Best Baseball Players of All Time

The kings of the diamond are in a league of their own.

Best Baseball Players of All Time

The New York Yankees retired Babe Ruth's No. 3 in 1948.

Part of the fun of being a baseball fan is the debate. The debate between eras. The debate between teams. The debate between stats.

These are all ways we can determine who the best to ever play the game were. Some names come to us easily. They're the icons whose legends have been passed down generations. Some names can be overlooked easily. Remember, Major League Baseball didn’t allow African-American players to take the field until 1947, 71 years after play began in the National League.

So who are the best baseball players of all time? Let the debate begin.

Honorable Mention: John Henry "Pop" Lloyd, Shortstop

Born: April 25, 1884

Birthplace: Palatka, Florida

Died: March 19, 1964 (age 79, Atlantic City, New Jersey)

John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Stats

Shortstop John Henry "Pop" Lloyd — Pop Lloyd never got a chance to play in the majors.

Career: 27 seasons (1906-32)

Teams: Cuban X-Giants (1906), Philadelphia Giants (1907-09), Leland Giants (1910), Lincoln Giants (1911-15, 1926-30), Chicago American Giants (1914-17), Lincoln Stars (1915), Brooklyn Royal Giants (1918-20), Bacharach Giants (1919, 1922, 1924-25, 1931-32), Columbus Buckeyes (1921), Hilldale Club (1923)

Key stats: Won Eastern Colored League pennant in 1923. Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: John Henry "Pop" Lloyd

Pop Lloyd played 15 seasons as a pro before the inception of the Negro League but was a star well into his 40s and played 27 seasons, with a career .334 batting average and .433 slugging percentage.

His game compared favorably to another slick-fielding shortstop, Honus Wagner, and is thought of as the greatest shortstop to play in the Negro League. Lloyd earned the nickname "El Cuchara" (The Shovel) playing in the Cuban leagues for snatching up a puff of dirt in his glove every time he fielded a baseball, like Wagner.

Lloyd earned the nickname "Pop" later in his career for his innate ability to mentor and coach younger players.

30. Roberto Clemente, Right Field

Born: Aug. 18, 1934

Birthplace: Carolina, Puerto Rico

Died: Dec. 31, 1972 (age 38, Isla Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico)

Roberto Clemente Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente — Roberto Clemente led the Pirates to two World Series trophies.

Career: 18 seasons (1955-72)

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates

Key stats: National League MVP (1966). World Series MVP (1971). 12 Gold Glove Awards (1961-72). 15-time MLB All-Star (1960-67, 1969-72).

World Series titles: 2 (1960, 1971)

Bottom Line: Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente was the first player from a Latin American or Caribbean country to win a National League MVP and World Series MVP.

Clemente posted a career .317 batting average, 3,000 hits and 1,305 RBI before his death in a tragic plane crash in 1972. Clemente was flying on a humanitarian mission to Nicaragua when he died.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 — the first player from a Latin American or Caribbean country to be enshrined and the second major league player (after Lou Gehrig) to have the mandatory five-year, post-career waiting period waived.

29. Mike Trout, Center Field

Born: Aug. 7, 1991

Birthplace: Vineland, New Jersey

Mike Trout Stats

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout — Mike Trout can do it all on the baseball field.

Career: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Angels

Key stats: Three-time American League MVP (2014, 2016, 2019). Eight-time MLB All-Star (2012-19). AL Rookie of the Year (2012).

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Mike Trout

Mike Trout set the New Jersey state record with 18 home runs during his senior season at Millville Senior High and was picked in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft, but 24 players were chosen before him.

He is the youngest player in history to reach 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases, won the American League MVP twice in his first five full seasons and hit 285 career home runs in his first nine.

In March 2019, Trout, who has been called the "white Bo Jackson" for his prodigious natural talent, signed the biggest contract in major league history for 12 years and $426 million.

28. Cool Papa Bell, Center Field

Born: May 17, 1903

Birthplace: Starkville, Mississippi

Died: March 7, 1991 (age 87, St. Louis, Missouri)

Cool Papa Bell Stats

Career: 25 seasons (1922-46)

Teams: St. Louis Stars (1922-31), Detroit Wolves (1932), Kansas City Monarchs (1932-34), Santo Domingo (1937), Homestead Grays (1932, 1943-46), Pittsburgh Crawfords (1933-38), Mexican League (1938-41), Memphis Red Sox (1942), Chicago American Giants (1942)

Key stats: Six-time Negro League All-Star (1933-36, 1942, 1944). Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Cool Papa Bell

Stories of Jason Thomas Bell, dubbed "Cool Papa," begin and end with his speed. Satchel Paige once said of Cool Papa, "One time he hit a line drive right past my ear. I turned around and saw the ball hit him sliding into second."

