Baseball Reference Blog
Top 10 MLB WAR Leaders of All Time
Posted by Brian Wright on December 5, 2023
While a player’s overall contribution to their team’s success hasn’t been a commonly used metric until recently, we can retroactively examine it for its purpose as a measurement of value and greatness both during the times they played and for all time. We’ll examine multiple variations of the WAR leaderboard.
Top 10 Total WAR Leaders
Looking at the players with the highest cumulative WAR totals, they date all the way back to the turn of the 20th century and span each era of baseball 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 (Aged 88-220d) in Newcomerstown, OH
Buried: Peoli Cemetery, Peoli, OH
Debut: August 6, 1890 (Age 23-130d, 1,527th in major league history)
Last Game:
October 6, 1911
(Age 44-191d)
vs. BRO 6.1 IP, 11 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, L
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
Before the 20th century began, Cy Young ruled as the sport’s dominant pitcher. A 22-year career that ended in 1911, and a future spot in the first Hall of Fame class, Young had eight straight pre-1900 seasons in which he had an ERA+ higher than 120.
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 (Aged 74-211d) in Atlanta, GA
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
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
151.5
11440
4189
117
.366
2245
1944
897
.433
.512
.944
168
Three players who dominated from the early to mid-1900s are also part of the top 10. Cobb led the league in hits five times between 1907-12 and had the best OPS+ number 11 times over 12 years. He finished with the sixth-best WAR, higher than contemporaries Tris Speaker and Honus Wagner.
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 (Aged 70-248d) in Lake Whitney, TX
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
134.9
10195
3514
117
.345
1882
1531
436
.428
.500
.928
158
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 (Aged 81-285d) in Carnegie, PA
Buried: Jefferson Memorial Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Debut: July 19, 1897 (Age 23-145d, 2,011th in major league history)
Last Game:
September 17, 1917
(Age 43-205d)
vs. BSN 0 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 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
131.0
10439
3420
101
.328
1739
1732
723
.391
.467
.858
151
Their WAR numbers of 134.9 and 131.0 rank ninth and tenth, respectively. Speaker had his highest total in 1912: a WAR of 10.1 along with a .464 on-base percentage. Wagner’s high mark came in 1908, also one of eight times he wore the batting crown. Eclipsing 50 doubles was a common accomplishment for Speaker, who ended up with an all-time best of 792.
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 (Aged 81-285d) in Carnegie, PA
Buried: Jefferson Memorial Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Debut: July 19, 1897 (Age 23-145d, 2,011th in major league history)
Last Game:
September 17, 1917
(Age 43-205d)
vs. BSN 0 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 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
131.0
10439
3420
101
.328
1739
1732
723
.391
.467
.858
151
Just as Cobb, Speaker, and Wagner were the premier offensive forces of their day, Johnson did the same from the pitcher’s mound. In 21 seasons, Johnson posted sub-2.00 ERAs 11 times. Seven times he had more than 200 strikeouts. Twice he had more than 300. He finished 3,509 K’s. Johnson’s 165.1 WAR is second all-time to the man who brought power hitting to the forefront of baseball and dominated the era in which he played.
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 (Aged 53-192d) in New York, NY
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
182.6
8399
2873
714
.342
2174
2214
123
.474
.690
1.164
206
His all-time leading WAR is the product of being above and beyond every other hitter in nearly every significant category. Of the 13 highest single-season WAR outputs ever, Ruth has six of them. A few of Ruth’s lofty totals have been surpassed, most notably the 714 home runs.
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 (Aged 86-352d) in Atlanta, GA
Buried: Southview Cemetery, Atlanta, GA
High School: Allen Institute (Mobile, AL)
Debut:
April 13, 1954
(Age 20-067d,
11,071st 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
That of course was accomplished by Aaron, who falls onto this career WAR list at seventh-best. The remarkably consistent Aaron had the best total among players in 1961 and 1969. Neither season did he lead the league in home runs, but his steadiness allowed him to set career marks not only for homers but RBIs as well.
