Greatest Nine Players in Baseball History
Fenway Park.
The Best Baseball Players in History
There have been over 20,000 men that have played in Major League Baseball since it began in 1876. Of those players, over 270 of them have been voted into the hall of fame. Let's take a look at arguably the nine greatest of those—one at each position.
This is not easy to discern as the game is always changing. We cannot rely on statistics alone, though any knowledgeable baseball fan knows that is a chief criteria. Players in different eras were not under the same circumstances. In regard to hitters, defensive skills must be considered, which are more difficult to quantify. There have been many great players whose careers were cut short by injury. So, perhaps a better title might be "the best nine careers in major league baseball history."
The 9 Best MLB Players in History
- Walter Johnson
- Babe Ruth
- Willie Mays
- Ted Williams
- Honus Wagner
- Mike Schmidt
- Joe Morgan
- Lou Gehrig
- Johnny Bench
Walter Johnson.
1. Walter Johnson
- Position: Pitcher
- Career: 1907–1927
- Stats: 417–219 record, 2.17 ERA, and 3,508 strikeouts
- Accolades: World Series champion, two-time MVP, and Hall of Fame inductee
Walter Johnson was 6'1'' and 200 lbs. He was born in 1887 and grew up on a farm in Humboldt, Kansas. He pitched for the Washington Senators from 1907 to 1927. He is one of the few pitchers in baseball history with an overpowering fastball who threw sidearm.
For his day, he had a fearsome fastball. One of the greatest hitters ever, Ty Cobb, once said, "The thing hissed with danger," and that Johnson had "The most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ballpark." Johnson's career strikeout total stood as the Major League record for 55 years. Even today, he has the second most victories ever at 417 and the most career shutouts at 110.
In five seasons, he posted the lowest earned run average (ERA) of all pitchers in the league. He led the league in game wins on six occasions and strikeouts on 12 occasions, including nine straight seasons. Johnson is remembered as a kind, gentle, good-natured man, and a fine example of good sportsmanship and friendly competition. He died of a brain tumor at age 58 in 1946.
Babe Ruth.
2. Babe Ruth
- Position: Right field
- Career: 1914–1935
- Stats: .342 batting average, 2,873 hits, 714 home runs, and 2,214 RBIs
- Accolades: Seven-time World Series champion, two-time All-Star, MVP, and Hall of Fame inductee
Babe Ruth was 6'2 and 215 lbs. His career spanned from 1914 to 1935. Ruth was born in Baltimore in 1895. He died in 1948 from pneumonia after battling cancer for two years. The Babe was the best hitter in Major League history, as judged by a statistic that wasn't around in his day, but is generally agreed to be the best measure today: his career on base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.164. This is a combination of on base percentage (he is second all-time) and slugging percentage (first all-time).
Babe Ruth led the American League in slugging average (SLG) for 13 straight years. He had the highest on base percentage (OBP) 10 times, scored the most runs 8 times, and hit the most home runs in 12 different seasons. To this day, Ruth ranks third for most home runs (714), third for most RBIs, (2,214), and third for most walks (2,062). His single season HR record stood for 34 years. More remarkably, that record was nearly double the nearest player when he retired. Babe Ruth held the record for career home runs for 39 years.
As late as 1993, a poll had him tied with boxer Muhammad Ali as the most recognizable sports figure in America. Ruth changed the game of baseball forever with his unprecedented home run hitting. Unfortunately, he didn't take care of himself. He was known for gluttony, excessive use of alcohol, and suffered many bouts of venereal disease. During his life, he was made fun of for his unusual body and face. He had a very rough childhood as the son of saloon-keeper parents. When he was seven years old, they said he was "incorrigible and vicious" and sent him to live at a reform school. But it was there that a missionary took him under his wing and taught him to play baseball.
One of the most unusual facts about Ruth is that he started out as an outstanding pitcher for the Boston Red Sox (94 wins, 46 losses, and 2.21 ERA). They "sold" him to the New York Yankees, and the Yankees made him into an outfielder in 1920. That year, Ruth produced more home runs than all but one other team. He was the most prodigious of all home run hitters in history; many of his traveled 450–500 feet. Ruth reportedly hit the longest home run ever at 575 feet.
Willie Mays.
