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Detroit Tigers: Top 10 Second Basemen in franchise history

By Andy Patton

Placido Polanco of the Detroit Tigers throws to first base during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on September 21, 2005. The Royals won 4-3. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images)
Placido Polanco of the Detroit Tigers throws to first base during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on September 21, 2005. The Royals won 4-3. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 9: Richard Urena #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays is forced out at second base in the first inning during MLB game action as Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers cannot turn the double play at Rogers Centre on September 9, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 9: Richard Urena #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays is forced out at second base in the first inning during MLB game action as Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers cannot turn the double play at Rogers Centre on September 9, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Tigers traded away Ian Kinsler after the 2017 season. Where does he rank all-time among Tiger second baseman?

The Detroit Tigers have had tremendous success at the second base position in their storied franchise history.

While known primarily as a light-hitting position, the Tigers have frequently gone against the grain, employing strong hitting players as the keystone instead.

However, the defense has rarely gone ignored at second base either.

Detroit second basemen have won seven gold gloves while wearing a Tigers uniform. Additionally, they have also won six Silver Slugger awards, one rookie of the year award, one ALCS MVP award, and one AL MVP award.

Picking ten-second basemen was somewhat of a challenge. It is a very top heavy group, with two at the top that are indisputable. Below that are four that are all very, very good. Then we round it out with a couple guys who hung around long enough to crack the top ten.

Still, this list is a great portrait of Detroit’s history at a position that has been a great strength historically.

I encourage all you Tiger history buffs to take a second and guess who you think this list will entail, and in what order.

Without further ado, here are the 10 greatest second baseman in Detroit Tiger’s history.

Note: Huge thanks to baseball-reference.com for all the statistics. We couldn’t do it without them!

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