Alex Rodriguez and Ernie Banks Both Played Their First Eight Seasons as Shortstops—How Do They Compare?

By JT 

Ernie Banks 

Well, no one had seen a shortstop like Ernie Banks when he came up in 1953 (1954 was his first full season). The same was kind of true when A-Rod came up. I remember all the hype well and he lived up to it (leaving the possible PED issue aside). 

Rodriguez did outhit Mr. Cub but the metrics show that Banks outfield him, with Rodriguez being better on the bases. 

In 2004 A-Rod moved to third base and in 1962 Banks moved to first so their time as full-time shortstops ended, but they were surely anomalies, though recently we've seen more and more infielders with top power but remember Ernie got there first. As per Baseball-Reference.com, Banks averaged 40 home runs and 115 RBIs per 162 games and had a WAR per 162 of just under seven. Those are the kind of numbers that were reserved for outfields and maybe first basemen in the 1950s. 

Rodriguez won his first MVP in 2003, his final year as a shortstop, Banks won two back-to-back in 1958 and 1959 beating out the likes of Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, and others in the National League. From 1955-60 he averaged 41 home runs and 116 RBIs and hit .294 (translates to 44 HR, 123 RBI per 162 games.)

And in that same 1955-60 span his 248 deep shots we best in the majors—ahead of Mays, Mantle, Aaron, everyone.

And in those eight seasons as a SS, he hit 296 dingers good for third in the majors in that eight-season span. 

In A-Rods eight seasons he was also third but was 68 behind Sammy Sosa. Banks was just 21 behind Mantle. Banks was closer to the mark. 

here are the comparisons via Baseball-Reference.com—