The Baseball Scholar

100 Greatest Center Fielders of All-Time

Dave Franks
1–2 minutes

Major League Baseball as we know it—two leagues, American and National, playing by the same rules with champions facing off—was born in 1901. These rankings only consider seasons and careers from 1901 onward. Stats reflect post-1901 performance only. Eligibility: 1,500+ plate appearances (batters), 75+ starts (starters), or 350+ innings pitched (relievers).

If you don’t agree, leave a comment and let me know why.

  1. Willie MaysHOF

    Willie Mays Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    156.1 154 2992 12493 10881 2062 3283 523 140 660 1903 338 103 1464 1526 .301 .383 .557 .940

  2. Ty CobbHOF

    Ty Cobb Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    151.4 165 3035 13072 11434 2246 4189 724 295 117 1937 892 178 1249 357 .366 .423 .511 .935

  3. Mickey MantleHOF

    Mickey Mantle Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    110.2 170 2401 9909 8102 1677 2415 344 72 536 1509 153 38 1733 1710 .298 .419 .556 .976

  4. Tris SpeakerHOF

    Tris Speaker Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    134.8 157 2789 11988 10195 1882 3514 792 222 117 1529 432 129 1381 220 .344 .416 .500 .917

  5. Mike TroutActive

    Mike Trout Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    87.5 166 1648 7203 5967 1196 1754 325 55 404 1018 214 38 1067 1663 .294 .406 .570 .991

  6. Ken Griffey, JrHOF

    Ken Griffey, Jr Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    83.8 131 2671 11304 9801 1662 2781 524 38 630 1836 184 69 1312 1779 .283 .369 .537 .907

  7. Joe DiMaggioHOF

    • Age: 21–27, 31-36
    • Years: 1936–1942, 1946-1951
    • Positions: CF
    • Teams: New York Yankees
    Joe DiMaggio Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    79.2 152 1736 7671 6821 1390 2214 389 131 361 1537 30 9 790 369 .324 .397 .578 .976

  8. Duke SniderHOF

    Duke Snider Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    65.9 139 2143 8237 7161 1259 2116 358 85 407 1333 99 50 971 1237 .295 .377 .539 .917

  9. Carlos Beltran

    Carlos Beltran Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    70.1 118 2586 11031 9768 1582 2725 565 78 435 1587 312 49 1084 1795 .278 .349 .486 .836

  10. Jim Edmonds

    Jim Edmonds Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    60.4 132 2011 7980 6858 1251 1949 437 25 393 1199 67 50 998 1729 .284 .375 .527 .902

  11. Jim Wynn

    Jim Wynn Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    55.8 130 1920 8010 6653 1105 1665 285 39 291 964 225 101 1224 1427 .250 .364 .436 .800

  12. Andruw Jones

    Andruw Jones Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    62.7 111 2196 8664 7599 1204 1933 383 36 434 1289 152 59 891 1748 .254 .337 .485 .822

  13. Richie AshburnHOF

    Richie Ashburn Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    64.3 115 2189 9736 8365 1322 2574 317 109 29 586 234 92 1198 571 .307 .391 .382 .773

  14. Kenny Lofton

    Kenny Lofton Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    68.4 109 2103 9234 8120 1528 2428 383 116 130 781 622 160 945 1016 .299 .368 .422 .791

  15. Larry DobyHOF

    Larry Doby Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    51.6 137 1533 6302 5348 960 1515 243 52 253 970 47 36 871 1011 .283 .384 .490 .874

  16. Cesar Cedeno

    Cesar Cedeno Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    52.8 122 2006 8133 7310 1084 2087 436 60 199 976 550 179 664 938 .285 .345 .443 .788

  17. Fred Lynn

    Fred Lynn Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    50.2 129 1969 7923 6925 1063 1960 388 43 306 1111 72 54 857 1116 .283 .359 .484 .843

  18. Andrew McCutchenActive

    Andrew McCutchen Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    49.0 125 2262 9707 8350 1290 2266 451 50 332 1152 220 90 1183 1893 .271 .365 .457 .822