Bell reportedly ran the bases in dry conditions in a blazing 12 seconds (the average time is 16.7 seconds, while the Guiness record is 13.3 seconds, set in 1932). Teams feared walking him because it was almost guaranteed he would steal second — and third.

Bell had a lifetime batting average of .337 but never got the chance to play in the majors. He was on a Pittsburgh Crawfords roster in 1935 that featured five future Hall of Famers: Bell, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston and Judy Johnson.

27. Pedro Martinez, Right-Handed Pitcher

Born: Oct. 25, 1971

Birthplace: Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic

Pedro Martinez Stats

Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez — Pedro Martinez is one of the most beloved Boston Red Sox players of all time.

Career: 18 seasons (1992-2009)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-93), Montreal Expos (1994-97), Boston Red Sox (1998-2004), New York Mets (2005-08), Philadelphia Phillies (2009)

Key stats: Three-time Cy Young winner (1997, 1999, 2000). Won pitching's Triple Crown in 1999. Eight-time MLB All-Star (1996-2000, 2002, 2005, 2006).

World Series titles: 1 (2004)

Bottom Line: Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez followed older brother Ramon Martinez into the majors after the two were raised in a one-bedroom home with five children in the Dominican Republic. At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Pedro didn’t have the look of a dominant starting pitcher but somehow managed to be just that in the steroid era of juiced batters.

Martinez won three Cy Young Awards because he had a variety of pitches that few could rival — five (a four-seam fastball, power curveball, cutter, two-seam fastball and circle changeup) all could be thrown with pinpoint accuracy.

He’s the only player in baseball history to record 3,000 strikeouts in less than 3,000 innings. and with the advent of sabermetrics and his ERA+ ranking (third all-time), Martinez entered the conversation of baseball’s all-time GOATs.

26. Jimmie Foxx, First Baseman

Born: Oct. 22, 1907

Birthplace: Sudlersville, Maryland

Died: July 21, 1967 (age 59, Miami, Florida)

Jimmie Foxx Stats

Catcher Jimmie Foxx, left, talks with his brother, pitcher Sam Foxx.

Career: 20 seasons (1925-42, 1943-45)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1925-35), Boston Red Sox (1936-42), Chicago Cubs (1942, 1944), Philadelphia Phillies (1945)

Key stats: Three-time American League MVP (1932, 1933, 1938). Nine-time MLB All-Star (1933-41). Won Triple Crown in 1933.

World Series titles: 2 (1929, 1930)

Bottom Line: Jimmie Foxx

Jimmie Foxx dropped out of Sudlersville (Maryland) High School to play minor league baseball as a sophomore and started his first game in the majors for the Philadelphia Athletics when he was 17 years old.

Foxx’s three MVP awards are second only to Barry Bonds’ seven, and Foxx's 12 consecutive seasons with 30-plus home runs was a record until Bonds broke it in 2004.

After his career, Foxx worked as a manager in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and reportedly was the inspiration for the character played by Tom Hanks in the movie "A League of their Own."

25. Walter Johnson, Right-Handed Pitcher

Born: Nov. 6, 1887

Birthplace: Humboldt, Kansas

Died: Dec. 10, 1946 (age 59, Washington, D.C.)

Walter Johnson Stats

Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson — It wouldn't be hard to see Walter Johnson dominating the majors today.

Career: 21 seasons (1907-27)

Teams: Washington Senators

Key stats: Two-time American League MVP (1913, 1924). Three-time pitching Triple Crown winner (1913, 1918, 1924). MLB All-Century Team (1999).

World Series titles: 1 (1924)

Bottom Line: Walter Johnson

Walter Johnson’s legend began to grow as a teenager at Fullerton (California) High, when he once struck out 27 batters in a 15-inning game.

The premier power pitcher of his era, Johnson led the American League in strikeouts 12 times and posted 3,508 strikeouts in his career, keeping him in exclusive company for 55 years until Bob Gibson became the second pitcher in MLB history to record his 3,000th strikeout.

Johnson still holds the major league record with 110 career shutouts and remains the only pitcher in history to record 400 wins and 3,500 strikeouts.

