National League shortstops
1998 starter highlighted in yellow
OFFICIAL VOTE LEADERS (06/29/99)
1, Barry Larkin, Cincinnati, 488,181. 2, Rey Ordonez, New York, 478,509. 3, Walt Weiss, Atlanta, 244,288. 4, Edgar Renteria, St. Louis, 204,603. 5, Tony Batista, Arizona, 165,007. 6, Rich Aurilia, San Francisco, 143,297. 7, Jose Hernandez, Chicago, 129,478. 8, Desi Relaford, Philadelphia, 125,915. 9, Alex Gonzalez, Florida, 117,986. 10, Ricky Gutierrez, Houston, 107,471.
PLAYER
TEAM
HT
WT
B/T
Rich Aurilia
San Francisco Giants
6'1"
182 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Started 105 games at shortstop and ranked third among National League players at his position with a .979 fielding percentage. Spent time on the disabled list, but still managed to hit .268 with 9 home runs and 49 RBI's
Tony Batista
Arizona Diamondbacks
6'0"
195 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Selected from Oakland in the Expansion Draft, he batted .295 with 13 home runs with a .608 slugging percentage over the final two months of the season (166 AB).
Orlando Cabrera
Montreal Expos
5'9"
165 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Cabrera began the season with Triple A Ottawa, but after he was called up he batted .280 with 3 home runs and 22 RBI.
Alex Gonzalez
Florida Marlins
6'0"
170 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Played in 25 games for the Marlins, batting just .151. Finished the year with 3 home runs and 7 RBI in 86 at-bats.
Chris Gomez
San Diego Padres
6'1"
195 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Set career highs with a .267 average, 32 doubles, and 39 extra-base hits. Also hit 4 home runs and drove in 39.
Mark Grudzielanek
Los Angeles Dodgers
6'1"
185 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Grudzielanek split the season between the Expos and Dodgers, posting a combined .272 average to go along with 10 home runs and 72 RBI.
Ricky Gutierrez
Houston Astros
6'1"
175 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Started strong, hitting .291 before the All-Star break but trailed off towards the end of the year to bring his overall average down to .261.
Jose Hernandez
Chicago Cubs
6'1"
185 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Played every position except for pitcher and catcher. Hit .254 with 23 home runs and 75 RBI in 488 at-bats.
Barry Larkin
Cincinnati Reds
6'0"
185 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Even though he began the season on the disabled list, Larkin still led National League shortstops with a .309 average, 17 home runs, and 72 RBI.
Mark Loretta
Milwaukee Brewers
6'0"
175 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Posted career highs in almost all offensive categories with a .316 average, 137 hits, and 54 RBI. He also stroked 6 home runs in 434 at-bats.
Pat Meares
Pittsburgh
6'0"
187 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Meares batted .260 with 9 home runs and posted career highs in hits, at-bats, RBI, and walks. Had a personal best 14 game hit streak.
Rey Ordonez
New York Mets
5'9"
159 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Known for his spectacular defensive play, Ordonez also had a solid offensive year, setting career highs in RBI, doubles, and walks.
Neifi Perez
Colorado Rockies
6'0"
177 lbs.
S/R
1998:
Played in all 162 games, leading the National League with 20 bunt hits. Hit .274 with 9 home runs and 59 RBI and led the majors with 517 assists.
Desi Relaford
Philadelphia Phillies
5'8"
170 lbs.
S/R
1998:
In his first full season as the Phillies everyday shortsop, Relaford hit .245 with 5 home runs and 45 RBI.
Edgar Renteria
St. Louis Cardinals
6'1"
180 lbs.
R/R
1998:
Was the first Columbian to play in the All-Star game. Despite a knee injury, he finished fourth in the National League with 41 stolen bases. Hit .282 with 3 home runs and 31 RBI.
Walt Weiss
Atlanta Braves
6'0"
175 lbs.
S/R
1998:
Made his first All-Star team in a year which he batted .280 with 27 RBI. Batting leadoff, Weiss had a .386 on-base percentage, which was good enough for fourth in the National League.
OTHER POSITIONS
AL First base
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NL First base
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AL Second base
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NL Second base
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AL Shortstop
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NL Shortstop
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AL Third base
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NL Third base
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AL Catcher
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NL Catcher
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AL Outfield
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NL Outfield
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AL Designated hitter
