# List of Major League Baseball career double plays leaders

In baseball statistics, a double play (denoted as DP) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous play. One double play is recorded for every defensive player who participates in the play, regardless of how many of the outs in which they were directly involved, and is counted in addition to whatever putouts and assists might also apply. Double plays can occur any time there is at least one baserunner and fewer than two outs.
The list reflects the overall leaders in double plays in Major League Baseball and the leaders by each position.

## Key

| Rank | Rank amongst leaders in career double plays. A blank field indicates a tie. |
| Player | Name |
| Throws | Denotes right-handed (R) or left-handed (L) pitcher |
| MLB | Total career putouts as a pitcher in Major League Baseball |
| * | Denotes elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame |
| Bold | Denotes active player |

## Overall

The top 100 leaders in double plays in major league history. Only twenty-one of the 100 (Eddie Collins, Stuffy McInnis, Jake Daubert, Rabbit Maranville, George Sisler, Joe Judge, Charlie Grimm, Lu Blue, Jim Bottomley, Bill Terry, Lou Gehrig, Charlie Gehringer, Jimmie Foxx, Joe Kuhel, Luke Appling, Dolph Camilli, Frank McCormick, Johnny Mize, George McQuinn, Bobby Doerr, and Mickey Vernon) had careers with significant playing time prior to World War II.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | DPs | Pos. | Years played |
| 1 | Mickey Vernon | 2,044 | 1B | 1939–1943, 1946–1960 |
| 2 | Eddie Murray* | 2,033 | 1B | 1977–1996 |
| 3 | Todd Helton* | 2,028 | 1B | 1997–2013 |
| 4 | Rafael Palmeiro | 1,782 | 1B/LF | 1986–2005 |
| 5 | Fred McGriff* | 1,775 | 1B | 1986–2004 |
| 6 | Joe Kuhel | 1,769 | 1B | 1930–1947 |
| 7 | Omar Vizquel | 1,734 | SS | 1989–2012 |
| 8 | Charlie Grimm | 1,733 | 1B | 1916, 1918–1936 |
| 9 | Bill Mazeroski* | 1,706 | 2B | 1956–1972 |
| 10 | Albert Pujols | 1,702 | 1B/3B/LF | 2001–2022 |
| 11 | Chris Chambliss | 1,687 | 1B | 1971–1986, 1988 |
| 12 | Paul Konerko | 1,660 | 1B | 1997–2014 |
| 13 | Keith Hernandez | 1,654 | 1B | 1974–1990 |
| 14 | Andrés Galarraga | 1,648 | 1B | 1985–1998, 2000–2004 |
| 15 | Nellie Fox* | 1,619 | 2B | 1947–1965 |
| 16 | Jeff Bagwell* | 1,618 | 1B | 1991–2005 |
| 17 | Gil Hodges* | 1,614 | 1B/OF | 1943, 1947–1963 |
| 18 | Wally Joyner | 1,611 | 1B | 1986–2001 |
| 19 | Ozzie Smith* | 1,590 | SS | 1978–1996 |
| 20 | John Olerud | 1,581 | 1B | 1989–2005 |
| 21 | Lou Gehrig* | 1,575 | 1B | 1923–1939 |
| 22 | Will Clark | 1,571 | 1B | 1986–2000 |
| 23 | Cal Ripken Jr.* | 1,565 | SS | 1981–2001 |
| 24 | Jim Bottomley* | 1,562 | 1B | 1922–1937 |
| 25 | Luis Aparicio* | 1,553 | SS | 1956–1973 |
| 26 | Willie Randolph | 1,547 | 2B | 1975–1992 |
| 27 | Joe Judge | 1,543 | 1B | 1915–1934 |
| 28 | Mark Grace | 1,533 | 1B | 1988–2003 |
| 29 | Jimmie Foxx* | 1,528 | 1B | 1925–1942, 1944–1945 |
| 30 | Lou Whitaker | 1,527 | 2B | 1977–1995 |
| 31 | Bobby Doerr* | 1,507 | 2B | 1937–1944, 1946–1951 |
| 32 | Paul Goldschmidt (0) | 1,506 | 1B | 2011–Present |
| 33 | Joe Morgan* | 1,505 | 2B | 1963–1984 |
| 34 | Don Mattingly | 1,500 | 1B/OF | 1982–1995 |
| 35 | Steve Garvey | 1,498 | 1B/3B | 1969–1987 |
| 36 | Carlos Delgado | 1,496 | 1B | 1993–2009 |
| 37 | George Sisler* | 1,495 | 1B | 1915–1922, 1924–1930 |
| 38 | George Scott | 1,480 | 1B/3B | 1966–1979 |
| 39 | Freddie Freeman (0) | 1,466 | 1B | 2010–Present |
| 40 | Charlie Gehringer* | 1,444 | 2B | 1924–1942 |
| 41 | Derrek Lee | 1,442 | 1B | 1997–2011 |
| 42 | Joey Votto | 1,432 | 1B | 2007–2023 |
| 43 | Luke Appling* | 1,424 | SS | 1930–1950 |
| 44 | Robinson Canó | 1.418 | 2B | 2005–2022 |
| | Mark Teixeira | 1,418 | 1B | 2003–2016 |
| 46 | Derek Jeter* | 1,408 | SS | 1995–2014 |
| | Mark McGwire | 1,408 | 1B | 1986–2001 |
| 48 | Roberto Alomar* | 1,407 | 2B | 1988–2004 |
| 49 | Willie McCovey* | 1,405 | 1B/LF | 1959–1980 |
| 50 | Tino Martinez | 1,398 | 1B | 1990–2005 |
| 51 | Frank White | 1,382 | 2B/SS | 1973–1990 |
| 52 | Adrián González | 1,381 | 1B | 2004–2018 |
| 53 | Red Schoendienst* | 1,368 | 2B/LF | 1945–1963 |
| 54 | Cecil Cooper | 1,348 | 1B | 1971–1987 |
| 55 | Norm Cash | 1,347 | 1B | 1958–1974 |
| 56 | Tony Pérez* | 1,342 | 1B/3B | 1964–1986 |
| 57 | Stuffy McInnis | 1,338 | 1B | 1909–1927 |
| 58 | Bill Terry* | 1,334 | 1B | 1923–1936 |
| 59 | Kent Hrbek | 1,331 | 1B | 1981–1994 |
| 60 | Wally Pipp | 1,329 | 1B | 1913, 1915–1928 |
| 61 | Jake Beckley* | 1,327 | 1B | 1888-1907 |
| 62 | Johnny Mize* | 1,320 | 1B | 1936–1942, 1946–1953 |
| 63 | Alan Trammell* | 1,307 | SS | 1977–1996 |
| | John Mayberry | 1,307 | 1B | 1968–1982 |
| 65 | Roy McMillan | 1,304 | SS | 1951–1966 |
| 66 | Bobby Grich | 1,302 | 2B/SS/1B | 1970–1986 |
| 67 | J.T. Snow | 1,298 | 1B | 1992–2006, 2007 |
| 68 | Ian Kinsler | 1,291 | 2B | 2006–2019 |
| 69 | Dave Concepción | 1,290 | SS | 1970–1988 |
| 70 | Miguel Tejada | 1,274 | SS | 1997–2013 |
| 71 | Ted Kluszewski | 1,269 | 1B | 1947–1961 |
| 72 | Bill Skowron | 1,266 | 1B | 1954–1967 |
| 73 | Larry Bowa | 1,265 | SS | 1970–1985 |
| | George McQuinn | 1,265 | 1B | 1936, 1938–1948 |
| 75 | Jeff Kent | 1,261 | 2B/1B/3B | 1992–2008 |
| 76 | Eric Karros | 1,257 | 1B | 1991–2004 |
| 77 | Jimmy Rollins | 1,249 | SS | 2000–2016 |
| | Adam LaRoche | 1,249 | 1B | 2004–2015 |
| 79 | Pee Wee Reese* | 1,246 | SS | 1940–42, 1946–58 |
| 80 | Eddie Collins* | 1,239 | 2B | 1906–1930 |
| 81 | Dick Groat | 1,237 | SS | 1952, 1955–1967 |
| 82 | Lee May | 1,235 | 1B/OF | 1965–1982 |
| 83 | Cap Anson* | 1,232 | 1B/3B/C | 1871–1897 |
| 84 | Joe Adcock | 1,228 | 1B/LF | 1950–1966 |
| 85 | Royce Clayton | 1,224 | SS | 1991–2007 |
| 86 | Frank McCormick | 1,221 | 1B | 1934, 1937–1948 |
| 87 | Édgar Rentería | 1,218 | SS | 1996–2011 |
| 88 | Phil Rizzuto* | 1,217 | SS | 1941–1942, 1946–1956 |
| 89 | Elvis Andrus | 1,209 | SS | 2009–2023 |
| 90 | Anthony Rizzo (0) | 1,206 | 1B | 2011–Present |
| 91 | Jake Daubert | 1,201 | 1B | 1910–1924 |
| 92 | Bill Buckner | 1,200 | 1B/LF | 1969–1990 |
| 93 | Lu Blue | 1,196 | 1B | 1921–1933 |
| | Eric Hosmer | 1,196 | 1B | 2011–2023 |
| 95 | Orlando Cepeda* | 1,192 | 1B/LF | 1958–1974 |
| 96 | Ray Durham | 1,189 | 2B | 1995–2008 |
| 97 | Dolph Camilli | 1,189 | 1B | 1933–1943, 1945 |
| 98 | Rabbit Maranville* | 1,188 | SS/2B | 1912–1935 |
| | Bid McPhee* | 1,188 | 2B | 1882–1899 |
| 100 | Bert Campaneris | 1,186 | SS | 1964–1983 |

