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Every State’s Best Baseball Player

Every State’s Best Baseball Player

Updated: by

Baseball has been considered America’s Pastime since the middle of the 19th century when Americans began playing the sport informally; a sport that has a deep-rooted connection with the nation’s history and culture. It was often seen as a sport that was inclusive of different social classes, affording people the chance to watch and play.

The National League was established in 1867; the American League in 1901. The two merged in 1903 to create the MLB, the now-oldest major professional sports league in the world, creating an organization that many young children aspire to join. With the founding of Little League baseball in 1939, kids were able to take part in league play earlier, beginning their baseball dreams at a young age.

Across the U.S., in all 50 states, children practice the game in hopes of one day making it to the majors. The odds of actually making it into the major leagues are slim – those who continue playing in high school have a 0.5 percent chance of getting drafted onto a major league team. There have been nearly 20,000 total players in MLB history representing all 50 states. Fans are always proud of the players that their state produces, but only one can be the most highly touted in that state’s history.

To determine every state’s best baseball player, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from Baseball Reference, and took into account statistics such as WAR, as well as accolades like MVPs and All-Star selections, for MLB players. As many of these players moved from state to state growing up, we considered players to be from the state in which they were born. Players whose careers began before the World Series Era, which started in 1903, were not considered. (To see greatness in other sports, check out Team USA Basketball as they prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics.)

Several young players are already well on their way to becoming their state’s best, like Cody Bellinger who has played six seasons and made two All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove, and was named the 2019 NL MVP. Bellinger seems poised for long-term success, but he will need more time to establish himself as Arizona’s best-ever baseball player. At just 26 years old, however, he has plenty of time to do so. These are the youngest athletes to dominate their sport.

It isn’t easy to quantify greatness, so we took into account not just statistics, but accolades, Hall of Fame status, and legacy too. Several players certainly had the statistics to claim the greatest in their state’s history, but for a variety of reasons, they were kept out of the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose received a lifetime ban from baseball for gambling on the MLB, while several others have had their reputations tarnished for their links to steroid use. These are the scandals that rocked the sports world.

Here is every state’s best baseball player.

Alabama: Willie Mays

  • Position: Centerfielder
  • Team(s): San Francisco Giants, New York Mets
  • Career: 1951-1973
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 20x All-Star, 12x Gold Glove, World Series
  • Also considered: Hank Aaron, Ozzie Smith

Alaska: Curt Schilling

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros
  • Career: 1988-2007
  • Achievements: 6x All-Star, 3x World Series
  • Also considered: Shawn Chacon

Arizona: Ian Kinsler

  • Position: Second baseman
  • Team(s): Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, 3 others
  • Career: 2006-2019
  • Achievements: 4x All-star, 2x Gold Glove, World Series
  • Also considered: Cody Bellinger

Arkansas: Brooks Robinson

  • Position: Third baseman
  • Team(s): Baltimore Orioles
  • Career: 1955-1977
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 15x All-Star, 16x Gold Glove
  • Also considered: Dizzy Dean, Lou Brock

California: Barry Bonds

  • Position: Left fielder
  • Team(s): San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Career: 1986-2007
  • Achievements: 7x MVP, 14x All-Star, 8x Gold Glove
  • Also considered: Ted Williams, Tom Seaver

Colorado: Roy Halladay

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Career: 1998-2013
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 2x Cy Young, 8x All-Star
  • Also considered: Goose Gossage

Connecticut: Mo Vaughn

  • Position: First baseman
  • Team(s): Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Anaheim Angels
  • Career: 1991-2003
  • Achievements: MVP, 3x All-Star, Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Richard McAuliffe, Jim Piersall

Delaware: Paul Goldschnidt

  • Position: First baseman
  • Team(s): Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Career: 2011-present
  • Achievements: MVP, 7x All-Star, 4x Gold Glove, 5x Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Chris Short

Florida: Steve Carlton

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox
  • Career: 1965-1988
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 4x Cy Young, 10x All-Star, Gold Glove, ERA Title, 2x World Series
  • Also considered: Chipper Jones

Georgia: Ty Cobb

  • Position: Centerfielder
  • Team(s): Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia A’s
  • Career: 1905-1928
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 12x Batting Title, MVP
  • Also considered: Frank Thomas, Jackie Robinson