3. Willie Mays
- Position: Center field
- Career: 1951–1952, 1954–1973
- Stats: .301 batting average, 3,293 hits, 660 home runs, and 1,909 RBIs
- Accolades: World Series champion, 24-time All-Star, two-time MVP, Rookie of the Year, 12 Gold Glove Awards, and Hall of Fame inductee
Willie Mays was born in 1931 near Birmingham, Alabama. In his youth, he played football and basketball. His father was an excellent baseball player as well. As a rookie, Mays was 5'11" and 180 lbs. He played most of his career with the Giants.
Mays was one of the best baseball players of all time. He was a 24-time All-Star and ranks fourth in total career bases. He was the dream player for a baseball team. Mays was a five-tool player. He could hit for a high average and for power (he led the league in HR four times and hit 660 in his career). He was a speedy runner on the base paths (he led the league in stolen bases four times) and possessed a great throwing arm. He was the best defensive outfielder to ever play the game.
He is the only player in history to win 12 straight Gold Glove Awards. He is renowned for making the single greatest catch in baseball history. His first manager, Leo Durocher, said, "He lit up a room when he walked in. He was always a joy to be around."
Ted Williams.
4. Ted Williams
- Position: Left field
- Career: 1939–1942, 1946–1960
- Stats: .344 batting average, 2,654 hits, 521 home runs, and 1,839 RBIs
- Accolades: 19-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and Hall of Fame inductee
Ted Williams was 6'3" and 205 lbs. He spent his whole career with the Boston Red Sox. He was despised around the league, and he wasn't even popular in Boston. Williams was not good with the press. He possessed a violent temper, he was moody and insecure, he could be hateful, and he lacked respect for authority. His worst attribute may have been his lack of hustle—the one thing baseball fans don't readily forgive. He said he had a miserable childhood.
Williams played from 1939 to 1960. He was born in San Diego in 1918, and he died from a cardiac arrest in 2002. Any analysis of his career statistics must take into account that he missed nearly five seasons during his prime while serving his country as a marine combat pilot in World War Two and the Korean War.
Williams was a six-time batting champion, posted the best career OBP of all time (.4817), and held the record for the best single season OBP (.551) for 61 years. He ranks second for career SLG (he led the league in nine seasons) and second in career OPS (he led the league in 12 seasons). There were eight seasons when Williams led the league for most walks, six seasons where he scored the most runs, four seasons with the most HRs, and four seasons where he had the most RBIs.
Williams averaged .344 for his career with 521 HRs. He was also the last man to hit at least .400 (.406 in 1941). His records still stand for reaching base in 84 straight games and for making 16 straight plate appearances. He wrote a book, The Science of Hitting, in 1986, which is still widely read by baseball players.
Honus Wagner.
5. Honus Wagner
- Position: Shortstop
- Career: 1897–1917
- Stats: .329 batting average, 3,430 hits, 101 home runs, and 1,732 RBIs
- Accolades: World Series champion and Hall of Fame inductee
Honus Wagner was born in 1874 in Pittsburg. He would play for the Pittsburg Pirates from 1900 to 1917. He died in 1955 at the age of 81. Wagner stood 5'11" and weighed in at about 200 lbs. He also served for 20 years as the Pirates hitting coach.
Wagner is considered by most to have been the greatest fielding shortstop in baseball history. And they used tiny gloves in those days. Besides that, he reigned as the batting champion in eight seasons. He led the league in SLG and total bases in six season; stole the most bases in five seasons, and drove in the most runs in five seasons. He is remembered as a quiet, modest man known for his clean living. He was also quite a fitness fanatic.
Mike Schmidt.
6. Mike Schmidt
- Position: Third base
- Career: 1972–1989
- Stats: .267 batting average, 2,234 hits, 548 home runs, and 1,595 RBIs
- Accolades: World Series champion, 12-time All-Star, three-time MVP, World Series MVP, 10 Gold Glove Awards, six Silver Slugger Awards, and Hall of Fame inductee
Mike Schmidt, who stood at 6'2" and weighed 203 lbs, spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1949. He has the distinction of suffering through the worst rookie season in history while still making it into Cooperstown. Schmidt was known for his powerful throwing arm; he won 10 Gold Glove Awards in his career.
Schmidt holds the National League single-season assist record for a third baseman (404). He was a feared hitter and led his league in SLG in five seasons. He was also the home run leader in eight seasons.
Joe Morgan.