## By position
### Pitchers

* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Throws | Double plays as a pitcher | Double plays as a pitcher | Double plays as a pitcher | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Throws | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Greg Maddux* | R | 98 | 0 | 98 | |
| 2 | Phil Niekro* | R | 83 | 8 | 75 | |
| 3 | Warren Spahn* | L | 82 | 0 | 82 | |
| 4 | Freddie Fitzsimmons | R | 79 | 0 | 79 | |
| 5 | Bob Lemon* | R | 78 | 78 | 0 | |
| 6 | Bucky Walters | R | 76 | 0 | 76 | |
| 7 | Walter Johnson* | R | 75 | 75 | 0 | |
| 8 | Burleigh Grimes* | R | 74 | 0 | 74 | |
| 9 | Tommy John | L | 69 | 49 | 20 | |
| 10 | Tom Glavine* | L | 67 | 0 | 67 | |
| 11 | Liván Hernández | R | 65 | 0 | 65 | |
| | Jim Kaat* | L | 65 | 55 | 10 | |
| | Kenny Rogers | L | 65 | 63 | 2 | |
| 14 | Dizzy Trout | R | 63 | 63 | 0 | |
| 15 | Zack Greinke | R | 62 | 25 | 37 | |
| 16 | Dennis Martínez | R | 61 | 36 | 25 | |
| 17 | Carl Mays | R | 59 | 37 | 22 | |
| 18 | Gaylord Perry* | R | 58 | 23 | 35 | |
| 19 | Ted Lyons* | R | 57 | 57 | 0 | |
| 20 | Eppa Rixey* | L | 56 | 0 | 56 | |
| 21 | Lew Burdette | R | 55 | 1 | 54 | |
| | Don Drysdale* | R | 55 | 0 | 55 | |
| | Carl Hubbell* | L | 55 | 0 | 55 | |
| 24 | Murry Dickson | R | 54 | 3 | 51 | |
| | Willis Hudlin | R | 54 | 54 | 0 | |
| | Kirk Rueter | L | 54 | 0 | 54 | |
| | Tom Seaver* | R | 54 | 5 | 49 | |
| 28 | Mark Buehrle | L | 53 | 48 | 5 | |
| | Jim Palmer* | R | 53 | 53 | 0 | |
| | Eddie Rommel | R | 53 | 53 | 0 | |
| 31 | Bullet Joe Bush | R | 52 | 51 | 1 | |
| 32 | Sad Sam Jones | R | 51 | 51 | 0 | |
| | Red Ruffing* | R | 51 | 51 | 0 | |
| 34 | Art Nehf | L | 50 | 0 | 50 | |
| 35 | Grover Cleveland Alexander* | R | 49 | 0 | 49 | |
| | Whitey Ford* | L | 49 | 0 | 49 | |
| | Paul Splittorff | L | 49 | 0 | 49 | |
| 38 | Bert Blyleven* | R | 48 | 42 | 6 | |
| | Jamie Moyer | L | 48 | 40 | 8 | |
| | Bobby Shantz | L | 48 | 42 | 6 | |
| 41 | Bartolo Colón | R | 47 | 30 | 17 | |
| | Stan Coveleski* | R | 47 | 47 | 0 | |
| | Early Wynn* | R | 47 | 47 | 0 | |
| 44 | John Denny | R | 46 | 11 | 35 | |
| | Bob Gibson* | R | 46 | 0 | 46 | |
| | Larry Jackson | R | 46 | 0 | 46 | |
| | Herb Pennock* | L | 46 | 46 | 0 | |
| | Rick Wise | R | 46 | 15 | 31 | |
| 49 | Ferguson Jenkins* | R | 45 | 23 | 22 | |
| | Robin Roberts* | R | 45 | 8 | 37 | |
| | Dave Stieb | R | 45 | 45 | 0 | |
| 52 | John Clarkson* | R | 44 | 0 | 44 | |
| | Pud Galvin* | R | 44 | 0 | 39 | Includes 3 in American Association, 1 in National Association, and 1 in Players' League |
| | Orel Hershiser | R | 44 | 6 | 38 | |
| | Claude Passeau | R | 44 | 0 | 44 | |
| | Fritz Peterson | L | 44 | 44 | 0 | |
| 57 | Mordecai Brown* | R | 43 | 0 | 36 | Includes 7 in Federal League |
| | Johnny Schmitz | L | 43 | 17 | 26 | |
| | George Uhle | R | 43 | 43 | 0 | |
| 60 | Harry Gumbert | R | 42 | 0 | 42 | |
| | Mike Hampton | L | 42 | 0 | 42 | |
| | Clarence Mitchell | L | 42 | 0 | 42 | |
| | Don Sutton* | R | 42 | 6 | 36 | |
| | Javier Vázquez | R | 42 | 15 | 27 | |
| 65 | Scott Erickson | R | 41 | 40 | 1 | |
| | Ned Garver | R | 41 | 41 | 0 | |
| | Ray Herbert | R | 41 | 36 | 5 | |
| | Sid Hudson | R | 41 | 41 | 0 | |
| | Vern Law | R | 41 | 0 | 41 | |
| | Dutch Leonard | R | 41 | 26 | 15 | |
| | Christy Mathewson* | R | 41 | 0 | 41 | |
| | Lee Meadows | R | 41 | 0 | 41 | |
| | Tony Mullane | R | 41 | 0 | 11 | Includes 30 in American Association |
| | Joe Niekro | R | 41 | 8 | 33 | |
| 75 | Larry French | L | 40 | 0 | 40 | |
| | Bob Friend | R | 40 | 0 | 40 | |
| | Mudcat Grant | R | 40 | 38 | 2 | |
| | Hal Newhouser* | L | 40 | 40 | 0 | |
| | Frank Tanana | L | 40 | 39 | 1 | |
| | Cy Young* | R | 40 | 18 | 22 | |
| 81 | Mike Caldwell | L | 39 | 24 | 15 | |
| | Curt Davis | R | 39 | 0 | 39 | |
| | Waite Hoyt* | R | 39 | 29 | 10 | |
| | Mike Morgan | R | 39 | 19 | 20 | |
| | Jack Quinn | R | 39 | 34 | 3 | Includes 2 in Federal League |
| | Charles Radbourn* | R | 39 | 0 | 35 | Includes 4 in Players' League |
| | Rick Reuschel | R | 39 | 0 | 39 | |
| 88 | Elden Auker | R | 38 | 38 | 0 | |
| | Jim Bagby | R | 38 | 36 | 2 | |
| | Guy Bush | R | 38 | 0 | 38 | |
| | Jon Garland | R | 38 | 29 | 9 | |
| | Mel Harder | R | 38 | 38 | 0 | |
| | Charlie Hough | R | 38 | 32 | 6 | |
| | Danny MacFayden | R | 38 | 22 | 16 | |
| | Milt Pappas | R | 38 | 23 | 15 | |
| | Dan Petry | R | 38 | 38 | 0 | |
| | Jerry Reuss | L | 38 | 6 | 32 | |
| | Bob Stanley | R | 38 | 38 | 0 | |
| | Mel Stottlemyre | R | 38 | 38 | 0 | |
| | Walt Terrell | R | 38 | 27 | 11 | |
| | Mike Torrez | R | 38 | 21 | 17 | |

### Catchers

Catchers typically record double plays by throwing out a runner attempting to steal a base immediately after the batter has struck out, by tagging out a runner attempting to score a run after receiving a throw from an outfielder on an attempted sacrifice fly, by stepping on home plate to force out a runner with the bases loaded and then throwing out another runner (often the batter trying to reach first base), or by tagging out a runner attempting to score after an out has been recorded at another base. Double plays are also occasionally recorded when a rundown play is involved, almost always as the second out. On August 2, 1985, Carlton Fisk of the Chicago White Sox recorded a double play by tagging out two New York Yankees moments apart at home plate when both tried to score on a double. The feat was duplicated by Paul Lo Duca of the New York Mets in Game 1 of the 2006 National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Many of the career leaders were active during baseball's dead-ball era when runners made more aggressive attempts to advance around the bases in risky situations; 13 of the top 18 single-season totals, and 28 of the top 37, were recorded before 1928. Ray Schalk holds the record for the most career double plays by a catcher with 222. Steve O'Neill is second with 198; only seven other catchers have recorded 150 career double plays.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Double plays as a catcher | Double plays as a catcher | Double plays as a catcher | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Ray Schalk* | 222 | 222 | 0 | Held the American League single-season record, 1913-1914 (tie) |
| 2 | Steve O'Neill | 198 | 198 | 0 | Held major league record, 1920-1923; held American League record, 1917-1923; holds the single-season record of 36 (set in 1916) |
| 3 | Yogi Berra* | 175 | 175 | 0 | |
| 4 | Gabby Hartnett* | 163 | 0 | 163 | |
| 5 | Iván Rodríguez* | 158 | 136 | 22 | |
| 6 | Tony Peña | 156 | 64 | 92 | |
| 7 | Bob Boone | 154 | 87 | 67 | |
| | Wally Schang | 154 | 154 | 0 | |
| 9 | Jimmie Wilson | 153 | 0 | 153 | Held National League record, 1935-1938 |
| 10 | Gary Carter* | 149 | 0 | 149 | |
| 11 | Jason Kendall | 148 | 30 | 118 | |
| 12 | Carlton Fisk* | 147 | 147 | 0 | |
| 13 | Jim Sundberg | 145 | 142 | 3 | |
| 14 | Deacon McGuire | 143 | 32 | 90 | Includes 21 in American Association; held major league record, 1904-1920 |
| 15 | Rollie Hemsley | 141 | 97 | 44 | |
| | Ivey Wingo | 141 | 0 | 141 | Held National League record, 1924-1935 |
| 17 | Rick Ferrell* | 139 | 139 | 0 | |
| | Muddy Ruel | 139 | 139 | 0 | |
| | Luke Sewell | 139 | 139 | 0 | |
| 20 | Bill Dickey* | 137 | 137 | 0 | |
| | Al López* | 137 | 1 | 136 | |
| | Yadier Molina | 137 | 0 | 137 | |
| 23 | Jim Hegan | 136 | 130 | 6 | |
| 24 | Charles Zimmer | 135 | 0 | 128 | Includes 7 in American Association; held major league record, 1900-1904; held National League record, 1901-1924; held the single-season record, 1894-1897 |
| 25 | Lance Parrish | 133 | 117 | 16 | |
| 26 | Brad Ausmus | 130 | 17 | 113 | |
| | Benito Santiago | 130 | 13 | 117 | |
| 28 | Bill Killefer | 129 | 18 | 111 | |
| 29 | Johnny Bench* | 127 | 0 | 127 | |
| | Johnny Kling | 127 | 0 | 127 | Held the single-season record, 1902-1909 (tie), 1912-1914; held the National League single-season record, 1912-1922 |
| 31 | Red Dooin | 122 | 0 | 122 | Held the single-season record, 1908-1909 (tie) |
| 32 | Del Crandall | 116 | 2 | 114 | |
| 33 | Charlie Bennett | 114 | 0 | 114 | Held major league record, 1887-1900 |
| 34 | George Gibson | 112 | 0 | 112 | |
| | Heinie Peitz | 112 | 0 | 112 | |
| 36 | Rick Dempsey | 111 | 100 | 11 | |
| | Wilbert Robinson* | 111 | 8 | 46 | Includes 57 in American Association |
| | John Roseboro | 111 | 22 | 89 | |
| | Billy Sullivan | 111 | 98 | 13 | Held the American League single-season record, 1901–1907 |
| 40 | Frank Snyder | 108 | 0 | 108 | |
| 41 | Charles Johnson | 107 | 21 | 86 | |
| | Ernie Lombardi* | 107 | 0 | 107 | |
| | Cy Perkins | 107 | 107 | 0 | |
| | Hank Severeid | 107 | 103 | 4 | |
| 45 | Bill Bergen | 106 | 0 | 106 | Held the single-season record, 1909-1912 |
| | Frankie Hayes | 106 | 106 | 0 | |
| 47 | Frank Bowerman | 105 | 0 | 105 | |
| | Johnny Edwards | 105 | 0 | 105 | |
| | Larry McLean | 105 | 0 | 105 | Held the single-season record, 1910-1912 (tie) |
| | Oscar Stanage | 105 | 105 | 0 | |
| 51 | Mickey Cochrane* | 104 | 104 | 0 | |
| | Darrell Porter | 104 | 76 | 28 | |
| | Ted Simmons* | 104 | 16 | 88 | |
| 54 | Lou Criger | 102 | 78 | 24 | |
| | Duke Farrell | 102 | 7 | 78 | Includes 12 in Players' League, 5 in American Association |
| 56 | Sherm Lollar | 101 | 101 | 0 | |
| | Bob O'Farrell | 101 | 0 | 101 | Held the National League single-season record, 1922-1968 |
| | A. J. Pierzynski | 101 | 82 | 19 | |
| 59 | Malachi Kittridge | 100 | 15 | 85 | |
| | Gus Mancuso | 100 | 0 | 100 | |
| | Jack Warner | 100 | 21 | 79 | Held the single-season record, 1897-1909 |
| 62 | Eddie Ainsmith | 99 | 79 | 20 | |
| | Chief Meyers | 99 | 0 | 99 | |
| 64 | Bill Freehan | 98 | 98 | 0 | |
| 65 | Spud Davis | 97 | 0 | 97 | |
| | Mike Scioscia | 97 | 0 | 97 | |
| 67 | Roger Bresnahan* | 96 | 3 | 93 | |
| 68 | Jack Clements | 94 | 0 | 94 | |
| 69 | Hank Gowdy | 93 | 0 | 93 | |
| | Ramón Hernández | 93 | 66 | 27 | |
| | Mickey Owen | 93 | 4 | 89 | |
| 72 | Mike González | 92 | 0 | 92 | |
| | Terry Kennedy | 92 | 14 | 78 | |
| | Buddy Rosar | 92 | 92 | 0 | |
| 75 | Mike Piazza* | 88 | 0 | 88 | |
| | Butch Wynegar | 88 | 88 | 0 | |
| 77 | Elston Howard | 87 | 87 | 0 | Negro League totals unavailable |
| | Birdie Tebbetts | 87 | 87 | 0 | |
| 79 | Roy Campanella* | 86 | 0 | 82 | Includes 4 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete) |
| | Tom Haller | 86 | 1 | 85 | Holds the National League single-season record of 23 (set in 1968) |
| | Otto Miller | 86 | 0 | 86 | |
| | Jocko Milligan | 86 | 0 | 15 | Includes 58 in American Association, 13 in the Players' League |
| 83 | Mike Matheny | 85 | 22 | 63 | |
| | Walter Schmidt | 85 | 0 | 85 | |
| 85 | Brian McCann | 84 | 18 | 66 | |
| | Joe Sugden | 84 | 36 | 48 | |
| 87 | Bill Rariden | 83 | 0 | 51 | Includes 32 in Federal League |
| | Zack Taylor | 83 | 0 | 83 | |
| | Sammy White | 83 | 79 | 4 | |
| 90 | Doc Bushong | 82 | 0 | 41 | Includes 40 in American Association, 1 in National Association; held major league record, 1886-1887; held the single-season record, 1886-1887 |
| | Kirt Manwaring | 82 | 0 | 82 | |
| | Thurman Munson | 82 | 82 | 0 | |
| | Wes Westrum | 82 | 0 | 82 | |
| 94 | John Bateman | 81 | 0 | 81 | |
| | Jorge Posada | 81 | 81 | 0 | |
| 96 | Walker Cooper | 80 | 0 | 80 | |
| | Andy Seminick | 80 | 0 | 80 | |
| 98 | Clay Dalrymple | 79 | 3 | 76 | |
| 99 | Henry Blanco | 78 | 11 | 67 | |
| | Buck Ewing* | 78 | 0 | 71 | Includes 7 in Players' League |
| | Russell Martin | 78 | 27 | 51 | |
| | J.T. Realmuto (0) | 78 | 0 | 78 | |

