Baseball Reference Blog
The Top 25 MLB Players of All Time
Posted by sradmin on November 21, 2022
This list will reveal the best MLB players of all time, using statistics. Specifically, it considers career leaders in WAR. This measurement, simply put, measures a player’s value compared to a typical player that would replace him. Although The Negro Leagues Are Major Leagues, it should be noted that this list features only National League and American League players, partially because data is incomplete elsewhere.
Here are the top 25 greatest Major League Baseball players of all time, in alphabetical order, according to WAR:
Henry Aaron
Name Note: commonly referred to as Hank Aaron
Positions: Rightfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-0, 180lb (183cm, 81kg)
Born: February 5, 1934 in Mobile, AL us
Died:
January 22, 2021
Buried: Southview Cemetery, Atlanta, GA
High School: Allen Institute (Mobile, AL)
Debut:
April 13, 1954
(Age 20-067d,
11,077th in major league history)
vs. CIN 5 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 3, 1976
(Age 42-241d)
vs. DET 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1982.
(Voted by BBWAA on 406/415 ballots)
View Henry Aaron’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1954 season
Full Name: Henry Louis Aaron
Nicknames: Hammer, Hammerin’ Hank or Bad Henry
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Brother of Tommie Aaron
Career
143.0
12364
3771
755
.305
2174
2297
240
.374
.555
.928
155
Hank Aaron was a 25-time All-Star (a major league record). Hammerin’ Hank received MVP votes in each year from 1955 to 1973. His 6,856 total bases are over 600 more than any other player. In 1974, Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s fabled career home run record, hitting 755 of his own, a mark that has only been surpassed by Barry Bonds (see below). He helped the Milwaukee Braves to a World Series title during his MVP season of 1957 with a league-leading 132 RBI. His 2,297 RBI total will remain a safe career record for the foreseeable future.
Pete Alexander
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-1, 185lb (185cm, 83kg)
Born: February 26, 1887 in Elba, NE us
Died:
November 4, 1950
Buried: Elmwood Cemetery, St. Paul, NE
High School: St. Paul HS (St. Paul, NE)
Debut:
April 15, 1911
(Age 24-048d,
3,461st in major league history)
vs. BSN 9.1 IP, 8 H, 4 SO, 5 BB, 0 ER, L
Last Game:
May 28, 1930
(Age 43-091d)
vs. BSN 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1938.
(Voted by BBWAA on 212/262 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Pete Alexander’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1911 season
Full Name: Grover Cleveland Alexander
Nicknames: Old Pete
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
119.3
373
208
2.56
696
600
32
5190.0
2198
1.121
Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander broke into the big leagues with the Phillies in 1911, winning an MLB-best 28 games. He earned that top spot again another four times from 1914 to 1917. “Old Pete” also earned three Triple Crowns (with two additional ERA titles). The last of the three came with the Cubs in 1920. Before retiring with the Phillies, Alexander won the World Series with the 1926 St. Louis Cardinals.
Barry Bonds
Position: Leftfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-1, 185lb (185cm, 83kg)
Born:
July 24, 1964
Draft: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Junipero Serra HS (San Mateo, CA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1st round (6th) of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ).
High School: Junipero Serra HS (San Mateo, CA)
School: Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)
Debut:
May 30, 1986
(Age 21-310d,
15,172nd in major league history)
vs. LAD 5 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 26, 2007
(Age 43-064d)
vs. SDP 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1986 season
Agents: Jeff Borris • Previously: Dennis Gilbert, Rod Wright, Scott Boras
Full Name: Barry Lamar Bonds
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Relatives: Cousin of Reggie Jackson; Son of Bobby Bonds
Career
162.8
9847
2935
762
.298
2227
1996
514
.444
.607
1.051
182
Barry Bonds set the single-season home run record in 2001 (73). 762 career homers are the most in Major League history. His record of 120 intentional walks in a season is likely untouchable (no other player has recorded more than 45). Bonds is the only player with 500 stolen bases and 500 home runs in major league history. In fact, no other player has achieved 400-400. On top of his offense, Bonds won 8 Gold Gloves in left field. Bonds remains at the core of the conversation surrounding steroid use in baseball and has consequently been kept out of the Hall of Fame.