Willie Mays
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-10, 170lb (178cm, 77kg)
Born: May 6, 1931 (Age: 92-186d) in Westfield, AL us
High School: Fairfield Industrial HS (Fairfield, AL)
Debut: 1948 (10,377th 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
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
- 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
339
.384
.557
.940
155
Mays exceeded a 10 WAR six times. Ten times he led either the National League or the majors, ultimately adding up the sixth-best WAR on the all-time list. Not surprisingly, his highest single-year total (11.2) was the same year he won his second NL MVP Award.
Barry Bonds
Position: Leftfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-1, 185lb (185cm, 83kg)
Born: July 24, 1964 (Age: 59-107d) in Riverside, CA us
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,
15,166th 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
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Cousin of Reggie Jackson; Son of Bobby Bonds
Career
162.8
9847
2935
762
.298
2227
1996
514
.444
.607
1.051
182
Sitting a spot higher than Mays is his godson. From 2001 through 2004, when he was in his late 30s, Bonds averaged a WAR of 10.8 while adding records and setting new standards for power hitters.
Roger Clemens
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-4, 205lb (193cm, 92kg)
Born: August 4, 1962 (Age: 61-096d) in Dayton, OH us
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,
14,897th 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
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Father of Kody Clemens
Career
139.2
354
184
3.12
709
707
0
4916.2
4672
1.173
Bonds won seven MVPs, while Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards. In 1997, he topped all pitchers with an 11.9 WAR. He led all of baseball again in 2005 at age 42. Clemens pitched for four different teams and is eighth in WAR at 139.2.
Top 10 Single-season WAR for Position Players
As mentioned, Babe Ruth takes up a good portion of this list. In fact, he holds the distinction of having the top three highest WAR seasons: 14.1 in 1923, 12.9 in 1921, and 12.6 in 1927 (the year he hit 60 homers). Ruth’s 1920 is good enough for sixth. That year, his first as a member of the New York Yankees, was an explosion of offense unseen in baseball: 54 homers and an unprecedented .847 slugging percentage.
Ruth and Bonds are the only names in both the top ten cumulative total and the top ten single-season totals. Also, Bonds takes up two spots. He matched Ruth’s 1920 WAR total when he hit his single-season record 73 home runs in 2001. A year later, Bonds was at 11.7 in helping lead the San Francisco Giants to the NL pennant.
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 (Aged 66-253d) in Chicago, IL
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
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
127.1
8173
2930
301
.358
1579
1584
135
.434
.577
1.010
175
Perhaps forgotten in the shadow of Ruth are the seasons produced by quieter, yet nonetheless elite performers. Hornsby in 1924 posted a WAR of 12.1, the fifth-best in baseball history, better than what Bonds did in any of his years and better than just about any other player in his era.
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 (Aged 37-348d) in Bronx, NY
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,
5,754th 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
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
113.8
8001
2721
493
.340
1888
1995
102
.447
.632
1.080
179
Yankee teammate Lou Gehrig was not as powerful and not as much of a presence as Ruth. But with an eighth-highest WAR of 11.8 in 1927, helped by 52 doubles and 173 RBIs, it makes sense why the New York lineup earned the “Murders Row” nickname.
Carl Yastrzemski
Positions: Leftfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
5-11, 175lb (180cm, 79kg)
Born: August 22, 1939 (Age: 84-078d) in Southampton, NY us
High School: Bridgehampton HS (Bridgehampton, NY)
Schools: Merrimack College (North Andover, MA), University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN)
Debut:
April 11, 1961
(Age 21-232d,
11,805th in major league history)
vs. KCA 5 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 2, 1983
(Age 44-041d)
vs. CLE 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1989.
(Voted by BBWAA on 423/447 ballots)
View Carl Yastrzemski’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1961 season
Full Name: Carl Michael Yastrzemski
Nicknames: Yaz or Captain Carl
Pronunciation: \yuh-STREM-skee\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Grandfather of Mike Yastrzemski
Career
96.5
11988
3419
452
.285
1816
1844
168
.379
.462
.841
130
Carl Yastrzemski was the driving force behind the Red Sox’s pennant in 1967. With an amazing performance down the stretch as multiple teams were chasing after the AL title, “Yaz” ended up with the Triple Crown, a very lofty OPS+ of 193, and a WAR of 12.4 — which is the highest by anyone not named Babe Ruth.
Cal Ripken Jr.
