Billy Rogell
Detroit Tigers: 1930-1939
The Detroit Tigers shortstop of the 1930’s, Rogell was a mainstay in a potent lineup that featured Hall of Famers Charlie Gehringer and Hank Greenberg alongside him in the infield. Rogell may not have had the offensive firepower of his HOF counterparts, but he made up for it by being one of the greatest defensive shortstops in team history.
After three underwhelming seasons in Boston, Rogell spent one year in the American Association League before the Tigers snagged him ahead of the 1930 season. He was a bit player in 1930 and 1931, combining for just 377 at-bats and a .243 average.
He took over as the team’s primary shortstop in 1932 and didn’t look back, earning over 500 at-bats in each of the next seven seasons. During that time, Rogell slashed a very respectable .278/.366/.386 with 1,090 hits, 205 doubles, 64 stolen bases and a 91 OPS+.
He earned himself a 24.5 bWAR during that time, an average of about 3.5 per season. Rogell twice posted a 5-WAR season, once in 1933 and again in Detroit’s World Series winning 1935 season. Rogell was excellent that season, posting a .275/.367/.388 slash line with 23 doubles, 11 triples, 74 RBI and a league-leading 2.7 dWAR. It was actually the second consecutive year Rogell would lead the entire league in dWAR. He would do it again in 1936. He also finished second in both 1932 and 1933.
Rogell’s offense was roughly league average, but his elite defense makes him not only one of the best defensive shortstops of the era, but one of the best in Detroit Tigers history. That earns him a spot just inside the top five shortstops in franchise history.