In baseball statistics, a double play (denoted as DP) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous play. One double play is recorded for every defensive player who participates in the play, regardless of how many of the outs in which they were directly involved, and is counted in addition to whatever putouts and assists might also apply. Double plays can occur any time there is at least one baserunner and fewer than two outs.
The list reflects the overall leaders in double plays in Major League Baseball and the leaders by each position.
Key Rank Rank amongst leaders in career double plays. A blank field indicates a tie. Player Name Throws Denotes right-handed (R) or left-handed (L) pitcher MLB Total career putouts as a pitcher 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 has not played for a full season.
Overall The top 100 leaders in double plays in major league history. Only twenty-one of the 100 (Eddie Collins, Stuffy McInnis, Jake Daubert, Rabbit Maranville, George Sisler, Joe Judge, Charlie Grimm, Lu Blue, Jim Bottomley, Bill Terry, Lou Gehrig, Charlie Gehringer, Jimmie Foxx, Joe Kuhel, Luke Appling, Dolph Camilli, Frank McCormick, Johnny Mize, George McQuinn, Bobby Doerr, and Mickey Vernon) had careers with significant playing time prior to World War II.
Stats updated as of September 27, 2026. Rank Player (2026 DPs) DPs Pos. Years played1Mickey Vernon2,0441B1939–1943, 1946–19602Eddie Murray*2,0331B1977–19963Todd Helton*2,0281B1997–20134Rafael Palmeiro1,7821B/LF1986–20055Fred McGriff*1,7751B1986–20046Joe Kuhel1,7691B1930–19477Omar Vizquel1,734SS1989–20128Charlie Grimm1,7331B1916, 1918–19369Bill Mazeroski*1,7062B1956–197210Albert Pujols1,7021B/3B/LF2001–202211Chris Chambliss1,6871B1971–1986, 198812Paul Konerko1,6601B1997–201413Keith Hernandez1,6541B1974–199014Andrés Galarraga1,6481B1985–1998, 2000–200415Paul Goldschmidt (47)1,6261B2011–Present16Nellie Fox*1,6192B1947–196517Jeff Bagwell*1,6181B1991–2005Freddie Freeman (76)1,6181B2010–Present19Gil Hodges*1,6141B/OF1943, 1947–196320Wally Joyner1,6111B1986–200121Ozzie Smith*1,590SS1978–199622John Olerud1,5811B1989–200523Lou Gehrig*1,5751B1923–193924Will Clark1,5711B1986–200025Cal Ripken Jr.*1,565SS1981–200126Jim Bottomley*1,5621B1922–193727Luis Aparicio*1,553SS1956–197328Willie Randolph1,5472B1975–199229Joe Judge1,5431B1915–193430Mark Grace1,5331B1988–200331Jimmie Foxx*1,5281B1925–1942, 1944–194532Lou Whitaker1,5272B1977–199533Bobby Doerr*1,5072B1937–1944, 1946–195134Joe Morgan*1,5052B1963–198435Don Mattingly1,5001B/OF1982–199536Steve Garvey1,4981B/3B1969–198737Carlos Delgado1,4961B1993–200938George Sisler*1,4951B1915–1922, 1924–193039George Scott1,4801B/3B1966–197940Charlie Gehringer*1,4442B1924–194241Derrek Lee1,4421B1997–201142Joey Votto1,4321B2007–202343Luke Appling*1,424SS1930–195044Robinson Canó1.4182B2005–2022Mark Teixeira1,4181B2003–201646Derek Jeter*1,408SS1995–2014Mark McGwire1,4081B1986–200148Roberto Alomar*1,4072B1988–200449Willie McCovey*1,4051B/LF1959–198050Tino Martinez1,3981B1990–200551Frank White1,3822B/SS1973–199052Adrián González1,3811B2004–201853Red Schoendienst*1,3682B/LF1945–196354Cecil Cooper1,3481B1971–198755Norm Cash1,3471B1958–197456Tony Pérez*1,3421B/3B1964–198657Stuffy McInnis1,3381B1909–192758Bill Terry*1,3341B1923–193659Kent Hrbek1,3311B1981–199460Wally Pipp1,3291B1913, 1915–192861Jake Beckley*1,3271B1888-190762Johnny Mize*1,3201B1936–1942, 1946–195363Alan Trammell*1,307SS1977–1996John Mayberry1,3071B1968–198265Roy McMillan1,304SS1951–196666Bobby Grich1,3022B/SS/1B1970–198667J.T. Snow1,2981B1992–2006, 200768Ian Kinsler1,2912B2006–201969Dave Concepción1,290SS1970–198870Miguel Tejada1,274SS1997–201371Ted Kluszewski1,2691B1947–196172Bill Skowron1,2661B1954–196773Larry Bowa1,265SS1970–1985George McQuinn1,2651B1936, 1938–194875Jeff Kent*1,2612B/1B/3B1992–200876Eric Karros1,2571B1991–200477Jimmy Rollins1,249SS2000–2016Adam LaRoche1,2491B2004–201579Pee Wee Reese*1,246SS1940–42, 1946–5880Eddie Collins*1,2392B1906–193081Dick Groat1,237SS1952, 1955–196782Lee May1,2351B/OF1965–198283Cap Anson*1,2321B/3B/C1871–189784Joe Adcock1,2281B/LF1950–196685Royce Clayton1,224SS1991–200786Frank McCormick1,2211B1934, 1937–194887Édgar Rentería1,218SS1996–201188Phil Rizzuto*1,217SS1941–1942, 1946–195689Elvis Andrus1,209SS2009–202390Anthony Rizzo1,2061B2011–Present91Jake Daubert1,2011B1910–192492Bill Buckner1,2001B/LF1969–199093Lu Blue1,1961B1921–1933Eric Hosmer1,1961B2011–202395Orlando Cepeda*1,1921B/LF1958–197496Ray Durham1,1892B1995–200897Dolph Camilli1,1891B1933–1943, 194598Rabbit Maranville*1,188SS/2B1912–1935Bid McPhee*1,1882B1882–1899100Bert Campaneris1,186SS1964–1983