7. Joe Morgan
- Position: Second baseman
- Career: 1963–1984
- Stats: .271 batting average, 2,517 hits, 268 home runs, and 1,133 RBIs
- Accolades: Two-time World Series champion, 10-time All-Star, two-time MVP, five Gold Glove Awards, one Silver Slugger Award, and Hall of Fame inductee
Joe Morgan spent the majority of his career with the Houston Colt .45s/Astros. He also had a long tenure with the Cincinnati Reds.. He was born in Oakland, California, in 1943. Morgan is the smallest player on this list at 5'7" and 160 lbs. He was the ultimate five-tool player.
Middle Infielders are generally not great hitters as they are primarily defensive positions. The same could be said for catchers and center fielders. It is your corner players who most often supply the offensive fireworks for a baseball team. Morgan was the exception. His 80% success rate stealing bases (689 career steals) is among the best in history. He is fifth in career home runs for a second baseman (268 was the record when he retired). Morgan was extremely intelligent, and he was one of the best all-around players ever. He was also a peerless defender as he won five Gold Gloves Awards.
8. Lou Gehrig
- Position: First baseman
- Career: 1923–1939
- Stats: .340 batting average, 2,721 hits, 493 home runs, and 1,995 RBIs
- Accolades: Six-time World Series champion, seven-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and Hall of Fame inductee
Lou Gehrig was born in 1903, in Manhattan, weighing in at 14 pounds! He would go on to be 6'0" and 200 lbs. He spent his entire career with the New York Yankees. He died at the age of 37 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which would be commonly referred to Lou Gehrig's disease.
Lou Gehrig held the record for most career grand slams until 2013; his 23 still has him in second place. His 2,130 consecutive games played stood as the record for 56 years until Cal Ripken Jr. broke it. Gehrig posted a career batting average of .340; he owns three of the best six RBI seasons in history.
Many baseball aficionados claim that his 1927 season is the greatest single season by any batter in the history of the game. He hit .373 with 175 RBIs, and he had 447 total bases. This is the third best single-season total bases record. Gehrig holds the all-time record for the most RBIs in a three-year period; his 184 RBIs in 1931 is the second best for a season in history. He posted over 100 RBIs over 13 years; only one other player has ever done this. Gehrig is also the only player to record five seasons with over 400 total bases.
Gehrig has the third highest career OPS, third highest career SLG, and sixth highest career OBP. He stands today with the seventh most RBIs in history. He was also a fine gentleman. The movie made about him, The Pride of the Yankees, was nominated for 11 Academy Awards.
9. Johnny Bench
- Position: Catcher
- Career: 1967–1983
- Stats: .267 batting average, 2,048 hits, 389 home runs, and 1,376 RBIs
- Accolades: Two-time World Series champion, 14-time All-Star, two-time MVP, World Series MVP, Rookie of the Year, 10 Gold Glove Awards, and Hall of Fame inductee
Johnny Bench was born in Oklahoma in 1947. He stood 6'1" and weighed 208 lbs. He spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds. We can't expect long careers for catchers, as playing the position is terribly hard on the knees. Bench revolutionized catching with far more athleticism than his predecessors.
He also had huge hands and power and accuracy in his arm. He used these assets to throw out potential base stealers. Bench was the best defensive catcher ever as he won 10 straight Gold Glove Awards. He was a 14-time All Star and finished his career with the most home runs of any catcher in history (he is in third place now).
I have to take note of the size similarities of these men. They were all between 5'11" to 6'3" and between 180 to 215 pounds; Joe Morgan is the exception. Oddly, each of them also grew up where they were born.
Some players that came close to making this list include Yogi Berra, Hank Aaron, Ivan Rodriguez, Stan Musial, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Lefty Grove, Cy Young, and Tom Seaver. Some Negro League stars that could have made the list include Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, and Satchel Paige.
Comments
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on September 02, 2020:
Art West ~ Thank you very much for taking the time to read my article. As a lifelong Cubs fan myself, nobody loves Ryno more than I do. Except maybe you. :-)
Art West from Indiana on September 01, 2020:
Great article. Being a Cubs fan, the only change I would make would be to put Ryne Sandberg at second base instead of Joe Morgan.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on February 12, 2019:
Charles Fostet ~ You'll get no argument from me about Johnny Bench, brother. He was as good as they come. Thanks for visiting.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on February 12, 2019:
porkyp ~ I hear you. Stan the Man is not on this page only because he appears on my other Hub, 'Best Baseball Hitters of All Time.' Here is the link to read about him: https://discover.hubpages.com/sports/Best-Baseball...