Roger Clemens
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-4, 205lb (193cm, 92kg)
Born:
August 4, 1962
Draft: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 1981 MLB June Amateur Draft from San Jacinto College (Pasadena, TX) and the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round (19th) of the 1983 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX).
High School: Spring Woods HS (Houston, TX)
Schools: San Jacinto College (Pasadena, TX), San Jacinto College, North Campus (Houston, TX), University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)
Debut:
May 15, 1984
(Age 21-285d,
14,903rd in major league history)
vs. CLE 5.2 IP, 11 H, 4 SO, 3 BB, 4 ER
Last Game:
September 16, 2007
(Age 45-043d)
vs. BOS 6.0 IP, 2 H, 4 SO, 3 BB, 0 ER
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1984 season
Agents: Randy Hendricks, Alan Hendricks
National Team: us USA (WBC)
Full Name: William Roger Clemens
Nicknames: Rocket or The Texas Con Man
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Relatives: Father of Kody Clemens
Career
139.2
354
184
3.12
709
707
0
4916.2
4672
1.173
Roger Clemens threw two of baseball’s six 20+-strikeout outings, doing so for the Red Sox in 1986 and 1996. After 13 seasons with Boston, The Rocket collected six more All-Star nods (bringing his total to 11). He was 20 game winner six times, leading the majors on four of those occasions. Of any pitcher whose career has touched the 21st century, he has the most career strikeouts with 4,672 (1,301 more than the next highest). Like Bonds, Roger Clemens’ controversial 10-Year principal Hall of Fame candidacy has expired (after peaking at 65.2% of votes in 2022). The Hall of Fame’s Today’s Game Committee remains the last hope for these candidates of the steroid era.
Ty Cobb
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
6-1, 175lb (185cm, 79kg)
Born: December 18, 1886 in Narrows, GA us
Died:
July 17, 1961
Buried: Rose Hill Cemetery, Royston, GA
High School: Franklin County HS (Royston, GA)
Debut:
August 30, 1905
(Age 18-255d,
2,755th in major league history)
vs. NYY 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 11, 1928
(Age 41-268d)
vs. NYY 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1936.
(Voted by BBWAA on 222/226 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Ty Cobb’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1905 season
Full Name: Tyrus Raymond Cobb
Nicknames: The Georgia Peach
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Career
151.5
11440
4189
117
.366
2245
1944
897
.433
.512
.944
168
Ty Cobb’s .366 career batting average, over his 24 seasons, is the best in MLB history. Cobb became the first ever inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, in a class that included Babe Ruth. His accolades, including a triple crown in 1909, an MVP in 1911, and 12 batting titles, make him one of the All-Time best MLB players.
Eddie Collins
Position: Second Baseman
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
5-9, 175lb (175cm, 79kg)
Born: May 2, 1887 in Millerton, NY us
Died:
March 25, 1951
Buried: Linwood Cemetery, Weston, MA
High School: Washington Irving HS (Tarrytown, NY)
School: Columbia University (New York, NY)
Debut:
September 17, 1906
(Age 19-138d,
2,888th in major league history)
vs. CHW 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB
Last Game:
August 5, 1930
(Age 43-095d)
vs. BOS 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1939.
(Voted by BBWAA on 213/274 ballots)
View Eddie Collins’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1908 season
Full Name: Edward Trowbridge Collins
Nicknames: Cocky
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Relatives: Father of Eddie Collins
Career
124.4
9949
3315
47
.333
1821
1299
741
.424
.429
.853
142
Eddie Collins’ 47 career home runs are the fewest of anyone in the 3,000-hit club. He made up for it with a .333 career batting average over 25 seasons. His WAR of 124.4 is the 13th best of all time. These legendary numbers pushed his teams to 6 World Series Titles in 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, and 1930 with the Philadelphia Athletics and in 1917 during the middle part of his career with the 1917 White Sox.
