Skip to content
Trending Topics: Teams•The Lists•Top Players By Franchise by Position•Best Players From Each State•All-Time Rosters

100 Greatest Baseball Players of All-Time

49 Comments

Updated 11/9/2021

Major League Baseball as we know it, that is two leagues American and National, playing by the same rules with the champion from each squaring off against the other for baseball supremacy was born in 1901. These rankings only consider seasons and careers from 1901 and after. The stats for each player only includes stats from after 1901. To be eligible offensive players have to have 1,500 career plate appearances, starting pitchers have to have 75 career starts, and relief pitchers need to have 350 career innings pitched.

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

  1. Babe Ruth

    2. Babe Ruth Hitting Stats
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    162.1 197 2503 10623 8399 2174 2873 506 136 714 2214 110 117 2062 1330 .342 .474 .690 1.164
    Babe Ruth Pitching Stats
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    20.59 82 163 148 94 46 2.28 1221.1 107 17 4 398 309 441 488 9.30% 1.158

  2. Barry Bonds

    3. Barry Bonds
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    162.7 173 2986 12606 9847 2227 2935 601 77 762 1996 514 141 2558 1539 .298 .444 .606 1.051

  3. Willie Mays

    4. Willie Mays
    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

  4. Walter Johnson

    5. Walter Johnson
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    152.1 68 802 666 417 279 2.17 5914.2 531 110 34 1902 1424 1363 3509 12.6% 1.061

  5. Ted Williams

    • Age: 20 – 23, 27 – 41
    • Years: 1939 – 1942, 1946 – 1960
    • Position(s): LF
    • Teams: Boston Red Sox

    Ted Williams
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    122.1 188 2292 9791 7706 1798 2654 525 71 521 1839 24 17 2021 709 .344 .481 .633 1.115

  6. Ty Cobb

    7. Ty Cobb
    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

  7. Rogers Hornsby

    8. Rogers Hornsby
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    127.3 173 2259 9475 8173 1579 2930 541 169 301 1584 135 64 1038 679 .358 .423 .576 1.000

  8. Mickey Mantle

    • Age: 19 – 36
    • Years: 1951 – 1968
    • Position(s): CF, 1B, LF
    • Teams: New York Yankees

    Mickey Mantle
    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

  9. Stan Musial

    • Age: 20 – 23, 25 – 42
    • Years: 1941 – 1944, 1946 – 1963
    • Position(s): LF, 1B, RF
    • Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

    Stan Musial
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    128.7 158 3026 12712 10972 1949 3630 725 177 475 1951 78 31 1599 696 .330 .415 .559 .974

  10. Hank Aaron

    11. Hank Aaron
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    143.1 153 3298 13940 12364 2174 3771 624 98 755 2297 240 73 1402 1383 .304 .373 .554 .927

  11. Lou Gehrig

    12. Lou Gehrig
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    113.7 173 2164 9660 8001 1888 2721 534 163 493 1995 102 101 1508 790 .340 .442 .632 1.074

  12. Roger Clemens

    13. Roger Clemens
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    138.7 70 709 707 354 184 3.12 4916.2 118 46 0 1885 1707 1580 4672 23.1% 1.172

  13. Tris Speaker

    14. Tris Speaker
    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

  14. Alex Rodriguez

    15. Alex Rodriguez
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    117.5 141 2784 12207 10566 2021 3115 548 31 696 2086 329 76 1338 2287 .294 .379 .550 .929

  15. Mike Trout

    16. Mike Trout
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    76.1 172 1288 5660 4656 967 1419 268 49 310 816 203 37 865 1215 .305 .419 .583 1.002

  16. Honus Wagner

    • Age: 23 – 43
    • Years: 1897 – 1917
    • Position(s): SS, OF, 1B, 3B
    • Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates

    Honus Wagner
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    113.6 150 2298 9640 8507 1414 2766 506 210 78 1375 601 15 836 327 .325 .383 .461 .845

  17. Eddie Collins

    18. Eddie Collins
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    124.4 144 2826 12037 9949 1821 3315 438 187 47 1300 744 173 1499 286 .333 .406 .428 .835

  18. Lefty Grove

    19. Lefty Grove
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    113.3 68 616 457 300 141 3.06 3940.2 298 35 55 1594 1339 1187 2266 13.6% 1.278

