Johnnie's Top 1,000 MLB Players of All-Time: 51-75
- John Lepore
- 3 hours ago
- 13 min read
As we continue looking at our top 1,000 MLB players of all-time, there are 23 Hall-of-Famers in this group. The only two who aren't in are not yet eligible. We also have the strikeout king, the greatest defender, and the best knuckleballer. There are also four members of the 500-home run club. Let's continue our jaunt through the top 1,000 MLB players ever.
Be sure to check out the rest of our series: MLB 976-1,000 | 951-975 | 926-950 | 901-925 | 876-900 |850-875 | 826-850 | 801-825 | 776-800 | 751-775 | 726-750 | 701-725 | 676-700 | 651-675 | 626-650 | 601-625 | 576-600 | 551-575 | 526-550 | 501-525 | 476-500 | 451-475 | 426-450 | 401-425 | 376-400 | 351-375 | 326-350 | 301-325 | 276-300 | 251-275 | 226-250 | 201-225 | 176-200 | 151-175 | 126-150 | 101-125 | 76-100
#75 - Derek Jeter - Shortstop - 1995-2014
Consistent excellence is one way to describe Jeter's career. He didn't have a peak. Instead, he produced at a high level for 17 of his 20 years in the big leagues. Jeter had 15 seasons straight of double-digit home runs and stolen bases. He batted .300 12 times and led the league in hits twice. He finished in the top 3 of MVP voting three times and was a 14-time All-Star. Jeter is sixth all-time in hits with 3,465 and 11th in runs with 1,923. He is the only shortstop in history with 250 home runs and 350 stolen bases (min. 75% played at SS). Jeter's playoff record speaks for itself as well. In 158 games, he slashed .308/.374/.465 with 200 hits and 111 runs. He was the World Series MVP in 2000. Jeter was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in 2020.
#74 - Robin Roberts - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1948-1966
Although Warren Spahn would have an argument, you would be hard-pressed to find a better pitcher in the early 50s than Roberts. From 1950-1955, he was 138-78 with a 2.93 ERA (135 ERA+), averaging 323 innings per year. He tossed a shutout in over 10 percent of his starts and chipped in 14 saves. He led the league in Innings five times, wins four times, and strikeouts twice. Roberts was a seven-time All-Star and finished in the top 7 of MVP voting five times. He had a resurgence in Baltimore. From 1962-1965, Roberts had a 2.98 ERA. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in 1976.
#73 - Miguel Cabrera - First Base/Third Base/Designated Hitter - 2003-2023
The baseball world was introduced to Miggy in 2003 as the 20-year-old left fielder for the World Champs. From there, he went on to have quite a career. From 2004-2016, Cabrera was a shoo-in for 30 homers and 100 RBIs, as he did it 10 times in 13 seasons. During that time, he slashed .323/.402/.566 (157 OPS+), averaging 40 doubles, 35 home runs, and 120 RBIs per 162. He won four batting titles and back-to-back MVP awards. Miggy won the Triple Crown in 2012 batting .330 with 44 homers and 139 RBIs. He was a 12-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger.
#72 - Roberto Alomar - Second Base - 1988-2004
Alomar is comfortably in the top 10 second basemen of all time. From 1991-2001, he slashed .313/.389/.477 (126 OPS+), averaging 38 doubles, 17 home runs, and 36 stolen bases per 162. He was an All-Star each year and won 10 Gold Gloves. Alomar is one of two players with a .300 average, 200 home runs, and 400 stolen bases in his career (Paul Molitor). In the postseason, he slashed .313/.381/.443 in 58 games and took home the ALCS MVP in 1992. Alomar was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in 2011.
#71 - Ed Delahanty - Left Field - 1888-1903
Delahanty was one of the most prolific hitters at the turn of the century. From 1892-1902, he slashed .369/.439/.547 (168 OPS+), averaging 50 doubles, 18 triples, 39 stolen bases, 148 runs, 141 RBIs, and 242 hits per 162. Delahanty led the league in doubles five times and batted .400 three times. He is one of eight players with 500 doubles and 450 stolen bases, and he accomplished those numbers in just 8,402 plate appearances. In 1902, his last full season in the majors, Big Ed led the league in slash line at .376/.453/.590. He died mysteriously the following season on July 2, 1903. Delahanty was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945 by the Old Timer's Committee.