24. Ichiro Suzuki, Right Field

Born: Oct. 22, 1973

Birthplace: Nichi Kasugai-gu, Japan

Ichiro Suzuki Stats

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki — Ichiro Suzuki played pro baseball for seven seasons in Japan before coming to MLB.

Career: 28 seasons (1992-19)

Teams: Orix BlueWave (1992-2000), Seattle Mariners (2001-12, 2018-19), New York Yankees (2012-14), Miami Marlins (2015-17)

Key stats: American League MVP (2001). 10-time MLB All-Star (2001-2010). 10 Gold Glove Awards (2001-10).

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki was the first Japanese-born player signed to a major league roster and became an instant star.

After playing nine years in Japan's top-tier Nippon Professional Baseball league, Ichiro took the field for the Seattle Mariners in 2001 and was named American League MVP and Rookie of the Year in his first season. Then, he set the MLB single-season record with 262 hits in 2004.

Ichiro played a combined 28 seasons in Japan and the major league before he retired in 2019 with 4,367 hits (3,089 in MLB and 1,278 in NPB). He also won 17 straight Gold Glove Awards between the two leagues.

23. Joe DiMaggio, Center Field

Born: Nov. 25, 1914

Birthplace: Martinez, California

Died: March 8, 1999 (age 84, Hollywood, Florida)

Joe DiMaggio Stats

New York Yankees outfielder Joe DiMaggio — Joe DiMaggio won the World Series nine times in 13 seasons.

Career: 13 seasons (1936-42, 1946-51)

Teams: New York Yankees

Key stats: Three-time American League MVP (1939, 1941, 1947). 13-time MLB All-Star (1936-42, 1946-51). MLB All-Century Team (1999).

World Series titles: 9 (1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951)

Bottom Line: Joe DiMaggio

If there’s a baseball record that will never be broken, it’s Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak in 1941.

One of three brothers who played center field in the majors (alongside Vince and Dom DiMaggio), Joe was one of baseball’s all-time great winners with nine World Series titles in 13 seasons with the Yankees.

Like most players of his era, "Joltin' Joe" lost three seasons in his prime to go fight in World War II and also saw his power numbers hampered by playing at cavernous Yankee Stadium.

22. Sandy Koufax, Left-Handed Pitcher

Born: Dec. 30, 1935

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York

Sandy Koufax Stats

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax — Sandy Koufax was a three-time Triple Crown winner.

Career: 12 seasons (1955-66)

Teams: Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers

Key stats: National League MVP (1963). Three-time Cy Young winner (1963, 1965, 1966). Three-time Triple Crown winner (1963, 1965, 1966).

World Series titles: 4 (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965)

Bottom Line: Sandy Koufax

The youngest player ever elected to the Hall of Fame at 36, Sandy Koufax dominated from the mound, unlike almost any pitcher who ever played.

He threw four no-hitters, one perfect game and won the Cy Young Award three times by a unanimous vote, when the award was given to just one MLB pitcher each year

Dodgers scout Al Campanis’ once said, "I’ve only felt the hair on my arms stand up twice. When I saw the Sistine Chapel and the first time I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball."

21. Johnny Bench, Catcher

Born: Dec. 7, 1947

Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Johnny Bench Stats

Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench — Johnny Bench is in the conversation as the greatest catcher of all time.

Career: 17 seasons (1967-83)

Teams: Cincinnati Reds

Key stats: Two-time National League MVP (1970, 1972). World Series MVP (1976). 14-time MLB All-Star (1968-80, 1983). 10 Gold Glove Awards (1968-77).

World Series titles: 2 (1975, 1976)

Bottom Line: Johnny Bench

It’s either Johnny Bench or Josh Gibson when it comes to arguing who the greatest catcher of all time is.

Bench was the key piece to Cincy’s "Big Red Machine" dynasty in the 1970s. He was the first player to win a Gold Glove Award as a rookie (the first of 10 straight) and became the youngest player in history to win MVP honors in 1972, when he was 22 years old.

In his prime, Bench guided the Reds to back-to-back World Series titles. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 on his first ballot with 96.4 percent of the vote.

20. Ken Griffey Jr., Center Field

Born: Nov. 21, 1969

Birthplace: Donora, Pennsylvania

Ken Griffey Jr. Stats

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. — Ken Griffey Jr. was the best player of the 1990s.

Career: 22 seasons (1989-2010)

Teams: Seattle Mariners (1989-99, 2009-10), Cincinnati Reds (2000-08), Chicago White Sox (2008)

Key stats: American League MVP (1997). 13-time MLB All-Star (1990-2000, 2004, 2007). 10 Gold Glove Awards (1990-99). NL Comeback Player of the Year (2005).