  19. Mike Schmidt

    20. Mike Schmidt
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    106.9 147 2404 10062 8352 1506 2234 408 59 548 1595 174 92 1507 1883 .267 .379 .527 .906

  20. Pete Alexander

    21. Pete Alexander
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    116.0 73 696 599 373 208 2.56 5190 437 90 32 1851 1476 951 2198 8.3% 1.121

  21. Albert Pujols

    22. Albert Pujols
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    99.6 141 2971 12690 11114 1872 3301 672 16 679 2150 116 41 1345 1349 .297 .375 .544 .919

  22. Rickey Henderson

    23. Rickey Henderson
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    111.2 132 3081 13346 10961 2295 3055 510 66 297 1115 1406 335 2190 1694 .278 .400 .418 .818

  23. Randy Johnson

    24. Randy Johnson
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    103.5 75 618 603 303 166 3.29 4135.1 100 37 2 1703 1513 1497 4875 28.6% 1.171

  24. Frank Robinson

    25. Frank Robinson
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    107.2 153 2808 11743 10006 1829 2943 528 72 586 1812 204 77 1420 1532 .294 .388 .536 .925

  25. Joe Morgan

    26. Joe Morgan
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    100.4 135 2649 11329 9277 1650 2517 449 96 268 1133 689 162 1865 1015 .271 .390 .427 .817

  26. Christy Mathewson

    27. Christy Mathewson
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    101.0 74 635 551 373 188 2.13 4780.2 434 79 28 1616 1133 844 2502 6.4% 1.058

  27. Mel Ott

    • Age: 17 – 38
    • Years: 1926 – 1947
    • Position(s): RF, 3B
    • Teams: New York Giants

    Mel Ott
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    110.9 156 2730 11337 9456 1859 2876 488 72 511 1860 89 0 1708 896 .304 .409 .533 .943

  28. Carl Yastrzemski

    • Age: 21 – 43
    • Years: 1961 – 1983
    • Position(s): LF, 1B, CF
    • Teams: Boston Red Sox

    Carl Yastrzemski
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    96.5 130 3308 13991 11988 1816 3419 646 59 452 1844 168 116 1845 1393 .285 .379 .462 .841

  29. Jimmie Foxx

    30. Jimmie Foxx
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    92.3 158 2317 9670 8134 1751 2646 458 125 534 1922 87 72 1452 1311 .325 .425 .609 1.034

  30. Pedro Martinez

    31. Pedro Martinez
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    86.1 66 476 409 219 100 2.93 2827.1 46 17 3 1006 919 760 3154 27.7% 1.054

  31. Tom Seaver

    32. Tom Seaver
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    106.1 79 656 647 311 205 2.86 4782.2 231 61 1 1674 1521 1390 3640 18.8% 1.121

  32. Nap Lajoie

    33. Nap Lajoie
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    89.4 146 1988 8256 7498 1083 2521 510 101 51 1141 293 21 457 74 .336 .382 .451 .833

  33. Eddie Mathews

    34. Eddie Mathews
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    96.1 143 2391 10101 8537 1509 2315 354 72 512 1453 68 39 1444 1487 .271 .374 .509 .884

  34. Greg Maddux

    35. Greg Maddux
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    104.8 76 744 740 355 227 3.16 5008.1 109 35 0 1981 1756 999 3371 16.5% 1.143

  35. Wade Boggs

    36. Wade Boggs
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    91.4 132 2440 10740 9180 1513 3010 578 61 118 1014 24 35 1412 745 .327 .413 .442 .856

  36. Roberto Clemente

    37. Roberto Clemente
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    94.8 129 2433 10212 9454 1416 3000 440 166 240 1305 83 46 621 1230 .317 .358 .475 .833

  37. Cal Ripken

    38. Cal Ripken
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    95.9 112 3001 12883 11551 1647 3184 603 44 431 1695 36 39 1129 1305 .275 .339 .447 .787

  38. George Brett

    39. George Brett
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    88.6 132 2707 11624 10349 1583 3154 665 137 317 1596 201 97 1096 908 .304 .368 .487 .855

  39. Joe DiMaggio

    • Age: 21 – 27, 31 – 36
    • Years: 1936 – 1942, 1946 – 1951
    • Position(s): CF
    • Teams: New York Yankees

