Nothing’s more American than baseball, right? (Other than apple pie, or so the saying goes.) Let’s celebrate America’s favorite pastime by looking at the 30 most iconic baseball players to ever hit the field.
Greg Maddux
The Braves were a force to be reckoned with the 1990s, and Greg Maddux was part of that dominance. His combination of laser-focused control and overwhelming power made for a pitcher feared by many teams, and his command of an absolutely absurd number of pitches made him all but impossible to predict. Alongside other great Braves pitchers like John Smoltz and Tom Glavine, he helped round the Braves’ terrifying pitching rotation.
Ken Griffey Jr.
With a backwards baseball cap and a swing so sweet it could give you a toothache, Ken Griffey Jr. became the iconic player of the 90s while he played with the Mariners. While his health was constantly an issue after he left for the Reds in 2000, fans will always wonder what could have been if he’d kept up the pace after leading the league in homers four times during his career.
Barry Bonds
Some people say there should be an asterisk next to Barry Bonds’ stats due to his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. Whatever the case, the numbers are there. He beat Hank Aaron’s home run record and put up some truly superhuman numbers between 2001 and 2004. While he might have had “help,” that’s an impressive athletic achievement in and of itself.
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle was a central component to the Yankees’ domination of baseball in the 50s and 60s. He combined absurd power and unparalleled speed that made him an all-around terror on the field. If you need to know just how good he was, he hit 18 home runs in the World Series!
Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig is perhaps best known for his public battle with the disease that now bears his name. However, on the baseball diamond, he’s remembered for his phenomenal career with the Yankees and his absurdly reliable performance. He famously showed up to 2,130 consecutive games, a record that went unbroken for decades.
Ted Williams
Ted Williams quite literally wrote the book on hitting. His book The Science of Hitting is still a useful read for any aspiring slugger, and the man’s .400 batting average and highest on-base percentage of any player in the history of the sport both underscore how good he was at getting the ball into play.
Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb was a hitter’s hitter who played in the old-school days of the 1900s, 1910s, and 1920s. His absurd 12 batting titles, three .400 average seasons, and ending his career with the highest lifetime average of any baseball player, period. He was known for his fiery temper, too, but his performance on the field kept him on Major League teams.
Hank Aaron
Almost any baseball fan can tell you how many home runs Hank Aaron hit (755). For whatever reason, his 715th homer on April 8, 1974, surpassing Babe Ruth’s total, just struck a chord with fans and became the stuff of legends. Ironically, the Braves slugger wasn’t even really a homerun hitter and was better known in his day for his impressive batting average, period. The man got 2,297 RBIs across his career, and no one is expected to ever even come close to that.
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Willie Mays
While he’s remembered for the iconic play in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series (known only as “The Catch”) Mays was one of the finest defensive players of all time even discounting that eye-catching performance. He won an astonishing 12 Gold Gloves over his long career and also led the league in stolen bases for four years in a row!
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Babe Ruth
No one did it like Babe Ruth. His absurd slugging power (.690 for his career) reshaped the game into the modern contest we know today. Without Babe Ruth, baseball would probably still be a game of small-ball fundamentals. He brought the power and rewrote all the rules.
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Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was not just a baseball player, he was a trailblazer. He was the first African American to play in the MLB and broke the color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Sandy Koufax
Often regarded as one of the most dominant pitchers of all time, Sandy Koufax was especially great in the early 1960s. Not to mention, his decision to sit out a World Series game in observance of Yom Kippur in 1965 showcased his integrity.
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente was one of the first Latino stars of the MLB and used his platform to advocate for greater inclusion and representation of Latin American players. He was also a fantastic player for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Honus Wagner
An early 20th-century legend, Honus Wagner’s all-around excellence as a hitter, baserunner, and shortstop made him truly one of the best of his era. He still remains a foundational figure in the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cy Young
Cy Young was so good they decided to name an award after him! The winningest pitcher in baseball history with 511 career victories, Cy’s name is synonymous with pitching excellence.
Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak in 1941 remains one of the most unbreakable records in sports. He was also an American icon during and after his playing career, due in large part to his marriage to Marilyn Monroe.
Satchel Paige
One of the greatest pitchers in Negro League history, Satchel Paige broke into the majors in 1948 at the age of 42. His longevity and legendary status as a trailblazer in the sport earned him a place in the Hall of Fame.
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan is a record-holder in strikeouts (5,714) and no-hitters (7), making him one of the most feared and enduring pitchers of all time. Not to mention, he played a whopping 27 seasons in the league!
Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver was a symbol of pitching excellence, especially during his time with the New York Mets. He helped to legitimize the young franchise, even leading the Mets to their first World Series in 1969.
Rickey Henderson
Widely considered the greatest leadoff hitter and base-stealer of all time, Rickey Henderson holds the record for most stolen bases at 1,406. His combination of power and speed, coupled with his confidence, made him an absolute game-changing force.
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter’s two-decade career with the New York Yankees, highlighted by five World Series titles, made him a central figure in the team’s resurgence in the late 1990s and 2000s. In fact, his leadership and consistent play helped define the Yankees dynasty.
Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens is one of the most dominant pitchers ever, winning seven Cy Young Awards throughout his career, which spanned 24 seasons. He not only had extreme intensity on the mound, but his ability to play as long as he did proved he’s a true legend.
Pete Rose
The all-time hits leader at 4,256, Pete Rose was known for his hustle and determination, even earning the nickname “Charlie Hustle.” Despite dealing with a gambling scandal, there’s no question Pete had an immense impact on the game of baseball.
Randy Johnson
Standing at a whopping 6’10”, Randy Johnson was an intimidating left-hander whose fastball and slider helped him accumulate five Cy Young Awards and over 4,800 strikeouts.
Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols was a model of consistency and excellence throughout his career, compiling over 3,000 hits and 700 home runs. His sustained success across two decades has no doubt placed him among the greatest hitters of all time.
Mariano Rivera
The greatest closer in baseball history, Mariano Rivera’s dominance in the postseason and his signature cut fastball helped lead the Yankees to five World Series titles.
Cal Ripken Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr. is best known for breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record, finishing his streak at a very impressive 2,632 games. His durability and reliability, combined with his talent as a shortstop, made him a legend of the game.
Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro’s arrival in MLB in 2001 revolutionized how Japanese players were viewed in the league. He became one of the greatest contact hitters and outfielders in the game, amassing over 3,000 hits, and breaking single-season hit records.
Yogi Berra
A 10-time World Series champion and three-time MVP, Yogi Berra’s contributions as a player and manager are unparalleled. He was also quite the character, making him a beloved figure both on and off the baseball field.
Stan Musial
Stan Musial was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, collecting 3,630 hits and three MVP awards. In fact, his steller play earned him the nickname “Stan the Man.”