### First Basemen

Most of the career leaders are relatively recent players who have benefitted from improved infield defense, with equipment of better quality; 10 of the top 13 players made their major league debut after 1970. Longer careers have compensated for the fact that as strikeout totals have risen in baseball, the frequency of other defensive outs including ground outs has declined, with double play totals for first basemen likewise declining; 16 of the top 20 single-season totals were recorded between 1944 and 1980. Because a right-handed first baseman needs to turn their body before throwing across the infield, left-handed first basemen are often preferred for defensive purposes; 14 of the top 21 career double-play leaders are left-handed. Mickey Vernon holds the record for the most career double plays by a first baseman with 2,044. Eddie Murray (2,033) and Todd Helton (2,028) are the only other first basemen who have recorded 2,000 career double plays.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Double plays as a first baseman | Double plays as a first baseman | Double plays as a first baseman | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Mickey Vernon | 2,044 | 2,041 | 3 | |
| 2 | Eddie Murray* | 2,033 | 1,500 | 533 | Holds record for right-handed first baseman |
| 3 | Todd Helton* | 2,028 | 0 | 2,028 | |
| 4 | Rafael Palmeiro | 1,782 | 1,766 | 16 | |
| 5 | Fred McGriff* | 1,775 | 882 | 893 | |
| 6 | Joe Kuhel | 1,769 | 1,769 | 0 | Held major league record, 1946–1955; held American League record, 1944–1955; held the single-season record, 1935-1938 |
| 7 | Charlie Grimm | 1,733 | 0 | 1,733 | Held major league record, 1932–1946; held National League record, 1930–2010; held the single-season record, 1924-1926 |
| 8 | Albert Pujols | 1,702 | 439 | 1,263 | |
| 9 | Chris Chambliss | 1,687 | 1,073 | 614 | |
| 10 | Paul Konerko | 1,660 | 1,650 | 10 | |
| 11 | Keith Hernandez | 1,654 | 28 | 1,626 | |
| 12 | Andrés Galarraga | 1,648 | 28 | 1,620 | |
| 13 | Jeff Bagwell* | 1,618 | 0 | 1,618 | |
| 14 | Gil Hodges* | 1,614 | 0 | 1,614 | Held the National League single-season record, 1950-1966 |
| 15 | Wally Joyner | 1,611 | 1,227 | 384 | |
| 16 | John Olerud | 1,581 | 1,210 | 371 | |
| 17 | Lou Gehrig* | 1,575 | 1,575 | 0 | Held American League record, 1938–1944; held the single-season record, 1938-1944 |
| 18 | Will Clark | 1,571 | 612 | 959 | |
| 19 | Jim Bottomley* | 1,562 | 119 | 1,443 | Held the single-season record, 1927–1935; held the National League single-season record, 1927-1938 |
| 20 | Joe Judge | 1,543 | 1,519 | 24 | Held American League record, 1928–1938; held the single-season record, 1922-1923 (tie); held the AL single-season record, 1922-1925 (tie) |
| 21 | Mark Grace | 1,533 | 0 | 1,533 | |
| 22 | Jimmie Foxx* | 1,528 | 1,477 | 51 | |
| 23 | Paul Goldschmidt (0) | 1,506 | 0 | 1,506 | |
| 24 | Don Mattingly | 1,500 | 1,500 | 0 | |
| 25 | Steve Garvey | 1,498 | 0 | 1,498 | |
| 26 | Carlos Delgado | 1,496 | 1,045 | 451 | |
| 27 | George Sisler* | 1,495 | 1,161 | 334 | Held major league record, 1929–1932; held the single-season record, 1926–1927; held the American League single-season record, 1917-1918 (tie), 1926-1934 |
| 28 | George Scott | 1,480 | 1,480 | 0 | |
| 29 | Freddie Freeman (0) | 1,466 | 0 | 1,466 | |
| 30 | Derrek Lee | 1,442 | 67 | 1,375 | |
| 31 | Joey Votto | 1,432 | 0 | 1,432 | |
| 32 | Mark Teixeira | 1,418 | 1,287 | 131 | |
| 33 | Mark McGwire | 1,408 | 1,012 | 396 | |
| 34 | Willie McCovey* | 1,405 | 0 | 1,405 | |
| 35 | Tino Martinez | 1,398 | 1,187 | 211 | |
| 36 | Adrián González | 1,381 | 226 | 1,155 | |
| 37 | Cecil Cooper | 1,348 | 1,348 | 0 | |
| 38 | Norm Cash | 1,347 | 1,347 | 0 | |
| 39 | Tony Pérez* | 1,342 | 213 | 1,129 | |
| 40 | Stuffy McInnis | 1,338 | 1,001 | 337 | Held major league record, 1926–1929; held the single-season record, 1923-1924 (tie) |
| 41 | Bill Terry* | 1,334 | 0 | 1,334 | |
| 42 | Kent Hrbek | 1,331 | 1,331 | 0 | |
| 43 | Wally Pipp | 1,329 | 1,034 | 295 | Held the American League single-season record, 1917-1918 (tie), 1920–1921; held the National League single-season record, 1926-1927 |
| 44 | Jake Beckley* | 1,327 | 0 | 1,266 | Includes 61 in Players' League; held major league record, 1905-1926 |
| 45 | Johnny Mize* | 1,320 | 215 | 1,105 | |
| 46 | John Mayberry | 1,307 | 1,257 | 50 | |
| 47 | J. T. Snow | 1,298 | 415 | 883 | |
| 48 | Ted Kluszewski | 1,269 | 102 | 1,167 | |
| 49 | Bill Skowron | 1,266 | 1,222 | 44 | |
| 50 | George McQuinn | 1,265 | 1,235 | 30 | Held the single-season record, 1940-1944 (tie) |
| 51 | Eric Karros | 1,257 | 15 | 1,242 | |
| 52 | Adam LaRoche | 1,249 | 44 | 1,205 | |
| 53 | Lee May | 1,235 | 335 | 900 | |
| 54 | Cap Anson* | 1,232 | 0 | 1,191 | Includes 41 in National Association; held major league record, 1886–1905; held the single-season record, 1884–1889; held National League single-season record, 1884-1892 |
| 55 | Joe Adcock | 1,228 | 268 | 960 | |
| 56 | Frank McCormick | 1,221 | 0 | 1,221 | Held the National League single-season record, 1939-1950 |
| 57 | Anthony Rizzo (0) | 1,206 | 217 | 989 | |
| 58 | Jake Daubert | 1,201 | 0 | 1,201 | |
| 59 | Bill Buckner | 1,200 | 410 | 790 | |
| 60 | Lu Blue | 1,196 | 1,196 | 0 | |
| | Eric Hosmer | 1,196 | 807 | 389 | |
| 62 | Orlando Cepeda* | 1,192 | 0 | 1,192 | |
| 63 | Dolph Camilli | 1,189 | 62 | 1,127 | |
| 64 | Justin Morneau | 1,180 | 988 | 192 | |
| 65 | Bill White | 1,157 | 0 | 1,157 | |
| 66 | Hal Trosky | 1,146 | 1,146 | 0 | Held the American League single-season record, 1934-1935 |
| 67 | George Burns | 1,145 | 1,145 | 0 | Held the American League single-season record, 1918-1920 |
| 68 | Carlos Peña | 1,140 | 1,036 | 104 | |
| 69 | Donn Clendenon | 1,136 | 0 | 1,136 | Holds the National League single-season record of 182 (set in 1966) |
| 70 | Boog Powell | 1,131 | 1,130 | 1 | |
| 71 | Rod Carew* | 1,130 | 1,130 | 0 | |
| 72 | Lyle Overbay | 1,125 | 699 | 426 | |
| 73 | Ferris Fain | 1,124 | 1,124 | 0 | Holds the single-season record of 194 (set in 1949) |
| 74 | Mo Vaughn | 1,119 | 1,003 | 116 | |
| 75 | George Kelly* | 1,113 | 0 | 1,113 | Held the National League single-season record, 1921-1923 |
| 76 | Ryan Howard | 1,106 | 0 | 1,106 | |
| 77 | Earl Torgeson | 1,097 | 346 | 751 | |
| 78 | Ed Konetchy | 1,093 | 0 | 1,010 | Includes 83 in Federal League |
| | Jason Thompson | 1,090 | 593 | 497 | |
| 80 | Elbie Fletcher | 1,086 | 0 | 1,086 | |
| | Pete O'Brien | 1,086 | 1,086 | 0 | |
| | Gus Suhr | 1,086 | 0 | 1,086 | Held the National League single-season record, 1938-1939 |
| 83 | Rudy York | 1,072 | 1,072 | 0 | Held the single-season record, 1944-1949 |
| 84 | Vic Power | 1,056 | 1,047 | 9 | |
| 85 | Mike Hargrove | 1,043 | 1,019 | 24 | |
| 86 | José Abreu (0) | 1,033 | 1,033 | 0 | |
| 87 | Prince Fielder | 1,025 | 292 | 733 | |
| 88 | Eddie Robinson | 1,018 | 1,018 | 0 | |
| 89 | Phil Cavarretta | 1,012 | 29 | 983 | |
| 90 | Ernie Banks* | 1,005 | 0 | 1,005 | |
| | Carlos Santana (0) | 1,005 | 810 | 195 | |
| 92 | Chris Davis | 1,002 | 1,002 | 0 | |
| 93 | Jason Giambi | 995 | 947 | 48 | |
| 94 | Dan Driessen | 979 | 0 | 979 | |
| 95 | Miguel Cabrera | 974 | 974 | 0 | |
| 96 | Hank Greenberg* | 973 | 888 | 85 | |
| 97 | Walt Dropo | 968 | 926 | 42 | |
| 98 | Willie Montañez | 962 | 15 | 947 | |
| 99 | Jim Spencer | 956 | 956 | 0 | |
| | Fred Tenney | 956 | 0 | 956 | |