    Joe DiMaggio
    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

  40. Ken Griffey, Jr

    41. Ken Griffey
    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

  41. Bob Gibson

    42. Bob Gibson
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    81.7 78 528 482 251 174 2.91 3884.1 255 56 6 1420 1258 1336 3117 19.4% 1.188

  42. Cy Young

    43. Cy Young
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    70.7 74 401 369 225 146 2.12 3312.1 331 44 9 1119 779 413 1563 1.00

  43. Al Kaline

    • Age: 18 – 39
    • Years: 1953 – 1974
    • Position(s): RF, CF, 1B
    • Teams: Detroit Tigers

    Al Kaline
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    92.8 134 2834 11597 10116 1622 3007 498 75 399 1583 137 65 1277 1020 .297 .374 .479 .853

  44. Jeff Bagwell

    • Age: 23 – 37
    • Years: 1991 – 2005
    • Position(s): 1B
    • Teams: Houston Astros

    Jeff Bagwell
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    79.9 149 2150 9431 7797 1517 2314 488 32 449 1529 202 78 1401 1558 .296 .407 .540 .947

  45. Joe Jackson

    46. Joe Jackson
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    62.2 165 1332 5690 4981 873 1772 307 168 54 785 202 61 519 158 .355 .413 .517 .930

  46. Phil Niekro

    47. Phil Niekro
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    97.0 86 864 716 318 274 3.35 5404.1 245 45 29 2337 2012 1809 3342 14.7% 1.268

  47. Gaylord Perry

    48. Gaylord Perry
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    93.0 85 777 690 314 265 3.11 5350.1 303 53 11 2128 1846 1379 3534 16.1% 1.180

  48. Ed Walsh

    49. Ed Walsh
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    63.8 69 430 315 195 126 1.82 2964.1 250 57 34 877 598 617 1736 7.1% 0.999

  49. Chipper Jones

    • Age: 21, 23 – 40
    • Years: 1993, 1995 – 2012
    • Position(s): 3B, LF
    • Teams: Atlanta Braves

    Chipper Jones
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    85.3 141 2499 10614 8984 1619 2726 549 38 468 1623 150 46 1512 1409 .303 .400 .529 .930

  50. Arky Vaughan

    51. Arky Vaughan
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    78.0 138 1817 7721 6622 1173 2103 356 128 96 926 118 0 937 276 .317 .399 .453 .853

  51. Rod Carew

    52. Rod Carew
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    81.2 132 2469 10550 9315 1424 3053 445 112 92 1015 353 187 1018 1028 .327 .388 .429 .817

  52. Bert Blyleven

    53. Bert Blyleven
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    96.1 85 692 685 287 250 3.31 4970 242 60 0 2029 1830 1322 3701 18.1% 1.197

  53. Johnny Mize

    54. Johnny Mize
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    70.6 157 1884 7371 6443 1118 2011 367 83 359 1337 28 1 856 524 .312 .396 .562 .958

  54. Frank Thomas

    55. Frank Thomas
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    73.8 154 2322 10074 8199 1494 2468 495 12 521 1704 32 23 1667 1397 .301 .419 .554 .974

  55. Ron Santo

    56. Ron Santo
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    70.5 126 2243 9396 8143 1138 2254 365 67 342 1331 35 41 1108 1343 .276 .361 .464 .825

  56. Steve Carlton

    57. Steve Carlton
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    84.1 87 741 709 329 244 3.22 5217.1 254 55 2 2130 1864 1833 4136 19.1% 1.246

  57. Warren Spahn

    58. Warren Spahn
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    92.4 84 750 665 363 245 3.09 5243.2 382 63 29 2016 1798 1434 2583 12.0% 1.194

  58. Duke Snider

    59. Duke Snider
    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

  59. Dick Allen

    60. Dick Allen
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    58.7 155 1749 7314 6332 1099 1848 320 79 351 1119 133 52 894 1556 .291 .377 .533 .910

  60. Adrian Beltre

    61. Adrian Beltre
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    93.5 115 2933 12130 11068 1524 3166 636 38 477 1707 121 42 848 1732 .286 .338 .479 .818

  61. Robin Roberts

    62. Robin Roberts
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    83.0 89 676 609 286 245 3.41 4688.2 305 45 25 1962 1774 902 2357 12.3% 1.169

  62. Jackie Robinson

    • Age: 28 – 37
    • Years: 1947 – 1956
    • Position(s): 2B, 3B, 1B, OF
    • Teams: Brooklyn Dodgers

    Jackie Robinson
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    61.8 135 1382 5802 4877 947 1518 273 54 137 734 197 30 740 291 .311 .401 .473 .875

  63. Reggie Jackson

    64. Reggie Jackson
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    73.9 139 2820 11416 9864 1551 2584 463 49 563 1702 228 115 1375 2597 .261 .355 .490 .845

  64. Joey Votto

    • Age: 23 – 37
    • Years: 2007 – 2021
    • Position(s): 1B
    • Teams: Cincinnati Reds

    Joey Votto
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    64.4 149 1900 8128 6722 1114 2027 435 21 331 1965 80 29 1294 1481 .302 .416 .520 .937

  65. Curt Schilling

    66. Curt Schilling
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    80.5 80 569 436 216 146 3.46 3261 83 20 22 1318 1253 711 3116 23.5% 1.137

  66. Larry Walker

    67. Larry Walker
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    72.7 140 1988 8030 6907 1355 2160 471 62 383 1311 230 76 913 1231 .312 .399 .565 .965

  67. Clayton Kershaw

    68. Clayton Kershaw
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    69.1 64 379 376 185 84 2.49 2452.2 25 15 0 741 679 606 2670 27.6% 1.00

  68. Charlie Gehringer

    • Age: 21 – 39
    • Years: 1924 – 1942
    • Position(s): 2B
    • Teams: Detroit Tigers

    Charlie Gehringer
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    84.7 124 2323 10237 8860 1774 2839 574 146 184 1427 181 89 1186 372 .320 .398 .480 .878

  69. Miguel Cabrera

    70. Miguel Cabrera
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    68.7 143 2587 10993 9625 1505 2987 597 17 502 1804 39 21 1199 1930 .310 .387 .532 .920

  70. Ernie Banks

    • Age: 22 – 40
    • Years: 1953 – 1971
    • Position(s): SS, 1B
    • Teams: Chicago Cubs

    Ernie Banks
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    67.7 118 2528 10395 9421 1305 2583 407 90 512 1636 50 53 763 1236 .274 .328 .499 .828

  71. Fergie Jenkins

    72. Fergie Jenkins
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    82.1 87 664 594 284 226 3.34 4500.2 267 49 7 1853 1669 997 3192 17.4% 1.141

  72. Mark McGwire

    73. Mark McGwire
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    62.2 157 1874 7660 6187 1167 1626 252 6 583 1414 12 8 1317 1596 .262 .393 .588 .982

  73. Edgar Martinez

    • Age: 24 – 41
    • Years: 1987 – 2004
    • Position(s): DH, 3B
    • Teams: Seattle Mariners

    Edgar Martinez
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    68.4 147 2055 8672 7213 1219 2247 514 15 309 1261 49 30 1283 1202 .311 .417 .515 .932

  74. Roy Halladay

    75. Roy Halladay
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    65.4 76 416 390 203 105 3.38 2749.1 67 20 1 1135 1034 592 2117 18.8% 1.177

  75. Justin Verlander

    76. Justin Verlander
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    72.2 78 454 454 226 129 3.33 2988 26 9 0 1192 1105 851 3013 24.7% 1.13

  76. Jim Thome

    77. Jim Thome
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    73.1 145 2543 10313 8422 1583 2328 451 26 612 1699 19 20 1747 2548 .276 .401 .554 .955

  77. Willie McCovey

    78. Willie McCovey
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    64.5 145 2588 9686 8197 1229 2211 353 46 521 1555 26 22 1345 1550 .269 .374 .514 .888

  78. Johnny Bench

    • Age: 19-35
    • Years: 1967 – 1983
    • Position(s): C, 3B, 1B
    • Teams: Cincinnati Reds

    Johnny Bench
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    75.1 125 2158 8669 7658 1091 2048 381 24 389 1376 68 43 891 1278 .267 .341 .475 .817

  79. Robinson Cano

    80. Robinson Cano
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    69.6 125 2234 9446 8673 1257 2624 571 33 334 1302 51 38 616 1189 .303 .352 .492 .844

