Quick: Who is the greatest baseball player of all time?
Even though you might be quick to blurt out Babe Ruth or Willie Mays, there’s no way to correctly answer what’s widely considered to be an impossible question. The game as it’s played today is completely different than it was 100 years ago. The level of play is extraordinarily higher than it was even 25 years ago. Yet, certain players are beyond reproach. Whether they started playing in the 1890s or the 1990s, there’s no denying that they’re among the greatest baseball players of all time.
Making a career out of playing professional baseball is one of the most difficult accomplishments in America today. Think about it: How many millions of kids play Little League, dreaming of one day making it to the Majors? From there, they need to keep at it, be spotted by scouts in high school or college, get drafted and make it through the grueling Minor Leagues. If they’re lucky they make it onto the 25-man active roster on one of the 30 Major League Baseball Teams. However, that’s just the beginning. To make a career of it, you need to prove yourself on the field and at the plate for many seasons. Athletes must also avoid injuries and consistently play at a high level.
The vast majority of professional baseball players have a similar career trajectory: They’re given a chance to show their stuff, they prove themselves on the field and they stick around for a while. Eventually, they retire due to injury or the usual wear and tear of age. From there many fade into relative obscurity. If having a run-of-the-mill career is rare, to have a truly exceptional career is almost incomprehensible. Out of the approximately 20,000 players who have ever buttoned up a Major League Baseball uniform, only 273 of them have performed on a level high enough to earn them a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
A plaque in the Hall of Fame automatically qualifies a player as one of the greatest of all time. However, countless fans, statisticians, and other experts have debated for decades over who are truly the greatest baseball players in history. For today’s purposes, we’re factoring in all the unusual stats. These include home runs, lifetime batting average, Gold Gloves, RBIs, ERA and achievements like no-hitters for pitchers. We’re also considering each baseball player’s influence on the game itself. If you’re a baseball fan, then you already know that these 20 players are up there with the greatest of all time. While many of them are no longer around, some of them are still relatively young. A few might even be the greatest baseball player from the year you were born.
Babe Ruth
American former boxer and gymnasium owner Arthur McGovern (1898 - 1942) stands by as baseball player Babe Ruth (1895 - 1948) (born George Herman Ruth Jr) rides a stationary excercise cycle prior to the start of the baseball season, New York, New York, mid 1920s to mid 1930s. Ruth started attending McGovern's gym in 1925 and continued every year for the duration of his professional career (which ended in 1935). (Photo by Keystone/FPG/Getty Images)
- Years Played: 1914-1935
- Position: Outfield
Widely regarded as the very best baseball player of all time, the Yankees’ Babe Ruth didn’t just play the game. His larger-than-life persona and on-field prowess revolutionized baseball by popularizing the sport and helping turn it into the National Pastime. His record of 714 home runs stood for nearly 40 years. This was in an era when far fewer home runs were hit than today. Ruth’s career batting average of .342 also proved that he could consistently make solid contact when not hitting it out of the park. He drove in 2,214 home runs during his career and was one of the greatest pitchers in the game early in his career, before transitioning to the outfield.
Willie Mays
- Years Played: 1951-1973
- Position: Center Field
Over 22 seasons (20 of which he played with the Giants) the trailblazing Willie Mays established himself as a coveted “five-tool” player. This means that he could hit for average, hit for power, run the bases with speed, be great at fielding and have a strong throwing arm. With a career batting average of .302, 660 home runs (fourth all-time when he retired), 3,283 hits, 12 Gold Glove Awards and two MVP awards, he was truly a generational talent. And who can forget about “The Catch”?
Hank Aaron
- Years Played: 1954-1976
- Position: Right Field
Next up, the Braves’ Hank Aaron is best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs. He finished his career with 755. He was also an incredible all-around player, winning three Gold Glove Awards for his defensive skills in the outfield. Aaron was consistently good throughout his entire 23-year career, with over 3,000 hits and at least 20 home runs in 20 consecutive seasons, maintaining a career batting average of .302. He was also great at driving in runs (with 2,297 RBIs) and still holds records for the most career total bases (6,856) and the most consecutive seasons with 150 or more hits (17).