  19. Dale Murphy

    Dale Murphy Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    46.5 119 2180 9040 7960 1197 2111 350 39 398 1266 161 68 986 1748 .265 .345 .468 .814

  20. Kirby PuckettHOF

    Kirby Puckett Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    51.2 122 1783 7831 7244 1071 2304 414 57 207 1085 134 76 450 965 .318 .358 .476 .835

  21. Chet Lemon

    Chet Lemon Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    55.6 122 1988 7872 6868 973 1875 396 61 215 884 58 76 749 1024 .273 .352 .442 .794

  22. Earl AverillHOF

    Earl Averill Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    51.6 131 1668 7215 6353 1224 2019 401 128 238 1164 70 57 774 518 .317 .391 .533 .925

  23. Bernie Williams

    Bernie Williams Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    49.6 126 2076 9053 7869 1366 2336 449 55 287 1257 147 87 1069 1212 .296 .380 .477 .857

  24. Vada Pinson

    Vada Pinson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    54.1 110 2469 10403 9645 1365 2757 485 127 256 1169 305 122 574 1196 .285 .325 .442 .767

  25. Willie Davis

    Willie Davis Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    60.7 105 2429 9822 9174 1217 2561 395 138 182 1053 398 131 418 977 .279 .308 .411 .720

  26. Hack WilsonHOF

    Hack Wilson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    38.7 143 1348 5556 4760 884 1461 266 67 244 1063 52 5 674 713 .306 .387 .544 .932

  27. Wally Berger

    Wally Berger Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    42.5 136 1350 5663 5163 809 1550 299 59 242 898 36 0 435 694 .300 .357 .521 .878

  28. Ellis Burks

    Ellis Burks Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    49.8 125 2000 8176 7232 1253 2107 402 63 352 1206 181 84 793 1340 .291 .362 .510 .872

  29. Lenny Dykstra

    Lenny Dykstra Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    42.4 122 1278 5282 4559 802 1298 281 43 81 404 285 72 640 503 .284 .372 .418 .791

  30. Curtis Granderson

    Curtis Granderson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    47.2 115 2057 8306 7236 1217 1800 346 95 344 937 153 50 924 1916 .249 .337 .465 .803

  31. Brett Butler

    Brett Butler Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    49.7 115 2213 9545 8180 1359 2375 277 131 54 578 558 257 1129 907 .290 .371 .376 .747

  32. Earle CombsHOF

    Earle Combs Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    44.8 127 1455 6507 5746 1186 1866 309 154 58 632 96 71 670 278 .324 .392 .462 .854

  33. Andy Van Slyke

    Andy Van Slyke Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    41.3 120 1658 6478 5711 835 1562 293 91 164 792 245 59 667 1063 .273 .348 .442 .791

  34. Johnny Damon

    Johnny Damon Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    56.3 105 2490 10917 9736 1668 2769 522 109 235 1139 408 103 1003 1257 .284 .350 .432 .782

  35. Eric Davis

    Eric Davis Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    36.1 126 1626 6147 5321 938 1430 239 26 282 934 349 66 740 1398 .268 .358 .482 .840

  36. Amos Otis

    Amos Otis Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    42.8 115 1998 8246 7299 1092 2020 374 66 193 1007 341 93 757 1008 .276 .340 .425 .766

  37. Ray Lankford

    Ray Lankford Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    38.2 123 1701 6674 5747 968 1561 356 54 238 874 258 117 828 1550 .271 .363 .476 .839

  38. Devon White

    Devon White Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    47.3 98 1941 8080 7344 1125 1934 378 71 208 846 346 98 541 1526 .263 .317 .419 .736

  39. Torii Hunter

    Torii Hunter Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    50.7 110 2372 9692 8857 1296 2452 498 39 353 1391 195 99 661 1741 .276 .331 .461 .792

  40. Mike Cameron

    Mike Cameron Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    46.7 107 1955 7884 6839 1064 1700 383 59 278 968 297 83 867 1901 .248 .336 .443 .780

  41. Edd RoushHOF

    Edd Roush Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    45.6 127 1967 8156 7363 1099 2376 339 182 68 981 268 92 484 260 .322 .357 .445 .803