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. spent his childhood in major league dugouts with his father, Ken Griffey Sr., including the 1975 and 1976 World Series titles for Cincinnati’s "Big Red Machine."

Griffey Jr. would become one of baseball’s all-time greatest home run hitters, finishing his career with 630 home runs despite injuries plaguing his him once he left Seattle for Cincinnati in 2000.

"The Kid" also was overshadowed in his later years by steroid era home run hitters, but he got some recompense when he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2016 with 99.3 percent of the vote on his first ballot.

19. Josh Gibson, Catcher

Born: Dec. 21, 1911

Birthplace: Buena Vista, Georgia

Died: Jan. 20, 1947 (age 35, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Josh Gibson Stats

Catcher Josh Gibson — Is Josh Gibson the greatest catcher of all time?

Career: 17 seasons (1930-46)

Teams: Homestead Grays (1930-31, 1937-39, 1942-46), Pittsburgh Crawfords (1932-36)

Key stats: Nine-time Negro League All-Star (1933-36, 1939, 1942-1944, 1946). Two-time Negro League World Series champion (1943, 1944). Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Josh Gibson

Josh Gibson never played in the majors as his career played out in the years leading up to baseball’s integration. But he was a famed power hitter with a reported .359 lifetime batting average, although statistics from the Negro Leagues aren’t considered totally accurate.

The best example of Gibson’s brilliance at the plate was the 1933 season. Playing for the Negro League Pittsburgh Crawfords, in 137 games against all levels of competition, he batted .467 with 55 home runs.

Gibson died of a brain hemorrhage at 35 years old.

18. Lou Gehrig, First Base

Born: June 19, 1903

Birthplace: New York City, New York

Died: June 2, 1941 (age 37, Bronx, New York)

Lou Gehrig Stats

New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig — The "Iron Horse" Lou Gehrig won the Triple Crown in 1934.

Career: 17 seasons (1923-39)

Teams: New York Yankees

Key stats: Two-time American League MVP (1927, 1936). Won Triple Crown in 1934. Seven-time MLB All-Star (1933-39)

World Series titles: 6 (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938)

Bottom Line: Lou Gehrig

At just 17 years old, Lou Gehrig grabbed national headlines when he hit a grand slam out of Wrigley Field during a game between his high school, New York Commerce, and Chicago’s Lane Tech High.

In the majors, he reeled off 14 seasons without missing a game — a record streak of 2,130 games that wasn't broken for 56 years, until Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995.

Gehrig’s .340 career batting average, 493 home runs, 1,995 RBI and 2,721 hits are even more impressive when you consider he was forced to retire at 35 years old after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The disease took his life two years later.

17. Honus Wagner, Shortstop

Born: Feb. 24, 1874

Birthplace: Chartiers Borough, Pennsylvania

Died: Dec. 6, 1955 (age 81, Carnegie, Pennsylvania)

Honus Wagner Stats

Career: 21 seasons (1897-1917)

Teams: Louisville Colonels (1897-99), Pittsburgh Pirates (1900-17)

Key stats: Eight-time National League batting champion (1900, 1903, 1904, 1906-09). MLB All-Century Team (1999). Member of first Baseball Hall of Fame class in 1936.

World Series titles: 1 (1909)

Bottom Line: Honus Wagner

Just over a century after he played his last game, Honus Wagner is still widely regarded as the greatest shortstop of all time.

Wagner won eight National League batting titles and dominated the game in all facets, finishing his career with a.329 batting average, 3,430 hits, 1,732 RBI and 732 stolen bases over 21 seasons.

Wagner’s T206 baseball card from the early 1900s is among the rarest and most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia in existence. Only 57 were made, and they’ve sold for up to $3.1 million each.

16. Randy Johnson, Left-Handed Pitcher

Born: Sept. 10, 1963

Birthplace: Walnut Creek, California

Randy Johnson Stats

Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson — Randy Johnson threw the first no-hitter in Mariners history.

Career: 22 seasons (1988-2009)

Teams: Montreal Expos (1988-89), Seattle Mariners (1989-98), Houston Astros (1998), Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004, 2007-08), New York Yankees (2005-06), San Francisco Giants (2009)

Key stats: Five-time Cy Young winner (1995, 1999-2002). World Series MVP (2001). Won pitching Triple Crown in 2002. 10-time MLB All-Star (1990, 1993-95, 1997, 1999-2002, 2004).