Ted Williams
- Years Played: 1939-1960
- Position: Outfield
Even with a career interrupted to serve in World War II and Korea, losing nearly five years of his prime, Boston’s Ted Williams had one of the greatest careers in baseball history. He achieved a monumental lifetime batting average of .344, 19 All-Star Game appearances, 521 home runs and 1,839 RBIs. Williams had a legendary eye for the strike zone and incredible plate discipline that allowed him to earn a remarkable number of walks. His .482 On-Base percentage remains the highest in MLB history.
Barry Bonds
- Years Played: 1986-2007
- Position: Outfield
Despite controversies around his alleged steroid use, there’s no denying that Barry Bonds is one of the greatest baseball players. Bonds spent his career with the Pirates and Giants and displayed an incredible combination of hitting prowess and power, as well as speed and defensive skills (especially early in his career). A five-tool player, he holds some truly impressive records: most home runs all-time (762), most MVP Awards (seven, in 1990, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004), Career On-Base Percentage (.444) and Career Slugging Percentage (.607). He also scored 2,227 runs and drove in 1,996 RBIs over his career.
Stan Musial
- Years Played: 1941-1963
- Position: Outfield and First Base
Revered for his extremely high level of play as well as his sportsmanship and humility, Stan “The Man” Musial is a true baseball legend. He was remarkably consistent throughout his 22-year career with the Cardinals. Musial was selected to the All-Star team an incredible 20 times and recorded 17 seasons with a batting average over .300. He amassed 3,630 hits over his career, ranking him fourth on the all-time hits list at the time of his retirement. He was also an extra-base hit machine, with 725 doubles, 177 triples and 475 home runs over his career.
Ty Cobb
- Years Played: 1905-1928
- Position: Outfield
A consummate competitor, Ty Cobb holds the highest career batting average in MLB history at .366. The 4,189 hits he amassed over his 24-year career (the majority of which was spent with the Tigers) was the most of all time until it was surpassed by Pete Rose. He led the league in stolen bases six times, scored 2,246 runs and won an unprecedented 12 batting titles.
Ken Griffey, Jr.
- Years Played: 1989-2010
- Position: Outfield
One of the most popular and recognizable sluggers of his era, Ken Griffey, Jr. was a certified superstar and a true five-tool player. A 13-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glover during his 21-year career with the Mariners, Reds and briefly the White Sox, he made some of the most gracefully athletic and jaw-dropping catches of all-time in the outfield. With 630 home runs, he ranks seventh on the all-time list. He also won seven Silver Slugger Awards.
Roger Clemens
- Years Played: 1984-2007
- Position: Pitcher
Even though his legacy is tarnished by allegations of performance-enhancing drug use, Roger Clemens is still easily one of the most dominant pitchers of all time. He spent the majority of his time in the MLB with the Red Sox and Yankees. During his lengthy career, he amassed 354 career wins, which ranks him ninth all-time. He also ranks third all-time in strikeouts with 4,672. Clemens won a record seven Cy Young Awards, was an 11-time All-Star and won the pitching Triple Crown (leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average) twice.
Mickey Mantle
- Years Played: 1951-1968
- Position: Center Field
“The Mick” was one of the most charismatic and iconic players to ever play the game. He was the Yankees’ breakout star during his career with the team, which lasted from 1951 to 1968. Mantle helped lead the team to seven World Series Championships during this era, in which he racked up 536 home runs, 1,509 RBIs and 20 All-Star Game appearances. He was also super speedy on the basepaths and a Gold Glover in center field. In 1956 he won the American League Triple Crown, leading the league in batting average (.353), home runs (52) and RBIs (130).
Lou Gehrig
- Years Played: 1923-1939
- Position: First Base
Lou Gehrig earned the nickname “The Iron Horse” for his incredible durability and tireless streak of 2,130 consecutive games played. The record held until Cal Ripken broke it in 1995. Gehrig was renowned for his discipline at the plate and his ability to make quality contact, with 193 home runs, 1,888 runs scored and 1,995 RBIs during his 17 seasons with the Yankees. A two-time MVP, he helped the Yanks to six World Series championships. Gehrig maintained a lifetime batting average of .340 until ALS tragically cut short his career (and life).
Greg Maddux
- Years Played: 1986-2008
- Position: Pitcher
A dominant force on the mound, Greg Maddux is the only pitcher in MLB history to win at least 15 games for 17 straight seasons. Maddux spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. He was the first pitcher in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years (1992–1995). Maddux also won a record 18 Gold Glove Awards for his defensive prowess. During his 23-year career, he racked up 355 career wins (eighth all-time) and 3,371 strikeouts, with a career ERA of 3.16.
Frank Robinson
- Years Played: 1956-1976
- Position: Outfield
A force to be reckoned with on the field, Frank Robinson accomplished the rare feat of winning the Triple Crown in 1966 while playing for the Baltimore Orioles. He led the American League in batting average (.316), home runs (49) and runs batted in (122). A two-time MVP and 14-time All-Star, he played a crucial role in leading the Orioles to World Series victories in 1966 and 1970. Robinson retired with 586 home runs, holding the record for 10th all-time. After retiring as a player, he became the first African American manager in Major League Baseball history.
Joe DiMaggio
- Years Played: 1936-1951
- Position: Center Field
One of the most consistently reliable hitters of all time, “Joltin’” Joe DiMaggio maintained a career batting average of .325 during his 13-year career with the Yankees. His greatest feat may be his storied 56-game hitting streak in 1941. It remains one of the most iconic achievements in baseball history and a record that still stands. He scored 1,390 runs and drove in 1,537 RBIs over his career, but he also had extraordinary defensive skills, winning the Gold Glove in 1957 and 1958.
Walter Johnson
<yoastmark class=
- Years Played: 1907-1927
- Position: Pitcher
One of the most dominant pitchers of all time, “The Big Train” Walter Johnson holds the record for the most career shutouts with 110. He ranks second all-time in wins with 417 during his 20-year career with the Washington Senators. His overpowering fastball reached speeds that were essentially unheard of during the time. Johnson led the league in strikeouts 12 times and retired with a total of 3,509 strikeouts, which was a record at the time. His career ERA of 2.17 is one of the greatest in history.
Honus Wagner
- Years Played: 1897-1917
- Position: Shortstop
Nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman” for his speed and agility on the field, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Honus Wagner was renowned for his hitting, baserunning and defensive abilities, as well as his leadership skills. He finished his career with a lifetime batting average of .328. Wagner also amassed 3,420 hits, scored 1,739 runs, stole 722 bases and was an excellent defensive player with a great throwing arm.
Mike Schmidt
- Years Played: 1972-1989
- Position: Third Base
A key component behind the Phillies’ first World Series championship in 1980, Mike Schmidt served as the team captain for much of his career. He was one of the greatest power hitters of his era, with a career batting average of .267 and 2,234 hits. This included 408 doubles, 59 triples, and 548 career home runs, which ranks 16th all-time. He was also one of the best third basemen of all time, winning an astonishing 10 Gold Glove Awards.
Tom Seaver
- Years Played: 1967-1986
- Position: Pitcher
One of only a handful of pitchers with 300 career wins, “Tom Terrific” Tom Seaver played a crucial role in leading the Mets (where he spent the first 10 years of his career) to their first World Series victory in 1969. The recipient of three Cy Young Awards, he ranks sixth all-time with 3,640 strikeouts and led the league in ERA three times over his career. A 12-time All-Star, he maintained an extremely high level of play throughout his entire 20-season career.
Mike Trout
<yoastmark class=
- Years Played: 2011-Present
- Position: Center Field
An 11-time All-Star, three-time American League Most Valuable Player and nine-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award, Mike Trout is widely regarded to be the greatest player of his generation. He leads all active major league players in career slugging percentage, on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging. Trout is also third in stolen base percentage. He’s easily one of the greatest baseball players of all time and still has several years to go in his contract with the Angels.
Nolan Ryan
- Years Played: 1966-1993
- Position: Pitcher
Finally, Nolan Ryan established himself as quite possibly the greatest pitcher of all time over his record 12-year pitching career. He played with the Mets, Angels, Astros and Rangers and holds the record for most career strikeouts with 5,714. Ryan also led the league in strikeouts 11 times throughout his career. He maintained an electric fastball throughout his time in the MLB and an extremely high level of performance into his mid-40s. Additionally, he threw an unprecedented seven no-hitters, one of the longest-standing unbroken records in sports history.