Wikipedia

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.[1]

The list reflects the overall leaders in double plays in Major League Baseball and the leaders by each position.

Key

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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[a]

Overall

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By position

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Pitchers

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Greg Maddux, the leader in all-time double plays by a pitcher.
 
Zack Greinke, the active leader in double plays by a pitcher and 15th all-time.
 
Bob Lemon holds the American League record.
  • Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
Rank Player (2025 DPs) Throws Double plays as a pitcher Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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 (0) 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

Catchers

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Ray Schalk, the leader in all-time double plays by a catcher
 
J. T. Realmuto, the active leader in double plays by a catcher and tied for 99th all-time.
 
Steve O'Neill had 36 double plays in 1916, the only season of 30 or more in major league history.
 
Yogi Berra led the American League in double plays a record six times.
 
Gabby Hartnett holds the National League record.
 
Charlie Bennett was the first catcher to record 100 double plays.
 
Tom Haller set the National League record of 23 double plays in 1968.

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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4] Ray Schalk holds the record for the most career double plays by a catcher with 222.[5] Steve O'Neill is second with 198;[6] 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 Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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

First basemen

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Mickey Vernon, the leader in all-time double plays by a first baseman
 
Paul Goldschmidt, the active leader and 23rd all-time in double plays by a first baseman
 
Todd Helton holds the National League record.
 
Charlie Grimm held the National League record for 80 years.
 
Jake Beckley held the major league record for 21 years.
 
Cap Anson reached 1,000 double plays before any other first baseman.
 
Ferris Fain holds the single-season record of 194 double plays.

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.[7] 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.[8] 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 Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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

Second basemen

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Bill Mazeroski, the leader in all-time double plays by a second baseman
 
Jose Altuve, the active leader and is 30th all-time in double plays by a second baseman.
 
Nellie Fox holds the American League record.
 
Bid McPhee held the major league record for 37 years, and led his league a record 11 times.
 
Jerry Priddy's 150 double plays in 1950 remain the American League record.
 
Fred Pfeffer held the National League record for 41 years.
 
Bucky Harris posted the first season of 100 double plays by a second baseman in the 20th century, setting a new record three years in a row.

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.[9] 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.[10] Bill Mazeroski holds the record for the most career double plays by a second baseman with 1,706.[11] 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 Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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

Shortstop

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Omar Vizquel, the all-time leader in double plays by a shortstop
 
Brandon Crawford, the active leader and 49th all-time in double plays by a shortstop.
 
Ozzie Smith holds the National League record.
 
Cal Ripken Jr. holds the American League record, and led the AL in double plays a record eight times.
 
Luis Aparicio held the major league record for 24 years.
 
Luke Appling held the major league record for 24 years.
 
Rick Burleson's 147 double plays in 1980 remain the record for shortstops.

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.[12] Omar Vizquel holds the record for the most career double plays by a shortstop with 1,734.[13] 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 Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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

Third basemen

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Brooks Robinson, the all-time leader in double plays by a third baseman
 
Nolan Arenado, the active leader and 8th all-time in double plays by a third baseman.
 
Graig Nettles' 54 double plays in 1971 are the most by a third baseman.
 
Mike Schmidt holds the National League record.
 
Evan Longoria has led the American League in double plays three times in his career.
 
Pie Traynor held the National League record for 31 years.
 
Billy Nash held the major league record for 27 years.

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.[14] Brooks Robinson holds the record for the most career double plays by a third baseman with 618.[15]

  • Stats updated as of the end of the 2024 season.
Rank Player (2025 DPs) Double plays as a third baseman Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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

Left fielders

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Jimmy Sheckard, the all-time leader in double plays by a left fielder
 
Eddie Rosario, the active leader and tied for 124th all-time in double plays by a left fielder.
 
Bobby Veach holds the American League record.
 
Bibb Falk holds the AL single-season record for the last 96 years.
 
Max Carey hold two records as a left fielder.

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.[16] 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 Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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

Center fielders

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Jackie Bradley Jr., the active leader in double plays by a center fielder and tied for 82nd all-time.
 
Willie Mays holds the National League record.

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;[17][18][19] he is the only player to record more than 100 career double plays as a center fielder. 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 Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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

Right fielders

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Harry Hooper, the all-time leader in career double plays by a right fielder
 
Jason Heyward, the active leader in double plays by a right fielder.
 
Mel Ott holds the National League record.

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;[20][21][22] 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 Other leagues, notes
MLB American League National League
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

Notes

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  1. ^ A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or has not played for a full season.

References

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  1. ^ "Official Baseball Rules (2022 Edition): Rule 9.11" (PDF). Major League Baseball. Retrieved 21 Dec 2022.
  2. ^ "Cut4: That time Carlton Fisk tagged two guys out at the plate on the same play". Major League Baseball. 2 August 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "2006 National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 1". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Double Plays Turned as C". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  5. ^ "Ray Schalk Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  6. ^ "Steve O'Neill Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  7. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Double Plays Turned as 1B". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  8. ^ "Mickey Vernon Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "From 1950 to 2013, Throws LH, Played: 2B". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  10. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Double Plays Turned as 2B". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  11. ^ "Bill Mazeroski Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  12. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Double Plays Turned as SS". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  13. ^ "Omar Vizquel Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  14. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Double Plays Turned as 3B". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  15. ^ "Brooks Robinson Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  16. ^ "Jimmy Sheckard Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Tris Speaker Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  18. ^ Jensen, Don. "WTris Speaker Bio". Society For American Baseball Research. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  19. ^ "Tris Speaker Hall of Fame Profile". National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  20. ^ "Harry Hooper Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  21. ^ Zingg - Reed, Paul - E. A. (Betsy). "Harry Hooper Bio". Society For American Baseball Research. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  22. ^ "Harry Hooper Hall of Fame Profile". National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
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