top players in mlb history

Eddie Mathews is widely considered as one of the greatest third baseman of all time. Mathews was an All Star in nine different seasons, won two batting titles in 1953 and 1959, and finished runner up in the MVP race during both seasons. He is also tied for 22nd on the career home runs list with 512.

Mr. October, in my opinion, is the greatest postseason hitter in MLB history. He helped lead the Oakland Athletics to five straight American League pennants, before moving on to the New York Yankees and leading them to three straight pennants and back to back World Series titles. Jackson was an All Star in 14 different seasons, won one MVP award and two World Series MVPs. He is also No. 13 on the career home run list with 563.

Al Kaline is one of the greatest Detroit Tigers of all time. He was known for the monster home run and his strong throwing arm from right field. Kaline won 10 Gold Gloves throughout his career, in addition to being selected to 18 All Star games. He would finish his career with a .297 average, with 3,007 hits, 399 home runs and 1,583 RBIs.

The Captainwas one of the greatest multi dimensional players in his career. There was nothing on a baseball field he couldnt do. He was one of the best defensive shortstops of all time, as evidenced by his five gold gloves. Jeter also finished his career with the most hits in Yankees history with 3,465. He was selected to 14 All Star games, won one MVP award and five World Series titles.

Tony Gwynn is one of the greatest hitters of all time. The things that he did throughout his career were just astonishing, and I wish I couldve moved him higher up this list. Gwynn won eight batting titles in his career, tied for the second most all time. He finished his career with a .338 average and 3,141 hits. Gwynn was selected to 15 All Star games, won seven Silver Slugger awards and garnered five Gold Gloves during his 20 year career.

Sandy Koufax had an amazing career despite having it cut short at the age of 30 due to arthritis in his left elbow. Koufax only pitched for 12 seasons, but he was the most dominant pitcher in MLB over those 12 years. He was selected to seven All Star teams, won three Cy Young awards, three Triple Crowns, one NL MVP in 1963 and won four World Series titles with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He retired with 165 wins, a 2.76 ERA and 2,396 strikeouts.

Lefty Grove compiled a 300 141 career record to go along with a 3.06 ERA and 2,266 strikeouts. He was selected to six All Star games during his career with the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox. Grove was also a member of two World Series championship teams while with the Athletics in 1929 and 1930. He won the AL MVP in 1931 and was a two time Cy Young winner in 1930 and 1931.

Possibly the most divisive man on this list, Pete Rose is the all time hits leader with 4,256, and despite all the naysayers, there isnt a soul who can deny that fact. Fans and media alike cant get past the fact that he bet on baseball, but that doesnt mean he isnt one the greatest contact hitters of all time. Rose was a 17 time All Star at five different positions. He won the 1973 MVP and helped lead the Big Red Machine to three World Series titles.

Jackie Robinsons biggest accomplishment cant be quantified by any statistic. His breaking of the color barrier is the single greatest accomplishment of any major league player in history. On the baseball diamond, Robinson only played 10 seasons in MLB, but what a remarkable 10 seasons he had. Robinson won a Rookie of the Year award, an NL MVP award, a batting title, a World Series title and was named to the All Star team six times.

I gave Yogi Berra a slight edge over Johnny Bench as the greatest catcher of all time. Berra played on a team with Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, and it was Berra who led the team in RBIs for seven consecutive seasons. Berra was named to 18 All Star teams in his career and won three AL MVP awards. He later became a manager and, combining his playing career and managerial career, was a 13 time World Series champion.