  42. Willie Wilson

    Willie Wilson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    46.1 94 2154 8317 7731 1169 2207 281 147 41 585 668 134 425 1144 .285 .323 .375 .699

  43. Al Oliver

    Al Oliver Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    43.6 120 2368 9778 9049 1189 2743 529 77 219 1326 84 64 535 756 .303 .343 .451 .794

  44. Cody BellingerActive

    Cody Bellinger Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    30.5 119 1157 4765 4230 690 1102 211 28 225 695 104 24 469 957 .261 .334 .483 .817

  45. Josh Hamilton

    Josh Hamilton Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    28.2 127 1027 4350 3909 609 1134 234 24 200 701 50 16 352 938 .290 .349 .515 .864

  46. Steve Finley

    Steve Finley Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    44.2 104 2583 10460 9397 1443 2548 449 124 304 1167 320 118 844 1299 .271 .329 .442 .771

  47. Paul Blair

    Paul Blair Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    37.7 97 1947 6673 6042 776 1513 282 55 134 620 171 93 449 877 .250 .297 .381 .679

  48. Lorenzo Cain

    Lorenzo Cain Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    38.7 106 1128 4602 4169 609 1194 220 24 86 445 188 42 354 818 .286 .347 .413 .759

  49. Max CareyHOF

    Max Carey Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    55.3 110 2476 10770 9363 1545 2665 419 159 70 800 738 92 1040 695 .284 .351 .385 .736

  50. Dwayne Murphy

    Dwayne Murphy Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    33.3 116 1360 5242 4347 648 1069 139 20 166 609 100 61 747 953 .245 .350 .401 .751

  51. Brady Anderson

    Brady Anderson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    35.0 111 1834 7737 6499 1062 1661 338 67 210 761 315 100 960 1190 .255 .358 .425 .783

  52. Andy Pafko

    Andy Pafko Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    36.9 1116 1852 7028 6292 844 1796 264 62 213 976 38 47 561 477 .285 .350 .449 .799

  53. Curt Flood

    Curt Flood Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    41.9 102 1759 6958 6357 851 1861 271 44 85 636 88 73 444 609 .292 .338 .389 .728

  54. Roy Thomas

    Roy Thomas Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    32.7 127 1180 5198 4218 742 1191 84 46 7 219 165 0 812 11 .282 .392 .329 .721

  55. Grady Sizemore

    Grady Sizemore Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    27.8 115 1101 4724 4147 660 1098 252 47 150 518 143 47 483 952 .264 .348 .456 .805

  56. Tommy Leach

    Tommy Leach Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    46.0 112 1996 8401 7383 1260 1991 255 164 57 737 334 14 762 278 .269 .331 .371 .703

  57. Ben Chapman

    Ben Chapman Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    42.3 115 1683 7351 6417 1130 1941 403 107 90 963 286 135 817 551 .302 .378 .440 .819

  58. Julio RodriguezActive

    Julio Rodriguez Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    22.9 129 590 2597 2384 368 654 110 9 112 341 116 28 169 628 .274 .331 .469 .800

  59. Pete Reiser

    Pete Reiser Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    24.6 130 861 3053 2662 473 786 155 41 58 368 87 3 343 369 .295 .376 .449 .826

  60. Garry Maddox

    Garry Maddox Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    36.8 100 1749 6775 6331 777 1802 337 62 117 754 248 92 323 781 .284 .318 .412 .731

  61. Bobby Thomson

    Bobby Thomson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    33.8 110 1779 6961 6305 903 1705 267 74 264 1026 38 33 559 804 .270 .332 .462 .794

  62. Cy Seymour

    Cy Seymour Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    30.4 121 1319 5510 5017 647 1537 216 91 44 733 209 0 334 25 .306 .344 .411 .756

  63. Rick Monday

    Rick Monday Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    33.1 125 1986 7162 6136 950 1619 248 64 241 775 98 91 924 1513 .263 .358 .442 .801

  64. Willie McGee

    Willie McGee Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    34.2 101 2201 8188 7649 1010 2254 350 94 79 856 352 121 448 1238 .294 .331 .395 .727

