Best Baseball Players of All Time - What's Your Favorite?
Baseball is a sport that has been played for over a century, and during that time, there have been many players who have made a lasting impact on the game. From Babe Ruth to Willie Mays, there have been countless legends who have left their mark on the sport.
Baseball has been a beloved pastime for over a century and has produced countless great players. These players have become legends in their own right and have left a lasting impact on the game. From Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter, the list of greats is long and impressive. Here, we will take a look at the best baseball players of all time.
These players have had remarkable careers and have achieved feats that are unlikely to be replicated. Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or a casual spectator, it's impossible to deny the impact these players have had on the game.
Best Baseball Players of All Time
10. Stan Musial
Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals (1941-63)
Stats: .331/.417/.559, 475 HR, 1,951 RBI, 3,630 H, 128.7 bWAR
Primary position: Left field/right field/first base
Stan Musial is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With a career spanning 22 years, Musial was a consistent hitter who topped the .300 batting average mark in each of his first 17 seasons in the big leagues, earning seven batting titles.
He was a three-time MVP winner and his 1948 MVP season is still considered one of the best, with impressive stats of .376/.450/.702, 39 home runs, 18 triples, and 46 doubles. Musial's awkward-looking, hunched-over stance may have looked unusual, but it didn't stop him from becoming one of the best hitters in the game. With numerous records and a reputation as "The Man," Musial will forever be remembered as a legend in the world of baseball.
9. Walter Johnson
Team(s): Washington Senators (1907-27)
Stats: 417-279, 2.17 ERA, 3,509 SO, 5,914 1/3 innings, 164.8 bWAR
Primary position: Starting pitcher
Walter Johnson, nicknamed the Big Train is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Johnson's contemporary, Ping Bodie, famously said, "You can't hit what you can't see," when describing Johnson's formidable pitching. Johnson's throwing speed is still a subject of debate, but it's undeniable that he was a dominant force on the field.
With his side-whipping, almost underhand arm slot, Johnson made it nearly impossible for hitters of his time to make contact. Even today's hitters would likely struggle against his peak performance. Johnson's career statistics are astounding, with his 110 shutouts standing out as a testament to his unparalleled dominance on the mound. When it comes to the discussion of the best pitcher ever, Walter Johnson's name will always be at the forefront.
8. Barry Bonds
Teams
- Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-92)
- San Francisco Giants (1993-2007)
Stats: .298/.444/.607, 762 HR, 2,935 H, 2,558 BB, 162.7 bWAR
Primary position: Left field
Barry Bonds is widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, despite his controversial use of performance-enhancing drugs. He was already an exceptional player before the PED allegations, known for his incredible athleticism and versatility as a five-tool outfielder.
1987 to 1998: Bonds was a three-time MVP and had a .981 OPS, with an average of 33 home runs and 34 stolen bases per season. However, it was during his ages 36 to 39 seasons that he became truly superhuman, setting records and breaking barriers in a way that baseball had never seen before. Despite the controversy surrounding his career, there is no denying that Bonds will always be remembered as one of the most dominant and exciting players to ever step onto the diamond.
7: Cy Young
Teams
- Cleveland Spiders (1890-98)
- St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals (1899-1900)
- Boston Americans/Red Sox (1901-08)
- Cleveland Naps (1909-11)
- Boston Rustlers (1911)
Stats: 511-315, 2.63 ERA, 2,803 SO, 7,356 IP, 163.6 bWAR
Primary position: Starting pitcher
Cy Young is an all-time favorite baseball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game. Born on March 29, 1867, in Gilmore, Ohio, he played for several teams during his career, including the Cleveland Spiders, Boston Americans, and Cleveland Naps.
Young's remarkable record of 511 wins is still the most in Major League Baseball history, and he threw three no-hitters while leading the league in wins five times. He was known for his incredible control and ability to throw a variety of pitches, including his famous fastball, which was rumored to have been thrown as fast as 100 miles per hour.
Off the field, Young was respected for his sportsmanship and his contributions to the game, including his role as one of the founding members of the Major League Baseball Players Association. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937, and his name has become synonymous with excellence in pitching.
6: Lou Gehrig
Team: New York Yankees (1923-39)
Stats: .340/.447/.632, 493 HR, 1,995 RBI, 2,721 H, 113.7 bWAR
Primary position: First base
Lou Gehrig, born Henry Louis Gehrig, was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He played for the New York Yankees for 17 seasons, from 1923 to 1939, and was known for his incredible hitting abilities and his remarkable durability on the field.
Gehrig earned the nickname "the Iron Horse" for his ability to play in a record-breaking 2,130 consecutive games, a record that stood for over 50 years. Despite his early retirement from the game due to his diagnosis with ALS, Gehrig remains a beloved figure in the world of baseball, and his legacy continues to inspire players and fans alike.
5: Jackie Robinson
Teams
- Negro Leagues (1945, Kansas City Monarchs)
- Brooklyn Dodgers (1947 to 1956)
Stats (Major Leagues): .311/.409/.474, 464 XBH, 1,518 H, 197 SB, 61.8 bWAR
Primary position: Second base
Jackie Robinson is one of the most iconic figures in the history of baseball. Born in 1919 in Cairo, Georgia, Robinson was the first African American to play in MLB during the modern era. He began his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and immediately faced intense racism and discrimination from fans, opposing players, and even some of his teammates.
