In the words of tony bruno "THIS IS A NATIONAL OUTRAGE"...Bert Blyleven is out

[vgp100]

Who would've known that Sandberg is the cause of so much controversy. All I know is that the Phillies traded him with an old Larry Bowa to the Cubs for Ivan DeJesus. Maybe the worst trade of all time? I don't know if anyone remembers him, (unfortunately every Phillies fan does) but Ivan DeJesus might have been the worst starting shortstop in baseball history. Sucka, I'm sure you've seen the stats. He blew!

[sucka free]

DeJesus, was not a big threat at the plate, but 15 seasons in the bigs doesn't make you the worst.

games  1371
ab         4602
runs       595
hr             21
rbi           324
seasons     15
SB            194
ave          .254
hits         1167
obp          .323  

[sucka free]

My vote goes to Al Pedrique....this guy was bad.

games  174
ab        449
runs       32
hits      111
HR            1
RBI         36
ave      .247
obp.     .298

i wonder what pitcher gave up his only HR?
 

[vgp100]

I only remember the years he was in Philadelphia. My only lasting memory of him was of futility. He only stuck around until they could find another light hitting shortstop to fill the 8 hole. That being Steve Jeltz. Yes, the late eighties were very difficult years to be a fan. At least the Phanatic was funny.

[sucka free]

steve jeltz!!!  That;s some knowledge right there.  

[ericdavisfan]

I'd give worst shortstop of all-time to the immortal, yet mediocre, Mario Mendoza!

G        AB       H     HR    R       RBI      AVG.    K's    OBP.  
686  1,337  287     4    106   101     .215    219   .245

How this guy hung on for 9 seasons is beyond me!  However, an interesting RBI note here...If you have ever made reference to a player's batting average being near the Mendoza line (near .200 for those who may not have heard it before) I read that George Brett is the one credited with coining that phrase.

[sucka free]

Excellent excellent call

[vgp100]

4 HR's.  Not bad.

[ericdavisfan]

steve jeltz!!!  That;s some knowledge right there.  

If you want a key comparison between terrible shortstops.....here are the 10 shortstops most comparable to Mario Mendoza, whom I said was the worst shortstop ever:

1.  Jackie Hernandez (968)
2.  Luis Gomez (963)
3.  Fred Stanley (957)
4.  Luis Alvarado (956)
5.  Jim Mason (955)
6.  Rick Auerbach (955)
7.  Jack Heidemann (954)
8.  Tim Johnson (952)
9.  Dick Tracewski (952)
10.Steve Jeltz (950)

Note #10...seems Mr. Jeltz is in some really elite company!

[vgp100]

Jeltz even had a nickname:  The Jet
He even hit homeruns from both sides of the plate one game for two of his four homeruns that year.