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on February 12, 2019:
Deborah Minter ~ Thank you very much!
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on February 12, 2019:
Ryan Fuller ~ Thank you so much for your kind compliments. I appreciate the visitation. By the way, Hank Aaron figures prominently in another Hub I have published, 'Best Baseball Hitters os All Time." Check it out: https://discover.hubpages.com/sports/Best-Baseball...
Charles Fostet on March 08, 2018:
Johnny Bench was the type you see once in a lifetime. He was a superb defensive player, a powerful hitter and a true team leader. Johny, you were the best. Go Reds!
porkyp on March 01, 2018:
Stan " THE MAN" most certainly should have been on the list. Huge Oversite
Deborah Minter from U.S. California on January 22, 2018:
Good list!
Ryan from Louisiana, USA on May 31, 2017:
Would have loved the opportunity to see most of these players live. Wish Hank Aaron would have made the list, but I am a little bias when it comes to my Braves. Great job. Enjoyed!
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on February 17, 2016:
Wayne~ You are most welcome. I appreciate your gracious compliments and you sharing that awesome story.
James
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on February 17, 2016:
James King 32~ I love your last comments, especially this that you wrote: "What the great players have is they play with body, soul, and spirit along with God-given talent." AMEN! I also love the Reagan quote on your profile page. Thanks for the keen conversation.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on February 17, 2016:
James King 32~ Thank you for your outstanding commentary. I certainly agree with you about Yogi. What a guy.
wayne on November 04, 2015:
Hi Mr. Watkins:
Yes, late August 1967 I was with my dad and we went to Candlestick Park. Dodgers vs Giants bottom of the 7th inning 0-2 fastball, I caught Willies 559th home run in left center field. 48 years later it looks brand new with his signature on it and he also wrote the home run number on the ball.
Thank you for your excellent writing
Wayne
James Trentadue from Madison, WI. on June 18, 2015:
James A W.
I see we have kindred Spirit. Love all of your stuff. 95% of your writings peak my interest. Baseball history is one of my favorites. As a player/ or coach I used as much of my body, mind, and spirit. I love players who think that way ( with purpose as well as perform). I played that way to get on field, if a player has talent they can excel to heights beyond the talent given them.
That to me is Yogi Berra, Pete Rose, Greg Maddox.
In other sports:
Can anyone say Larry Bird, Michael Jordan Majic Johnson, Jerry Lucas, Bill Russell, Phil Jackson?
Players that waste talent :
Richie Allen, Carlos Zambrano, Todd Hundley. In my opinion these guys could have been great players not just good.
What the great players have is they play with body, soul, and spirit along with God given talent. Plus the ability to translate "their moment in time" to their legacy of greatness.
James King 32 on June 17, 2015:
Anybody that has seen Johnny Bench play and knows the game would agree. Johnny Bench was the best in his era bar none. I have just read Satchel Paiges autobiography and have a heart for the Negro League players. Gibson by legend was Babe Ruth at the plate and a superb backstop. Nobody comes close to him offensively and in the top tier defensively.
Yogi might not have been the best at anything but 2 or three in all things and 1 in intangibles. Everybody loved him and he kept that group together and coherant.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on June 12, 2015:
James King 32~ You have a keen eye, sir, because I did indeed use "some of Bill James thinking building your theory of statistics to arrive at your conclusions." I would say Eddie Collins and Joe Morgan are about a tie, in the end, for the best second baseman in history. Your analysis is deep, I must add. I really enjoyed reading your insightful comments and it is always a pleasure to meet another real baseball fan. I may have been more subjective on my ranking of Johnny Bench, I should confess. I am a big fan of his.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on June 12, 2015:
Wayne!! You caught the 559th home run ever hit in the big leagues by Willie Mays!!?? That is amazing!
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on June 12, 2015:
elf ego slaughter---You may be right. Either way, I certainly appreciate you visiting my Hub and leaving your insightful comments.
James Trentadue from Madison, WI. on November 11, 2014:
I would agree except for two positions.