Positions: Shortstop and Third Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-4, 200lb (193cm, 90kg)
Born: August 24, 1960 (Age: 63-076d) in Havre de Grace, MD us
Draft: Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1978 MLB June Amateur Draft from Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, MD).
High School: Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, MD)
Debut:
August 10, 1981
(Age 20-351d,
14,463rd in major league history)
vs. KCR 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 6, 2001
(Age 41-043d)
vs. BOS 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2007.
(Voted by BBWAA on 537/545 ballots)
View Cal Ripken Jr.’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1982 season
Agents: Ron Shapiro
Full Name: Calvin Edwin Ripken
Nicknames: Iron Man or Rip
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Brother of Billy Ripken; Son of Cal Ripken Sr.
- Hall of Fame
- 2x MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- 19x All-Star
- HR Derby Champ
- 1983 World Series
- 2x Gold Glove
- 8x Silver Slugger
- 2x AS MVP
- 2x ML PoY
Career
95.9
11551
3184
431
.276
1647
1695
36
.340
.447
.788
112
The MVP for Yastrzemski that year was a foregone conclusion. That award in 1991 went to Cal Ripken, Jr., the second of his Hall of Fame career. Ripken didn’t lead any major category except total bases (and games played, naturally). But he was as consistent as ever: 34 homers, 114 RBIs, and a slash line of .323/.374/.566, adding up to the tenth most-prolific WAR season ever.
Tied with Ripken is with Wagner, whose 11.5 WAR in 1908 was matched 83 years later. Wagner’s excellence with the bat allowed him to be ahead of the 1908 National League field in hits, triples, RBIs, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.
Top 10 Highest Career Pitching WAR
The usage of pitchers over time has changed especially this decade. It may be harder for current starting pitchers to accumulate enough WAR to reach this top-ten list, but three of the preeminent hurlers in the last 30 years are properly recognized.
Greg Maddux
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-0, 170lb (183cm, 77kg)
Born: April 14, 1966 (Age: 57-208d) in San Angelo, TX us
Draft: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2nd round of the 1984 MLB June Amateur Draft from Valley HS (Las Vegas, NV).
High School: Valley HS (Las Vegas, NV)
Debut:
September 2, 1986
(Age 20-141d,
15,225th in major league history)
vs. HOU 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 1 ER, L
*
(*game was a suspended game and the player actually debuted the day following the day listed.)
Last Game:
September 27, 2008
(Age 42-166d)
vs. SFG 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 1 ER, W
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2014.
(Voted by BBWAA on 555/571 ballots)
View Greg Maddux’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1987 season
Agents: Boras Corporation
Full Name: Gregory Alan Maddux
Nicknames: Mad Dog or The Professor
Pronunciation: \MADD-ucks\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Brother of Mike Maddux
Career
106.6
355
227
3.16
744
740
0
5008.1
3371
1.143
He won four Cy Young Awards from 1992 through ’95. During a time when power numbers increased, his got better too. Unfazed by whatever disadvantages he and other pitchers faced, Maddux had an ERA of 2.72 or lower for six straight years during the ’90s while accumulating the eighth-highest pitching WAR of all-time.
Randy Johnson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Left
6-10, 225lb (208cm, 102kg)
Born: September 10, 1963 (Age: 60-059d) in Walnut Creek, CA us
Draft: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 4th round of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft from Livermore HS (Livermore, CA) and the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round of the 1985 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
High School: Livermore HS (Livermore, CA)
School: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
September 15, 1988
(Age 25-005d,
15,565th in major league history)
vs. PIT 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 SO, 3 BB, 2 ER, W
Last Game:
October 4, 2009
(Age 46-024d)
vs. SDP 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 ER
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2015.
(Voted by BBWAA on 534/549 ballots)
View Randy Johnson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Alan Nero, Barry Meister
Full Name: Randall David Johnson
Nicknames: Big Unit
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
101.1
303
166
3.29
618
603
2
4135.1
4875
1.171
Johnson was similar to Maddux in his elite status, but dissimilar in the way he did it. The “Big Unit” enjoyed two separate stretches of four consecutive seasons in which he led his league in strikeouts. Mainly with Seattle and Arizona, Johnson made the claim as the greatest left-hander of his generation.