World Series titles: 1 (2001)

Bottom Line: Randy Johhnson

In his prime, Randy Johnson’s fastball reached 100 miles per hour on a regular basis — and that wasn’t even his best pitch. That was an unhittable, 90-mph slider.

Early in his career, control problems threatened to derail his progress until Nolan Ryan suggested a change in his delivery, and he became one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers, winning five Cy Young Awards.

He’s also one of just seven pitchers to toss a no-hitter and a perfect game. He finished his career with a 303-166 record and is No. 2 on the MLB career list with 4,875 strikeouts.

15. Pete Rose, Outfield/Infield

Born: April 14, 1941

Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio

Pete Rose Stats

Cincinatti Reds All-Star Pete Rose — Pete Rose almost ended Ray Fosse's career on this play.

Career: 24 seasons (1963-86)

Teams: Cincinnati Reds (1963-78, 1984-86), Philadelphia Phillies (1979-83), Montreal Expos (1984)

Key stats: National League MVP (1973). World Series MVP (1975). 17-time MLB All-Star (1965, 1967-71, 1973-82, 1985).

World Series titles: 3 (1975, 1976, 1980)

Bottom Line: Pete Rose

Pete Rose finished his career with five major league records — 4,2456 hits, 3,215 singles, 3,562 games, 14,053 at-bats and 15,890 career plate appearances.

During his playing days, he was one of the most celebrated players of all time and his name was mentioned alongside the greatest to ever play the game.

That legacy all came crashing down when an MLB inquiry revealed Rose bet on baseball games he played in and managed. He accepted a lifetime ban from baseball commissioner Bart Giamatti in August 1989.

14. Nolan Ryan, Right-Handed Pitcher

Born: Jan. 31, 1947

Birthplace: Refugio, Texas

Nolan Ryan Stats

New York Mets pitcher Nolan Ryan — Nolan Ryan won a World Series with the New York Mets in 1969.

Career: 27 seasons (1966-93)

Teams: New York Mets (1966, 1968-71), California Angels (1972-79), Houston Astros (1980-88), Texas Rangers (1989-93)

Stats: Eight-time MLB All-Star (1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989). MLB All-Century Team (1999). Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.

World Series titles: 1 (1969)

Bottom Line: Nolan Ryan

New York Mets scout Red Murff first laid eyes on Nolan Ryan as a sophomore at Alvin High School in Texas in 1963 and put in his notes that Ryan not only had "the best arm I’ve ever seen," but that some opposing players refused to bat against him out of fear.

Ryan played a stunning 27 seasons in the majors, posting an MLB record seven no-hitters, 12 one-hitters and 5,714 career strikeouts — almost 1,000 strikeouts ahead of the No. 2 player on the list, Randy Johnson.

Somehow, Ryan never won a Cy Young.

13. Rickey Henderson, Left Field

Born: Dec. 25, 1958

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois

Rickey Henderson Stats

Oakland Athletics outfielder Rickey Henderson — Rickey Henderson grew up in Oakland.

Career: 25 seasons (1979-2003)

Teams: Oakland Athletics (1979-84, 1989-93, 1994-95, 1998), New York Yankees (1985-89), Toronto Blue Jays (1993), San Diego Padres (1996-97, 2001), Anaheim Angels (1997), New York Mets (1999-2000), Seattle Mariners (2000), Boston Red Sox (2002), Los Angeles Dodgers (2003)

Stats: American League MVP (1990). 10-time MLB All-Star (1980, 1982-88, 1990, 1991). ALCS MVP (1990).

World Series titles: 2 (1989, 1993)

Bottom Line: Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henderson was born on Christmas Day in 1958 in the backseat of his parents’ Oldsmobile on the way to the hospital. He was a high school All-American running back with his pick of scholarship offers, but chose baseball because his prescient mother told him football players’ careers were too short.

Henderson played 25 seasons in the majors and retired with three career MLB records: most stolen bases (1,406), runs (2,295) and leadoff home runs (81).

Henderson played for nine teams (including four stints with the Athletics) and once famously framed a check for $1 million instead of cashing it.

12. Greg Maddux, Right-Handed Pitcher

Born: April 14, 1966

Birthplace: San Angelo, Texas

Greg Maddux Stats

Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux — Greg Maddux pitched for 23 seasons.

Career: 23 seasons (1986-2008)

Teams: Chicago Cubs (1986-92, 2004-06), Atlanta Braves (1993-2003), Los Angeles Dodgers (2006, 2008), San Diego Padres (2007-08)

Key stats: Four-time National League Cy Young winner (1992-1995). 18 Gold Glove Awards (1990-2002, 2004-08). Eight-time MLB All-Star (1988, 1992, 1994-98, 2000).