#70 - Ivan Rodriguez - Catcher - 1991-2001
Pudge was one of the best all-around catchers ever. He won 13 Gold Gloves, had 2,844 hits, and the most doubles by a catcher (572). During his peak from 1994-2004, Rodriguez slashed .315/.357/.513 (121 OPS+), averaging 40 doubles, 26 home runs, and 100 RBIs per 162. He was a 14-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger. He was the 1999 AL MVP, hitting 35 home runs while swiping 25 bases. In 2003, Pudge helped the Florida Marlins win their second World Series with 21 hits and 17 RBIs in 17 games, winning the NLCS MVP. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 by the BBWAA.
#69 - Eddie Murray - First Base - 1977-1997
Murray was one of the most consistently excellent run producers in history. He was the 1977 ROY and every season for 20 years; he drove in at least 75 runs (including strikes in 1981 and 1994). He also hit at least 20 home runs 16 times and was a three-time Gold Glove winner. Murray had an eight-year stretch from 1979-1986 when he slashed .303/.383/.513 (147 OPS+), averaging 30 home runs and 114 RBIs per 162. Murray finished in the top 5 of MVP voting seven times, including two runner-up finishes. He is one of seven players with 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. Murray ranks 28th in home runs (504), 14th in hits (3,255), and 11th in RBIs (1,917). He is also the all-time leader in sacrifice flies with 128. Murray was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 by the BBWAA.
#68 - Bert Blyleven - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1970-1990, 1992
Another player who was consistently excellent was Blyleven. In his first nine seasons, he won 136 games with a 2.81 ERA (132 ERA+), averaging 265 innings and 212 strikeouts per year. He went on to pitch 13 more years, finishing with 287 wins and a 3.31 ERA. Blyleven finished in the top 4 of CYA voting three times, and he led the league in K/BB rate three times. In the postseason, he was 5-1 with a 2.47 ERA and a 36-to-8 K/BB rate while winning two World Series. Blyleven ranks fifth on the all-time strikeout list with 3,701 and 14th in innings pitched with 4,970. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011 by the BBWAA.
#67 - Jackie Robinson - Second Base - 1945, 1947-1956
Robinson is remembered for breaking the color barrier in baseball and rightfully so. However, because of the magnitude of the moment on April 15, 1947, people tend to forget just how good Jackie was on the field. After serving three years in WWII, he played 34 games with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945. When he finally made it to the Dodgers in 1947, he was 28 years old. He won the NL ROY in 1947 and the MVP in 1949, becoming the only second baseman with a season batting .340 with 120 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. From 1945-1954, Robinson slashed .320/.415/.490 (138 OPS+), averaging 17 home runs, 24 stolen bases, and 93 RBIs while striking out only 33 times per 162. Defensively, he led the league in double-plays five times and fielding percentage three times. Robinson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962 by the BBWAA.
#66 - Arky Vaughan - Shortstop - 1932-1943, 1947-1948
For the first decade of his career, Vaughan batted .300 each season. He led the league in triples, runs, and OBP three times each. He was a nine-time All-Star and finished third in MVP voting twice, although he probably should have won both times. Vaughan's 1935 season is one for the record books. He slashed .385/.491/.607 (190 OPS+), smacking 19 home runs and driving in 99 runs while leading the league with 97 walks and striking out just 18 times. He is the only shortstop to bat .380 with 300 total bases in a season. Vaughan finished his career batting .318, second only to Honus Wagner among shortstops. Arky was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985 by the Veteran's Committee.
#65 - Eddie Plank - Left-Handed Pitcher - 1901-1917
Widely considered a top 10 lefty of all-time (I have him sixth), Plank was a key piece to an Athletics team that won four pennants in 10 years. In his first two seasons, his ERA was 3.31 and 3.30, respectively. For the next 15, it only rose above 2.40 twice. From 1903-1912, Plank won 214 games with a 2.16 ERA (127 ERA+), averaging 287 innings per year. He led the league in shutouts twice and saves once. In 1909, Plank tossed 265.1 innings with a 1.76 ERA. Only two AL lefties have had a sub-1.80 ERA with 250+ innings since (Ruth 1916, Guidry 1978). Plank was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1946 by the Old Timer's Committee.
#64 - Josh Gibson - Catcher - 1930, 1933-1940, 1942-1946
It is hard to place Gibson on this list as the stats that were kept outside of the Negro National Leagues are largely unreliable or unavailable. One thing is certain, though: Gibson was an absolute beast. He led the league 11 times in home runs and seven times in RBIs, taking home the Triple Crown in back-to-back seasons. His offensive numbers are completely absurd. He slashed .373/.458/.718 (214 OPS+), averaging 45 home runs and 197 RBIs per 162. For his career, Gibson averaged 419 total bases per 162. There have only been nine times that has been surpassed in a season in MLB. There are two tragedies in Gibson's life. We don't have accurate stats to tell the story of how dominant he was and that he died at 35, three months before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Gibson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972 by the Negro League Committee.
