Games played (most often abbreviated as G or GP) is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated (in any capacity); the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested. In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game, are included on a starting lineup card or are announced as ex ante substitutes, whether or not they play;Section 20 of the official scorer guidelines however, in Major League Baseball, the application of this statistic does not extend to consecutive games played streaks. A starting pitcher, then, may be credited with a game played even if he is not credited with a game started or an inning pitched. 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.
Although there have been players with long careers at shortstop throughout major league history, they were more rare until the 1950s as expectations for their offensive contributions gradually increased. When batting expectations were lower, shortstops could be more easily replaced as their defensive ability declined by players with roughly equivalent hitting capability. 21 of the top 27 players in career games at shortstop made their major league debuts after 1950. Omar Vizquel is the all-time leader in games played as a shortstop, having played 2,709 games at the position in his career. 19 players in major league history have played over 2,000 career games at shortstop, the second most of all positions behind only first basemen.
Key Rank Rank amongst leaders in career games played. A blank field indicates a tie. Player (2026 Gs) Number of games played during the 2026 Major League Baseball season MLB Total career games played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball*Denotes elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame BoldDenotes active playerA player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or not played for a full season.
List
Stats updated as of September 27, 2026. RankPlayer (2026 Gs)Games as shortstopOther leagues, notesMLB American LeagueNational League1Omar Vizquel2,7092,1805292Derek Jeter*2,6742,67403Luis Aparicio*2,5812,5810Held major league record, 1970-2008; held American League record, 1970-20144Ozzie Smith*2,51102,5115Cal Ripken Jr.*2,3022,30206Jimmy Rollins2,227352,1927Larry Bowa2,22202,222Held National League record, 1985-19938Luke Appling*2,2182,2180Held major league record, 1949-1970; held American League record, 1947-19709Dave Concepción2,17802,17810Rabbit Maranville*2,15302,153Held major league record, 1931-1949; held National League record, 1931-198511Alan Trammell*2,1392,139012Bill Dahlen2,13302,133Held major league record, 1908-1931; held National League record, 1907-193113Édgar Rentería2,1142911,82314Bert Campaneris2,0972,097015Barry Larkin*2,08502,08516Tommy Corcoran2,07801,819Includes 133 in American Association, 126 in Players' League; held major league record, 1904-1908; held National League record, 1905-190717Royce Clayton2,0536441,40918Roy McMillan2,02802,02819Pee Wee Reese*2,01402,01420Roger Peckinpaugh1,9821,9820Held American League record, 1926-194721Elvis Andrus1,9661,966022Garry Templeton1,96401,96423Don Kessinger1,9551981,75724Miguel Tejada1,9461,53141525Mark Belanger1,9421,8984426Chris Speier1,900121,88827Ozzie Guillén1,8961,77212428Honus Wagner*1,88701,88729Dick Groat1,87701,87730Dave Bancroft*1,87301,87331Donie Bush1,8661,8660Held American League record, 1918-192632Alfredo Griffin1,8611,38947233Orlando Cabrera1,8438241,019Leo Cárdenas1,8437051,138Joe Cronin*1,8431,8321136Bobby Wallace*1,8261,452374Held American League record, 1910-191837Ed Brinkman1,7951,77124Herman Long1,795601,607Includes 128 in American Association; held major league record, 1902-1904; held National League record, 1902-190539Greg Gagne1,7651,49527040Bill Russell1,74601,74641Joe Tinker*1,74501,604Includes 141 in Federal League42Dick Bartell1,6791441,53543Monte Cross1,67871296644Germany Smith1,66701,105Includes 537 in American Association, 25 in Union Association; held major league record, 1898-190245Phil Rizzuto*1,6471,647046Everett Scott1,6431,639447Brandon Crawford1,63501,63548Xander Bogaerts (151)1,6341,19244249Jack Glasscock1,62901,593Includes 36 in Union Association; held major league record, 1887-1898; held National League record, 1885-190250George McBride1,6271,449178José Reyes1,6273031,32452Mickey Doolin1,62501,337Includes 288 in Federal League53Francisco Lindor (103)1,61676385354Freddie Patek1,5881,32526355Mike Bordick1,5771,5215656Tony Fernández1,5731,21735657Ed McKean1,56501,364Includes 201 in American Association58Maury Wills1,55501,55559Rafael Furcal1,55401,55460Álex González1,5482491,29961Marty Marion1,547631,48462J.J. Hardy1,54498755763Billy Jurges1,54001,54064Lou Boudreau*1,5391,539065Tim Foli1,5242411,28366Frankie Crosetti1,5161,516067Jay Bell1,5152591,25668Leo Durocher*1,5091221,38769Arky Vaughan*1,48501,48570Alcides Escobar1,4841,20927571Robin Yount*1,4791,479072Walt Weiss1,46252294073Jhonny Peralta1,4591,15230774Art Fletcher1,44801,44875Wally Gerber1,4471,4093876Alvin Dark1,40401,40477Bud Harrelson1,400871,31378Dansby Swanson (124)1,39901,39979Jim Fregosi1,3961,3732380Eddie Miller1,39501,39581Rafael Ramírez1,38601,38681Bucky Dent1,3821,382083Johnny Logan1,38001,38084George Davis*1,37471665885Spike Owen1,37383453986Shawon Dunston1,363141,34987Dick Schofield1,3481,20414488Erick Aybar1,3371,14519289Vern Stephens1,3301,330090Travis Jackson*1,32601,32691Iván DeJesús1,303141,28992Eddie Joost1,29992737293Cristian Guzmán1,29583645994Jack Wilson1,2741041,17095Alex Rodriguez1,2721,272096Troy Tulowitzki1,2682351,03397Trea Turner (154)1,26501,265Zoilo Versalles1,2651,12214399Alex Gonzalez1,262886376100Chico Carrasquel1,2411,2410
Other Hall of Famers PlayerGames as shortstopOther leagues, notesMLB American LeagueNational LeagueJoe Sewell*1,2161,2160Ernie Banks*1,12501,125Willie Wells*96500Includes 607 in Negro National League (first), 315 in Negro National League (second), 39 in East–West League, 4 in Negro American League (incomplete)Hughie Jennings*8971828Includes 68 in American AssociationJohn Montgomery Ward*8260698Includes 128 in Players' LeagueGeorge Wright*5300269Includes 261 in National Association; held major league record, 1875-1882; held National League record, 1876-1877Rogers Hornsby*3560356John McGraw*1830162Includes 21 in American AssociationJohn Henry Lloyd*13700Includes 90 in Negro National League (first), 47 in Eastern Colored League (incomplete)Martín Dihigo*11000Includes 71 in Eastern Colored League, 36 in American Negro League, 3 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)Ed Delahanty*94018Includes 76 in the Players' LeagueKing Kelly*90062Includes 27 in the Players' League, 1 in American AssociationTony Lazzeri*876225Ray Dandridge*3400Includes 34 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)Jackie Robinson*3401Includes 33 in Negro American League (incomplete)Adrián Beltré*707Dick Allen*303Jeff Kent*303
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