Mike Schmidt	vs.	Eddie Mathews
			(AP)
	Third baseman/1969, 1971-1993 .269 batting average 542 home runs 1567 RBI NL MVP 1980, 1981, and 1986 Twelve-time All-Star Eleven Gold Gloves Hall of Fame 1995 Complete Schmidt bio		Third Baseman/1952-1968 .271 batting average 512 home runs 1453 RBI Hit 30 or more HR 10 times Nine-time All-Star Led league in walks four times Hall of Fame 1978 Complete Mathews profile

	By the middle of his career, Schmidt was already considered to be the best all-around third baseman of all time. By the end of his career, he had hit thirty or more homers in thirteen of his sixteen seasons, had been named NL MVP three times, and had won eleven Gold Gloves. In the process, he smashed Mathews' records for career home runs by a third baseman. His 18 years in Philadelphia, representing the longest continuous service in Phillies team history, came to a tearful end (both for Schmidt and his fans) in May 1989. A month later, he was voted into the All-Star Game for the twelfth time in his career. Six years later, Schmidt was elected to the Hall of Fame.		No less than an authority than Ty Cobb remarked that Mathews had one of the most perfect swings in baseball history. His power was unprecedented for a third baseman; the sweet-swinging slugger socked 512 homers over a 17-year career that included two home run titles and nine All-Star appearances. Most of his success came early in his career. In his rookie season, he led the team in home runs with 25 (tying Sid Gordon) and he hit more home runs by the age of 25 than Babe Ruth had. Considered the best third baseman of his era, Mathews was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.
	HITTING		HITTING
	A prototypical power hitter, Schmidt swung from the knees and feasted on fastballs. As a result, he consistently led the league in strikeouts as well as home runs. But he was also patient at the plate, using intimidation to draw an unusually high number of walks. In the mid-80s, Schmidt did a good job of leveling out his swing, adjusting his batting style to the new breed of high-fastball power pitchers.		Most baseball people agreed with Cobb. Mathews' nearly flawless swing, combined with legendary bat speed, was a potent weapon against opposing pitchers and created a new breed of ballplayer; the slugging third baseman. A tendency to swing for the fences sometimes led to excessive strikeout totals, but Mathews could also coax walks out of fearful pitchers. He led the league in walks four times.
	DEFENSE		DEFENSE
	The best fielding third baseman of his era, Schmidt's exceptional arm strength and range allowed him to play deeper than most at the hot corner. Even though he was a Gold Glover at third, he was asked to play first base for the first time in his career during the 1985 season to make room for Rick Schu. Schmidt adapted accordingly; by some accounts, he was the best defensive first baseman the Phillies have ever had.		Mathews was an above-average fielder with a cannon for an arm. Unfortunately, he had a tendency to wilt in the spotlight. In All-Star Game play, Mathews still holds the record for most total errors by a third baseman (6) as well as errors in a game (2) and in an inning (2).
	BASERUNNING		BASERUNNING
	An intelligent baserunner, Schmidt consistently reached double-digit stolen base totals despite chronically sore legs.		Stealing bases wasn't Mathews' game, but he was known for his hustle on the basepaths.
	LEADERSHIP/CHARACTER		LEADERSHIP/CHARACTER
	Although Schmidt was the most feared hitter in the Phillies' lineup, his play suffered when he was faced with the pressure of carrying his team alone. He had one of his worst seasons in 1978 after being named team captain. However, Schmidt was a fantastic clutch player who came through when needed. He won both the regular season and World Series MVP awards in 1980 as the Phillies won their only World Championship.		In a spring training game in his first season in the majors, Mathews showed the type of determination that would make him an outstanding ballplayer when he ran over Commissioner Ford Frick while pursuing a fly ball. While he was only the second-best player on his team (behind Hank Aaron) for most of his time with the Braves, Mathews was a loyal player who stuck with the club for nearly all of his career. He remains the only player to play in three cities with the same franchise. He played on three World Series teams and two World Champions, including a stint with the Tigers in 1968. After his career ended, he returned to the Braves to manage, but his mediocre teams never finished higher than fourth place.