Lou Gehrig
Position: First Baseman
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-0, 200lb (183cm, 90kg)
Born: June 19, 1903 in New York, NY us
Died:
June 2, 1941
Buried: Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, NY
High School: HS of Commerce (New York, NY)
School: Columbia University (New York, NY)
Debut:
June 15, 1923
(Age 19-361d,
5,753rd in major league history)
vs. SLB 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
April 30, 1939
(Age 35-315d)
vs. WSH 4 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1939.
(Voted by Special Election)
View Lou Gehrig’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1925 season
Full Name: Henry Louis Gehrig
Nicknames: The Iron Horse, Biscuit Pants, Buster, Laruppin’, Crown Prince of Swat or Columbia
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Career
113.6
8001
2721
493
.340
1888
1995
102
.447
.632
1.080
179
Lou Gehrig set a then-record of 2,130 consecutive games played. His 1.124 career OPS in the postseason is tied with Babe Ruth for the highest OPS in postseason history (min. 150 postseason PA). Gehrig was a two-time MVP, seven-time World Series champion, and the self-proclaimed “luckiest man on the face of the earth.” The last distinction came in the shadow his Gehrig’s ALS diagnosis which forced him to stop playing at the age of 35. His lasting legacy led ALS to be widely known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Lefty Grove
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-3, 190lb (190cm, 86kg)
Born: March 6, 1900 in Lonaconing, MD us
Died:
May 22, 1975
Buried: Frostburg Memorial Park, Frostburg, MD
High School: Central HS (Lonaconing, MD)
Debut:
April 14, 1925
(Age 25-039d,
6,153rd in major league history)
vs. BOS 3.2 IP, 6 H, 0 SO, 4 BB, 4 ER
Last Game:
September 28, 1941
(Age 41-206d)
vs. PHA 1.0 IP, 4 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 3 ER, L
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1947.
(Voted by BBWAA on 123/161 ballots)
View Lefty Grove’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1925 season
Full Name: Robert Moses Grove
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
106.8
300
141
3.06
616
457
54
3940.2
2266
1.278
Robert Moses “Lefty” Grove topped the American League in strikeouts during the first seven years of his career (1925 to 1931). He also had the A.L.’s lowest earned run average nine times. Grove won the American League Triple Crown twice. He was a two-time World Series Champion with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1929 and 1930. Grove was credited with the save in the inaugural All-Star Game in 1933. He made the midsummer classic another five times as a member of the Red Sox.
Rickey Henderson
Position: Leftfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
5-10, 180lb (178cm, 81kg)
Born:
December 25, 1958
Draft: Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 4th round of the 1976 MLB June Amateur Draft from Oakland Technical HS (Oakland, CA).
High School: Oakland Technical HS (Oakland, CA)
Debut:
June 24, 1979
(Age 20-181d,
14,198th in major league history)
vs. TEX 4 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB
Last Game:
September 19, 2003
(Age 44-268d)
vs. SFG 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009.
(Voted by BBWAA on 511/539 ballots)
View Rickey Henderson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1979 season
Agents: Dennis Gilbert, Dan Horwits • Previously: Richie Bry
Full Name: Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson
Nicknames: Man of Steal
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View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
111.1
10961
3055
297
.279
2295
1115
1406
.401
.419
.820
127
No one in baseball history has come close to Rickey Henderson’s prowess on the basepaths. 130 stolen bases in 1982 is a modern record. Henderson broke Lou Brock’s career stolen base record of 938 at the age of 32 and went on to steal 468 more. Henderson gave himself every opportunity to steal, reaching safely more than all but three players in Major League history.