### Second Basemen

In baseball and softball, the second baseman is a fielding position in the infield, commonly stationed between second and first base. The second baseman often possesses quick hands and feet, needs the ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and must be able to make the pivot on a double play. In addition, second basemen are almost always right-handed. Only four left-handed throwing players have appeared as second basemen in the major leagues since 1950; one of the four, Gonzalo Márquez, was listed as the second baseman in the starting lineup for two games in 1973, batting in the first inning, but was replaced before his team took the field on defense, and none of the other three players lasted even a complete inning at the position. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the second baseman is assigned the number 4.
Second basemen typically record a double play by receiving a throw from another player to force out the runner advancing to second base, then throwing to first base to retire the batter/runner, or by fielding a ground ball and then either throwing to the shortstop covering second base or stepping on the base themselves before the throw to first base is made. Second basemen generally benefit in this respect from playing alongside an excellent shortstop with great range and quickness; strong middle infields are regarded as crucial to a team's defensive play, and double play totals are regarded as a strong indicator of their defensive skill. Double plays are also recorded when the second baseman catches a line drive, then throws to a base before the runner can tag up, or another infielder or the pitcher catches the line drive and then throws to the second baseman in the same situation; on occasion, the throw might come from an outfielder after an unexpected catch of a fly ball. Other double plays occur when the second baseman records an out at second base, then throws out a runner attempting to advance on the basepaths, or on a double steal attempt in which the catcher throws out a runner attempting to steal second base, and the second baseman throws back to the catcher to retire a runner trying to steal home. Double plays are also occasionally recorded when a rundown play is involved, almost always as the second out. Because of the high number of ground outs, second basemen and shortstops typically record far more double plays than players at any other position except first base.
Most of the career leaders are relatively recent players who have benefitted from improved infield defense, with equipment of better quality; 9 of the top 14 players made their major league debut after 1962, and only two were active before 1945. Longer careers have compensated for the fact that as strikeout totals have risen in baseball, the frequency of other defensive outs including ground outs has declined, with double play totals for second basemen likewise declining; 23 of the top 29 single-season totals were recorded between 1935 and 1974, and none of the top 362 were recorded before 1921. Bill Mazeroski holds the record for the most career double plays by a second baseman with 1,706. Nellie Fox is second with 1,619; only four other second basemen have recorded 1,500 career double plays.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Double plays as a second baseman | Double plays as a second baseman | Double plays as a second baseman | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Bill Mazeroski* | 1,706 | 0 | 1,706 | Holds the single-season record of 161 (set in 1966) |
| 2 | Nellie Fox* | 1,619 | 1,568 | 51 | Held major league record, 1963-1970 |
| 3 | Willie Randolph | 1,547 | 1,391 | 156 | |
| 4 | Lou Whitaker | 1,527 | 1,527 | 0 | |
| 5 | Bobby Doerr* | 1,507 | 1,507 | 0 | Held major league record, 1951-1963 |
| 6 | Joe Morgan* | 1,505 | 62 | 1,443 | |
| 7 | Charlie Gehringer* | 1,444 | 1,444 | 0 | Held major league record, 1938-1951 |
| 8 | Robinson Canó | 1,418 | 1,347 | 71 | |
| 9 | Roberto Alomar* | 1,407 | 1,001 | 406 | |
| 10 | Frank White | 1,382 | 1,382 | 0 | |
| 11 | Red Schoendienst* | 1,368 | 0 | 1,368 | Held National League record, 1957–1967; held NL single-season record, 1954-1961 (tie) |
| 12 | Bobby Grich | 1,302 | 1,302 | 0 | |
| 13 | Ian Kinsler | 1,291 | 1,255 | 36 | |
| 14 | Jeff Kent | 1,261 | 3 | 1,258 | |
| 15 | Eddie Collins* | 1,239 | 1,239 | 0 | Held major league record, 1926–1938; held American League record, 1922–1938; held AL single-season record, 1920-1921 (tie) |
| 16 | Ray Durham | 1,189 | 746 | 443 | |
| 17 | Bid McPhee* | 1,188 | 0 | 657 | Includes 531 in American Association; held major league record, 1889–1926; held single-season record, 1886–1921; held National League single-season record, 1892-1923 |
| 18 | Billy Herman* | 1,177 | 0 | 1,177 | Held National League record, 1942-1957 |
| 19 | Joe Gordon* | 1,160 | 1,160 | 0 | |
| 20 | Ryne Sandberg* | 1,158 | 0 | 1,158 | |
| 21 | Craig Biggio* | 1,153 | 0 | 1,153 | |
| 22 | Brandon Phillips | 1,115 | 97 | 1,018 | |
| 23 | Bret Boone | 1,085 | 502 | 583 | |
| 24 | Frankie Frisch* | 1,062 | 0 | 1,062 | Held National League record, 1933-1942 |
| 25 | Luis Castillo | 1,051 | 126 | 925 | |
| 26 | Nap Lajoie* | 1,050 | 883 | 167 | Held American League single-season record, 1906-1921 |
| 27 | Jim Gantner | 1,036 | 1,036 | 0 | |
| 28 | Frank Bolling | 1,003 | 521 | 482 | |
| 29 | Steve Sax | 998 | 404 | 594 | |
| 30 | Jose Altuve (0) | 994 | 771 | 223 | |
| 31 | Chase Utley | 993 | 0 | 993 | |
| 32 | Tom Herr | 991 | 54 | 937 | |
| 33 | Glenn Hubbard | 975 | 94 | 881 | |
| 34 | Manny Trillo | 973 | 73 | 900 | |
| 35 | Ski Melillo | 965 | 965 | 0 | |
| 36 | Buddy Myer | 963 | 963 | 0 | Held single-season record, 1935-1950 |
| | Bobby Richardson | 963 | 963 | 0 | |
| 38 | Hughie Critz | 960 | 0 | 960 | |
| 39 | Cookie Rojas | 953 | 518 | 435 | |
| 40 | Tony Taylor | 950 | 91 | 859 | |
| 41 | Harold Reynolds | 948 | 948 | 0 | |
| 42 | Dustin Pedroia | 940 | 940 | 0 | |
| 43 | Julián Javier | 907 | 0 | 907 | |
| 44 | Jerry Priddy | 906 | 906 | 0 | Holds the American League single-season record (150 in 1950), was the major league record until 1966 |
| 45 | Mark Ellis | 903 | 703 | 200 | |
| 46 | Dave Cash | 901 | 0 | 901 | |
| 47 | Rogers Hornsby* | 895 | 10 | 885 | Held National League record, 1929-1933 |
| 48 | Fred Pfeffer | 894 | 0 | 821 | Includes 73 in Players' League; held National League record, 1888–1929; held single-season record, 1884–1886; held NL single-season record, 1884-1892 |
| 49 | Robby Thompson | 873 | 0 | 873 | |
| 50 | Félix Millán | 855 | 0 | 855 | |
| 51 | Brian Roberts | 850 | 850 | 0 | |
| 52 | Del Pratt | 849 | 849 | 0 | |
| 53 | Orlando Hudson | 841 | 407 | 434 | |
| 54 | Ted Sizemore | 835 | 31 | 804 | |
| 55 | Don Blasingame | 834 | 224 | 610 | |
| | Chuck Knoblauch | 834 | 834 | 0 | |
| 57 | Tito Fuentes | 832 | 119 | 713 | |
| 58 | Johnny Temple | 829 | 175 | 654 | |
| 59 | Johnny Ray | 828 | 263 | 565 | |
| 60 | Mark McLemore | 823 | 815 | 8 | |
| 61 | Bucky Harris* | 817 | 817 | 0 | Held single-season record, 1921–1928; held American League single-season record, 1921-1935 |
| 62 | Eddie Stanky | 816 | 0 | 816 | |
| 63 | Tony Cuccinello | 812 | 2 | 810 | Held single-season record, 1931–1935; held National League single-season record, 1931-1950 |
| 64 | Davey Lopes | 811 | 171 | 640 | |
| 65 | Tony Lazzeri* | 808 | 798 | 10 | |
| 66 | Tommy Helms | 807 | 0 | 807 | |
| 67 | Ronnie Belliard | 801 | 238 | 563 | |
| 68 | Aaron Hill | 800 | 539 | 261 | |
| 69 | Eric Young | 786 | 13 | 773 | |
| 70 | Bobby Ávila | 785 | 764 | 21 | |
| 71 | Dan Uggla | 784 | 0 | 784 | |
| 72 | Julio Cruz | 780 | 780 | 0 | |
| 73 | Bobby Knoop | 779 | 779 | 0 | |
| | Fernando Viña | 779 | 275 | 504 | |
| 75 | Damion Easley | 772 | 666 | 106 | |
| 76 | Adam Kennedy | 769 | 606 | 163 | |
| 77 | Carlos Baerga | 759 | 552 | 207 | |
| | Davey Johnson | 759 | 600 | 159 | |
| 79 | Glenn Beckert | 758 | 0 | 758 | |
| 80 | Mark Grudzielanek | 744 | 259 | 485 | |
| | Jerry Remy | 744 | 744 | 0 | |
| 82 | Delino DeShields | 743 | 100 | 643 | |
| 83 | Bill Doran | 742 | 5 | 737 | |
| 84 | Rougned Odor (0) | 739 | 726 | 13 | |
| 84 | Sandy Alomar | 729 | 710 | 19 | |
| 86 | DJ LeMahieu (0) | 724 | 91 | 633 | |
| 87 | Plácido Polanco | 718 | 463 | 255 | |
| 88 | Dick Green | 712 | 712 | 0 | |
| 89 | Larry Doyle | 698 | 0 | 698 | |
| 90 | Jim Gilliam | 696 | 0 | 628 | Includes 68 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete) |
| 91 | Horace Clarke | 695 | 689 | 6 | |
| 92 | Jonathan Schoop (0) | 691 | 674 | 17 | |
| 93 | Jody Reed | 690 | 449 | 241 | |
| 94 | Brian Dozier | 689 | 606 | 83 | |
| | Johnny Evers* | 689 | 1 | 688 | |
| 96 | Rennie Stennett | 687 | 0 | 687 | |
| 97 | Ron Hunt | 685 | 0 | 685 | |
| 98 | Howie Kendrick | 682 | 585 | 97 | |
| 99 | Kolten Wong (0) | 670 | 21 | 649 | |
| 100 | Mickey Morandini | 669 | 28 | 641 | |

