sporTSNumbers

Sporting News, The, May 31, 1999

Pop up the middle

Despite the numbers being put up in recent years by players such as Alex Rodriguez, middle infielders generally aren't counted on for home run pop. This season, however, second basemen David Bell of the Mariners and Jay Bell (no relation) of the Diamondbacks have produced some unlikely power: Through Thursday, David Bell had 12 homers and Jay Bell 13. A look at the top home run seasons by second basemen and shortstops:

SECOND BASEMEN

Name                 Team          Year      HRs

Rogers Hornsby       Cardinals     1922      42
Davey Johnson        Braves        1973      42
Ryne Sandberg        Cubs          1990      40
Rogers Hornsby       Cardinals     1925      39
Rogers Hornsby       Cubs          1929      39

SHORTSTOPS

Name                 Team          Year      HRs

Ernie Banks          Cubs          1958      47
Ernie Banks          Cubs          1959      45
Ernie Banks          Cubs          1955      44
Alex Rodriguez       Mariners      1998      42
Ernie Banks          Cubs          1960      41

MIDDLE MAN: Banks was Mr. Cub and Mr. Powerful at short.3