A-Rod, Jeter, Nomar, Omar ... and Miguel Tejada are best all-around shortstops in majors; Oakland's All-Star middle infielder has performed at a level that places him among the elite players at his position.

MIGUEL TEJADA HAS greatness in him. He continues to let it out, every drop of it, and thus has become the centerpiece of the Oakland A's, a player who robs opponents of base hits, pitchers of their dignity and spectators of their breath.

Last August, Tejada became only the fifth shortstop in major league history to pile up as many as 100 RBI in three consecutive seasons

Tejada is the future, the essence of a year in which Oakland was in the hunt for the A.L. pennant. He has shown some of his greatness already, but only some. There is more waiting to be released, to be cultivated.

"Miggy's still young and still growing as a player," said teammate Randy Velarde, who's been something of a mentor to the shortstop. "He has the ability, but he can still mature in some areas of the game."

Over the last three seasons, Tejada has become a tantalizing presence on the left side of the infield. At 25, he has evoked memories of Ernie Banks. He has hinted at joining Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra, becoming the fourth pillar in the era of the all-around play for shortstops.

He also has threatened to retreat from his own potential. He swings at pitches outside the strike zone, pitches that great hitters wouldn't consider pursuing. He gets away with it sometimes, but a superstar can't chase bad pitches and carry his team at the same time. Every time he goes on a hot streak, pitchers will stop throwing strikes and count on the impatient batter to cool himself off.

Last spring, stories pointed out Tejada's poor showing in exhibition games, his failure to run out ground balls and the slight paunch he brought with him to spring training. Heading into a season that could elevate him to a new level, he was pushing buttons for the basement.