World Series titles: 1 (1995)

Bottom Line: Greg Maddux

Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, one of the most feared hitters in history, described Greg Maddux’s pitching style best: "It’s like he’s inside your mind with you."

Maddux was the first player to win four consecutive Cy Young Awards (a feat only matched by Randy Johnson) and picked teams apart for two-plus decades with unmatched consistency, winning 15 or more games for 17 seasons in a row.

The crafty right-hander remains the only pitcher in history to record 300 career wins, 3,000 career strikeouts and less than 1,000 career walks.

11. Stan Musial, Outfield/First Base

Born: Nov. 21, 1920

Birthplace: Donora, Pennsylvania

Died: Jan. 19, 2013 (age 92, Laude, Missouri)

Stan Musial Stats

St. Louis Cardinals star Stan Musial — Stan Musial won all three of his NL MVP awards from 1943 to 1948.

Career: 23 seasons (1941-44, 1946-63)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Key stats: Three-time National League MVP (1943, 1946, 1948). 24-time MLB All-Star (1943, 1944, 1946-63). MLB All-Century Team (1999).

World Series titles: 3 (1942, 1944, 1946)

Bottom line: Stan Musial

Stan Musial is one of the greatest left-handed hitters of all time.

Musial was born on Nov. 21, 1920, in Donora, Pennsylvania., where he was a teammate of Buddy Griffey, the father of major outfielder Ken Griffey Sr. and grandfather of Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., who was born on Nov. 21, 1969, in Donora, and is considered another great left-handed hitter after Musial. Which is a really weird coincidence.

Musial, one of the most beloved players in history, could do anything at the plate, and his .331 batting average, 3,630 hits and 1,951 RBI career numbers are still among the best in history.

10. Satchel Paige, Right-Handed Pitcher

Born: July 17, 1906

Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama

Died: June 8, 1982 (age 75, Kansas City, Missouri)

Satchel Paige Stats

Negro Leagues pitcher Satchel Paige — Satchel Paige may have been the greatest pitcher in baseball history.

Career: 24 seasons (1926-53, 1965)

Teams: Chattanooga Black Lookouts (1926), Birmingham Black Barons (1927-30), Baltimore Black Sox (1930), Cleveland Cubs (1931), Pittsburgh Crawfords (1932-34, 1936), Kansas City Monarchs (1935, 1939-47), New York Black Yankees (1941), Memphis Red Sox (1943), Philadelphia Stars (1946, 1950), Cleveland Indians (1948-49), St. Louis Browns (1951-53), Kansas City Athletics (1965)

Key stats: Two-time MLB All-Star (1952, 1953). Five-time Negro League All-Star (1934, 1936, 1941-43). Negro League World Series champion (1942).

World Series titles: 1 (1948)

Bottom Line: Satchel Paige

One of the greatest legends in baseball is the story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige, who learned to pitch while incarcerated from ages 12 to 17 in the Alabama Reform School for Juvenile Negro Lawbreakers.

He became a star in the Negro Leagues over several decades before he signed his first major league contract with the Cleveland Indians at 42 years old, but his stats don’t tell the whole story.

Paige would have dominated in any era — a lanky, solid 6-foot-3 with an unhittable fastball and magnetic personality that filled up stadiums.

9. Barry Bonds, Left Field

Born: July 24, 1964

Birthplace: Riverside, California

Barry Bonds Stats

Pittsurgh Pirates outfielder Barry Bonds — Barry Bonds won his first NL MVP award in 1990.

Career: 22 seasons (1986-2007)

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-92), San Francisco Giants 1993-2007)

Key stats: Seven-time National League MVP (1990, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004). Eight Gold Glove Awards (1990-94, 1996-98). 14-time MLB All-Star (1990, 1992-98, 2000-04, 2007).

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Barry Bonds

Perhaps the most controversial player of all time, Barry Bonds became a star in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a five-tool player and won seven MVP awards in his career — more MVPs than any player in history.

But in the early 2000s, his career made a stunning transition as he became the greatest power hitter of all time, setting the MLB single-season home run record with 73 in 2001 and career record with 762 home runs.

Steroid use always loomed large, and he was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in 2007 in regards to the government’s BALCO investigation. The conviction was overturned in 2015, but through 2020 and eight years of eligibility for the Hall of Fame, he’s yet to be elected.