Rogers Hornsby
Positions: Second Baseman, Shortstop and Third Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-11, 175lb (180cm, 79kg)
Born: April 27, 1896 in Winters, TX us
Died:
January 5, 1963
Buried: Hornsby Bend Cemetery, Hornsby Bend, TX
High School: Northside HS (Fort Worth, TX)
Debut:
September 10, 1915
(Age 19-136d,
4,412th in major league history)
vs. CIN 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
July 20, 1937
(Age 41-084d)
vs. NYY 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1942.
(Voted by BBWAA on 182/233 ballots)
No induction ceremony in Cooperstown held (until 2013).
View Rogers Hornsby’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1916 season
Full Name: Rogers Hornsby
Nicknames: Rajah
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View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
127.3
8173
2930
301
.358
1579
1584
135
.434
.577
1.010
175
Rogers Hornsby was one of the best hitters of all time. “Rajah” won two Triple Crowns and batted over .400 three times during his career. In 1922, he hit 40 home runs and batted .400 something no other player has done in a season. His batting average for the 1924 season was .424. That too is an achievement nobody has matched since in the American or National League. Two seasons later, he and the Cardinals won the franchises’ first World Series title in the National League era.
Nap Lajoie
Positions: Second Baseman and First Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-1, 195lb (185cm, 88kg)
Born: September 5, 1874 in Woonsocket, RI us
Died:
February 7, 1959
Buried: Daytona Memorial Park, Daytona Beach, FL
Debut: 1896 (1,918th in major league history)
Last Game: August 26, 1916 (Age 41-356d)
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1937.
(Voted by BBWAA on 168/201 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Nap Lajoie’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1896 season
Full Name: Napoleon Lajoie
Nicknames: Larry or Poli
Pronunciation: \Lah-ZHWA or LAJ-way\
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Career
106.9
9590
3243
82
.338
1504
1599
380
.380
.466
.846
150
Nap Lajoie is widely considered the best second baseman in the history of baseball. Lajoie led the AL in batting average five times in his career and four times recorded the highest number of hits. Nap was the first player to ever achieve the triple crown in the American League. He became the third member of the 3,000-hit club in 1914.
Mickey Mantle
Positions: Centerfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
5-11, 195lb (180cm, 88kg)
Born: October 20, 1931 in Spavinaw, OK us
Died:
August 13, 1995
Buried: Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park, Dallas, TX
High School: Commerce HS (Commerce, OK)
Debut:
April 17, 1951
(Age 19-179d,
10,775th in major league history)
vs. BOS 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 28, 1968
(Age 36-344d)
vs. BOS 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1974.
(Voted by BBWAA on 322/365 ballots)
View Mickey Mantle’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1951 season
Full Name: Mickey Charles Mantle
Nicknames: The Mick, The Commerce Comet or Muscles
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
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Career
110.2
8102
2415
536
.298
1676
1509
153
.421
.557
.977
172
Mickey Mantle was the center fielder on the dominant Yankees teams of the 1950s and early 1960s. He appeared in 12 World Series, winning seven, all while tallying the most runs (42), home runs (18), RBI (40), and walks (43) in World Series history. Of all retired players to debut after the integration of the major leagues, Mantle’s career OPS+ is second only to Barry Bonds. The 20-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP had the second-highest career championship win probability added (232.41), only trailing Babe Ruth.
Willie Mays
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-10, 170lb (178cm, 77kg)
Born:
May 6, 1931
High School: Fairfield Industrial HS (Fairfield, AL)
Debut: 1948 (10,378th in major league history)
AL/NL Debut:
May 25, 1951
(Age 20-019d)
vs. PHI 5 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 9, 1973
(Age 42-126d)
vs. MON 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1979.
(Voted by BBWAA on 409/432 ballots)
View Willie Mays’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1951 season
Full Name: Willie Howard Mays
Nicknames: Say Hey Kid
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- Hall of Fame
- 2x MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- 24x All-Star
- 1954 World Series
- 12x Gold Glove
- Batting Title
- 2x AS MVP
- ML PoY
Career
156.1
10924
3293
660
.301
2068
1909
338
.384
.557
.940
155
Willie Mays won Rookie of The Year in 1951, but an assignment to the army during the Korean War halted his baseball career. After his return in 1954, Mays won MVP and led the Giants to a World Series title. In game one, Mays made an over-the-shoulder catch that remains one of the most iconic plays in baseball history. Mays made 24 All-Star Games and his 12 Gold Gloves are tied with Roberto Clemente for the most all-time among outfielders.
