Successful position changes -- 2B to OF

[Appling]

Alfonso Soriano has finally accepted the "suggestion" that he change positions, from 2B to outfield. AT first he seemed to think of it as a demotion.

Of these former MLB second-basemen, which in your opinion became the successful all-around outfielder?

Was it Pete Rose, Jackie Robinson, Craig Biggio, or someone else?

[538280]

Do you mean just defensively, or how much total value they had as an outfielder?

[Appling]

Do you mean just defensively, or how much total value they had as an outfielder?

I was thinking of overall value: Hitting and fielding and baserunning, etc.

[leecemark]

--Robinson and Biggio both moved to the OF after they were already in decline. Rose moved their just as he was entering his prime and had his best years as an outfileder. He is a pretty obvious choice for this poll.

[mordeci]

I have one word for you: Lenny Randle

Um, I guess, technically, that might be considered 2 words.

[RuthMayBond]

Jackie had, what, two entire seasons in the OF?

[dgarza]

Not Paul Molitor.

But actually Davey Lopes, whose 2B career was hurting, made a pretty good go of it inthe OF during the end of his career, even if wasn't all that much, at least he was doing better than what he had been in the early 80s.

[RuthMayBond]

ElHalo hasn't mentioned Chuck Knoblauch

[dgarza]

Hey, add Danny Murphy to that poll.

[Tigerfan1974]

If you expand it to middle infield, since Rose and Jackie played more than 2d, Yount's move to the outfield would have to be the most successful, IMO!
He played many years out there, won MVP at SS and in the outfield. He is in the Hall after all!!

[Appling]

Jackie had, what, two entire seasons in the OF?

Yes, 1953 and 1954.

Lenny Randle -- didn't he later become a star in Italy? Was that at 2B or OF?

I agree that Robin Yount was no doubt the most successful transfer from middle infield to outfield. But just from 2B, my pick is Pete Rose. Rose could be a model for Soriano: both good hitters but not a star infielder. And OF may not be Soriano's last position -- we might yet see him at first base or DH.

[RedSoxVT92]

Rose was the most succsefull transition from 2nd to OF. That is where he enjoyed most of his success. Rose ended up playing more games at OF, 3rd and 1st base than at 2nd base. He had 2 out of 4 seasons under .300 seasons while primarley playing at 2nd. And only 1 under .300 season while playing 8 seasons primarley in the OF. Also was a better fielder in the OF.

[KCGHOST]

Jackie and Biggio combined only played 525 games in the outfield. Rose tallied 1327.

[Appling]

Rose was the most succsefull transition from 2nd to OF. That is where he enjoyed most of his success. Rose ended up playing more games at OF, 3rd and 1st base than at 2nd base. He had 2 out of 4 seasons under .300 seasons while primarley playing at 2nd. And only 1 under .300 season while playing 8 seasons primarley in the OF. Also was a better fielder in the OF.

And he would be in the HOF today -- if not for that FIVE-YEAR WAITING PERIOD.

[Ubiquitous]

As far as I can tell there has been a grand total of 5 players who have played more then 500 games at second and 500 games in the OF.

Anyone care to guess the 5 names?