Power pitching from the third-base side of the rubber in the 80s, 90s, and even into the 2000s was Roger Clemens. Longevity and sustained success over a prolonged period of time allowed him to be above all but two on the career pitching WAR list.
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 (Aged 75-288d) in Calistoga, CA
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,
12,557th 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
Clemens emerged as Seaver was going out. Seaver ended his career with the ’86 Red Sox, but made his mark as a Met. Seaver won the first of three Cy Youngs in 1969 — one of eight seasons in which he posted an ERA+ of 140 or higher. The seventh-highest pitching WAR in history also had 3,640 strikeouts.
Two pitchers from the all-time total WAR list are also in this top ten. Walter Johnson is second on both but was first in an abundance of pitching categories in the 1910s. He still has the most shutouts in history with 110.
Christy Mathewson
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-1, 195lb (185cm, 88kg)
Born: August 12, 1880 in Factoryville, PA us
Died: October 7, 1925 (Aged 45-056d) in Saranac Lake, NY
Buried: Lewisburg City Cemetery, Lewisburg, PA
High School: Keystone Academy (Factoryville, PA)
School: Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA)
Debut: July 17, 1900 (Age 19-339d, 2,212th in major league history)
Last Game:
September 4, 1916
(Age 36-023d)
vs. CHC 9.0 IP, 15 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, 8 ER, W
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1936.
(Voted by BBWAA on 205/226 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Christy Mathewson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1901 season
Full Name: Christopher Mathewson
Nicknames: Big Six or Matty
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Brother of Henry Mathewson
Career
106.5
373
188
2.13
636
552
30
4788.2
2507
1.058
The only other pitcher to exceed 100 WAR is Mathewson. He commanded the leaderboard during the first decade of the 1900s with a remarkable 224 ERA+ in 1909. His most valuable season, according to WAR was the year before that, with an 11.8 total.
Grover Alexander
Name Note: Also known as 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 (Aged 63-251d) in St. Paul, NE
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, 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 Grover 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
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 (Aged 75-077d) in Norwalk, OH
Buried: Frostburg Memorial Park, Frostburg, MD
High School: Central HS (Lonaconing, MD)
Debut:
April 14, 1925
(Age 25-039d,
6,154th 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
Mathewson set the bar that Johnson and others who followed aspired to reach. Alexander and Grove come in at fifth and sixth, respectively. Alexander’s career peaked in the latter part of the 1910s. He was a reliable workhorse, exceeding 350 innings in four consecutive years and posting ERAs below 1.85 three straight times. Grove was ascending as Alexander reached his twilight. He excelled with first the Philadelphia A’s and then the Boston Red Sox, claiming nine ERA titles — the latest at age 39. As the All-Star Game came to being, Grove was among the early perennial midsummer classic participants.
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 (Aged 83-209d) in Kansas City, MO
Buried: Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, MO
Debut: April 23, 1890 (Age 20-221d, 1,453rd in major league history)
Last Game:
May 18, 1906
(Age 36-246d)
vs. CHC 0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 SO, 2 BB
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
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
116.3
362
208
2.96
621
562
16
5067.1
1881
1.224
Ahead of Grove and Alexander and only coming in behind Cy Young, Johnson, and Clemens is Nichols, who had his best years as a member of the Boston Braves. Only once in his first twelve seasons did he have an ERA higher than 4.00. Seven times it was lower than 3.00.
When discussing pitching excellence, it usually centers around how many Cy Youngs one has. So it stands to reason that the man for whom the award was named is the most elite when it comes to pitching WAR. The numbers Cy Young strung together are extraordinary, regardless of the time period. And because of when he did it, they stand alone in baseball history: namely wins, complete games, and innings pitched.
Top 10 Highest Career Defensive WAR
Measuring fielding greatness has been something of a challenge over the years. But seeing that the seven players in this group who were eligible for Gold Gloves snagged a combined 72, it’s evidence that defensive WAR certainly stands up.
Ozzie Smith
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
5-11, 150lb (180cm, 68kg)
Born: December 26, 1954 (Age: 68-317d) in Mobile, AL us
Draft: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 7th round of the 1976 MLB June Amateur Draft from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA) and the San Diego Padres in the 4th round of the 1977 MLB June Amateur Draft from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA).