Stan Musial
Positions: Outfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-0, 175lb (183cm, 79kg)
Born: November 21, 1920 in Donora, PA us
Died:
January 19, 2013
Buried: Forever Bellerive Cemetery, Creve Coeur, MO
High School: Donora HS (Donora, PA)
Debut:
September 17, 1941
(Age 20-300d,
9,131st in major league history)
vs. BSN 4 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 29, 1963
(Age 42-312d)
vs. CIN 3 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1969.
(Voted by BBWAA on 317/340 ballots)
View Stan Musial’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1942 season
Full Name: Stanley Frank Musial
Nicknames: Stan the Man, Stashu, Stash or The Donora Greyhound
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Career
128.6
10972
3630
475
.331
1949
1951
78
.417
.559
.976
159
Stanley Frank Musial was a seven-time batting champion and three-time National League MVP. On top of that, we won three World Series titles over 22 seasons, all with the Cardinals. He also shares the major league record for the most All-Star Games played (24) with Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. In fact, “Stan the Man” was an All-Star each year between 1943 and 1963 with the exception of 1945 (which he did not play in due to service in the Navy). Musial became a first-ballot inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.
Kid Nichols
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
5-10, 175lb (178cm, 79kg)
Born: September 14, 1869 in Madison, WI us
Died:
April 11, 1953
Buried: Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, MO
Debut: 1890 (1,390th in major league history)
Last Game: May 18, 1906 (Age 36-246d)
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1949.
(Voted by Old Timers Committee)
View Kid Nichols’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1890 season
Full Name: Charles Augustus Nichols
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Career
116.3
362
208
2.96
621
562
16
5067.1
1881
1.224
Kid Nichols retired with 362 wins, 1,881 strikeouts, and a 2.96 ERA. This win total fell only behind that of Cy Young and Pud Galvin at the time. Today, it’s the seventh-best win total in baseball history. His 5,067.1 innings pitched still stands at 11th all-time. He joined the 300-win club at the age of 30, becoming the youngest pitcher to ever do so.
Mel Ott
Positions: Rightfielder and Third Baseman
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
5-9, 170lb (175cm, 77kg)
Born: March 2, 1909 in Gretna, LA us
Died:
November 21, 1958
Buried: Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, LA
High School: Gretna HS (Gretna, LA)
Debut:
April 27, 1926
(Age 17-056d,
6,396th in major league history)
vs. PHI 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
July 11, 1947
(Age 38-131d)
vs. STL 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1951.
(Voted by BBWAA on 197/226 ballots)
View Mel Ott’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1927 season
Full Name: Melvin Thomas Ott
Nicknames: Master Melvin
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
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Career
110.8
9456
2876
511
.304
1859
1860
89
.414
.533
.947
155
Mel Ott played his entire 22-year career with the New York Giants from 1926 to 1947. He was an All-Star each year from ages 25 to 36. In 1945, Ott hit his 500th career home run and became the first National League player to do so. At the time of his retirement in 1947, Mel Ott’s 511 home runs were 200 more than the next-highest National Leaguer.
Frank Robinson
Positions: Outfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-1, 183lb (185cm, 83kg)
Born: August 31, 1935 in Beaumont, TX us
Died:
February 7, 2019
High School: McClymonds HS (Oakland, CA)
School: Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH)
Debut:
April 17, 1956
(Age 20-230d,
11,326th in major league history)
vs. STL 3 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 18, 1976
(Age 41-018d)
vs. BAL 1 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1982.