  65. Byron BuxtonActive

    Byron Buxton Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    29.8 114 898 3417 3102 523 768 178 31 168 436 117 12 234 978 .248 .308 .487 .795

  66. Brandon NimmoActive

    • Age: 23 – 32
    • Years: 2016-2025
    • Positions: CF
    • Teams:New York Mets
    Brandon Nimmo Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    26.1 126 1066 4365 3723 593 974 188 32 135 463 54 18 524 974 .262 .364 .438 .802

  67. Larry Hisle

    Larry Hisle Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    25.0 123 1197 4780 4205 652 1146 193 32 166 674 128 61 462 941 .272 .344 .452 .796

  68. Jacoby Ellsbury

    Jacoby Ellsbury Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    31.2 104 1235 5344 4846 749 1376 241 47 104 512 343 71 399 737 .283 .340 .417 .758

  69. Fielder Jones

    Fielder Jones Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    31.8 116 1165 5087 4291 694 1152 132 42 10 375 206 0 551 0 .268 .342 .325 .668

  70. Dom DiMaggio

    • Age: 23 – 25, 29 – 36
    • Years: 1940-1942, 1946-1953
    • Positions: CF
    • Teams:Boston Red Sox
    Dom DiMaggio Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    33.6 112 1399 6478 5640 1046 1680 308 57 87 618 100 62 750 571 .297 .379 .418 .798

  71. Shane Victorino

    Shane Victorino Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    31.5 104 1299 5164 4630 731 1274 231 70 108 489 231 46 381 626 .275 .336 .425 .761

  72. Kevin Kiermaier

    Kevin Kiermaier Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    36.5 95 1159 4040 3682 499 905 170 60 95 378 132 39 277 908 .246 .304 .402 .706

  73. Mickey Rivers

    Mickey Rivers Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    32.7 106 1468 6027 5629 785 1660 247 71 61 499 267 90 266 471 .294 .323 .396 .719

  74. Dave Henderson

    Dave Henderson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    27.6 109 1538 5677 5130 710 1324 286 17 197 708 50 38 465 1105 .258 .319 .435 .754

  75. Tony Gonzalez

    Tony Gonzalez Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    27.0 114 1559 5793 5195 690 1485 238 57 103 615 79 61 467 706 .285 .349 .413 .762

  76. Matt Kemp

    Matt Kemp Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    21.4 123 1750 6983 6365 950 1808 338 37 287 1031 184 63 518 1641 .284 .337 .484 .821

  77. Tommie Agee

    Tommie Agee Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    25.3 110 1129 4324 3912 558 999 170 27 130 433 167 81 342 918 .255 .317 .412 .730

  78. Cy Williams

    Cy Williams Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    37.5 123 2002 7720 6780 1024 1981 306 74 251 1005 115 82 690 721 .292 .357 .470 .827

  79. Bill North

    Bill North Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    26.8 106 1169 4621 3900 640 1016 120 31 20 230 395 162 627 665 .260 .360 .322 .683

  80. Clyde Milan

    Clyde Milan Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    40.0 110 1982 8312 7359 1004 2100 240 105 17 617 495 78 685 197 .285 .344 .353 .698

  81. Darin Erstad

    Darin Erstad Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    32.3 93 1654 6628 6024 913 1697 316 33 124 699 179 58 475 939 .282 .336 .407 .743

  82. Stan Spence

    Stan Spence Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    22.9 125 1112 4446 3871 541 1090 196 60 95 575 21 23 520 248 .281 .366 .436 .803

  83. Ginger Beaumont

    Ginger Beaumont Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    26.7 123 1214 5160 4656 760 1447 153 65 31 529 196 0 344 14 .310 .350 .391 .742

  84. Adam Jones

    Adam Jones Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    32.6 105 1823 7516 7009 963 1939 336 29 282 945 97 35 340 1395 .277 .317 .454 .771

  85. Lloyd Moseby

    Lloyd Moseby Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    27.5 103 1588 6574 5815 869 1494 273 66 169 737 280 92 616 1135 .256 .329 .413 .743

