Third baseman

A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in the sport of baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base, the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in a counterclockwise succession in order to score a run. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the third baseman is assigned the number 5.

Significant third basemen

Baseball Hall of Fame members

• Frank Baker
• Wade Boggs
• George Brett
• Jimmy Collins
• Ray Dandridge (Negro Leagues)
• Judy Johnson (Negro Leagues)
• George Kell
• Freddie Lindstrom
• Eddie Mathews
• John McGraw (primarily elected as a manager, although a truly great third baseman in his short career)
• Paul Molitor (longtime designated hitter who played primarily 3B on the field)
• Brooks Robinson
• Mike Schmidt
• Pie Traynor

Multiple Gold Glove Award winners

• Brooks Robinson - 16
• Mike Schmidt - 10
• Buddy Bell - 6
• Scott Rolen - 6
• Robin Ventura - 6
• Ken Boyer - 5
• Doug Rader - 5
• Ron Santo - 5
• Eric Chavez - 4
• Gary Gaetti - 4
• Matt Williams - 4

Other notable stars

• Sal Bando
• Ossie Bluege
• Ken Caminiti
• Ron Cey
• Harlond Clift
• Lave Cross
• Darrell Evans
• Heinie Groh
• Stan Hack
• Bob Horner
• Howard Johnson
• Willie Kamm
• Ken Keltner
• Arlie Latham
• Tommy Leach
• Bill Madlock
• Dave Malarcher (Negro Leagues)
• Ollie Marcelle (Negro Leagues)
• Edgar Martinez (DH for most of his career; came up as a third basemen)
• Graig Nettles
• Terry Pendleton
• Aramis Ramírez
• Alex Rodriguez
• Al Rosen
• Tim Wallach
• Ed Williamson
• Jud Wilson (Negro Leagues)
• Eddie Yost