top players in mlb history

One of the most divisive figures in MLB history, Jackson might be best known for being accused of fixing the 1919 World Series. His guilt has since been disputed, and no one really knows if he was guilty or not. Regardless, he still belongs on this list. Jackson has the third highest average in MLB history at .356. Jackson also hit .408 in his rookie year in 1911, which is still the record for a rookie.

Another MLB great who joined the Navy during World War II, Bob Feller had a wonderful career even though he lost five years due to his service. Feller pitched in 570 career games and compiled a record of 266 162, with 279 complete games, 44 shutouts and a 3.25 average. Ted Williams called Feller the fastest and best pitcher I ever saw during my career. Thats some high profile validation.

Mariano Rivera is the most dominant reliever ever to step on the pitching rubber. Rivera made it through his entire career basically throwing only one pitch, a cutter. That cutter helped him set the all time saves record at 652 and put Rivera among the greatest players in history. Rivera was a 13 time All Star, five time World Series champion and 1999 World Series MVP.

Bob Gibson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981, his first year of eligibility. He averaged just short of 200 strikeouts a season for his 17 year career, while compiling 251 wins and a 2.91 ERA. Gibson led the St. Louis Cardinals to two World Series titles in 1964 and 1967. He also was a nine time All Star, nine time Gold Glove award winner, two time Cy Young winner and won the NL MVP in 1968.

Mr. Cub began his career in the Negro Leagues, playing his first professional season for the Kansas City Monarchs. Banks then spent the next two years in the U.S. military and wouldnt begin his career in MLB until September 1953. It didnt take him long to make a splash, as he was the NL Rookie of the Year runner up in 1954. From that point forward, Banks would become a 14 time All Star and two time NL MVP.

The man known as Yaz is the Boston Red Sox career leader in RBIs, runs, hits, singles, doubles, total bases and games played. Yastrzemski is also third on the Red Sox list in career home runs behind Ted Williams and David Ortiz. Yaz was selected to 18 All Star games throughout his career, won the 1967 AL MVP and was a seven time Gold Glove winner. He finished his career with 3,419 hits, 452 home runs and 1,844 RBIs.

Baseballs Iron Man, Cal Ripken Jr. was a part of one of the most enduring record races that there is in any sport. Ripken played in an MLB record 2,632 consecutive games before voluntarily sitting out the first game of his career. Cal was voted an All Star 19 times and won the AL MVP award twice in his 21 year career. Ripken was a World Series champion in 1983 and is a member of the 3,000 hit club with 3,184 hits.

Warren Spahn is sixth on the all time career wins list with 363. He won at least 20 games in a staggering 13 seasons and even won 23 games when he was 42 years old. Spahn won both the 1957 Cy Young and World Series, and he was an All Star 17 times during his career. He ended his career with a 3.09 ERA and 2,583 strikeouts.

His reputation is in shambles at this point, but its hard to argue that Alex Rodriguez has been one of the most productive players the game has ever seen. As things stand today, he has a .299/.382/.556 career line with 670 home runs and 2,016 RBI. He topped 30 home runs and 100 RBI every year from 1998 10, including six straight years over the 40 home run mark and a pair of 50 homer seasons. Hes a three time AL MVP, and his 115.7 rWAR ranks 12th among position players.

Unfortunately for MLB fans, Satchel Paige spent the best years of his career in the Negro Leagues because of the color barrier in MLB that would later be broken by Jackie Robinson. Paige was a five time Negro League All Star and would make his MLB debut at the ripe age of 42 in 1948. Also in that year, Paige became the first Negro League player to pitch in the World Series, and he would become the first Negro League player in the Hall of Fame.