8. Cy Young, Right-Handed Pitcher

Born: March 29, 1867

Birthplace: Gilmore, Ohio

Died: Nov. 4, 1955 (age 88, Newcomerstown, Ohio)

Cy Young Stats

Cleveland Spiders pitcher Cy Young — Cy Young won the pitching Triple Crown in 1901.

Career: 22 seasons (1890-1911)

Teams: Cleveland Spiders (1890-98), St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals (1899-1900), Boston Americans/Red Sox (1901-08), Cleveland Naps (1909-11), Boston Rustlers (1911).

Key stats: Won pitching Triple Crown in 1901. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937. MLB All-Century Team (1999).

World Series titles: 1 (1903)

Bottom Line: Cy Young

Denton True Young earned the nickname "Cy" at his tryout for the Cleveland Spiders in 1889, when he pitched for scouts against a backstop that wasn’t long for this world. “After he pitched, it looked like a cyclone hit it," they said.

Young’s mastery of controlling pitches was legendary as well and benefited him as he got older. In all, he pitched three no-hitters, one perfect game and still holds major league records for wins (511), innings pitched (7,356), games started (815) and complete games (749).

7. Mickey Mantle, Center Field

Born:

Birthplace:

Died:

Career: 18 seasons, all with the New York Yankees (1951-68)

Key stats: Three-time American League MVP (1956, 1957, 1962). 20-time MLB All-Star (1952-65, 1967, 1968). Won Triple Crown in 1956.

World Series titles: 7 (1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962)

Mickey Mantle Stats

New York Yankees outfielder Mickey Mantle is one of the fastest players of all time.

Career: 18 seasons (1951-68)

Teams: New York Yankees

Key stats: Three-time American League MVP (1956, 1957, 1962). 20-time MLB All-Star (1952-65, 1967, 1968). Won Triple Crown in 1956.

World Series titles: 7 (1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962)

Bottom Line: Mickey Mantle

One of baseball’s greatest winners, Mickey Mantle played in the World Series 12 times, won seven titles and holds almost every significant World Series offensive career record.

Mantle tried to quit baseball several times while he was in the minor leagues but was talked (or shamed) out of it by his father each time.

Over 18 regular seasons, he missed 551 games due to injury but still had 536 home runs and 1,509 RBI.

6. Ty Cobb, Center Field

Born: Dec. 18, 1886

Birthplace: Narrows, Georgia

Died: July 17, 1961 (age 74, Atlanta, Georgia)

Ty Cobb Stats

Detroit Tigers star Ty Cobb — Few players in MLB history have captured the public's imagination like Ty Cobb.

Career: 24 seasons (1905-28)

Teams: Detroit Tigers (1905-26), Philadelphia Athletics (1927-28)

Key stats: American League MVP (1911). Won Triple Crown in 1909. MLB All-Century Team (1999).

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Ty Cobb

Longtime Detroit Tigers teammate Charlie Gehringer summed up Ty Cobb’s approach to baseball: "He played like he was on a crusade, like it was war. And he was being pursued by demons the whole way."

Cobb’s ferociousness inside and outside of the game was legendary, as were the numbers he put up. He still holds major league records for career batting average (.366), steals of home (54) and batting titles (12), and retired with 43 MLB records.

Cobb was one of the first five elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and had the most votes of the group.

5. Ted Williams, Left Field

Born: Aug. 30, 1918

Birthplace: San Diego, California

Died: July 5, 2002 (age 83, Inverness, Florida)

Ted Williams Stats

Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams — No one could hit the ball like The Splendid Splinter.

Career: 19 seasons (1939-42, 1946-60)

Teams: Boston Red Sox

Key stats: Two-time American League MVP (1946, 1949). 19-time MLB All-Star (1940-42, 1946-51, 1953-60). Two-time Triple Crown winner (1942, 1947).

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Ted Williams

Widely regarded as the greatest pure hitter of all time, Ted Williams began playing for his hometown team, the then-minor league San Diego Padres in high school.

Called up by the Boston Red Sox in 1939, Williams won his first Triple Crown in 1942, then another Triple Crown in 1947. He remains the last player to hit over .400 in 1941 and still has the highest career on-base percentage of all time at .482.

Williams also was a war hero, giving up five seasons in his prime to fight for his country in World War II and the Korean War as a Navy pilot.

4. Hank Aaron, Right Field

Born: Feb. 5, 1934

Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama

Died: Jan. 22, 2021 (age 86, Atlanta, Georgia)

Hank Aaron Stats

Braves outfielder Hank Aaron — Hammerin' Hank Aaron played for over 20 years.