  80. Harry Heilmann

    81. Harry Heilmann
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    72.5 144 2148 8960 7787 1291 2660 542 151 183 1539 113 64 856 550 .341 .396 .520 .917

  81. Manny Ramirez

    82. Manny Ramirez
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    69.3 153 2302 9774 8244 1544 2574 547 20 555 1831 38 33 1329 1813 .312 .410 .585 .995

  82. Bobby Grich

    83. Bobby Grich
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    71.0 129 2008 8220 6890 1033 1833 320 47 224 864 104 83 1087 1278 .266 .365 .423 .789

  83. Todd Helton

    84. Todd Helton
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    61.8 132 2247 9450 7962 1401 2519 592 37 369 1406 37 29 1335 1175 .316 .413 .539 .952

  84. Bob Feller

    • Age: 17 – 22, 26 – 37
    • Years: 1936 – 1941, 1945 – 1956
    • Position(s): SP
    • Teams: Cleveland Indians

    Bob Feller
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    65.2 82 570 484 266 162 3.25 3827 279 44 21 1557 1384 1764 2581 16.0% 1.315

  85. Stan Coveleski

    86. Stan Coveleski
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    66.6 78 450 385 215 142 2.89 3082 224 38 21 1237 990 802 981 7.7% 1.251

  86. Mookie Betts

    87. Mookie Betts
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    50.0 135 971 4425 3888 753 1152 267 30 178 567 146 32 463 588 .296 .373 .518 .890

  87. Juan Marichal

    88. Juan Marichal
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    61.8 81 471 457 243 142 2.89 3507 244 52 2 1329 1126 709 2303 16.2% 1.10

  88. Robin Yount

    89. Robin Yount
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    77.3 113 2856 12249 11008 1632 3142 583 126 251 1406 271 105 966 1350 .285 .342 .430 .772

  89. Hank Greenberg

    90. Hank Greenberg
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    55.5 154 1394 6096 5193 1051 1628 379 71 331 1276 58 26 852 844 .313 .409 .605 1.014

  90. Hal Newhouser

    91. Hal Newhouser
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    60.0 76 488 374 207 150 3.06 2993 212 33 26 1197 1016 1249 1796 14.2% 1.310

  91. Pete Rose

    92. Pete Rose
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    79.6 121 3562 15861 14053 2165 4256 746 135 160 1314 198 149 1566 1143 .302 .373 .409 .783

  92. Mike Mussina

    93. Mike Mussina
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    82.8 82 537 536 270 153 3.68 3562.2 57 23 0 1559 1458 785 2813 19.3% 1.191
  93. Sandy Koufax

    94. Sandy Koufax
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    53.1 75 397 314 165 87 2.76 2324.1 137 40 9 806 713 817 2396 25.2% 1.11

  94. Chase Utley

    95. Chase Utley
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    65.4 118 1937 7863 6857 1103 1885 411 58 259 1025 154 22 724 1193 .275 .358 .465 .823

  95. Max Scherzer

    96. <Max Scherzer
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    66.2 75 407 398 190 97 3.16 2536.2 12 5 0 959 890 677 3020 29.4% 1.08

  96. Mike Piazza

    97. Mike Piazza
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    59.5 140 1912 7745 6911 1048 2127 344 8 427 1335 17 20 759 1113 .307 .376 .545 .921

  97. Kevin Brown

    98. Kevin Brown
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    68.2 78 486 476 211 144 3.28 3256 72 17 0 1357 1185 901 2397 17.7% 1.222

  98. Gary Carter

    99. Gary Carter
    WAR wRC+ G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
    70.1 116 2296 9019 7971 1025 2092 371 31 324 1225 39 42 848 997 .262 .333 .438 .772

  99. Rube Waddell

    100. Rube Waddell
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    55.0 76 366 308 178 127 2.11 2659.2 235 47 4 923 624 728 2137 20.4% 1.10

  100. Eddie Plank

    101. Eddie Plank
    WAR ERA- G GS W L ERA IP CG SHO SV R ER BB SO K% WHIP
    81.2 81 623 529 326 194 2.35 4495.2 410 69 23 1569 1174 1072 2246 7.8% 1.118

Published by Dave Franks

100 Greatest Players of All-Time, The Lists
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

49 Comments »

  1. You could split Mariano Rivera’s regular season career into 2 and each half would be an all-time great RP career. Then just to top it off, HE PITCHED 2 SEASONS WORTH OF INNINGS IN THE POSTSEASON WITH A 0.70 ERA. And was the only unanimous HOF ever. Jeter and Yogi should be on there too, but I think I only saw 2 catchers and I don’t feel like having the Jeter argument so I’ll ignore that. Leaving Rivera off is ridiculous though.