#63 - Johnny Mize - First Base - 1936-1942, 1946-1953
Mize was the best first baseman in the NL for a decade from 1936 to 1948 (he missed three years to WWII). During that time, he slashed .324/.409/.588, averaging 34 home runs and 127 RBIs per 162. He led the league in homers four times and RBIs three times. Mize led the league in OPS and total bases for three straight seasons. He finished in the top 5 of MVP voting four times, including runner-up twice. Mize's 1947 season is the only time a player has had 50 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 130 runs with fewer strikeouts than homers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981 by the Veteran's Committee.
#62 - Fergie Jenkins - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1965-1983
For nine consecutive years, Jenkins threw over 270 innings, averaging 301 with 20 wins and 227 strikeouts. He finished in the top 5 of CYA voting five times, including runner-up twice and winning the award in 1971. During that season, he became the only pitcher in history with 30 complete games and fewer than 40 walks while striking out 250. He was the first pitcher to retire with over 3,000 strikeouts and fewer than 1,000 walks, which has only been matched by five pitchers since. Jenkins was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 by the BBWAA.
#61 - Kid Nichols - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1890-1901, 1904-1906
Nichols was the best pitcher of the 1890's. Yes, he was better than Cy Young during that decade. From 1890-1899, Nichols was 298-151 with a 2.97 ERA (146 ERA+), averaging 400 innings with a 1.48 K/BB rate, which was excellent at the time when batters walked more than they struck out. Nichols tossed 340 innings each season, eclipsing 400 five times. He also won 20 games each year, eclipsing 30 seven times. He led the league in K/BB rate four times and also led the league in saves three times. Nichols was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1949 by the Old Timer's Committee.
#60 - Frank Thomas - Designated Hitter/First Base - 1990-2008
The Big Hurt was one of the best right-handed hitters to ever play. His first seven seasons were epic. From 1991-1997, he slashed .330/.452/.604 (182 OPS+), averaging 40 home runs and 131 RBIs per 162. He reached base twice per game while leading the league in OBP four times and batting once. Thomas won the MVP award in back-to-back years and finished in the top 4 four other times. In 2000, he set career highs with 43 home runs and 143 RBIs. Even at 38 years old in 2006 with Oakland, Thomas hit 39 home runs and drove in 114 with an OPS of .926. He is the only right-handed batter with a slash of .300/.400/.500 and over 10,000 plate appearances. Thomas was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 by the BBWAA.
#59 - Ernie Banks - First Base/Shortstop - 1953-1971
Mr. Cub was known as a shortstop, and although he played more games at first base, his bat played anywhere on the diamond. As a shortstop, he had a ridiculous peak from 1955-1961 when he slashed .292/.357/.570 (145 OPS+), averaging 43 home runs and 119 RBIs per 162. He led the league in home runs twice and RBIs twice. Banks won back-to-back MVP awards in 1958 and 1959. He and Alex Rodriguez are the only two shortstops with seasons of 45 home runs and 125 RBIs while batting .300. He is one of 11 players with 4,500 total bases, 1,000 extra-base hits, and fewer than 1,300 strikeouts. Banks was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977 by the BBWAA.
Carew made the All-Star team 18 times in his 19-year career. He also batted over .300 15 times, leading the league seven times. He was AL ROY in 1967 and for a decade from 1969-1978, Carew slashed .344/.405/.460 (143 OPS+), averaging 30 stolen bases and 10 triples per 162. He finished in the top 5 of MVP voting three times, winning the award in 1977 while batting .388. Carew has the highest single-season batting average (min. 600 plate appearances) since Ted Williams batted .406 in 1941. He led the league in triples twice and hits three times. Carew is 28th on the all-time list for hits with 3,053. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 by the BBWAA.
#57 - Clayton Kershaw - Left-Handed Pitcher - 2008-present
Kershaw may be nearing the end of his career, but he was about as dominant as a pitcher can be. From 2011-2017, he was 118-41 with a 2.10 ERA (179 ERA+), averaging 207 innings with 232 strikeouts to just 40 walks. During that time, he led the league in ERA five times, strikeouts three times, and wins three times. He won the CYA three times and was the NL MVP in 2014, going 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA. The following season, he struck out 301 batters and had a 2.13 ERA, becoming just the sixth lefty with a season of 300 K's and a sub-2.25 ERA. As of now, Kershaw joins Walter Johnson as the only other pitcher in history with a sub-2.60 ERA and 2,500 strikeouts.