I see you probably used some of Bill James thinking building your theory of statistics to arrive at your conclusions. It is a very good way to reason. I also use many of his theories. The only thing that I disagree with you and Bill James on is at the second base position.
It is so hard to tell who is really better because you have to even out all of the variables in the two very different era's.
Then you have to put the weight of reason on some action/reaction statistic that changes, such as: people, times, equipment, coaching, mixed with idea's and perspectives that are changing constantly causing an infinite number of action/reaction cause effect scenarios. All governed by human emotion controlling the thinking aspect of the game. Making crucial decisions to bring about different outcomes that are judged at long distances to make contact at precise times.
So what thought do you weigh more to conclude Morgan is better than Collins. Whatever it is you may be right. That's why stats do not and cannot predict Baseball or any other human decision when it is this close.
For my intents and purposes I would put Eddie Collins ahead. Reason being, he did all of the things Mogan did with a MUCH higher batting average. I use the difference in time periods along with the higher batting average to prove my point. Pitching was dominant in the 60's up to mid seventies when Morgan played. Morgan walked more but he also struck out more.
If you follow the James statistical analysis Morgan accounted for more bases because he hit for more power (more extra base hits) and drew many more walks (366 more than Collins).
I would say that he would be right if the players went one base on each hit as he does on a walk, but if you have a runner on base and you get a hit, there is a fifty percent chance of moving that runner more than one base with a base hit. So Collins moved more runners along as he got nearly 800 more hits and 200 more Runs Batted In.
If their BA's where anywhere near each other I might consider Morgan. Morgan hit .271 lifetime, Collins hit .333 You can't really compare power stats because Mogan played in "modern" era and Collins played in the "deadball" era. But saying that ; Collins actually has a better Slugging percentage .429-.427 playing in the deadball era. They stole about the same number of bases. They were both the best fielders at their position in their time.
The other thing I disagree with you on is catching. As much as I love Johnny Bench as a catcher He doesn't compare with Josh Gibson. Also, I would pick Yogi Berra in second positional ranking.
Agreeing with Bill James on this one.
Wayne on August 17, 2014:
Great read on Willie Mays. He was one of ten greatest. I enjoyed your list. I caught willie mays 559th in 1967. Still have it and it's signed
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on June 12, 2014:
Thank you for taking the time to read my Hub. I appreciate your kind compliments, too.
Gaarf Rosewell on June 10, 2014:
James,
A great list with which I mostly agree. i was surprised with your 2nd baseman, though.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on June 09, 2014:
jbennett3112—Thank you for your excellent comments and welcome to the HubPages Community. You made some good calls there. I will add that Bonds, Cobb, and Hornsby—all three—were included in the brother Hub to this one: The Greatest HITTERS in Baseball History. https://discover.hubpages.com/sports/Best-Baseball...
Josh Bennett from Illinois on May 31, 2014:
I'm not sure how one can say Mays was a better center fielder than Ty Cobb. He hit more home runs, sure, but Cobb was a much better all-around player. Also, Barry Bonds is probably the greatest player ever, let alone the greatest left fielder. Finally, there should be no question that Rogers Hornsby is the greatest second baseman of all time.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on May 22, 2014:
Thank you Maren Morgan M-T! I actually have done some more Baseball Hubs, including https://discover.hubpages.com/sports/Best-Baseball...
https://discover.hubpages.com/sports/Best-Baseball...
and https://discover.hubpages.com/sports/Best-Baseball...
Maren Elizabeth Morgan from Pennsylvania on May 21, 2014:
Great hub. Maybe you can do a second-tier greats one.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on May 07, 2014:
Thank you Harris! I have corrected the mistake. I appreciate you pointing it out to me.
Harris on May 04, 2014:
Correction: Joe Morgan was born in 1943, not 1949.
elfego slaughter on April 02, 2014:
Roberto Clemente is the very best hitter in history vs. hall of fame pitching and the strongest throwing arm ever. Physicists say if they hadn't put up the outfield walls(an artificial device)his frightening line drives coupled with his incomparable throwing arm would easily make him the most valuable player of all time. Ruth, was simply ahead of HIS time but not ALL TIME!
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on January 10, 2013:
catfish33--- Thank you!! Thank you very much! :D
Welcome to the HubPages Community!
Jeffrey Yelton from Maryland on January 10, 2013:
I enjoyed your article.
James A Watkins (author) from Chicago on May 09, 2012: