BOSTON, MA – MAY 07: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after throwing the runner out at first base in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the interleague game at Fenway Park on May 7, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Dustin Pedroia just missed the cut. He was an exceptional player, though, an MVP and multiple-time World Champion with the Red Sox. Here are the 10 players who beat him out:
10. Eddie Collins
(Original Caption) After ten years with the Chicago White Sox, Eddie Collins, veteran second baseman, will again play with the team he made his debut in baseball back in 1907. He is shown above after hitting the ball over the fence at the athletics Spring Training camp at Clearwater, Florida.
Amazingly dominant player of his generation.
9. Nap Lajoie
Nap Lajoie, Cleveland Al (Baseball), 1913. Creator: Harris & Ewing. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
Early MLB superstar.
8. Jeff Kent
12 Aug 1997: Second baseman Jeff Kent of the San Francisco Giants swings at the ball during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won the game 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport
Most HRs by a 2B.
7. Ryne Sandberg
CHICAGO – JUNE 15: Ryne Sandberg #23 of the Chicago Cubs hits the ball during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on June 15, 1983 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Could you imagine how good he would have been if he hit in April?
6. Rod Carew
Panamanian-American baseball infielder Rod Carew, of the Minnesota Twins, pictured at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 1969. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Won seven batting titles.
5. Craig Biggio
Houston Astro second baseman, Craig Biggio batting, during a night game at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois USA, June 14, 2006. The Houston Astros over the Chicago Cubs by a score of 5 to 4. (Photo by Warren Wimmer/Getty Images)
Had over 3000 hits in his career.
4. Roberto Alomar
BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1992: Roberto Alomar #12 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action against the Baltimore Orioles during a Major League Baseball game circa 1992 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Alomar played for the Blue Jays from 1991-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Won 10 Gold Gloves.
3. Jackie Robinson
circa 1945: A portrait of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ infielder Jackie Robinson in uniform. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Trailblazer who helped change the game.
2. Joe Morgan
PITTSBURGH, PA – 1975: Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates during a Major League Baseball game at Three Rivers Stadium in 1975 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
All-around elite player.
1. Rogers Hornsby
(Original Caption) 5/12/1921- Rogers Hornsby, star second baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals and batting king of the National League. Hornsby led the league in batting last season with an average of 370. He is out to repeat this year and to better his last seasons mark. Hornsby held this title from 1920-25, and ended his career with the second highest overall average of .359. He also holds the record for highest average in a season at .424. This photograph depicts him holding a bat on his shoulder, alone.