#56 - Phil Niekro - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1964-1987
Niekro was one of the most durable pitchers the game has ever seen. From 1967-1986, he threw 200+ innings each season except the strike year of 1981, eclipsing 300 four times. He led the league in 1967 with a 1.87 ERA. Niekro led the league in strikeouts once and wins twice. He was a five-time Gold Glove winner, a five-time All-Star, and finished in the top 6 in CYA voting five times. He was the last pitcher to throw 340 innings in a season, and Niekro is fourth in innings pitched with 5,404. For a 15-year stretch from 1967-1981, he won 234 games with a 3.12 ERA (123 ERA+) and over 2,500 strikeouts while averaging 270 innings per year. Niekro was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997 by the BBWAA.
#55 - Yogi Berra - Catcher - 1946-1963, 1965
Berra was consistent throughout his career. He had 10 consecutive seasons with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs. During his peak, from 1950-1956, he slashed .295/.364/.502 (135 OPS+), averaging 31 home runs and 121 RBIs with only 27 strikeouts per 162. In that span, Berra won three MVPs and finished runner-up twice. He was an 18-time All-Star and won 10 championships with the Yankees. Berra had five seasons with 20 home runs and 100 RBIs. Only Johnny Bench and Mike Piazza have more while playing 75% of their games at catcher. Berra was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972 by the BBWAA.
#54 - Brooks Robinson - Third Base - 1955-1977
The greatest fielding third baseman hands down, and possibly the greatest fielder period. Robinson was a 16-time Gold Glove winner and 18-time All-Star. He finished in the top 3 of MVP voting four times, winning the award in 1964. That season, Robinson set career highs in batting (.317), home runs (28), and RBIs (118), which he led the league in. From 1960-1971, he slashed .277/.331/.432 (114 OPS+), averaging 19 home runs and 88 RBIs per 162. He led the league in assists eight times and fielding percentage 11 times. Robinson holds the all-time record for TZR with 293. He also leads all third basemen in games played, putouts, and assists. He was the World Series MVP in 1970, going 9-for-21 with two homers and six RBIs. Robinson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983 by the BBWAA.
#53 - Robin Yount - Shortstop/Centerfield - 1974-1993
Only four players have won an MVP award at two different positions: Hank Greenberg, Stan Musial, Alex Rodriguez, and Robin Yount. Yount was on the Brewers only 10 months after he graduated from High School. It took a little time, but he showed what he could do. From 1980-1989, he slashed .305/.365/.485 (135 OPS+), averaging 19 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and 92 RBIs per 162. In 1982, Yount had one of the best shortstop seasons ever. He won the Gold Glove and MVP, but he also became the first AL shortstop to lead the league in slugging (.578) and total bases (367). He led the league in doubles twice and triples twice. Although his postseason resume is short, he would've been the MVP of the 1982 World Series if the Brewers won, going 12-for-29 with six RBIs and six runs in seven games. His career totals are among the best ever, and not just at the shortstop position. Yount was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 by the BBWAA.
#52 - Jeff Bagwell - First Base - 1991-2005
Bagwell started off his career by winning the NL ROY award in 1991. For a decade from 1993-2002, he was the best first baseman in baseball. During that time, Bags slashed .306/.422/.574 (158 OPS+), averaging 40 doubles, 38 home runs, 18 stolen bases, and 125 RBIs per 162. He was a four-time All-Star and finished top 3 in MVP voting three times, winning the award in 1994. That season, he had a 1.201 OPS and 15 stolen bases. Bagwell is the only player in the last 100 years to achieve those marks (min. 400 PA). He achieved 30/30 twice and is the only first baseman ever to do it. Bagwell was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 by the BBWAA.
#51 - Nolan Ryan - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1966, 1968-1993
Ryan holds one of the most unbreakable records in baseball. His 5,714 career strikeouts and 383 strikeouts in 1973 will likely never be touched. He led the league 11 times in K's, passing 300 six times, including 301 at age 42. Ryan led the league in ERA twice and finished in the top 5 of CYA voting six times. He holds many pitching records, including seven no-hitters and a 6.6 H/9 rate. He pitched in 27 seasons and faced 22,575 batters. They collectively slashed .204/.307/.298 against Ryan. He had 132 games with 10 strikeouts and a win. Only one pitcher had more, and he is a little higher on this list. Ryan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 by the BBWAA.
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