    Like

    Reply

    • With due respect, your argument could be flipped around, and I could be just as incredulous that you think Mariano Rivera is one of the 100 greatest players ever.

      Mo pitched pitched less than 1,300 innings. Tom Seaver pitched more innings from 1971 to 1975. And before you scream that Rivera’s innings were more important … consider this:

      Of his 1,105 relief appearances, Rivera entered the game with NO ONE ON BASE 879 times (79.5% of the time). Only in about a quarter of those appearances was his team ahead BY FEWER THAN TWO RUNS.

      Rivera pitched a lot of innings when the outcome of the game was in little doubt. Granted, Rivera converted those situations better than anyone ever has, he pitched better than any reliever ever has. But, it’s important to note that he pitched far fewer high leverage innings than the relievers of the previous three decades before his debut.

      It’s hard for me to think a pitcher who tossed less than 1,300 innings and who pitched often with a 3-run lead and only needing to get 3 outs, is one of the best 100 PLAYERS in baseball history. Greatest reliever, of course. One of the greatest 100 pitchers, yes I have him about #80 among pitchers. But one of the GREATEST 100 PLAYTERS EVER? You have to ignore a lot to make that claim.

      Also consider this last piece of statistical evidence: when the Yankees entered the ninth with a 1 or 2-run lead and Rivera was called in to protect it, he converted the save 86 percent of the time. From 1960 to 1990, the stat for that game situation (team ahead by 1 or 2 runs in ninth regardless of who was pitching) was 83 percent. The great Mo Rivera was 3 percent better over his career converting saves as opposed to the prior strategy used by managers.

      I love me some Rivera — but he was a relief specialist, not one of the 100 greatest players ever.

      Like

      Reply

      • He was the most dominant releiver of all time, he definitely deserves to be a top 100 player of all time. Going by your standards A-rod isn’t top 100 and neither is Jeter. Mariano Rivera was one of the most dominant pitchers ever, and when your that good you deserve to be a top 100 player, its simple.

        Like

  2. So you have Mark McGwire and Joey Votto ahead of Warren Spahn and Mariano Rivera? Please go ahead and try and justify that.

    Like

    Reply

  3. The stats of steroid freaks should not be included in this list. They are literally major league cheaters. In the olympics records set while using performance enhancing drugs are stricken from the books. So should it be in baseball.

    Like

    Reply

  4. Joey Votto is the 54th best player of all-time? I can’t see how you justify that. He’s a top 15 first baseman, I’ll give you that, but how is he a greater player than Warren Spahn?

    You need to consider adjusting for era. According to your list FIVE of the ten greatest players of all-time played during World War I. Do you think that makes sense? And seven of your top ten played before baseball was integrated. I also question your ranking of Joe Jackson. You mean to tell us that his career was greater than Ken Griffey Jr. and Cal Ripken Jr.?

    Like

    Reply
  6. Pingback: THE 50 GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME【MLB】 | Baseball All-Star Game

  7. It looks to me like you were using WAR and WRC+ to justify rankings. Everyone of your players would be in a TOP 150 of ALL-Time but I just don’t see where Players Like Votto, Coveleski, Waddell, Cano and Newhouser should be ranked ahead of players Like Jeter, Ryan. Rivera, Simmons, O.smith, Medwick, Hubbell and E. Murray. I would also think M. Scherzer, B. Robinson and I Rodriguez would be highly debatable

    Like

    Reply

  8. Chase Utley over Derek Jeter WOW! And WHERE IS PAUL MOLITOR top 10 hits all time, .300+ BA. Also Hank Aaron in my opinion is the greatest player of all time only 9 seems a little low, I could justify only top 5.