### Third Basemen

Most of the career leaders are relatively recent players who have benefitted from improved infield defense, with equipment of better quality; only six of the top 25 players made their major league debut before 1966, none of them before 1944. Only seven of the top 84 single-season totals were recorded before 1949, and only two of the top 152 were recorded before 1918. Brooks Robinson holds the record for the most career double plays by a third baseman with 618.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Double plays as a third baseman | Double plays as a third baseman | Double plays as a third baseman | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Brooks Robinson* | 618 | 618 | 0 | |
| 2 | Adrián Beltré* | 523 | 355 | 168 | |
| 3 | Graig Nettles | 470 | 418 | 52 | Holds the single-season record of 54 (set in 1971) |
| 4 | Gary Gaetti | 460 | 395 | 65 | |
| 5 | Mike Schmidt* | 450 | 0 | 450 | |
| 6 | Buddy Bell | 430 | 362 | 68 | |
| 7 | Wade Boggs* | 423 | 423 | 0 | |
| 8 | Nolan Arenado (0) | 421 | 0 | 421 | |
| 9 | Aurelio Rodriguez | 408 | 396 | 12 | |
| 10 | Ron Santo* | 395 | 6 | 389 | Held National League record, 1972-1986 |
| 11 | Evan Longoria | 390 | 303 | 87 | |
| 12 | Eddie Mathews* | 369 | 0 | 369 | Held major league record, 1966-1968; held National League record, 1964-1972 |
| 13 | Robin Ventura | 359 | 269 | 90 | |
| 14 | Ken Boyer | 355 | 5 | 350 | |
| | Scott Rolen* | 355 | 30 | 325 | |
| 16 | Kyle Seager | 351 | 351 | 0 | |
| 17 | Sal Bando | 345 | 345 | 0 | |
| | Eddie Yost | 345 | 345 | 0 | Held major league record, 1959-1966; held American League record, 1959-1967 |
| 19 | Vinny Castilla | 331 | 25 | 306 | |
| | Doug DeCinces | 331 | 331 | 0 | |
| 21 | Tim Wallach | 319 | 4 | 315 | |
| 22 | Clete Boyer | 315 | 223 | 92 | |
| | Ron Cey | 315 | 1 | 314 | |
| | Matt Williams | 315 | 21 | 294 | |
| 25 | Terry Pendleton | 312 | 2 | 310 | |
| 26 | Harlond Clift | 309 | 309 | 0 | Held major league record, 1945-1959; held the single-season record, 1937-1971 |
| 27 | George Brett* | 307 | 307 | 0 | |
| 28 | George Kell* | 306 | 306 | 0 | |
| | Ken Keltner | 306 | 306 | 0 | |
| 30 | Pie Traynor* | 303 | 0 | 303 | Held major league record, 1933-1945; held National League record, 1933-1964; held single-season record, 1925-1927; held NL single-season record, 1925-1950 |
| 31 | Mike Lowell | 302 | 109 | 193 | |
| 32 | Willie Kamm | 299 | 299 | 0 | Held American League record, 1933-1945 |
| | Manny Machado (0) | 299 | 164 | 135 | |
| 34 | Frank Malzone | 289 | 289 | 0 | |
| 35 | Pinky Higgins | 288 | 288 | 0 | |
| 36 | Aramis Ramírez | 287 | 0 | 287 | |
| 37 | Ken Caminiti | 280 | 10 | 270 | |
| 38 | Heinie Groh | 277 | 0 | 277 | Held major league record, 1924-1933; held National League record, 1922-1933; held NL single-season record, 1915-1925 |
| 39 | Jeff Cirillo | 276 | 110 | 166 | Holds the National League single-season record (45 in 1998; tie) |
| | Chipper Jones* | 276 | 0 | 276 | |
| 41 | Willie Jones | 273 | 2 | 271 | |
| 42 | Darrell Evans | 270 | 2 | 268 | Holds the National League single-season record (45 in 1974) |
| 43 | Ossie Bluege | 266 | 266 | 0 | |
| | Billy Nash | 266 | 0 | 221 | Includes 37 in Players' League, 8 in American Association; held major league record, 1897-1924; held single-season record, 1890-1925 |
| 45 | Eric Chavez | 262 | 254 | 8 | |
| 46 | Larry Gardner | 261 | 261 | 0 | Held American League record, 1923-1933; held the single-season record, 1920-1925 (tie) |
| 47 | Home Run Baker* | 260 | 260 | 0 | Held American League record, 1918-1924; held AL single-season record, 1910-1925 |
| 48 | Ken McMullen | 258 | 248 | 10 | |
| 49 | Matt Chapman (0) | 257 | 223 | 34 | |
| 50 | Carney Lansford | 256 | 256 | 0 | |
| | Doug Rader | 256 | 2 | 254 | |
| 52 | Stan Hack | 255 | 0 | 255 | |
| 53 | Arlie Latham | 253 | 0 | 118 | Includes 126 in American Association, 9 in the Players' League; held major league record, 1890-1897 |
| 54 | Bob Elliott | 252 | 21 | 231 | |
| 55 | Josh Donaldson | 245 | 203 | 42 | |
| 56 | Troy Glaus | 243 | 190 | 53 | |
| 57 | Todd Zeile | 238 | 47 | 191 | |
| 58 | David Wright | 237 | 0 | 237 | |
| 59 | Charlie Hayes | 231 | 52 | 179 | |
| 60 | Travis Fryman | 230 | 230 | 0 | |
| 61 | Ryan Zimmerman | 229 | 0 | 229 | |
| 62 | Jimmy Austin | 228 | 228 | 0 | Held American League record, 1916-1918 |
| 63 | Don Hoak | 227 | 0 | 227 | |
| 64 | Jimmy Collins* | 225 | 113 | 112 | |
| 65 | Richie Hebner | 224 | 10 | 214 | |
| | Brandon Inge | 224 | 222 | 2 | |
| | Don Money | 224 | 153 | 71 | |
| 68 | Eddie Foster | 220 | 220 | 0 | |
| 69 | Ken Reitz | 219 | 0 | 219 | |
| | Pinky Whitney | 219 | 0 | 219 | |
| 71 | Joe Randa | 218 | 165 | 53 | |
| 72 | Billy Shindle | 215 | 0 | 164 | Includes 51 in American Association |
| 73 | Eugenio Suárez (0) | 214 | 44 | 170 | |
| | Billy Werber | 214 | 114 | 100 | |
| 75 | Lave Cross | 212 | 71 | 139 | Includes 2 in American Association; held National League single-season record, 1899-1915 |
| 76 | Alex Rodriguez | 205 | 205 | 0 | |
| 77 | Bob Bailey | 203 | 0 | 203 | |
| 78 | Bill Madlock | 200 | 2 | 198 | |
| 79 | Todd Frazier | 199 | 74 | 125 | |
| | Milt Stock | 199 | 0 | 199 | |
| 81 | Mike Moustakas | 196 | 162 | 34 | |
| | José Ramírez (0) | 196 | 196 | 0 | |
| 83 | Andy Carey | 194 | 190 | 4 | |
| | Mike Pagliarulo | 194 | 175 | 19 | |
| 85 | Hank Majeski | 192 | 171 | 21 | |
| 86 | Bill Mueller | 190 | 57 | 133 | |
| 87 | Kevin Seitzer | 189 | 189 | 0 | |
| 88 | Joe Crede | 188 | 188 | 0 | |
| | Jimmy Dykes | 188 | 188 | 0 | |
| 90 | Anthony Rendon (0) | 186 | 41 | 145 | |
| 91 | Paul Molitor* | 185 | 185 | 0 | |
| 92 | Steve Buechele | 184 | 123 | 61 | |
| | Bill Melton | 184 | 184 | 0 | |
| | Red Rolfe | 184 | 184 | 0 | |
| 95 | Alex Bregman (0) | 183 | 183 | 0 | |
| | David Freese | 183 | 31 | 152 | |
| 97 | Bill Bradley | 182 | 160 | 18 | Includes 4 in Federal League; held American League single-season record, 1901-1902 (tie) |
| 98 | Ken Oberkfell | 180 | 0 | 180 | |
| 99 | Jim Tabor | 178 | 153 | 25 | |
| 100 | Pedro Feliz | 177 | 0 | 177 | |
| | Toby Harrah | 177 | 177 | 0 | |

### Shortstop

Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is a baseball or softball fielding position in the infield, commonly stationed between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. The position is mostly filled by defensive specialists, so shortstops are generally relatively poor batters who typically hit lower in the batting order. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the shortstop is assigned the number 6.
Shortstops typically record a double play by fielding a ground ball and then either throwing to the second baseman to force out the runner advancing to second base, or stepping on the base themselves before throwing to first base to retire the batter/runner, or by receiving a throw from another player to force a runner at second base before the throw to first base is made. Shortstops generally benefit in this respect from playing alongside an excellent second baseman with great range and quickness; strong middle infields are regarded as crucial to a team's defensive play, and double play totals are regarded as a strong indicator of their defensive skill. Double plays are also recorded when the shortstop catches a line drive, then throws to a base before the runner can tag up, or another infielder or the pitcher catches the line drive and then throws to the shortstop in the same situation; on occasion, the throw might come from an outfielder after an unexpected catch of a fly ball. Other double plays occur when the shortstop records an out at second base, then throws out a runner attempting to advance on the basepaths, or on a double steal attempt in which the catcher throws out a runner attempting to steal second base, and the shortstop throws back to the catcher to retire a runner trying to steal home. Double plays are also occasionally recorded when a rundown play is involved, almost always as the second out. Because of the high number of ground outs, shortstops and second basemen typically record far more double plays than players at any other position except first base.
Most of the career leaders are relatively recent players who have benefitted from improved infield defense, with equipment of better quality; nine of the top twelve players made their major league debut after 1969, and only one was active before 1951. Five of the top nine players spent their entire careers with one team. Longer careers have compensated for the fact that as strikeout totals have risen in baseball, the frequency of other defensive outs including ground outs has declined, with double play totals for shortstops likewise declining; 18 of the top 25 single-season totals were recorded between 1944 and 1988, and none of the top 478 were recorded before 1920. Omar Vizquel holds the record for the most career double plays by a shortstop with 1,734. Only three other shortstops have recorded 1,500 career double plays.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Double plays as a shortstop | Double plays as a shortstop | Double plays as a shortstop | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Omar Vizquel | 1,734 | 1,433 | 301 | |
| 2 | Ozzie Smith* | 1,590 | 0 | 1,590 | Held major league record, 1995-2007 |
| 3 | Cal Ripken Jr.* | 1,565 | 1,565 | 0 | |
| 4 | Luis Aparicio* | 1,553 | 1,553 | 0 | Held major league record, 1971-1995; held American League record, 1971-1996 |
| 5 | Luke Appling* | 1,424 | 1,424 | 0 | Held major league record, 1947-1971; held American League record, 1946-1971; held AL single-season record, 1936-1938 |
| 6 | Derek Jeter* | 1,408 | 1,408 | 0 | |
| 7 | Alan Trammell* | 1,307 | 1,307 | 0 | |
| 8 | Roy McMillan | 1,304 | 0 | 1,304 | Held National League record, 1965-1992; held NL single-season record, 1954-1970 |
| 9 | Dave Concepción | 1,290 | 0 | 1,290 | |
| 10 | Miguel Tejada | 1,274 | 1,020 | 254 | |
| 11 | Larry Bowa | 1,265 | 0 | 1,265 | |
| 12 | Jimmy Rollins | 1,249 | 18 | 1,231 | |
| 13 | Pee Wee Reese* | 1,246 | 0 | 1,246 | Held National League record, 1956-1965 |
| 14 | Dick Groat | 1,237 | 0 | 1,237 | |
| 15 | Royce Clayton | 1,224 | 387 | 837 | |
| 16 | Édgar Rentería | 1,218 | 181 | 1,037 | |
| 17 | Phil Rizzuto* | 1,217 | 1,217 | 0 | |
| 18 | Elvis Andrus | 1,209 | 1,209 | 0 | |
| 19 | Rabbit Maranville* | 1,188 | 0 | 1,188 | Held major league record, 1930-1947; held National League record, 1930-1956; held single-season record, 1914-1920 |
| 20 | Bert Campaneris | 1,186 | 1,186 | 0 | |
| 21 | Lou Boudreau* | 1,180 | 1,180 | 0 | Held single-season record, 1944-1970; held American League single-season record, 1943-1979 |
| 22 | Don Kessinger | 1,170 | 89 | 1,081 | |
| 23 | Joe Cronin* | 1,165 | 1,164 | 1 | Held American League record, 1939-1946 |
| 24 | Garry Templeton | 1,164 | 0 | 1,164 | |
| 25 | Orlando Cabrera | 1,123 | 507 | 616 | |
| 26 | Ozzie Guillén | 1,094 | 1,040 | 54 | |
| 27 | Barry Larkin* | 1,092 | 0 | 1,092 | |
| 28 | Dick Bartell | 1,072 | 76 | 996 | |
| 29 | Mike Bordick | 1,055 | 1,031 | 24 | |
| 30 | Mark Belanger | 1,054 | 1,050 | 4 | |
| 31 | Alfredo Griffin | 1,053 | 832 | 221 | |
| 32 | Chris Speier | 1,043 | 6 | 1,037 | |
| 33 | Leo Cárdenas | 1,036 | 426 | 610 | |
| 34 | Tim Foli | 1,028 | 155 | 873 | |
| 35 | Álex González (b.1977) | 1,025 | 157 | 868 | |
| 36 | Dave Bancroft* | 1,021 | 0 | 1,021 | Held major league record, 1928-1930; held National League record, 1927-1930; held single-season record, 1920-1925 |
| 37 | Rafael Furcal | 1,020 | 0 | 1,020 | |
| 38 | Ed Brinkman | 1,005 | 990 | 15 | |
| 39 | Freddie Patek | 1,004 | 858 | 146 | |
| 40 | Marty Marion | 978 | 41 | 937 | |
| 41 | Greg Gagne | 967 | 826 | 141 | |
| 42 | Roger Peckinpaugh | 966 | 966 | 0 | Held major league record, 1925-1928; held American League record, 1921-1939; held single-season record, 1923-1925 (tie); held AL single-season record, 1917-1921, 1923-1933 |
| 43 | J. J. Hardy | 953 | 646 | 307 | |
| 44 | Eddie Miller | 946 | 0 | 946 | |
| 45 | Frankie Crosetti | 944 | 944 | 0 | Held American League single-season record, 1938-1943 |
| 46 | Tony Fernández | 943 | 770 | 173 | |
| 47 | Robin Yount* | 941 | 941 | 0 | |
| 48 | Alvin Dark | 933 | 0 | 933 | |
| 49 | Brandon Crawford (0) | 932 | 0 | 932 | |
| 50 | Billy Jurges | 929 | 0 | 929 | |
| 51 | Eddie Joost | 928 | 709 | 219 | |
| 52 | Jhonny Peralta | 920 | 728 | 192 | |
| 53 | Jack Wilson | 913 | 60 | 853 | |
| 54 | José Reyes | 911 | 164 | 747 | |
| 55 | Bill Russell | 909 | 0 | 909 | |
| 56 | Dick Schofield | 900 | 819 | 81 | |
| 57 | Leo Durocher* | 895 | 70 | 825 | |
| 58 | Johnny Logan | 894 | 0 | 894 | |
| 59 | Bill Dahlen | 881 | 0 | 881 | Held major league record, 1908-1925; held National League record, 1906-1927; held single-season record, 1898-1914 |
| 60 | Jay Bell | 877 | 161 | 716 | |
| 61 | Troy Tulowitzki | 871 | 139 | 732 | |
| 62 | Maury Wills | 859 | 0 | 859 | |
| 63 | Walt Weiss | 854 | 286 | 568 | |
| 64 | Alex Rodriguez | 853 | 853 | 0 | |
| | Vern Stephens | 853 | 853 | 0 | |
| 66 | Tommy Corcoran | 851 | 0 | 759 | Includes 56 in American Association, 36 in Players' League; held major league record, 1905-1908 |
| 67 | Arky Vaughan* | 850 | 0 | 850 | |
| 68 | Rafael Ramírez | 842 | 0 | 842 | |
| 69 | Bucky Dent | 839 | 839 | 0 | |
| 70 | Jim Fregosi | 836 | 820 | 16 | |
| 71 | José Valentín | 830 | 722 | 108 | |
| 72 | Alex Gonzalez (b.1973) | 829 | 604 | 225 | |
| 73 | Rick Burleson | 827 | 827 | 0 | Holds the single-season record of 147 (set in 1980) |
| 74 | Travis Jackson* | 826 | 0 | 826 | |
| 75 | Alcides Escobar | 825 | 696 | 129 | |
| 76 | Alexei Ramírez | 807 | 731 | 76 | |
| 77 | Billy Rogell | 805 | 803 | 2 | Held American League single-season record, 1933-1936 |
| 78 | Neifi Pérez | 796 | 159 | 637 | |
| 79 | Andrelton Simmons | 783 | 428 | 355 | |
| 80 | Chico Carrasquel | 770 | 770 | 0 | |
| 81 | Honus Wagner* | 766 | 0 | 766 | |
| 82 | Herman Long | 765 | 18 | 692 | Includes 55 in American Association; held major league record, 1900-1905; held National League record, 1901-1906 |
| 83 | Wally Gerber | 764 | 748 | 16 | |
| 84 | Cristian Guzmán | 762 | 490 | 272 | |
| 85 | Erick Aybar | 758 | 649 | 109 | |
| 86 | Bud Harrelson | 751 | 57 | 694 | |
| 87 | Francisco Lindor (0) | 746 | 434 | 312 | |
| 88 | Deivi Cruz | 738 | 581 | 157 | |
| 89 | Zoilo Versalles | 727 | 654 | 73 | |
| 90 | Everett Scott | 726 | 726 | 0 | Held American League single-season record, 1921-1923 |
| 91 | Ernie Banks* | 724 | 0 | 724 | |
| 92 | Spike Owen | 723 | 498 | 225 | |
| 93 | Ron Hansen | 722 | 722 | 0 | |
| 94 | Gene Alley | 709 | 0 | 709 | |
| 95 | Rich Aurilia | 708 | 39 | 669 | |
| | Shawon Dunston | 708 | 3 | 705 | |
| 97 | Roy Smalley | 702 | 702 | 0 | Held single-season record, 1979-1980 |
| 98 | Iván DeJesús | 700 | 4 | 696 | |
| 99 | Bobby Wine | 698 | 0 | 698 | Holds the National League single-season record of 137 (set in 1970), was major league record until 1979 |
| 100 | Glenn Wright | 695 | 0 | 695 | Held single-season record, 1925-1928 |