High School: Locke HS (Los Angeles, CA)
School: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Debut:
April 7, 1978
(Age 23-102d,
14,000th in major league history)
vs. SFG 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 29, 1996
(Age 41-278d)
vs. CIN 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2002.
(Voted by BBWAA on 433/472 ballots)
View Ozzie Smith’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1978 season
Agents: Dennis Gilbert • Previously: Debra Ehlmann, Ed Gottlieb
Full Name: Osborne Earl Smith
Nicknames: The Wizard of Oz
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
76.9
9396
2460
28
.262
1257
793
580
.337
.328
.666
87
It’s also not a shock to see Ozzie Smith at the top at 44.2. The 13-time Gold Glove winner was also a 15-time All-Star and made the Hall of Fame in 2002. Smith is one of six shortstops in the top ten.
Mark Belanger
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-1, 170lb (185cm, 77kg)
Born: June 8, 1944 in Pittsfield, MA us
Died: October 6, 1998 (Aged 54-120d) in New York, NY
Buried: St. Joseph Cemetery, Pittsfield, MA
High School: Pittsfield HS (Pittsfield, MA)
Debut:
August 7, 1965
(Age 21-060d,
12,384th in major league history)
vs. KCA 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 2, 1982
(Age 38-116d)
vs. SFG 1 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1967 season
Agents: Ron Shapiro
Full Name: Mark Henry Belanger
Nicknames: The Blade
Pronunciation: \buh-LAN-jer\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
41.0
5784
1316
20
.228
676
389
167
.300
.280
.580
68
Belanger backed up stout Baltimore Oriole pitching during the late 1960s and through the 1970s and is second at 39.5. He made just one All-Star team but was recognized with six Gold Gloves in an 18-year career.
Ripken followed in Belanger’s cleat marks and his 35.7 is fourth all-time. The “Ironman” eventually transitioned to third base, but his best years from a defensive metric standpoint came at shortstop when he led the American League from 1989-91.
Joe Tinker
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-9, 175lb (175cm, 79kg)
Born: July 27, 1880 in Muscotah, KS us
Died: July 27, 1948 (Aged 68-000d) in Orlando, FL
Buried: Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando, FL
High School: Herington HS (Herington, KS)
Debut:
April 17, 1902
(Age 21-264d,
2,355th in major league history)
vs. CIN 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 22, 1916
(Age 36-057d)
vs. NYG 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1946.
(Voted by Old Timers Committee)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1947.
View Joe Tinker’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1902 season
Full Name: Joseph Bert Tinker
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
53.2
6441
1690
31
.262
774
785
336
.308
.353
.661
96
Tinker’s 34.3 is right behind Ripken and he had the highest defensive WAR six times. Gold Gloves weren’t a reward for fielding excellence during Tinker’s time, but it’s a certainty the Chicago Cub would have had a collection of them.
Rabbit Maranville
Positions: Shortstop and Second Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-5, 155lb (165cm, 70kg)
Born: November 11, 1891 in Springfield, MA us
Died: January 5, 1954 (Aged 62-055d) in New York, NY
Buried: St. Michael Cemetery, Springfield, MA
High School: Springfield HS of Science and Technology (Springfield, MA)
Debut:
September 10, 1912
(Age 20-304d,
3,801st in major league history)
vs. CHC 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 29, 1935
(Age 43-322d)
vs. NYG 4 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1954.
(Voted by BBWAA on 209/252 ballots)
View Rabbit Maranville’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1913 season
Full Name: Walter James Vincent Maranville
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
44.1
10078
2605
28
.258
1256
884
291
.318
.340
.658
82
Maranville led the Boston Braves to the World Series in 1914. Like Ripken, he shifted away from shortstop later in his career. For him, it was second base. Stints in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Brooklyn, and St. Louis preceded a return to the Braves to finish off a 23-year career and the seventh-best total at 30.8.
Luis Aparicio
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-9, 160lb (175cm, 72kg)
Born: April 29, 1934 (Age: 89-193d) in Maracaibo, Venezuela ve
High School: Lico Baralt (Maracaibo, Venezuela)
Debut:
April 17, 1956
(Age 21-354d,
11,320th in major league history)
vs. CLE 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 28, 1973
(Age 39-152d)
vs. MIL 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1984.