    Like

    Reply

  9. Billy Williams was the highest quality player the Cubs ever had in that critical #3 spot in the batting order, renowned for his “sweet swing.” Andre Dawson was another killer bat–both players more productive than Ron Santo, who apparently was favored because of his team spirit (which certainly should count).

    Like

    Reply

    • Ortiz was a wonderful hitter. Almost, but not quite as good of a hitter as Willie Stargell. But because Stargell at least played the field, Ortiz has to be behind him. I realize Stargell was not a good fielder. But he at least played the field. And Stargell’s 147 OPS+ tops Ortiz’s 141.

      Like

      Reply

  13. Olympians lose their medals and reputation, Lance Armstrong lost his titles and reputation… Why should baseball fans glorify cheaters? It should stop.

    Like

    Reply

  16. Bobby Grich was an average player and does not belong on this list. The fact that he’s even on here brings your list into question, The fact that you have him listed before Pete Rose shatters any credibility you could possibly have

    Like

    Reply

    • Grich averaged 5.31 WAR per 150 games played. Rose averaged 3.36 WAR per 150 games played. If Grich was average then I guess Rose was terrible.

      Like

      Reply

      • WAR is a laughable indicator if/when it implies Grich was better than Pete Rose.Grich doesn’t belong on a top 200 list

        Like

    • Bobby Grich over Yount, Gwynn, Rose, Piazza is preposterous. He was a very good player, but this recent trend to include him among the all-time greats is laughable.

      Like

      Reply

  17. Don’t understand the numbering system, but otherwise good list and fun to look at. I’d probably move Yaz, Boggs and Bagwell lower, and Bench, Seaver, Feller and Maddux higher. And Mays ahead of Bonds. It’s also tricky when gauging players from early in the 20th century because the competition just wasn’t nearly as good as when the majors became integrated.

    Like

    Reply

  18. Seriously, Derek Jeter is NOT listed on your top 100? How is that possible. I also think Mariano Rivera should be as well; but, I do understand if you do not give credit to closers. But, Jeter? Look at his stats! Only 5 players in history have more hits than him in history. You have clowns like Kevin Brown and Jeff Bagwell ahead of Jeter? I guess that you are the one writer who did not vote for Jeets. Also, Mo was unanimous ly selected to the HOF. What? More people have walked on the moon than Mo has let score in the post season.

    Like

    Reply

    • It is really hard to ignore that Jeter’s Total Zone Total Fielding Runs Above Average is -186. He really was quite bad defensively. But I agree he is top 100, though I think he would be in the last 10 to 20 names. His 71.3 WAR is behind Reggie Jackson, Jim Thome, Rafael Palmiero and Larry Walker.

      Like

      Reply

      • Yes, Douglas has hit it right on the head. Koufax had six good seasons, four of which were GREAT seasons. He had 6 other seasons that were mediocre or “nothing” seasons. How do you rate a player like that? It’s perfectly acceptable to rate a player who only had 6 good seasons as he is rated here.

        One thing missing from the conversation about “Who the greatest players are?” is HOW DO YOU RANK THEM? Do you consider peak, career, a combination of both? How? Which is most important, peak or career? Do you consider per/season performance? And so on.

        Making blanket comments like “Derek Jeter is better than Reggie Jackson or Bobby Grich etc.” isn’t helpful unless you include your rationale AND criteria? Is Grich a great player because of his career value? Is it his peak value? Is there value hidden by the misunderstanding of defensive statistics by most fans? Why is Nolan Ryan not as great as Justin Verlander, when “everyone” knows Ryan was a legend? Well, how does career value and performance vs league and peak performance answer that? And so on.

        Personally, I prefer a combination of career value, peak value (both 3-year and 7-year peak), as well as something I call PRIME VALUE. For prime value, I prefer value in the player’s best 5 CONSECUTIVE seasons. I also think postseason performance should weigh a tiny bit (but not much).

        So, if we measure based on CAREER, SHORT PEAK (3 best seasons), LONG PEAK (7 best seasons), and PRIME (best 5 consecutive seasons), how do we factor those? Is career valued the same as prime? And so on. I personally think career whould be valued slightly higher than peak. Why should Eddie Murray not get extra credit for his 15+ really, really good seasons, while Don Mattingly was only able to produce about 6-7 really good to great seasons? To me, it’s more valuable to have Eddie Murray on your team and know that for 15-18 years he will be among the best first basemen in baseball, as opposed to a higher peak guy like Mattingly for only half that time. You may disagree with that opinion, and that’s ok, but it’s important to establish how we both look at the question of “who is greater?”