(Voted by BBWAA on 370/415 ballots)
View Frank Robinson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1956 season
Agents: Ed Keating
Full Name: Frank Robinson
Nicknames: The Judge or Pencils
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- Hall of Fame
- 2x MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- Triple Crown
- 14x All-Star
- 2x World Series
- Gold Glove
- WS MVP
- Batting Title
- AS MVP
- ML PoY
- Mgr of the year
Career
107.2
10006
2943
586
.294
1829
1812
204
.389
.537
.926
154
Frank Robinson remains the only player to win the MVP Award in both the American and National Leagues. Entered the majors with the Cincinnati Reds, winning Rookie of the Year in 1956. Robinson spent ten successful years with the Reds, winning a pennant and MVP award in 1961. He was infamously traded to the Baltimore Orioles ahead of the 1966 season – the justification by the Reds owner being that Frank was “not a young 30”. Robinson responded by winning the triple crown (.316 BA, 49 HR, and 122 RBI). Robinson went on to become the first Black manager in the National League or American League.
Álex Rodríguez
Positions: Shortstop and Third Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-3, 230lb (190cm, 104kg)
Born:
July 27, 1975
Draft: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1st round (1st) of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Draft from Westminster Christian School (Miami, FL).
High School: Westminster Christian School (Miami, FL)
Debut:
July 8, 1994
(Age 18-346d,
16,550th in major league history)
vs. BOS 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
August 12, 2016
(Age 41-016d)
vs. TBR 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1995 season
Agents: Jay Reisinger, Jim Sharp • Previously: Scott Boras, Susy Dunand
National Team: us USA (WBC,18U)
Full Name: Alexander Enmanuel Rodriguez
Nicknames: A-Rod
Pronunciation: \Rod-RI-gez\
Instagram: @arod
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Uncle of Joe Dunand
Career
117.6
10566
3115
696
.295
2021
2086
329
.380
.550
.930
140
Álex Rodríguez was thrice named MVP – once with the Rangers and twice with the Yankees. Rodríguez’s 2,086 runs batted in puts him in fourth all-time (that is more than Bonds, Gehrig, and Cobb). A career third baseman, he switched to third base to accommodate for Derek Jeter upon joining the Yankees, with whom he won his only World Series title in 2009.
A-Rod’s admission to using steroids is the only counterargument to including him among the best baseball players of all time. Numerically speaking, however, Rodríguez’s career was nothing short of legendary.
Babe Ruth
Positions: Outfielder and Pitcher
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-2, 215lb (188cm, 97kg)
Born: February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, MD us
Died:
August 16, 1948
Buried: Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY
High School: St. Mary’s HS (Baltimore, MD)
Debut:
July 11, 1914
(Age 19-155d,
4,204th in major league history)
vs. CLE 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
May 30, 1935
(Age 40-113d)
vs. PHI 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1936.
(Voted by BBWAA on 215/226 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Babe Ruth’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1915 season
Full Name: George Herman Ruth
Nicknames: Babe, The Bambino, The Sultan Of Swat, Jidge, The Colossus of Clout or The King of Crash
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
183.1
8399
2873
714
.342
2174
2214
123
.474
.690
1.164
206
Originally a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox, Ruth was 3-0 with a 0.87 ERA across the 1916 and 1918 World Series. Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees ahead of the 1920 season and promptly hit 54 homers with his new club. The Yankees, who had not won a World Series prior to Ruth’s arrival, were transformed into a winning machine, collecting seven pennants and four World Series titles during Ruth’s tenure. In 1927, Ruth hit 60 home runs, a feat that would only be bested once in the following 70 years. When the Babe retired in 1936, his 714 home runs were 287 more than anyone else had hit in Major League history. Ruth leads all baseball players in career WAR (183.1). For reference, the closest active player (Mike Trout, 82.4) does not have half of The Great Bambino’s Wins Above Replacement.
Mike Schmidt
Positions: Third Baseman and First Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2, 195lb (188cm, 88kg)
Born:
September 27, 1949
Draft: Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1971 MLB June Amateur Draft from Ohio University (Athens, OH).