### Left Fielders

The left fielder (LF) is one of the three outfielders, the defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing toward the pitcher's mound. The outfielders have to try to catch long fly balls before they hit the ground or to quickly catch or retrieve and return to the infield any other balls entering the outfield. The left fielder must also be adept at navigating the area of left field where the foul line approaches the corner of the playing field and the walls of the seating areas. Being the outfielder closest to third base, the left fielder generally does not have to throw as far as the other outfielders to throw out runners advancing around the bases, so they often do not have the strongest throwing arm, but their throws need to be accurate. The left fielder normally plays behind the third baseman and shortstop, who play in or near the infield; unlike catchers and most infielders (excepting first basemen), who are virtually exclusively right-handed, left fielders can be either right- or left-handed. In the scoring system used to record defensive plays, the left fielder is assigned the number 7.
Left fielders are most commonly credited with a double play when they throw the ball to an infielder who tags a runner attempting to advance on the basepaths, even on a caught fly ball that results in an out (see tag up); of special importance are throws to the catcher if the runner is trying to reach home plate to score a run, perhaps on a sacrifice fly. Left fielders will often record assists by throwing out runners who try to advance farther than the batter, such as going from first to third base on a single, or batter/runners who try to stretch a hit into a longer one. Outfielders also earn double plays on relay throws to infielders after particularly deep fly balls, by throwing to a base to record an out on an appeal play, or in situations where they might deflect a fly ball before another defensive player makes the catch; in extraordinary instances, right fielders have occasionally recorded double plays by throwing out batters at first base after fielding uncaught line drives that reached them quickly. Outfielders record far fewer double plays than other players due to the difficulty of making an accurate throw in time to retire a runner from a great distance; middle infielders routinely record more double plays in a single season than outfielders do in their entire careers. Double plays are an important statistic for outfielders, giving a greater indication of a left fielder's throwing arm than double plays by infielders do. In recent years, some sabermetricians have begun referring to assists by outfielders as baserunner kills.
Jimmy Sheckard is the all-time leader in career double plays as a left fielder with 58. Zack Wheat (50) is the only other left fielder who has recorded 50 career double plays. Michael Brantley, who had 24 double plays through the 2023 season to place him tied for 99th all-time, is the leader among active players.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Double plays as a left fielder | Double plays as a left fielder | Double plays as a left fielder | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Jimmy Sheckard † | 58 | 0 | 58 | Held National League single-season record, 1911–1912; held the single-season record, 1911–1912 |
| 2 | Zack Wheat* | 50 | 1 | 49 | |
| 3 | Bobby Veach | 42 | 42 | 0 | |
| 4 | Bibb Falk | 36 | 36 | 0 | Holds AL single-season record (9 in 1927) |
| 5 | Jack Graney | 35 | 35 | 0 | |
| | Duffy Lewis | 35 | 35 | 0 | |
| | Ken Williams | 35 | 31 | 4 | |
| 8 | Goose Goslin* | 34 | 34 | 0 | |
| 9 | Sherry Magee | 33 | 0 | 33 | |
| 10 | George Burns | 30 | 0 | 30 | |
| | Max Carey* | 30 | 0 | 30 | Holds National League single-season record (11 in 1912) (tie); Holds the single-season record (11 in 1912) (tie) |
| | Alfonso Soriano | 30 | 2 | 28 | |
| 13 | Charlie Jamieson | 29 | 29 | 0 | |
| 14 | Bob Johnson | 28 | 28 | 0 | |
| 15 | Fred Clarke* † | 27 | 0 | 27 | |
| | Ted Williams* | 27 | 27 | 0 | |
| | Carl Yastrzemski* | 27 | 27 | 0 | |
| 18 | Carson Bigbee | 26 | 0 | 26 | |
| 19 | Matty McIntyre | 25 | 25 | 0 | |
| 20 | Joe Medwick * | 24 | 0 | 24 | |
| | Al Simmons* | 24 | 22 | 2 | |
| 22 | Rube Ellis | 23 | 0 | 23 | Held National League single-season record, 1909–1911; held the single-season record, 1909–1911 |
| | George Stone | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| | Joe Vosmik | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| 25 | Bob Bescher | 22 | 0 | 22 | |
| | Barry Bonds | 22 | 0 | 22 | |
| | Topsy Hartsel † | 22 | 19 | 3 | |
| | Babe Ruth* | 22 | 22 | 0 | |
| | Howie Shanks | 22 | 22 | 0 | |
| 30 | Patsy Dougherty | 21 | 21 | 0 | |
| | Minnie Miñoso* | 21 | 21 | 0 | Negro League totals unavailable |
| | Tim Raines* | 21 | 9 | 12 | |
| 33 | Del Ennis | 20 | 0 | 20 | |
| | George Foster | 20 | 0 | 20 | |
| | Bernard Gilkey | 20 | 0 | 20 | |
| | Heinie Manush* | 20 | 1 | 19 | |
| 37 | Rickey Henderson* | 19 | 16 | 3 | |
| | Burt Shotton | 19 | 16 | 3 | |
| | Jimmy Slagle | 19 | 0 | 19 | |
| 40 | Lou Brock* | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| | Jeff Heath | 18 | 17 | 1 | |
| | Geoff Jenkins | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| | Billy Williams* | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| 44 | Jesse Burkett* † | 17 | 8 | 9 | |
| | José Cruz | 17 | 0 | 17 | |
| | Dan Gladden | 17 | 17 | 0 | |
| | Luis Gonzalez | 17 | 0 | 17 | |
| | Jim Rice* | 17 | 17 | 0 | |
| | Hank Sauer | 17 | 0 | 17 | |
| | Riggs Stephenson | 17 | 0 | 17 | |
| | Tillie Walker | 17 | 17 | 0 | |
| 52 | Augie Galan | 16 | 0 | 16 | |
| | Shoeless Joe Jackson | 16 | 16 | 0 | |
| | Gary Ward | 16 | 16 | 0 | |
| 55 | Mike Greenwell | 15 | 15 | 0 | |
| | Les Mann | 15 | 0 | 13 | Includes 2 in Federal League |
| | Jo-Jo Moore | 15 | 0 | 15 | |
| | Rick Reichardt | 15 | 15 | 0 | |
| | Lonnie Smith | 15 | 4 | 11 | |
| | Moose Solters | 15 | 15 | 0 | |
| 61 | Vince Coleman | 14 | 5 | 9 | |
| | Alex Gordon | 14 | 14 | 0 | |
| | Bobby Higginson | 14 | 14 | 0 | |
| | Raúl Ibañez | 14 | 13 | 1 | |
| | Gary Matthews | 14 | 0 | 14 | |
| | Jack McCarthy | 14 | 10 | 4 | |
| | Irish Meusel | 14 | 0 | 14 | |
| | Lou Piniella | 14 | 14 | 0 | |
| | John Stone | 14 | 14 | 0 | |
| | Gus Zernial | 14 | 14 | 0 | |
| 71 | Dusty Baker | 13 | 0 | 13 | |
| | Albert Belle | 13 | 13 | 0 | |
| | Tommy Davis | 13 | 3 | 10 | |
| | Chick Hafey* | 13 | 0 | 13 | |
| | Steve Henderson | 13 | 3 | 10 | |
| | Matt Holliday | 13 | 1 | 12 | |
| | Ralph Kiner* | 13 | 0 | 13 | |
| | Carlos Lee | 13 | 4 | 9 | |
| | Kevin McReynolds | 13 | 0 | 13 | |
| | Sam Mertes † | 13 | 5 | 8 | |
| | Rube Oldring | 13 | 13 | 0 | |
| | Luis Polonia | 13 | 13 | 0 | |
| | Gee Walker | 13 | 11 | 2 | |
| | Roy White | 13 | 13 | 0 | |
| | Gene Woodling | 13 | 13 | 0 | |
| 86 | Garret Anderson | 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| | Dante Bichette | 12 | 3 | 9 | |
| | Pat Duncan | 12 | 0 | 12 | |
| | Bill Lamar | 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| | Austin McHenry | 12 | 0 | 12 | |
| | Mike Menosky | 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| | Ward Miller | 12 | 1 | 5 | Includes 6 in Federal League |
| | Rip Radcliff | 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| | Kip Selbach | 12 | 10 | 2 | |
| | Spike Shannon | 12 | 0 | 12 | |
| | Willie Stargell* | 12 | 0 | 12 | |
| | Shannon Stewart | 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| | B.J. Surhoff | 12 | 12 | 0 | |
| 99 | Michael Brantley | 11 | 11 | 0 | |
| | Pat Burrell | 11 | 0 | 11 | |

### Center Fielders

The center fielder (CF) is one of the three outfielders, the defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. Center field is the area of the outfield directly in front of a person standing at home plate and facing beyond the pitcher's mound. The outfielders' duty is to try to catch long fly balls before they hit the ground or to quickly catch or retrieve and return to the infield any other balls entering the outfield. Generally having the most territory to cover, the center fielder is usually the fastest of the three outfielders, although this can also depend on the relative strength of their throwing arms and the configuration of their home field, due to the deepest part of center field being the farthest point from the infield and home plate. The center fielder normally plays behind the shortstop and second baseman, who play in or near the infield; unlike catchers and most infielders (excepting first basemen), who are virtually exclusively right-handed, center fielders can be either right- or left-handed. In the scoring system used to record defensive plays, the center fielder is assigned the number 8.
Center fielders are most commonly credited with a double play when they throw the ball to an infielder who tags a runner attempting to advance on the basepaths, even on a caught fly ball that results in an out (see tag up); of special importance are throws to the catcher if the runner is trying to reach home plate to score a run, perhaps on a sacrifice fly. Left fielders will often record assists by throwing out runners who try to advance farther than the batter, such as going from first to third base on a single, or batter/runners who try to stretch a hit into a longer one. Outfielders also earn double plays on relay throws to infielders after particularly deep fly balls, by throwing to a base to record an out on an appeal play, or in situations where they might deflect a fly ball before another defensive player makes the catch; in extraordinary instances, right fielders have occasionally recorded double plays by throwing out batters at first base after fielding uncaught line drives that reached them quickly. Outfielders record far fewer double plays than other players due to the difficulty of making an accurate throw in time to retire a runner from a great distance; middle infielders routinely record more double plays in a single season than outfielders do in their entire careers. Double plays are an important statistic for outfielders, giving a greater indication of a left fielder's throwing arm than double plays by infielders do. In recent years, some sabermetricians have begun referring to assists by outfielders as baserunner kills.
Tris Speaker is the all-time leader in career double plays as a center fielder with 146; he is the only player to record more than 100 career double plays as a center fielder. Speaker played a particularly shallow center field and six of his double plays were unassisted, which is the record for outfielders. Jackie Bradley Jr. , who had 20 double plays through the 2023 season to place him tied for 82nd all-time, is the leader among active players.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Double plays as a center fielder | Double plays as a center fielder | Double plays as a center fielder | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Tris Speaker* | 146 | 146 | 0 | |
| 2 | Ty Cobb* | 77 | 77 | 0 | |
| 3 | Willie Mays* | 59 | 0 | 59 | |
| 4 | Max Carey* | 58 | 0 | 58 | |
| 5 | Clyde Milan | 55 | 55 | 0 | |
| 6 | Dode Paskert | 48 | 0 | 48 | |
| 7 | Cy Seymour † | 46 | 0 | 46 | |
| 8 | Ginger Beaumont † | 44 | 0 | 44 | |
| | Sam West | 44 | 44 | 0 | |
| 10 | Ken Griffey Jr.* | 41 | 35 | 6 | |
| | Edd Roush* | 41 | 0 | 37 | Includes 4 in Federal League |
| 12 | Fielder Jones † | 40 | 40 | 0 | |
| | Tommy Leach † | 40 | 0 | 40 | |
| 14 | Richie Ashburn* | 39 | 0 | 39 | |
| | Happy Felsch | 39 | 39 | 0 | |
| 16 | Steve Finley | 37 | 0 | 37 | |
| 17 | Hy Myers | 36 | 0 | 36 | |
| 18 | Joe Birmingham | 35 | 35 | 0 | |
| | Doc Cramer | 35 | 35 | 0 | |
| | Vince DiMaggio | 35 | 0 | 35 | |
| | Amos Otis | 35 | 34 | 1 | |
| 22 | Roy Thomas † | 34 | 0 | 34 | |
| 23 | Kenny Lofton | 33 | 30 | 3 | |
| 24 | Bill Bruton | 31 | 9 | 22 | |
| | Jim Edmonds | 31 | 8 | 23 | |
| | Amos Strunk | 31 | 31 | 0 | |
| 27 | Dom DiMaggio | 30 | 30 | 0 | |
| | Fred Lynn | 30 | 30 | 0 | |
| | Kirby Puckett* | 30 | 30 | 0 | |
| | Cy Williams | 30 | 0 | 30 | |
| 31 | Brett Butler | 29 | 13 | 16 | |
| | Joe DiMaggio* | 29 | 29 | 0 | |
| | Baby Doll Jacobson | 29 | 29 | 0 | |
| 34 | Earl Averill* | 28 | 28 | 0 | |
| | Carlos Beltrán | 28 | 14 | 14 | |
| | Curt Flood | 28 | 0 | 28 | |
| | Lloyd Waner* | 28 | 0 | 28 | |
| 38 | Paul Blair | 27 | 27 | 0 | |
| | Jim Wynn | 27 | 0 | 27 | |
| 40 | Jimmy Barrett † | 26 | 26 | 0 | |
| | Benny Kauff | 26 | 0 | 18 | Includes 8 in Federal League |
| | Burt Shotton | 26 | 25 | 1 | |
| 43 | Johnny Bates | 25 | 0 | 25 | |
| | Danny Hoffman | 25 | 25 | 0 | |
| | Solly Hofman | 25 | 0 | 24 | Includes 1 in Federal League |
| | Mickey Mantle* | 25 | 25 | 0 | |
| | Jigger Statz | 25 | 0 | 25 | |
| 48 | Sam Chapman | 24 | 24 | 0 | |
| | Ira Flagstead | 24 | 23 | 1 | |
| | Adam Jones | 24 | 24 | 0 | |
| | Omar Moreno | 24 | 4 | 20 | |
| | Johnny Mostil | 24 | 24 | 0 | |
| 53 | Andruw Jones | 23 | 0 | 23 | |
| | Mark Kotsay | 23 | 12 | 11 | |
| | Nemo Leibold | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| | Terry Moore | 23 | 0 | 23 | |
| | Jack Smith | 23 | 0 | 23 | |
| | Homer Smoot | 23 | 0 | 23 | |
| | Bobby Thomson | 23 | 1 | 22 | |
| 60 | César Cedeño | 22 | 0 | 22 | |
| | Earle Combs* | 22 | 22 | 0 | |
| | Marquis Grissom | 22 | 0 | 22 | |
| | Johnny Groth | 22 | 22 | 0 | |
| | Lance Johnson | 22 | 14 | 8 | |
| | Willie McGee | 22 | 2 | 20 | |
| | Rebel Oakes | 22 | 0 | 18 | Includes 4 in Federal League |
| | B.J. Upton | 22 | 15 | 7 | |
| 68 | Ping Bodie | 21 | 21 | 0 | |
| | Willie Davis | 21 | 1 | 20 | |
| | Larry Doby* | 21 | 21 | 0 | Negro League totals unavailable |
| | Emmet Heidrick † | 21 | 19 | 2 | |
| | Dave Henderson | 21 | 21 | 0 | |
| | Garry Maddox | 21 | 0 | 21 | |
| | Gary Pettis | 21 | 21 | 0 | |
| | Fred Schulte | 21 | 20 | 1 | |
| | Jimmy Slagle | 21 | 0 | 21 | |
| | Del Unser | 21 | 15 | 6 | |
| | Tillie Walker | 21 | 21 | 0 | |
| | Devon White | 21 | 18 | 3 | |
| | Hack Wilson* | 21 | 0 | 21 | |
| | Mookie Wilson | 21 | 3 | 18 | |
| 82 | Harry Bay | 20 | 18 | 2 | |
| | Jackie Bradley Jr. (0) | 20 | 18 | 2 | |
| | Darrin Jackson | 20 | 2 | 18 | |
| | Rick Monday | 20 | 11 | 9 | |
| 86 | Mike Cameron | 19 | 9 | 10 | |
| | Taylor Douthit | 19 | 0 | 19 | |
| | Doug Glanville | 19 | 18 | 1 | |
| | Dave Philley | 19 | 19 | 0 | |
| | Chick Stahl † | 19 | 19 | 0 | |
| 91 | Lenny Dykstra | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| | Carlos Gómez | 18 | 8 | 10 | |
| | Torii Hunter | 18 | 18 | 0 | |
| | Charlie Jones | 18 | 18 | 0 | |
| | Chet Lemon | 18 | 18 | 0 | |
| | Ray Powell | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| | Mickey Rivers | 18 | 18 | 0 | |
| | Andy Van Slyke | 18 | 1 | 17 | |
| 99 | Tommie Agee | 17 | 10 | 7 | |
| | Wally Berger | 17 | 0 | 17 | |