  86. Lance Johnson

    Lance Johnson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    30.2 94 1447 5800 5379 767 1565 175 117 34 486 327 105 352 384 .290 .331 .385 .717

  87. Vernon Wells

    Vernon Wells Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    28.6 102 1731 7212 6642 930 1794 379 34 270 958 109 37 472 956 .270 .318 .459 .777

  88. Johnny Hopp

    Johnny Hopp Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    26.4 115 1393 4807 4260 698 1262 216 74 46 458 128 51 464 378 .296 .368 .414 .782

  89. Denard Span

    Denard Span Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    27.9 105 1359 5956 5326 773 1498 265 72 71 490 185 59 515 716 .281 .344 .398 .742

  90. Baby Doll Jacobson

    Baby Doll Jacobson Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    28.9 108 1472 6072 5507 787 1714 328 94 83 821 86 54 355 410 .311 .347 .450 .797

  91. Marquis Grissom

    Marquis Grissom Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    29.6 93 2165 8959 8275 1187 2251 386 56 227 967 429 116 553 1240 .272 .316 .414 .730

  92. Johnny Mostil

    Johnny Mostil Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    24.2 114 972 4096 3507 618 1054 209 82 23 376 176 105 415 336 .300 .375 .426 .802

  93. Cesar Tovar

    Cesar Tovar Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    28.1 101 1488 6177 5569 834 1546 253 55 46 435 226 108 413 410 .277 .331 .367 .698

  94. Mack Jones

    Mack Jones Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    20.7 122 1002 3584 3091 485 778 132 31 133 415 65 40 383 756 .251 .345 .443 .788

  95. Matty Alou

    Matty Alou Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    23.0 106 1667 6220 5789 780 1777 236 50 31 427 156 80 311 377 .306 .341 .381 .722

  96. A.J. Pollock

    A.J. Pollock Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    22.5 111 1087 4152 3787 575 1032 225 32 145 485 122 29 91 736 .273 .328 .464 .791

  97. Randy Winn

    Randy Winn Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    27.5 100 1717 6878 6186 863 1759 367 59 110 662 215 84 526 1010 .284 .343 .416 .759

  98. Gorman Thomas

    Gorman Thomas Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    19.8 114 1435 5486 4677 681 1051 212 13 268 782 50 49 697 1339 .224 .321 .447 .769

  99. Happy Felsch

    Happy Felsch Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    19.4 121 749 3129 2812 385 825 135 64 38 446 88 31 207 251 .293 .337 .427 .764

  100. Jim Piersall

    Jim Piersall Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    29.4 91 1734 6592 5890 811 1604 256 52 104 591 115 57 524 583 .272 .332 .386 .718

All underlying data used in this analysis is available in The Baseball Scholar Data Library.

4 responses to “100 Greatest Center Fielders of All-Time”

  1. jim KUHN Avatar
    jim KUHN

    Terry Moore? 18.9 bWAR playing entire career as CF. Top 20 in MVP voting 5 times. Very good defensive CF. Three years of his prime were lost due to serving in World War II.

    Like

    Reply
  2. Dave Franks Avatar
    Dave Franks

    Jim, thanks for reading. Terry Moore is ranked as my 133rd center fielder of all-time. Agreed on the defense. Both Baseball Reference and FanGraphs have him in the top 100 on their main defensive metrics. And he did lose 3 years to military service. I do not give them any type of statistical credit or breaks for any time lost, be in military service or otherwise. I hope you find time to browse the rest of the site. I’d love to hear your opinions on other posts.

    Like

    Reply
  3. Tim Crombie Avatar
    Tim Crombie

    Don’t know how you could have left out Earl Averill and Gus Bell. They were better than at least some of the guys you listed.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Tim Crombie Avatar
      Tim Crombie

      Dave: Oops … I see where you did include Earl Averill … at just about where I would have ranked him. As for Gus Bell, he was overshadowed by three contemporary NL hall-of-famers: Mays, Snider and Ashburn.

      Tim Crombie

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

100 Greatest Players of all time