Hawaii: Shane Victorino

  • Position: Outfield
  • Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels
  • Career: 2003-2015
  • Achievements: 2x All-Star, 2x World Series, 4x Gold Glove
  • Also considered: Charlie Hough, Sid Fernandez

Idaho: Harmon Killebrew

  • Position: First baseman/Third baseman
  • Team(s): Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals
  • Career: 1954-1975
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 11x All-Star
  • Also considered: Larry Jackson

Illinois: Rickey Henderson

  • Position: Left fielder
  • Team(s): Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Career: 1979-2003
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 10x All-Star, 2x World Series, Gold Glove
  • Also considered: Robin Roberts, Robin Yount

Indiana: Scott Rolen

  • Position: Third baseman
  • Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, 2 others
  • Career: 1996-2012
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 7x All-Star, 8x Gold Glove, World Series
  • Also considered: Don Mattingly, Kenny Lofton

Iowa: Bob Feller

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Cleveland Indians
  • Career: 1936-1956
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 8x All-Star, World Series, ERA Title
  • Also considered: Red Faber, Dazzy Vance

Kansas: Walter Johnson

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Washington Senators
  • Career: 1907-1927
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 5x ERA Title, World Series
  • Also considered: Johnny Damon, Joe Tinker

Kentucky: Pee Wee Reese

  • Position: Shortstop
  • Team(s): Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Career: 1940-1958
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 10x All-Star, World Series
  • Also considered: Jim Bunning

Louisiana: Mel Ott

  • Position: Right fielder
  • Team(s): New York Giants
  • Career: 1926-1947
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 11x All-Star, World Series
  • Also considered: Ted Lyons, Bill Dickey

Maine: Bob Stanley

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Boston Red Sox
  • Career: 1977-1989
  • Achievements: 2x All-Star
  • Also considered: Bill Swift

Maryland: Babe Ruth

  • Position: Outfielder/pitcher
  • Team(s): New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Boston Braves
  • Career: 1914-1935
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 7x World Series, Batting Title, ERA Title
  • Also considered: Lefty Grove, Cal Ripken Jr.

Massachusetts: Tom Glavine

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Atlanta Braves, New York Mets
  • Career: 1987-2008
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 2x Cy Young, 10x All-Star, World Series, 4x Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Jeff Bagwell

Michigan: Charlie Gehringer

  • Position: Second baseman
  • Team(s): Detroit Tigers
  • Career: 1924-1942
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 6x All-Star, World Series, Batting Title
  • Also considered: John Smoltz, Hal Newhouser

Minnesota: Dave Winfield

  • Position: Right fielder
  • Team(s): New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, California Angels, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Career: 1973-1995
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 12x All-Star, 7x Gold Glove, 6x Silver Slugger, World Series
  • Also considered: Paul Molitor

Mississippi: Dave Parker

  • Position: Right fielder
  • Team(s): Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland A’s, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers
  • Career: 1973-1991
  • Achievements: MVP, 7x All-Star, 2x World Series, 3x Gold Glove, 2x Batting Title
  • Also considered: Roy Oswalt

Missouri: Yogi Berra

  • Position: Catcher
  • Team(s): New York Yankees, New York Mets
  • Career: 1946-1965
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 15x All-Star, 10x World Series
  • Also considered: Carl Hubbell, Ken Boyer

Montana: Dave McNally

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos
  • Career: 1962-1975
  • Achievements: 3x All-Star, 2x World Series
  • Also considered: John Lowenstein

Nebraska: Bob Gibson

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals
  • Career: 1959-1975
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 2x Cy Young, 9x All-Star, 9x Gold Glove, 2x World Series MVP
  • Also considered: Wade Boggs, Pete Alexander

Nevada: Bryce Harper

  • Position: Outfielder
  • Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals
  • Career: 2012-present
  • Achievements: MVP, 7x All-Star, Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Barry Zito, Kris Bryant

New Hampshire: Chris Carpenter

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Career: 1997-2012
  • Achievements: Cy Young, 2x World Series, 3x All-Star, ERA Title
  • Also considered: Red Rolfe

New Jersey: Derek Jeter

  • Position: Shortstop
  • Team(s): New York Yankees
  • Career: 1995-2014
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 14x All-Star, 5x World Series, 5x Gold Glove
  • Also considered: Mike Trout, Goose Goslin

New Mexico: Ralph Kiner

  • Position: Left fielder
  • Team(s): Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians
  • Career: 1946-1955
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 6x All-Star
  • Also considered: Vern Stephens

New York: Lou Gehrig

  • Position: First baseman
  • Team(s): New York Yankees
  • Career: 1923-1939
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 7x All-Star, 6x World Series, Batting Title
  • Also considered: Carl Yastrzemski, Alex Rodriguez

North Carolina: Gаylord Perry

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees
  • Career: 1962-1983
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 2x Cy Young, 5x All-Star
  • Also considered: Luke Appling, Enos Slaughter

North Dakota: Darin Erstad

  • Position: Outfielder / first baseman
  • Team(s): Anaheim Angels, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros
  • Career: 1996-2009
  • Achievements: 2x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove, World Series, Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Travis Hafner

Ohio: Mike Schmidt

  • Position: Third baseman
  • Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies
  • Career: 1972-1989
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 12x All-Star, World Series, 10x Gold Glove
  • Also considered: Roger Clemens, Barry Larkin

Oklahoma: Mickey Mantle

  • Position: Centerfielder
  • Team(s): New York Yankees
  • Career: 1951-1968
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 16x All-Star, 7x World Series, Gold Glove, Batting Title
  • Also considered: Johnny Bench, Willie Stargell

Oregon: Dale Murphy

  • Position: Outfielder
  • Team(s): Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies
  • Career: 1976-1993
  • Achievements: 2x MVP, 7x All-Star, 5x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Mickey Lolich

Pennsylvania: Stan Musial

  • Position: Outfielder / first baseman
  • Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals
  • Career: 1941-1963
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 20x All-Star, 3x World Series, 7x Batting Title
  • Also considered: Ken Griffey Jr.

Rhode Island: Gabby Hartnett

  • Position: Catcher
  • Team(s): Chicago Cubs, New York Giants
  • Career: 1922-1941
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 6x All-Star
  • Also considered: Paul Konerko, Davey Lopes

South Carolina: Jim Rice

  • Position: Left Fielder
  • Team(s): Boston Red Sox
  • Career: 1974-1989
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 8x All-Star, 2x Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Willie Randolph

South Dakota: Floyd Bannister

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, California Angels
  • Career: 1977-1992
  • Achievements: 1x All-Star
  • Also considered: Mark Ellis, Sean Doolittle

Tennessee: Todd Helton

  • Position: First baseman
  • Team(s): Colorado Rockies
  • Career: 1997-2013
  • Achievements: 5x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger, Batting Title
  • Also considered: Mookie Betts, Tommy Bridges

Texas: Rogers Hornsby

  • Position: Second baseman
  • Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Chicago Cubs, New York Giants, Boston Braves
  • Career: 1915-1937
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 7x Batting Title, World Series
  • Also considered: Tris Speaker, Nolan Ryan

Utah: Bruce Hurst

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers
  • Career: 1980-1994
  • Achievements: 1x All-Star
  • Also considered: Duke Sims

Vermont: Carlton Fisk

  • Position: Catcher
  • Team(s): Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox
  • Career: 1969-1993
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 11x All-Star, Gold Glove, 3x Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Larry Gardner

Virginia: Justin Verlander

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros
  • Career: 2005-present
  • Achievements: MVP, 3x Cy Young, 9x All-Star, World Series, ERA Title
  • Also considered: Eppa Rixey

Washington: Ryne Sandberg

  • Position: Second baseman
  • Team(s): Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Career: 1981-1997
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 10x All-Star, 9x Gold Glove, 7x Silver Slugger
  • Also considered: Ron Santo

West Virginia: George Brett

  • Position: Third baseman
  • Team(s): Kansas City Royals
  • Career: 1973-1993
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, MVP, 13x All-Star, World Series, Gold Glove, 3x Batting Title
  • Also considered: Bill Mazeroski

Wisconsin: Al Simmons

  • Position: Outfielder
  • Team(s): Philadelphia A’s, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Boston Bees, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers
  • Career: 1924-1944
  • Achievements: Hall of Fame, 3x All-Star, 2x World Series, 2x Batting Title
  • Also considered: Burleigh Grimes

Wyoming: Tom Browning

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Team(s): Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals
  • Career: 1984-1995
  • Achievements: 1x All-Star, World Series
  • Also considered: Richard Ellsworth
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