Despite this, Robinson quickly established himself as one of the game's top players, winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1947 and earning six All-Star selections over his ten-year career. He was known for his exceptional speed on the basepaths, his defensive skills, and his ability to hit for both power and average. But Robinson's impact went far beyond the baseball diamond.
He used his platform to speak out against segregation and racism, and his courage and perseverance paved the way for future generations of African American players. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, and his legacy continues to inspire players and fans alike.
4: Ted Williams
Team:
Boston Red Sox (1939-42, 1946-60)
Stats: .344/.482/.634, 521 HR, 1,839 RBI, 2,654 H, 122.1 bWAR
Primary position: Left field
Williams was probably the greatest hitter who ever lived, largely because of the astronomical numbers he put up but also because of how he revolutionized the approach to hitting.
Ted Williams, also known as The Splendid Splinter is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. He played for the Boston Red Sox for his entire career, which spanned from 1939 to 1960, with a break to serve in World War II and the Korean War.
Williams was a 19-time All-Star, a two-time American League Most Valuable Player, and a six-time batting champion. He was the last player to finish a season with a batting average above .400, accomplishing the feat in 1941. Williams was also known for his keen eyesight, with his vision reportedly being 20/10, well above average.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966, and his legacy as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history continues to this day.
3: Hank Aaron
Teams
- Negro Leagues (1951, Indianapolis Clowns)
- Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-74)
- Milwaukee Brewers (1975-76)
Stats: .305/.374/.555, 755 HR, 2,297 RBI, 3,771 H, 143.1 bWAR
Primary position: Right field
7-5-5. Even today, if you ask a lifelong baseball fan how many homers Aaron hit, they'll probably be able to tell you.
Hank Aaron is one of the most iconic baseball players in history, known for his powerful swing and consistent performance on the field. Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1934 and began playing baseball at a young age. He joined the Negro League in 1951 and then signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, where he quickly established himself as a star player.
Aaron's record-breaking career included 25 All-Star Game selections, three Gold Glove Awards, and the 1957 National League MVP Award. He was also the first player to hit 500 home runs and held the record for most career home runs (755) for over 30 years. Aaron faced racial discrimination throughout his career but was a trailblazer for black players in Major League Baseball.
Despite the challenges he faced, Aaron remained dedicated to the sport and to helping young players succeed. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, and his legacy continues to inspire baseball players and fans around the world.
2: Willie Mays
Teams
- Negro Leagues (1948, Birmingham Black Barons)
- New York/San Francisco Giants (1951-52, 1954-72)
- New York Mets (1972-73)
Stats: .301/.384/.557, 660 HR, 1,909 RBI, 3,293 H, 156.1 bWAR
Primary position: Center field
For playing a shallow center field at a cavernous Polo Grounds, sprinting toward the center-field fence, and making an improbable over-the-shoulder basket catch at the warning track with the score tied late in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series.
Willie Mays is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He spent 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily playing as a center fielder for the New York and San Francisco Giants. Mays was known for his incredible athleticism and all-around game, excelling at hitting, fielding, and base-running.
Mays was a 24-time All-Star, a 12-time Gold Glove winner, and a two-time National League MVP. He won the National League batting title in 1954 and hit over 50 home runs in four different seasons. Mays was also known for his clutch performances in big games, including his famous over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series.
Off the field, Mays was known for his humble and respectful personality, and he was beloved by fans and teammates alike. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, and his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the sport lives on today.
1: Babe Ruth
Teams
- Boston Red Sox (1914-19)
- New York Yankees (1920-34)
- Boston Braves (1935)
Stats
As a hitter: .342/.474/.690, 714 HR, 2,214 RBI, 2873 H, 162.7 bWAR
As a pitcher: 94-46, 2.28 ERA, 488 SO, 1,221 IP, 20.4 bWAR
Primary position: Right field/left field
He's best known for his Home runs. He holds the record for most home runs in a season with 61 in 1927. He hit more than 60 in a season seven times.
Babe Ruth is widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He was a legendary power hitter and an accomplished pitcher, known for his massive home runs and dominant performances on the mound.
Ruth began his career as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, but his hitting prowess soon earned him a place in the lineup as a full-time outfielder. He set numerous records throughout his career, including the record for most career home runs (714), which stood for more than 30 years.
Ruth was also known for his larger-than-life personality and his impact on the game of baseball both on and off the field. He was a true icon of his era and remains an enduring symbol of baseball excellence to this day.
FAQ's
Q: What are 5 pieces of equipment used in baseball?
Answer: Here are 5 equipment used in baseball:
- Bat - A baseball bat is used by the batter to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher. Bats come in a variety of sizes and materials to suit different players and preferences.
- Glove - A baseball glove is worn by fielders to catch and handle the ball. Gloves come in different sizes and shapes, with specialized designs for different fielding positions.
- Ball - A baseball is a ball used in the game, made of cork or rubber and wrapped in leather. Baseballs are designed to be thrown, caught, and hit during gameplay.
- Helmet - A baseball helmet is worn by batters and runners to protect the head from injury. Helmets have a hard outer shell and a padded interior to absorb impact.
- Cleats - Baseball cleats are specialized shoes with cleats on the bottom for traction on the field. Cleats come in a variety of styles and materials for different playing surfaces and conditions.