(Voted by BBWAA on 341/403 ballots)
View Luis Aparicio’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1956 season
Full Name: Luis Ernesto Aparicio
Nicknames: Little Louie
Pronunciation: \ap-pa-REES-ee-oh\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
55.8
10230
2677
83
.262
1335
791
506
.311
.343
.653
82
Aparicio distinguished himself as a stolen base artist early in his career with the Chicago White Sox. But at a 31.8 defensive WAR, the sixth-highest, he also showed mastery with the glove. Aparicio actually preceded Belanger in Baltimore before Luis moved back to the South Side a second time.
Luis Aparicio
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-9, 160lb (175cm, 72kg)
Born: April 29, 1934 (Age: 89-193d) in Maracaibo, Venezuela ve
High School: Lico Baralt (Maracaibo, Venezuela)
Debut:
April 17, 1956
(Age 21-354d,
11,320th in major league history)
vs. CLE 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 28, 1973
(Age 39-152d)
vs. MIL 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1984.
(Voted by BBWAA on 341/403 ballots)
View Luis Aparicio’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1956 season
Full Name: Luis Ernesto Aparicio
Nicknames: Little Louie
Pronunciation: \ap-pa-REES-ee-oh\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
55.8
10230
2677
83
.262
1335
791
506
.311
.343
.653
82
Vizquel played in Chicago at the tail end of his career but became an elite defender in Cleveland. He made the routine plays as well as the difficult ones. He ended with 11 Gold Gloves and his 29.5 defensive WAR is ninth all-time.
Bobby Wallace
Positions: Shortstop and Third Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-8, 170lb (173cm, 77kg)
Born: November 4, 1873 in Pittsburgh, PA us
Died: November 3, 1960 (Aged 86-365d) in Torrance, CA
Buried: Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, CA
Debut: September 15, 1894 (Age 20-315d, 1,821st in major league history)
Last Game:
September 2, 1918
(Age 44-302d)
vs. CIN 4 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1953.
(Voted by Veteran’s Committee)
View Bobby Wallace’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1895 season
Full Name: Roderick John Wallace
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
76.4
8618
2309
34
.268
1057
1121
201
.332
.358
.690
105
Rounding out the top ten is Wallace. His 28.7 total was mostly done in St. Louis, both with the Browns and the Cardinals. He led the National League in WAR as a Redbird in 1901 and followed that up by topping the American League as a Brown in 1902.
Brooks Robinson
Position: Third Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-1, 180lb (185cm, 81kg)
Born: May 18, 1937 in Little Rock, AR us
Died: September 26, 2023 (Aged 86-131d) in Owings Mills, MD
High School: Little Rock Central HS (Little Rock, AR)
School: University of Arkansas at Little Rock (Little Rock, AR)
Debut:
September 17, 1955
(Age 18-122d,
11,306th in major league history)
vs. WSH 4 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
August 13, 1977
(Age 40-087d)
vs. OAK 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1983.
(Voted by BBWAA on 344/374 ballots)
View Brooks Robinson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1957 season
Agents: Jordan Feagan, Ron Shapiro
Full Name: Brooks Calbert Robinson
Nicknames: Human Vacuum Cleaner or Mr. Impossible
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
78.4
10654
2848
268
.267
1232
1357
28
.322
.401
.723
105
No position player in history has more Gold Gloves than Brooks Robinson. He won 16 at third base and did that consecutively. Robinson played alongside Aparicio and Belanger and was a predecessor to Ripken’s talents. During his 23-year career, all in Baltimore, Robinson had a 39.1 defensive WAR while earning the title of “Mr. Oriole” and unofficially being the most beloved player in franchise history.
Of everyone who’s played the game, that honor goes to Babe Ruth at 182.6. Ruth also holds the highest single-season WAR, with 14.1 in 1923. Among pitchers, Cy Young is at the top of the list with a pitching WAR of 165.6.
Since the Defensive Runs Saved metrics went into effect in 2003, some of the highest-rated fielders in this category have been Adrían Beltré, Yadier Molina, and Andrelton Simmons.
Babe Ruth is at the top of the list in career WAR: 182.6.
Among position players, Babe Ruth’s 1923 season stands on top at 14.1. Pud Galvin has the highest single-season WAR for pitchers: 20.5 in 1884.
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