Poll: Who's the best Shortstop around?

I'm conducting a poll on who YOU think is the best shortstop in the league. Read the little article I wrote and then e-mail me with the results (PLEASE put it in the subject line...kay?)

The american league holds, along with the most World Series victories, the most all-star losses, and the most people suspended for spitting in an umpires face, the four best shortstops in baseball.

Now shortstop is arguably the toughest fielding position other than a catcher. A shortstop must had quick hands, fast feet, and a great throwing arm.

The four shortstops I am refering to are: Omar Visquel, Cleveland Indians; Alex Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners; Nomar Garciaparra, Boston Redsox; and Derek Jeter, New York Yankees.

Now, among all of them, Visquel is probably the best fielder. He's been around for a while (the others are relatively new). He's gotten plenty of Gold Gloves, but his batting average hasn't been that great ( he was .288 in 576 at bats this year). And he's---dare I say it?---in his decline. Now, that's not to say he won't be around for a long time yet, it's just that as he gets older, his speeds going to slow and he won't get that much power behind his throws.

Nomar Garciaparra, last years rookie of the year, skipped the sophmore jinx just like Jeter. This year he hit .325 with 22 home runs. He hit the Bosox's first inside-the-park homer since '91. He's also got a great glove at short. He hasn't gotten the publicity that the other three have gotten star wise, but that doesn't mean he doesn't make the great plays that the others do. Don't look for him to go away anytime soon.

Alex Rodriguez. A great player on a team that's going nowhere. Rodriquez has the hottest bat of all of them, but his fielding isn't that great. Oh, he makes the spectacular plays just like best bud Derek Jeter, and the easy ones, but he just doesn't have the consistency that the other three have. He can gain it, though.

Derek Jeter is no doubt my favorite. He's got a great throwing arm, as well as good speed on the basepaths and can make phenomanal pickups. He bats second, and does a great job of getting on (he's got a .384 on base percentage), as well as the second highest BA on the team (.324). He makes incredible plays (including his signature jump-really-high-in-the-air-and-somehow-come-down-with-the-ball-in-your-glove catch). He still strikes out too much, though.

So, who's the greatest of them all? Well, for now, the best fielder is without a doubt Visquel, and the hitter...well, probably Rodriguez. But Jeter's the best all-around...who's to tell? You could pick Jeter because he was on the championship team, and Rodriguez for the opposite reason. Tell me what you think.

Email: shaunagm@hotmail.com