff 66 Davy Force 64 Everett Mills 73 Cal McVey 69 340 68 5 8.0
Philadelphia Athletics NA 1872 Wes Fisler 66 Mike McGeary 67 Cap Anson 72 Denny Mack 67 Fergy Malone 68 340 68 5 8.0
Detroit Wolverines NL 1882 Dasher Troy 65 Mike McGeary 67 Joe Farrell 66 Martin Powell 72 Charlie Bennett 71 341 68.2 5 8.2
Buffalo Bisons NL 1881 Davy Force 64 John Peters 67 Jim O'Rourke 68 Dan Brouthers 74 Jack Rowe 68 341 68.2 5 8.2
Baltimore Orioles AA 1886 Mike Muldoon 68 Jimmy Macullar 66 Jumbo Davis 71 Milt Scott 69 Chris Fulmer 68 342 68.4 5 8.4
Pittsburgh Pirates NL 1893 Lou Bierbauer 68 Jack Glasscock 68 Denny Lyons 70 Jake Beckley 70 Doggie Miller 66 342 68.4 5 8.4
Detroit Tigers AL 1921 Ralph Young 65 Donie Bush 66 Bob Jones 72 Lu Blue 70 Johnny Bassler 69 342 68.4 5 8.4
Detroit Tigers AL 1905 Germany Schaefer 69 Charley O'Leary 67 Bill Coughlin 69 Chris Lindsay 72 Lew Drill 66 343 68.6 5 8.6
Boston Americans AL 1901 Hobe Ferris 68 Freddy Parent 67 Jimmy Collins 69 Buck Freeman 69 Ossee Schreckengost 70 343 68.6 5 8.6
Cleveland Spiders NL 1898 Cupid Childs 68 Ed McKean 69 Bobby Wallace 68 Patsy Tebeau 68 Lou Criger 70 343 68.6 5 8.6
Cleveland Spiders NL 1894 Cupid Childs 68 Ed McKean 69 Chippy McGarr 67 Patsy Tebeau 68 Chief Zimmer 72 344 68.8 5 8.8
Boston Reds AA 1891 Cub Stricker 63 Paul Radford 66 Duke Farrell 73 Dan Brouthers 74 Morgan Murphy 68 344 68.8 5 8.8
Cleveland Blues NL 1882 Fred Dunlap 68 Jack Glasscock 68 Mike Muldoon 68 Bill Phillips 72 Fatty Briody 68 344 68.8 5 8.8
Chicago Colts NL 1890 Bob Glenalvin 69 Jimmy Cooney 69 Tom Burns 67 Cap Anson 72 Malachi Kittridge 67 344 68.8 5 8.8
Cleveland Spiders NL 1895 Cupid Childs 68 Ed McKean 69 Chippy McGarr 67 Patsy Tebeau 68 Chief Zimmer 72 344 68.8 5 8.8
Brooklyn Dodgers NL 1947 Eddie Stanky 68 Pee Wee Reese 69 Spider Jorgensen 69 Jackie Robinson 71 Bruce Edwards 67 344 68.8 5 8.8
Chicago White Sox AL 1902 Tom Daly 67 George Davis 69 Sammy Strang 68 Frank Isbell 71 Billy Sullivan 69 344 68.8 5 8.8
St. Louis Browns AL 1905 Ike Rockenfield 67 Bobby Wallace 68 Harry Gleason 66 Tom Jones 73 Joe Sugden 70 344 68.8 5 8.8
Milwaukee Brewers AL 1901 Billy Gilbert 64 Wid Conroy 69 Jimmy Burke 67 John Anderson 74 Billy Maloney 70 344 68.8 5 8.8
Cleveland Spiders NL 1896 Cupid Childs 68 Ed McKean 69 Chippy McGarr 67 Patsy Tebeau 68 Chief Zimmer 72 344 68.8 5 8.8
New York Giants NL 1899 Kid Gleason 67 George Davis 69 Fred Hartman 68 Jack Doyle 69 John Warner 71 344 68.8 5 8.8
Brooklyn Superbas NL 1903 Tim Flood 69 Bill Dahlen 69 Sammy Strang 68 Jack Doyle 69 Lew Ritter 69 344 68.8 5 8.8
Boston Red Sox AL 1913 Steve Yerkes 69 Heinie Wagner 69 Larry Gardner 68 Clyde Engle 70 Bill Carrigan 69 345 69 5 9.0
New York Giants NL 1895 General Stafford 68 Shorty Fuller 66 George Davis 69 Jack Doyle 69 Duke Farrell 73 345 69 5 9.0
Pittsburgh Rebels FL 1914 Jack Lewis 68 Ed Holly 70 Ed Lennox 70 Hugh Bradley 70 Claude Berry 67 345 69 5 9.0
Cleveland Spiders NL 1897 Cupid Childs 68 Ed McKean 69 Bobby Wallace 68 Patsy Tebeau 68 Chief Zimmer 72 345 69 5 9.0
Detroit Wolverines NL 1883 Sam Trott 69 Sadie Houck 67 Joe Farrell 66 Martin Powell 72 Charlie Bennett 71 345 69 5 9.0