Career: 24 seasons (1952, 1954-76)

Teams: Indianapolis Clowns (1952), Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-74), Milwaukee Brewers (1975-76)

Key stats: National League MVP (1957). 25-time MLB All-Star (1955-75). Three Gold Glove Awards (1958-60). MLB All-Century Team (1999).

World Series titles: 1 (1957)

Bottom Line: Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron grew up in poverty just outside Mobile, Alabama. Too poor to afford baseball equipment, he practiced hitting bottle caps with sticks and making balls and bats out of whatever items he could find.

He retired from baseball as the career leader in home runs (755) and still holds major league records for RBI (2,297), extra-base hits (1,477) and total bases (6,856).

In an odd twist, Aaron changed his number to No. 44 in his second season and went on to hit 44 home runs in four different seasons.

3. Oscar Charleston, Center Field/First Base

Born: Oct. 14, 1896

Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana

Died: Oct. 6, 1954 (age 57, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Oscar Charleston Stats

Career: 27 seasons (1915-41)

Teams: Indianapolis ABCs (1915-18, 1920, 1922, 1923), Lincoln Stars (1916), Chicago American Giants (1919), Detroit Stars (1919), St. Louis Giants (1921), Harrisburg Giants (1924-27, 1930-31), Hilldale Club (1928-29), Pittsburgh Crawfords (1932-37), Toledo Crawfords (1939), Indianapolis Crawfords (1940), Philadelphia Stars (1941)

Key stats: Three-time Negro League All-Star (1933-35). Batted .339 in his career and slugged .545.

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Oscar Charleston

Oscar Charleston’s pro baseball career began five years before the Negro Leagues were formed in 1920, and his contemporaries — including opposing managers and famed sportswriter Grantland Rice — compared him to Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker and Babe Ruth, among others.

Charleston is in the top five in Negro Leagues history in batting average and home runs and is the career leader in stolen bases.

Analytics guru Bill James ranked Charleston as the No. 4 player of all time. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.

2. Babe Ruth, Outfield/Pitcher

Born: Feb. 6, 1895

Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland

Died: Aug. 16, 1948 (age 53, New York City, New York)

Babe Ruth Stats

Boston Red Sox pitcher Babe Ruth — Babe Ruth started his career as one of the game's most dominant pitchers.

Career: 22 seasons (1914-35)

Teams: Boston Red Sox (1914-19), New York Yankees (1920-34), Boston Braves (1935)

Key stats: American League MVP (1923). Two-time MLB All-Star (1933, 1934). Member of first Hall of Fame class in 1936.

World Series titles: 7 (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)

Bottom Line: Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth hitting — Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs in his career.

George Herman "Babe" Ruth was sent to live at a boys reformatory in Baltimore at just 7 years old because his family couldn’t handle his behavior.

He learned baseball at the reformatory and went on to become one of America’s greatest sporting icons — an almost mythical figure who started his career as a dominant pitcher with the Boston Red Sox before becoming the game’s greatest slugger with the New York Yankees.

Ruth retired with major league records for home runs (714), RBI (2,213) and walks (2,062), and still holds the records for slugging percentage (.690) and on-base plus slugging (1.164).

1. Willie Mays, Center Field

Born: May 6, 1931

Birthplace: Westfield, Alabama

Willie Mays Stats

New York Giants outfielder Willie Mays — Young Willie Mays was a problem for other teams.

Career: 24 seasons (1948-52, 1954-73)

Teams: Birmingham Black Barons (1948-50), New York/San Francisco Giants (1951-52, 1954-71), New York Mets (1972-73)

Key stats: Two-time National League MVP (1954, 1965). 12-time Gold Glove winner (1957-68). 24-time MLB All-Star (1954-73).

World Series titles: 1 (1954)

Bottom Line: Willie Mays

Willie Mays holding bats in the clubhouse — Willie Mays is the greatest of them all.

The five tools. Speed, power, hitting for average, fielding, arm strength. Willie Mays had them all. He rose from rural Alabama to the Negro Leagues when he was in high school and reached the majors with the New York Giants by the time he was 19 years old.

His over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series is perhaps the most iconic play in baseball history and came before he won 12 consecutive Gold Gloves. His career .302 batting average, 660 home runs, 3,283 hits, 1,903 RBI and 338 stolen bases match up against anyone who ever played the game. And he did not play for two years early in his career due to military service.

Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 with 94.7 percent of the vote.