By position Pitchers
Stats updated as of the 2026 season. RankPlayer (2027 DPs)ThrowsDouble plays as a pitcherOther leagues, notes MLB American League National League1Greg Maddux*R980982Phil Niekro*R838753Warren Spahn*L820824Freddie FitzsimmonsR790795Bob Lemon*R787806Bucky WaltersR760767Walter Johnson*R757508Burleigh Grimes*R740749Tommy JohnL69492010Tom Glavine*L6706711Liván HernándezR65065Jim Kaat*L655510Kenny RogersL6563214Dizzy TroutR6363015Zack GreinkeR62253716Dennis MartínezR61362517Carl MaysR59372218Gaylord Perry*R58233519Ted Lyons*R5757020Eppa Rixey*L5605621Lew BurdetteR55154Don Drysdale*R55055Carl Hubbell*L5505524Murry DicksonR54351Willis HudlinR54540Kirk RueterL54054Tom Seaver* R5454928Mark BuehrleL53485Jim Palmer*R53530Eddie RommelR5353031Bullet Joe BushR5251132Sad Sam JonesR51510Red Ruffing*R5151034Art NehfL5005035Grover Cleveland Alexander*R49049Whitey Ford*L49049Paul SplittorffL4904938Bert Blyleven*R48426Jamie MoyerL48408Bobby ShantzL4842641Bartolo ColónR473017Stan Coveleski*R47470Early Wynn*R4747044John DennyR461135Bob Gibson*R46046Larry JacksonR46046Herb Pennock*L46460Rick WiseR46153149Ferguson Jenkins*R452322Robin Roberts*R45837Dave StiebR4545052John Clarkson*R44044Pud Galvin*R44039Includes 3 in American Association, 1 in National Association, and 1 in Players' LeagueOrel HershiserR44638Claude PasseauR44044Fritz PetersonL4444057Mordecai Brown*R43036Includes 7 in Federal LeagueJohnny SchmitzL431726George UhleR4343060Harry GumbertR42042Mike HamptonL42042Clarence MitchellL42042Don Sutton*R42636Javier VázquezR42152765Scott EricksonR41401Ned GarverR41410Ray HerbertR41365Sid HudsonR41410Vern LawR41041Dutch LeonardR412615Christy Mathewson*R41041Lee MeadowsR41041Tony MullaneR41011Includes 30 in American AssociationJoe NiekroR4183375Larry FrenchL40040Bob FriendR40040Mudcat GrantR40382Hal Newhouser*L40400Frank TananaL40391Cy Young*R40182281Mike CaldwellL392415Curt DavisR39039Waite Hoyt*R392910Mike MorganR391920Jack QuinnR39343Includes 2 in Federal LeagueCharles Radbourn*R39035Includes 4 in Players' LeagueRick ReuschelR3903988Elden AukerR38380Jim BagbyR38362Guy BushR38038Jon GarlandR38299Mel HarderR38380Charlie HoughR38326Danny MacFaydenR382216Milt PappasR382315Dan PetryR38380Jerry ReussL38632Bob StanleyR38380Mel StottlemyreR38380Walt TerrellR382711Mike TorrezR382117
Catchers
Catchers typically record double plays by throwing out a runner attempting to steal a base immediately after the batter has struck out, by tagging out a runner attempting to score a run after receiving a throw from an outfielder on an attempted sacrifice fly, by stepping on home plate to force out a runner with the bases loaded and then throwing out another runner (often the batter trying to reach first base), or by tagging out a runner attempting to score after an out has been recorded at another base. Double plays are also occasionally recorded when a rundown play is involved, almost always as the second out. On August 2, 1985, Carlton Fisk of the Chicago White Sox recorded a double play by tagging out two New York Yankees moments apart at home plate when both tried to score on a double. The feat was duplicated by Paul Lo Duca of the New York Mets in Game 1 of the 2006 National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Many of the career leaders were active during baseball's dead-ball era when runners made more aggressive attempts to advance around the bases in risky situations; 13 of the top 18 single-season totals, and 28 of the top 37, were recorded before 1928. Ray Schalk holds the record for the most career double plays by a catcher with 222. Steve O'Neill is second with 198; only seven other catchers have recorded 150 career double plays. Stats updated as of the 2026 season.