High School: Fairview HS (Dayton, OH)
School: Ohio University (Athens, OH)
Debut:
September 12, 1972
(Age 22-351d,
13,317th in major league history)
vs. NYM 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
May 28, 1989
(Age 39-243d)
vs. SFG 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1995.
(Voted by BBWAA on 444/460 ballots)
View Mike Schmidt’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1973 season
Agents: Arthur Rosenberg • Previously: David Landfield
Full Name: Michael Jack Schmidt
Nicknames: Schmitty
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
106.8
8352
2234
548
.267
1506
1595
174
.380
.527
.908
148
Mike Schmidt had it all. Defensively, he won ten Gold Glove awards all while playing his entire career with the Phillies. Offensively, he won six Silver Slugger awards and led the Majors in home runs six times between 1974 and 1983. By many metrics (including the all-important 106.8 WAR), Mike Schmidt is the greatest third baseman of all time.
Tom Seaver
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-1, 195lb (185cm, 88kg)
Born: November 17, 1944 in Fresno, CA us
Died:
August 31, 2020
Draft: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 10th round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) and the Atlanta Braves in the 1st round (20th) of the 1966 MLB January Draft-Secondary Phase from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Fresno HS (Fresno, CA)
Schools: Fresno City College (Fresno, CA), University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
April 13, 1967
(Age 22-147d,
12,563rd in major league history)
vs. PIT 5.1 IP, 6 H, 8 SO, 4 BB, 2 ER
Last Game:
September 19, 1986
(Age 41-306d)
vs. TOR 4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 SO, 2 BB, 3 ER, L
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1992.
(Voted by BBWAA on 425/430 ballots)
View Tom Seaver’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1967 season
Agents: Bob Lawrence
Full Name: George Thomas Seaver
Nicknames: Tom Terrific or The Franchise
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
109.9
311
205
2.86
656
647
1
4783.0
3640
1.121
Tom Seaver is one of two players to have 300 wins, 3,000 strikeouts, and a career ERA under 3.00. Nobody has more Opening Day than Seaver (16). In nine consecutive seasons from 1968 to 1976, he struck out 200 batters or more – a Major League record. On April 22nd, 1970, Seaver struck out ten consecutive batters from the sixth inning to the final out in the ninth. This had not been matched until Aaron Nola did so in 2021.
Tris Speaker
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
5-11, 193lb (180cm, 87kg)
Born: April 4, 1888 in Hubbard, TX us
Died:
December 8, 1958
Buried: Fairview Cemetery, Hubbard, TX
High School: Hubbard HS (Hubbard, TX)
School: Texas Wesleyan University (Fort Worth, TX)
Debut:
September 12, 1907
(Age 19-161d,
2,972nd in major league history)
vs. PHA 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
August 30, 1928
(Age 40-148d)
vs. BOS 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1937.
(Voted by BBWAA on 165/201 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Tris Speaker’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1908 season
Full Name: Tristram Edgar Speaker
Nicknames: The Grey Eagle
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Uncle of Tex Jeanes
Career
134.7
10195
3514
117
.345
1882
1531
436
.428
.500
.928
158
Tris Speaker’s career batting average of .345 is the seventh highest in Major League history, putting him in the conversation of best all-time best hitters. His 792 doubles are the most ever and “The Gray Eagle” also ranks fifth in hits (3,514). Defensively, Speaker set outfielder records for assists (449) and double plays (143) – both of which still stand today.
Honus Wagner
Positions: Shortstop, Rightfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-11, 200lb (180cm, 90kg)
Born: February 24, 1874 in Chartiers, PA us
Died:
December 6, 1955
Buried: Jefferson Memorial Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Debut: 1897 (1,980th in major league history)
Last Game: September 17, 1917 (Age 43-205d)
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1936.
