Ripken backs A-Rod's shift

Don't worry about Alex Rodriguez moving to third base for the New York Yankees. The Gold Glove shortstop already played the position.

Remember the 2001 All-Star Game in Seattle? Fans elected A-Rod the starting shortstop and Cal Ripken the third baseman. But as the American League took the field to start the game, A-Rod grabbed Ripken and physically moved him to shortstop.

This was a touching gesture for the changing of the guard. Ripken was in his final All-Star Game, and it was only fitting he start it at the position that will propel him to the Hall of Fame.

A-Rod was content to play a half-inning at third base. Now, with Derek Jeter remaining at shortstop, the newest Yankee once again is making the change. This time, however, the scrutiny will be enormous.

Some of the game's greatest players have made the switch - and thrived. Ripken, certain to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007, was the Baltimore Orioles' shortstop from 1983 to 1995. He played six games at third in '96 but was uncomfortable with the change.

When the Orioles signed Mike Bordick in 1997, manager Davey Johnson moved Ripken to third permanently. In 675 games at that position he had a .961 fielding percentage.

Ripken is confident Rodriguez can make the transition.

"I have no doubt whatsoever that Alex can make this move easily," Ripken said. "He has great hands and a great instinct for the game."

Ripken, however, doesn't think becoming comfortable at third will happen overnight.

"Adjusting to a new position always presents a challenge at first, but it is nothing that practice and actual game experience won't take care of."

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt is a prime example.

Schmidt is the greatest third baseman of all time, but he started his career at shortstop. It wasn't until his final year in the minor leagues, 1972 at Eugene, Ore., he moved. He played 76 games at second base and 52 at third. The Phillies, much like the Yankees, wanted to make room for Schmidt because Larry Bowa was their shortstop.

Schmidt was signed as a shortstop out of Ohio University and played the position at Class AA Reading (Pa.) of the Eastern League in 1971.
The late Paul Owens, farm director Dallas Green and manager Danny Ozark decided to move Schmidt to third.

Owens, always a scout at heart, used to marvel at how important the move was.

"Schmitty had such soft hands, so much agility when he played shortstop," said Owens, who died last Dec. 26. "I knew moving him to third base would give us one of the best left sides of the infield in baseball."

Jim Fregosi made the switch in 1972 when the Angels traded him to the New York Mets.

"It was a tough adjustment for me," he said. "I broke my thumb in spring training and only had one game at third before the season started. You have to be quicker at third. The ball comes at you differently. It hooks a lot. At shortstop you have more time. You can watch the flight of the ball, but at third you have to read the ball differently."

Fregosi says A-Rod will be fine, "but it's going to take a lot of concentration. And any time you change a position, I think it affects your hitting in the beginning."