A-Rod the league’s best shortstop

Alex Rodriguez’s was the best shortstop in the American League for the sixth straight season, according to baseball’s annual rankings.

That’s right, shortstop.

Even though he moved to third base following his February trade from Texas to the New York Yankees, Rodriguez was counted as a shortstop because he played more games at that position over a two-year period (160) than he did at third base (155).

Rodriguez’s appearances at shortstop this year were limited to two innings – July 1 against Boston and Aug. 23 at Cleveland – after Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter got hurt. The rules for the rankings, compiled by the Elias Sports Bureau, were established by players and owners in their settlement of the 1981 strike.

Rodriguez had an 87.013 ranking on a scale of 100, followed by Baltimore’s Miguel Tejada (85.714) and Jeter (83.766). If Rodriguez had been listed as a third baseman, he would have been second to Oakland’s Eric Chavez (92.857).

Toronto first baseman Carlos Delgado was the top player in the major leagues at 98.333, followed by Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez (97), Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield (96.75) and St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols (96.667).

Delgado led A.L. first baseman for the second straight season and third year overall, while Seattle second baseman Bret Boone (86.207) and Chavez topped their positions for the third straight year.

Diamondbacks hire Backman

Wally Backman was given a two-year deal to become manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, taking over a team coming off one of the worst seasons in major league history.

A former New York Mets second baseman with a reputation for intensity in the dugout, Backman, 45, was selected minor league manager of the year this season by The Sporting News after leading Class A Lancaster to the best record in the California League.

Around the league

Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker resigned. Tim Purpura, Hunsicker’s assistant and the team’s director of player development, will succeed him immediately. … The Mariners declined to exercise a $6 million option on closer Eddie Guardado, giving the injured left-hander until Nov. 10 to decide if he wants to exercise a $4 million player option or become a free agent. … Tissue and toxicology tests confirmed former N.L. MVP Ken Caminiti‘s cause of death was “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine and opiates,” said a New York City medical examiner.