Now, the tallest starters, the 2005 D-Backs come in #1:

Tm	Lg	Yr	2B	HT	SS	HT	3B	HT	1B	HT	C	HT	Tot Ht	Avg	Avg Ft	Avg In
Arizona Diamondbacks	NL	2005	Craig Counsell	72	Royce Clayton	72	Troy Glaus	77	Tony Clark	79	Chris Snyder	75	375	75	6	3.0
New York Yankees	AL	2004	Miguel Cairo	72	Derek Jeter	75	Alex Rodriguez	75	Tony Clark	79	Jorge Posada	74	375	75	6	3.0
Florida Marlins	NL	2002	Luis Castillo	71	Andy Fox	76	Mike Lowell	76	Derrek Lee	77	Charles Johnson	74	374	74.8	6	2.8
Arizona Diamondbacks	NL	1999	Jay Bell	73	Andy Fox	76	Matt Williams	74	Travis Lee	75	Damian Miller	75	373	74.6	6	2.6
Tampa Bay Devil Rays	AL	2002	Brent Abernathy	73	Chris Gomez	73	Jared Sandberg	75	Steve Cox	76	Toby Hall	75	372	74.4	6	2.4
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1987	Billy Ripken	73	Cal Ripken	76	Ray Knight	74	Eddie Murray	74	Terry Kennedy	75	372	74.4	6	2.4
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1988	Billy Ripken	73	Cal Ripken	76	Rene Gonzales	75	Eddie Murray	74	Mickey Tettleton	74	372	74.4	6	2.4
Chicago White Sox	AL	1989	Steve Lyons	75	Ozzie Guillen	71	Carlos Martinez	77	Greg Walker	75	Carlton Fisk	74	372	74.4	6	2.4
Pittsburgh Pirates	NL	1995	Carlos Garcia	73	Jay Bell	73	Jeff King	73	Mark Johnson	76	Mark Parent	77	372	74.4	6	2.4
Los Angeles Dodgers	NL	1994	Delino DeShields	73	Jose Offerman	72	Tim Wallach	75	Eric Karros	76	Mike Piazza	75	371	74.2	6	2.2
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1973	Bobby Grich	74	Mark Belanger	73	Brooks Robinson	73	Boog Powell	76	Earl Williams	75	371	74.2	6	2.2
Toronto Blue Jays	AL	1993	Roberto Alomar	72	Tony Fernandez	74	Ed Sprague	74	John Olerud	77	Pat Borders	74	371	74.2	6	2.2
Chicago Cubs	NL	1997	Ryne Sandberg	74	Shawon Dunston	73	Kevin Orie	76	Mark Grace	74	Scott Servais	74	371	74.2	6	2.2
Houston Astros	NL	1977	Art Howe	74	Roger Metzger	72	Enos Cabell	77	Bob Watson	74	Joe Ferguson	74	371	74.2	6	2.2
Los Angeles Dodgers	NL	1995	Delino DeShields	73	Jose Offerman	72	Tim Wallach	75	Eric Karros	76	Mike Piazza	75	371	74.2	6	2.2
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1974	Bobby Grich	74	Mark Belanger	73	Brooks Robinson	73	Boog Powell	76	Earl Williams	75	371	74.2	6	2.2
Detroit Tigers	AL	1954	Frank Bolling	73	Harvey Kuenn	74	Ray Boone	73	Walt Dropo	77	Frank House	74	371	74.2	6	2.2
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1960	Marv Breeding	72	Ron Hansen	75	Brooks Robinson	73	Jim Gentile	76	Gus Triandos	75	371	74.2	6	2.2
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1961	Jerry Adair	72	Ron Hansen	75	Brooks Robinson	73	Jim Gentile	76	Gus Triandos	75	371	74.2	6	2.2
San Francisco Giants	NL	1978	Bill Madlock	71	Johnnie LeMaster	74	Darrell Evans	74	Willie McCovey	76	Marc Hill	75	370	74	6	2.0
New York Yankees	AL	2005	Robinson Cano	72	Derek Jeter	75	Alex Rodriguez	75	Tino Martinez	74	Jorge Posada	74	370	74	6	2.0
Tampa Bay Devil Rays	AL	2001	Brent Abernathy	73	Felix Martinez	72	Aubrey Huff	76	Steve Cox	76	John Flaherty	73	370	74	6	2.0
Cleveland Indians	AL	1997	Tony Fernandez	74	Omar Vizquel	69	Matt Williams	74	Jim Thome	76	Sandy Alomar	77	370	74	6	2.0
Baltimore Orioles	AL	1989	Billy Ripken	73	Cal Ripken	76	Craig Worthington	72	Randy Milligan	73	Bob Melvin	76	370	74	6	2.0
Milwaukee Brewers	NL	2003	Eric Young	69	Royce Clayton	72	Wes Helms	76	Richie Sexson	80	Eddie Perez	73	370	74	6	2.0
Toronto Blue Jays	AL	1995	Roberto Alomar	72	Alex Gonzalez	72	Ed Sprague	74	John Olerud	77	Lance Parrish	75	370	74	6	2.0
Florida Marlins	NL	2001	Luis Castillo	71	Alex Gonzalez	72	Mike Lowell	76	Derrek Lee	77	Charles Johnson	74	370	74	6	2.0
Milwaukee Brewers	NL	2005	Rickie Weeks	72	J.J. Hardy	74	Russell Branyan	75	Lyle Overbay	74	Damian Miller	75	370	74	6	2.0
Milwaukee Brewers	NL	2002	Eric Young	69	Jose Hernandez	73	Tyler Houston	74	Richie Sexson	80	Paul Bako	74	370	74	6	2.0

Shortest starting infield since 1900:

Tm	Lg	Yr	2B	HT	SS	HT	3B	HT	1B	HT	C	HT	Tot Ht	Avg	Avg Ft	Avg In
Detroit Tigers	AL	1921	Ralph Young	65	Donie Bush	66	Bob Jones	72	Lu Blue	70	Johnny Bassler	69	342	68.4	5	8.4
Boston Americans	AL	1901	Hobe Ferris	68	Freddy Parent	67	Jimmy Collins	69	Buck Freeman	69	Ossee Schreckengost	70	343	68.6	5	8.6
Detroit Tigers	AL	1905	Germany Schaefer	69	Charley O'Leary	67	Bill Coughlin	69	Chris Lindsay	72	Lew Drill	66	343	68.6	5	8.6
Chicago White Sox	AL	1902	Tom Daly	67	George Davis	69	Sammy Strang	68	Frank Isbell	71	Billy Sullivan	69	344	68.8	5	8.8
Milwaukee Brewers	AL	1901	Billy Gilbert	64	Wid Conroy	69	Jimmy Burke	67	John Anderson	74	Billy Maloney	70	344	68.8	5	8.8
Brooklyn Dodgers	NL	1947	Eddie Stanky	68	Pee Wee Reese	69	Spider Jorgensen	69	Jackie Robinson	71	Bruce Edwards	67	344	68.8	5	8.8
St. Louis Browns	AL	1905	Ike Rockenfield	67	Bobby Wallace	68	Harry Gleason	66	Tom Jones	73	Joe Sugden	70	344	68.8	5	8.8
Brooklyn Superbas	NL	1903	Tim Flood	69	Bill Dahlen	69	Sammy Strang	68	Jack Doyle	69	Lew Ritter	69	344	68.8	5	8.8
Boston Red Sox	AL	1913	Steve Yerkes	69	Heinie Wagner	69	Larry Gardner	68	Clyde Engle	70	Bill Carrigan	69	345	69	5	9.0
Pittsburgh Rebels	FL	1914	Jack Lewis	68	Ed Holly	70	Ed Lennox	70	Hugh Bradley	70	Claude Berry	67	345	69	5	9.0
New York Giants	NL	1905	Billy Gilbert	64	Bill Dahlen	69	Art Devlin	72	Dan McGann	72	Roger Bresnahan	69	346	69.2	5	9.2
New York Highlanders	AL	1906	Jimmy Williams	69	Kid Elberfeld	67	Frank LaPorte	68	Hal Chase	72	Red Kleinow	70	346	69.2	5	9.2
Boston Red Sox	AL	1926	Bill Regan	70	Topper Rigney	69	Fred Haney	66	Phil Todt	72	Alex Gaston	69	346	69.2	5	9.2
New York Highlanders	AL	1908	Harry Niles	68	Neal Ball	67	Wid Conroy	69	Hal Chase	72	Red Kleinow	70	346	69.2	5	9.2
New York Giants	NL	1906	Billy Gilbert	64	Bill Dahlen	69	Art Devlin	72	Dan McGann	72	Roger Bresnahan	69	346	69.2	5	9.2
Boston Red Sox	AL	1914	Steve Yerkes	69	Everett Scott	68	Larry Gardner	68	Dick Hoblitzel	72	Bill Carrigan	69	346	69.2	5	9.2
Detroit Tigers	AL	1923	Fred Haney	66	Topper Rigney	69	Bob Jones	72	Lu Blue	70	Johnny Bassler	69	346	69.2	5	9.2
Detroit Tigers	AL	1902	Kid Gleason	67	Kid Elberfeld	67	Doc Casey	66	Pop Dillon	73	Deacon McGuire	73	346	69.2	5	9.2

The shortest starting infield since 1950:

Tm	Lg	Yr	2B	HT	SS	HT	3B	HT	1B	HT	C	HT	Tot Ht	Avg	Avg Ft	Avg In
New York Yankees	AL	1950	Jerry Coleman	72	Phil Rizzuto	66	Billy Johnson	70	Joe Collins	72	Yogi Berra	68	348	69.6	5	9.6
Atlanta Braves	NL	1991	Mark Lemke	69	Rafael Belliard	66	Terry Pendleton	69	Brian Hunter	72	Greg Olson	72	348	69.6	5	9.6
Brooklyn Dodgers	NL	1951	Jackie Robinson	71	Pee Wee Reese	69	Billy Cox	70	Gil Hodges	73	Roy Campanella	68	351	70.2	5	10.2
New York Yankees	AL	1951	Jerry Coleman	72	Phil Rizzuto	66	Bobby Brown	73	Joe Collins	72	Yogi Berra	68	351	70.2	5	10.2
Brooklyn Dodgers	NL	1950	Jackie Robinson	71	Pee Wee Reese	69	Billy Cox	70	Gil Hodges	73	Roy Campanella	68	351	70.2	5	10.2
Brooklyn Dodgers	NL	1952	Jackie Robinson	71	Pee Wee Reese	69	Billy Cox	70	Gil Hodges	73	Roy Campanella	68	351	70.2	5	10.2
Cincinnati Redlegs	NL	1955	Johnny Temple	71	Roy McMillan	71	Rocky Bridges	68	Ted Kluszewski	74	Smoky Burgess	68	352	70.4	5	10.4
New York Yankees	AL	1954	Gil McDougald	73	Phil Rizzuto	66	Andy Carey	73	Joe Collins	72	Yogi Berra	68	352	70.4	5	10.4
New York Giants	NL	1951	Eddie Stanky	68	Alvin Dark	71	Hank Thompson	69	Whitey Lockman	73	Wes Westrum	71	352	70.4	5	10.4
Kansas City Royals	AL	1975	Cookie Rojas	70	Freddie Patek	65	George Brett	72	John Mayberry	75	Buck Martinez	70	352	70.4	5	10.4
Washington Senators	AL	1957	Herb Plews	71	Rocky Bridges	68	Eddie Yost	70	Pete Runnels	72	Lou Berberet	71	352	70.4	5	10.4
Atlanta Braves	NL	1991	Mark Lemke	69	Rafael Belliard	66	Terry Pendleton	69	Sid Bream	76	Greg Olson	72	352	70.4	5	10.4
Atlanta Braves	NL	1992	Mark Lemke	69	Rafael Belliard	66	Terry Pendleton	69	Sid Bream	76	Greg Olson	72	352	70.4	5	10.4
Anaheim Angels	AL	2004	Adam Kennedy	73	David Eckstein	66	Chone Figgins	69	Darin Erstad	74	Bengie Molina	71	353	70.6	5	10.6
Chicago Cubs	NL	2001	Eric Young	69	Ricky Gutierrez	73	Ron Coomer	71	Matt Stairs	69	Joe Girardi	71	353	70.6	5	10.6
Chicago Cubs	NL	1980	Mike Tyson	69	Ivan DeJesus	71	Len Randle	70	Bill Buckner	72	Tim Blackwell	71	353	70.6	5	10.6
Cleveland Indians	AL	1961	Johnny Temple	71	Woodie Held	71	Bubba Phillips	69	Vic Power	71	Johnny Romano	71	353	70.6	5	10.6
Philadelphia Phillies	NL	1959	Sparky Anderson	69	Joe Koppe	70	Gene Freese	71	Ed Bouchee	73	Carl Sawatski	70	353	70.6	5	10.6
Philadelphia Phillies	NL	1968	Cookie Rojas	70	Roberto Pena	68	Tony Taylor	69	Bill White	72	Mike Ryan	74	353	70.6	5	10.6
Kansas City Royals	AL	1976	Frank White	71	Freddie Patek	65	George Brett	72	John Mayberry	75	Buck Martinez	70	353	70.6	5	10.6

The tallest starting infield before 1950:

Tm	Lg	Yr	2B	HT	SS	HT	3B	HT	1B	HT	C	HT	Tot Ht	Avg	Avg Ft	Avg In
New York Giants	NL	1947	Bill Rigney	73	Buddy Kerr	74	Jack Lohrke	72	Johnny Mize	74	Walker Cooper	75	368	73.6	6	1.6
New York Giants	NL	1946	Buddy Blattner	72	Buddy Kerr	74	Bill Rigney	73	Johnny Mize	74	Walker Cooper	75	368	73.6	6	1.6
New York Giants	NL	1948	Bill Rigney	73	Buddy Kerr	74	Sid Gordon	70	Johnny Mize	74	Walker Cooper	75	366	73.2	6	1.2
St. Louis Cardinals	NL	1949	Red Schoendienst	72	Marty Marion	74	Eddie Kazak	72	Nippy Jones	73	Del Rice	74	365	73	6	1.0
St. Louis Cardinals	NL	1943	Lou Klein	71	Marty Marion	74	Whitey Kurowski	71	Ray Sanders	74	Walker Cooper	75	365	73	6	1.0
St. Louis Cardinals	NL	1944	Emil Verban	71	Marty Marion	74	Whitey Kurowski	71	Ray Sanders	74	Walker Cooper	75	365	73	6	1.0
St. Louis Cardinals	NL	1948	Red Schoendienst	72	Marty Marion	74	Don Lang	72	Nippy Jones	73	Del Rice	74	365	73	6	1.0
Cincinnati Reds	NL	1949	Jimmy Bloodworth	71	Virgil Stallcup	75	Grady Hatton	69	Ted Kluszewski	74	Walker Cooper	75	364	72.8	6	0.8
Cincinnati Reds	NL	1941	Lonny Frey	70	Eddie Joost	72	Billy Werber	70	Frank McCormick	76	Ernie Lombardi	75	363	72.6	6	0.6
St. Louis Cardinals	NL	1947	Red Schoendienst	72	Marty Marion	74	Whitey Kurowski	71	Stan Musial	72	Del Rice	74	363	72.6	6	0.6
Chicago Cubs	NL	1949	Emil Verban	71	Roy Smalley	75	Frankie Gustine	72	Herman Reich	74	Mickey Owen	70	362	72.4	6	0.4
St. Louis Cardinals	NL	1945	Emil Verban	71	Marty Marion	74	Whitey Kurowski	71	Ray Sanders	74	Ken O'Dea	72	362	72.4	6	0.4
Chicago White Sox	AL	1942	Don Kolloway	75	Luke Appling	70	Bob Kennedy	74	Joe Kuhel	72	Mike Tresh	71	362	72.4	6	0.4
St. Louis Cardinals	NL	1940	Joe Orengo	72	Marty Marion	74	Stu Martin	72	Johnny Mize	74	Mickey Owen	70	362	72.4	6	0.4

And the tallest starting infield before 1900:

Tm	Lg	Yr	2B	HT	SS	HT	3B	HT	1B	HT	C	HT	Tot Ht	Avg	Avg Ft	Avg In
Toledo Maumees	AA	1890	Parson Nicholson	78	Frank Scheibeck	67	Billy Alvord	70	Perry Werden	74	Harry Sage	70	359	71.8	5	11.8
New York Giants	NL	1886	Joe Gerhardt	72	John Ward	69	Dude Esterbrook	71	Roger Connor	75	Buck Ewing	70	357	71.4	5	11.4
New York Giants	NL	1885	Joe Gerhardt	72	John Ward	69	Dude Esterbrook	71	Roger Connor	75	Buck Ewing	70	357	71.4	5	11.4
New York Giants	NL	1887	Danny Richardson	68	John Ward	69	Buck Ewing	70	Roger Connor	75	Willard Brown	74	356	71.2	5	11.2
Brooklyn Grooms	NL	1892	John Ward	69	Tommy Corcoran	69	Bill Joyce	71	Dan Brouthers	74	Con Daily	72	355	71	5	11.0
Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA	1889	Bid McPhee	68	Ollie Beard	71	Hick Carpenter	71	John Reilly	75	Jim Keenan	70	355	71	5	11.0
Cincinnati Reds	NL	1893	Bid McPhee	68	Germany Smith	72	Arlie Latham	68	Charlie Comiskey	72	Farmer Vaughn	75	355	71	5	11.0
Chicago Colts	NL	1895	Ace Stewart	70	Bill Dahlen	69	Bill Everitt	72	Cap Anson	72	Tim Donahue	71	354	70.8	5	10.8
Cincinnati Reds	NL	1891	Bid McPhee	68	Germany Smith	72	Arlie Latham	68	John Reilly	75	Jerry Harrington	71	354	70.8	5	10.8
Pittsburgh Pirates	NL	1896	Dick Padden	70	Bones Ely	73	Denny Lyons	70	Jake Beckley	70	Joe Sugden	70	353	70.6	5	10.6
Cincinnati Reds	NL	1895	Bid McPhee	68	Germany Smith	72	Arlie Latham	68	Buck Ewing	70	Farmer Vaughn	75	353	70.6	5	10.6
Detroit Wolverines	NL	1887	Fred Dunlap	68	Jack Rowe	68	Deacon White	71	Dan Brouthers	74	Charlie Ganzel	72	353	70.6	5	10.6
Detroit Wolverines	NL	1886	Fred Dunlap	68	Jack Rowe	68	Deacon White	71	Dan Brouthers	74	Charlie Bennett	71	352	70.4	5	10.4
Chicago White Stockings	NL	1882	Tom Burns	67	King Kelly	70	Ned Williamson	71	Cap Anson	72	Silver Flint	72	352	70.4	5	10.4
St. Louis Browns	NL	1895	Joe Quinn	67	Bones Ely	73	Doggie Miller	66	Roger Connor	75	Heinie Peitz	71	352	70.4	5	10.4
Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA	1888	Bid McPhee	68	Frank Fennelly	68	Hick Carpenter	71	John Reilly	75	Jim Keenan	70	352	70.4	5	10.4
Brooklyn Bridegrooms	AA	1889	Hub Collins	68	Germany Smith	72	George Pinkney	67	Dave Foutz	74	Joe Visner	71	352	70.4	5	10.4
Pittsburgh Pirates	NL	1892	Lou Bierbauer	68	Frank Shugart	68	Duke Farrell	73	Jake Beckley	70	Connie Mack	73	352	70.4	5	10.4
Cincinnati Reds	NL	1878	Joe Gerhardt	72	Billy Geer	68	Cal McVey	69	Chub Sullivan	72	Deacon White	71	352	70.4	5	10.4

Now, here are the shortest possible (though unconfirmed) infields all time:

Continued here...

Comments

2006-04-05 11:49:12

1. rbj

Ack, coding error!

2006-04-05 12:12:02

2. Mike Carminati

Yeah, we're working on it.

2006-04-06 05:41:27

3. rbj

Thanks,
much more readable now. I wondered if Firefox & tables didn't play well together.

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