### Right Fielders

Right fielders are most commonly credited with a double play when they throw the ball to an infielder who tags a runner attempting to advance on the basepaths, even on a caught fly ball that results in an out (see tag up); of special importance are throws to the catcher if the runner is trying to reach home plate to score a run, perhaps on a sacrifice fly. Left fielders will often record assists by throwing out runners who try to advance farther than the batter, such as going from first to third base on a single, or batter/runners who try to stretch a hit into a longer one. Outfielders also earn double plays on relay throws to infielders after particularly deep fly balls, by throwing to a base to record an out on an appeal play, or in situations where they might deflect a fly ball before another defensive player makes the catch; in extraordinary instances, right fielders have occasionally recorded double plays by throwing out batters at first base after fielding uncaught line drives that reached them quickly. Outfielders record far fewer double plays than other players due to the difficulty of making an accurate throw in time to retire a runner from a great distance; middle infielders routinely record more double plays in a single season than outfielders do in their entire careers. Double plays are an important statistic for outfielders, giving a greater indication of a left fielder's throwing arm than double plays by infielders do. In recent years, some sabermetricians have begun referring to assists by outfielders as baserunner kills.
Harry Hooper is the all-time leader in career double plays as a right fielder with 86; he is the only right fielder with more than 80 career double plays. Jason Heyward, who had 20 double plays through the 2023 season to place him tied for 82nd all-time, is the leader among active players.
* Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | Double plays as a right fielder | Double plays as a right fielder | Double plays as a right fielder | Other leagues, notes |
| Rank | Player (2025 DPs) | MLB | American League | National League | Other leagues, notes |
| 1 | Harry Hooper* | 86 | 86 | 0 | |
| 2 | Mel Ott* | 59 | 0 | 59 | |
| 3 | Sam Rice* | 55 | 55 | 0 | |
| 4 | Paul Waner* | 54 | 0 | 54 | |
| 5 | Sam Crawford* † | 50 | 38 | 12 | |
| 6 | Curt Walker | 46 | 0 | 46 | |
| 7 | Jesse Barfield | 45 | 45 | 0 | |
| | Ross Youngs* | 45 | 0 | 45 | |
| 9 | Dwight Evans | 42 | 42 | 0 | |
| 10 | Chief Wilson | 41 | 0 | 41 | |
| 11 | Roberto Clemente* | 40 | 0 | 40 | |
| | Tommy Griffith | 40 | 0 | 40 | |
| | John Titus | 40 | 0 | 40 | |
| | Larry Walker* | 40 | 0 | 40 | |
| 15 | Hank Aaron* | 39 | 0 | 39 | |
| 16 | Bobby Bonds | 38 | 15 | 23 | |
| | Harry Heilmann* | 38 | 33 | 5 | |
| | Mike Mitchell | 38 | 0 | 38 | |
| 19 | Frank Schulte | 37 | 4 | 33 | |
| 20 | Chuck Klein* | 36 | 0 | 36 | |
| 21 | Cliff Heathcote | 34 | 0 | 34 | |
| | Rusty Staub | 34 | 3 | 31 | |
| 23 | George Browne | 33 | 2 | 31 | |
| | Kiki Cuyler* | 33 | 0 | 33 | |
| | Elmer Flick* † | 33 | 26 | 7 | |
| | Wally Moses | 33 | 33 | 0 | |
| | Casey Stengel* | 33 | 0 | 33 | |
| 28 | Vladimir Guerrero* | 32 | 10 | 22 | |
| | Willie Keeler* † | 32 | 24 | 8 | |
| 30 | Jermaine Dye | 30 | 29 | 1 | |
| | Harry Lumley | 30 | 0 | 30 | |
| 32 | Johnny Callison | 29 | 1 | 28 | |
| | Shano Collins | 29 | 29 | 0 | |
| | Enos Slaughter* | 29 | 2 | 27 | |
| | Jack Tobin | 29 | 24 | 0 | Includes 5 in Federal League |
| 36 | Tom Brunansky | 28 | 25 | 3 | |
| | Ty Cobb* | 28 | 28 | 0 | |
| | Steve Evans | 28 | 0 | 20 | Includes 8 in Federal League |
| | Max Flack | 28 | 0 | 24 | Includes 4 in Federal League |
| | Al Kaline* | 28 | 28 | 0 | |
| | Bob Meusel | 28 | 27 | 1 | |
| | Socks Seybold † | 28 | 28 | 0 | |
| | Elmer Smith | 28 | 25 | 3 | |
| 44 | Bruce Campbell | 27 | 27 | 0 | |
| | Tommy Henrich | 27 | 27 | 0 | |
| | Dave Parker* | 27 | 0 | 27 | |
| | Billy Southworth* | 27 | 1 | 26 | |
| | Dave Winfield* | 27 | 11 | 16 | |
| 49 | José Bautista | 26 | 26 | 0 | |
| | Jay Buhner | 26 | 26 | 0 | |
| | Reggie Jackson* | 26 | 26 | 0 | |
| 52 | Dante Bichette | 25 | 13 | 12 | |
| | Gavvy Cravath | 25 | 0 | 25 | |
| | Jeff Francoeur | 25 | 7 | 18 | |
| | Carl Furillo | 25 | 0 | 25 | |
| | Tommy Holmes | 25 | 0 | 25 | |
| | Sixto Lezcano | 25 | 14 | 11 | |
| | Ron Northey | 25 | 0 | 25 | |
| 59 | Jack Clark | 24 | 0 | 24 | |
| | José Guillén | 24 | 10 | 14 | |
| | Tony Gwynn* | 24 | 0 | 24 | |
| | Willard Marshall | 24 | 0 | 24 | |
| | Danny Moeller | 24 | 23 | 1 | |
| 64 | Patsy Donovan † | 23 | 5 | 18 | |
| | Shawn Green | 23 | 14 | 9 | |
| | Babe Herman | 23 | 0 | 23 | |
| | Tim Salmon | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| | Jimmy Sebring | 23 | 0 | 23 | |
| | Sammy Sosa | 23 | 1 | 22 | |
| | Darryl Strawberry | 23 | 1 | 22 | |
| | Dixie Walker | 23 | 1 | 22 | |
| | Glenn Wilson | 23 | 4 | 19 | |
| 73 | Danny Murphy † | 22 | 19 | 0 | Includes 3 in Federal League |
| | Rubén Sierra | 22 | 22 | 0 | |
| | Ichiro Suzuki* | 22 | 22 | 0 | |
| 76 | Bobby Abreu | 21 | 9 | 12 | |
| | Rocky Colavito | 21 | 21 | 0 | |
| | George Harper | 21 | 2 | 19 | |
| | Raúl Mondesí | 21 | 7 | 14 | |
| | Bill Nicholson | 21 | 0 | 21 | |
| 81 | Danny Green † | 20 | 20 | 0 | |
| | Jason Heyward (0) | 20 | 0 | 20 | |
| | Orlando Merced | 20 | 5 | 15 | |
| | Bing Miller | 20 | 20 | 0 | |
| | Paul O'Neill | 20 | 15 | 5 | |
| | Tony Oliva* | 20 | 20 | 0 | |
| | Babe Ruth* | 20 | 20 | 0 | |
| | Homer Summa | 20 | 20 | 0 | |
| 89 | Jackie Jensen | 19 | 19 | 0 | |
| | Magglio Ordóñez | 19 | 19 | 0 | |
| | Braggo Roth | 19 | 19 | 0 | |
| 92 | Jeromy Burnitz | 18 | 3 | 15 | |
| | Rob Deer | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| | Wilbur Good † | 18 | 2 | 16 | |
| | Willie Kirkland | 18 | 9 | 9 | |
| | Don Mueller | 18 | 1 | 17 | |
| | Trot Nixon | 18 | 18 | 0 | |
| | Ellis Valentine | 18 | 1 | 17 | |
| | Vic Wertz | 18 | 18 | 0 | |
| 100 | Harold Baines* | 17 | 17 | 0 | |
| | Jay Bruce | 17 | 5 | 12 | |