The Baseball Scholar

Some of the games most legendary figures have roamed center field for some of the most iconic teams. Mantle and DiMaggio in Yankee Stadium. Ty Cobb in Bennett Park and Navin Field later named Tiger Stadium. Willie Mays in the Polo Grounds. Duke Snider in Ebbets Field. And the list goes on. These men have led us to today’s center fielders like George Springer, Charlie Blackmon, and of course, Mike Trout. Both groups of men are forces with the bat but they are also manning center because they know how to get it done with the glove. This position much like it’s infield counterpart shortstop is evolving into a position where a big stick, as well as a quality glove, is preferred to defense first players.

Honorable Mention

• Willie Mays, San Francisco Giants, 1958
• Duke Snider, Brooklyn Dodgers, 1954
• Shoeless Joe Jackson, Cleveland Naps, 1911
• Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers, 1915
• Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2016

• 10. Joe DiMaggio, New York Yankees, 1941



• Age: 26
• AL MVP
• AL All-Star




Joe DiMaggio Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
9.1	139	541	122	193	43	11	30	125	4	2	76	13	.357	.440	.643	1.083

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• 9. Ty Cobb, Detroit Tibers, 1912



• Age: 25




Ty Cobb Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
9.2	140	553	120	226	30	23	7	83	61	34	43	30	.409	.456	.584	1.040

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• 8. Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers, 1911



• Age: 24
• AL MVP




Ty Cobb Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
10.7	146	591	147	248	47	24	8	127	83		44	42	.420	.467	.621	1.088

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• 7. Tris Speaker, Boston Red Sox, 1912



• Age: 29
• AL MVP




Tris Speaker Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
10.1	153	580	136	222	53	12	10	90	52	28	82	36	.383	.464	.567	1.031

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• 6. Joe DiMaggio, New York Yankees, 1937



• Age: 22
• AL All-Star




Joe DiMaggio Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
8.2	151	621	151	215	35	15	46	167	3	0	64	37	.346	.412	.673	1.085

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• 5. Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers, 1917



• Age: 30




Ty Cobb Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
11.3	152	588	107	225	44	24	6	106	55		61	34	.383	.444	.570	1.014

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• 4. Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees, 1957



• Age: 25
• AL MVP
• AL All-Star




Mickey Mantle Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
11.3	144	474	121	173	28	6	44	94	16	3	146	75	.365	.512	.665	1.177

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• 3. Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees, 1961



• Age: 29
• AL All-Star




Mickey Mantle Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
10.5	153	514	131	163	16	6	54	128	12	1	126	112	.317	.448	.687	1.135

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• 2. Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers, 1910



• Age: 23




Ty Cobb Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
10.5	140	506	106	194	35	13	8	91	65		64	46	.383	.456	.551	1.008

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• 1. Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees, 1956



• Age: 24
• AL MVP
• AL All-Star




Mickey Mantle Batting Statistics

WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
11.2	150	533	132	188	22	5	52	130	10	1	112	99	.353	.464	.705	.1.169

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