(Voted by BBWAA on 215/226 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Honus Wagner’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1897 season
Full Name: John Peter Wagner
Nicknames: The Flying Dutchman
Pronunciation: \HONN-us WAGG-ner\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Brother of Butts Wagner
Career
130.8
10439
3420
101
.328
1739
1732
723
.391
.467
.858
151
Johannes Peter “Honus” Wagner won eight batting titles between 1900 and 1911. Although he was a star in the early stages of baseball, Wagner is still regarded as perhaps the greatest shortstop of all time. In 1936, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a part of the inaugural “first five”, receiving the same vote total as Babe Ruth (215). Honus played each of his 21 seasons with the Pirates, which included the team’s first World Series title in 1909.
Ted Williams
Position: Leftfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
6-3, 205lb (190cm, 92kg)
Born: August 30, 1918 in San Diego, CA us
Died:
July 5, 2002
Buried: Frozen
High School: Herbert Hoover HS (San Diego, CA)
Debut:
April 20, 1939
(Age 20-233d,
8,629th in major league history)
vs. NYY 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 28, 1960
(Age 42-029d)
vs. BAL 3 AB, 1 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1966.
(Voted by BBWAA on 282/302 ballots)
View Ted Williams’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1939 season
Full Name: Theodore Samuel Williams
Nicknames: The Kid, Teddy Ballgame, Splendid Splinter or Thumper
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
122.0
7706
2654
521
.344
1798
1839
24
.482
.634
1.116
191
A one-franchise man with the Boston Red Sox, Williams hit 521 homers despite a career interrupted by two wars. No National or American League player has hit .400 since Williams hit .406 in 1941. His lifetime batting average of .344 is the highest of anyone who debuted after 1939. His career OBP of .482 is the highest in Major League history. Williams had an OPS over 1.000 in all but one year of his career (18 in total), the most such seasons in MLB history.
Cy Young
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2, 210lb (188cm, 95kg)
Born: March 29, 1867 in Gilmore, OH us
Died:
November 4, 1955
Buried: Peoli Cemetery, Peoli, OH
Debut: 1890 (1,390th in major league history)
Last Game: October 6, 1911 (Age 44-191d)
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1937.
(Voted by BBWAA on 153/201 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Cy Young’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1890 season
Full Name: Denton True Young
Nicknames: Cyclone
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
163.6
511
315
2.63
906
815
18
7356.0
2803
1.130
One could estimate that Cy Young would have won six to eight of his eponymous awards (given out beginning a year after his death in 1956) had there been such an honor in his time. Young led either the National or American League in WAR for pitchers in 6 different seasons. His career Pitching WAR of 165.6 is the best ever. He also leads baseball history in wins (511), games started (815), complete games (749), and innings pitched (7,356.0).
These are the 25 best MLB players of all time. Recently retired three-time MVP Albert Pujols comes the closest to qualifying of players who were active during the 2022 season (101.6 career WAR). Mike Trout now has the highest career WAR among active players (82.4). Trout would have to keep pace with his average yearly production relative to a replacement-level player for roughly two to three more seasons to enter this conversation.
FAQs:
Judging by WAR, Babe Ruth is the greatest all-around MLB player of all time. Even when only looking at WAR among position players (discarding his time pitching) he still has the highest WAR ever and he is an extremely close second for strictly offensive WAR (see below). Ruth’s pitching propelled the Red Sox to three World Series titles. His absence is hyperbolically considered the catalyst for the Red Sox’s ensuing 86-year World Series title drought.
Statistically, Barry Bonds barely edges out Babe Ruth in career oWAR (by 0.1). Depending on one’s perspective on the topic of PED use in baseball, either could be considered the best hitter ever. Also up for consideration is Ty Cobb, who has the best career batting average of all time (.366 over 24 seasons). Pete Rose has the most hits of all time (4,256). Henry Aaron has the most RBI ever (2,297).
Cy Young is the simplest answer. He has the highest career WAR for Pitchers (165.6). Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts of all time (5,714), but also the most walks of all time (2,795) by nearly 1,000. Ed Walsh has the lowest ERA in baseball history (with reasonable minimum qualifications applied), but played in the dead-ball era.
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