        I’ve done a LOT of work on ranking players. And Sandy Koufax is one of the hardest to evaluate (maybe the hardest). If you favor career value, he’ll be ranked lower than Rick Rueschel. If you favor prime value he can be higher than Warren Spahn and Tom Seaver. Which is the right way to do it? That depends, and it makes for differences of opinion.

        Like

  20. List overall is pretty good but I’m not sure on what planet Sandy Koafax would be the 91st overall baseball player and behind a guy like Mike Mussina but I can tell you its not earth.

    Like

    Reply

  21. This list looks like you just searched up a list of players and copy and pasted them onto here. How is Mike Mussina better than Sandy Koufax. I just don’t understand that, Sandy Koufax, the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time compared to a pitcher whose stats don’t even compare to that of Koufaxs’. Also, how can you put Joey Votto above players like Warren Spahn and Mariano River, Joey Votto was not nearly as dominant as those players. This list is not true whatsoever.

    Like

    Reply

    • Here’s the thing, it’s not my list, but I feel compelled to defend this website because I have Top 100 lists over at baseballegg.com …

      If you value CAREER over PEAK, it’s perfectly defensible to rank Mike Mussina ahead of Sandy Koufax (in fact WAY ahead of him). So, you have to ask yourself, when you say “Greatest of All-Time,” what are you actually saying? Do you mean by a short peak, a longer peak, the best X number of seasons in a row? How much does career value matter? Because a guy like Koufax only had 6 great seasons. He did not have any other “Good” seasons. So you judge him based on the six great ones. So, how does that compare to a guy like Mussina who had 14-15 EXCELLENT seasons and 2-3 GREAT ones? Which is more valuable?

      Like

      Reply

    • An exciting player, an all-time legend, but Ryan doesn’t have anywhere near the numbers to be in the Top 100 Players of all-time. His career ERA+ is only 112. Granted, he pitched a TON of innings, but even his career WAR (that ranks 20th all-time among pitchers) is not high enough to push him into the 100 best PLAYERS. Remember, if you put 25 pitchers in the top 100, what does that leave us? You can only have about 9 players at every other position.

      Like

      Reply

  23. I am a bit confused by two similiar players and my mind and there rankings. Either Wade Boggs doesn’t make the list is Tony Gwynn is the 100th best or Tony Gwynn is 34 th and Boggs remains at 35th. Thes two great players who pleayed in the same era had very similiar careers. The only actual baseball stat that Boggs was betterin was runs scored. Gwynn was higher in BA, HRs, RBIs, SBs, Gold gloves, fewer Ks , Silver sluggers I believe Boggs had one more than Gwynn and Gwynn had more All Star appearences. How can these very similar style players during the same eras be “65 places appar4t on your rankings? please help me understand.

    Like

    Reply

    • Boggs had almost 700 more walks than Gwynn, and he did it while making fewer outs. So his OBP is 27 points higher. He also played a more demanding and important position. It’s really that simple, and it’s true, Boggs was a more valuable player.

      Like

      Reply

      • Agreed, Boggs was more valuable. Gwynn ran better but Boggs played a more important position and got on base a lot more.

        Like

  26. If Honus Wagner could count his entire career instead of just his career from 1901 on, would he be higher on this list?

    Like

    Reply

    • Great question Brian. He made his major league debut in 1897 so the first four years of his career don’t count in my rankings. If they did, he would be twelfth, just below Gehrig and above Clemens. He’d also be ranked as the number one shortstop.

      Like

      Reply

  27. So you include steroid cheats and completely ignore Negro League Icons better than half your list. And some of your “top 100” were never Hall Of Fame worthy. Chase Utley and Bobby Grich??? I nearly choked laughing at their inclusion!

    Like

    Reply

  28. Where is Eddie Murray? Are you kidding? The 2nd best or tied for Best switch hitter of all time. Tied with Mantle for most games with HRs from both sides of the plate. A more than consistent performer, who is an underrated defensive 1st sacker. Drop a couple of the steroid guys, and put Eddie in.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

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

%d bloggers like this: