22
2012
Who Were The Best Double-Play Combo Ever?
An article by 
Matt Snyder, a blogger for Eye On Baseball, wonders if Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell were the best double-play combination ever? My answer is, probably yes.
The second baseman and shortstop were together for more than ten years and racked up a combined 11 All-Star appearances, seven Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. Snyder says that the two players might have flown under the national radar — and still do — but they provided the Tigers with invaluable longevity, continuity and, yes, greatness both defensively up the middle and on offense.
I disagree that Trammell and Whitaker flew under the national radar and mostly all the baseball fans I know don’t hesitate to mention the Tigers’ dynamic duo when the subject of best DP combo comes up.
Snyder goes on to prove the prevailing theory through the use of position specific defensive WAR measures that credits players for longevity being that it is a cumulative metric. Ranking second to Trammell and Whitaker are Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese of the Dodgers.
I wonder how Rey Ordonez and Edgardo Alfonzo would have measured up if they had the benefit of playing second and short together for ten-plus seasons? In the brief time that they both patrolled the middle for the Mets, they were dazzling to say the least.
But hey, here’s a better question….
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 6.5 |
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Best ever?
Roberto Alomar and Omar Vizquel when they were in Cleveland.
one of the best defensive 2B of all time along with one of the best defensive SS of all time.
o and they both could hit pretty decent
I’m in 100% agreement with you. Vizquel and Alomar.
Alomar and Vizquel, yes. Ever hear of Tinkers to Evers to Chance. They were supposed to be great.
Mets wise– Ordonez and Alfonzo. Taveras and Flynn and Harrelson and Millan.
Fonzie wasn’t that good of a second baseman, average at best. Much better third baseman.
Dave Concepcion and Joe Morgan played together for 6 years. Morgan is a HOF Player….Concepcion had over 2300 hits and almost 1000 rbi. He was a great Fielder.
There were never enough shortstops recognized as HOF players…the recent emphasis on Offense has re-skewed the position toward offensive output. Even so, Concepcion’s stats and The Eye Test tell you that he SHOULD be a Hall of Famer. It’s a shame that he’s not recognized.
Dont forget Mark Belanger (8 GG) and Bobby Grich (4 GG). And dont forget they also had Brooks Robinson at 3B with 14 GG for some of their time together.
As a kid growing up in New York could you really beat watching The Scooter and Bobby Richaedson and for the Dodgers, Pee Wee and Jim Gilliam. The pressure was really on Gilliam as he replaced Jackie Robinson when Jackie went to 3rd base.
Ozzie Smith and Tommy Herr?
****JUSTIN TURNER & DANIEL MURPHY****
LoL
What about Matsui and Reyes (2B Reyes)?
Moses and Jesus, that’s who…..that’s who