MLB’s Greatest Players: Volume X – Overall #s 50 – 26

After the previous nine articles breaking down the greatest at all the other positions; we can now move on to ranking those players for where they should be overall in the history of the great game we call baseball.  In order to be on the overall list, a player had to be ranked at a position, so that means the players who were honorable mentions or the will/may be sections didn’t make the cut.  Keep in mind; active players or players confirmed/highly suspected of PED use were not eligible to be ranked at their respective positions, so they will not appear on this list. 

There ended up being 80 ranked players (between positions and pitchers), however, I’m only going to rank the top 50 overall and pitchers will not be included (trying to figure out where to rank a player who only steps on the field every 3-5 days compared to everyday players was just becoming too difficult) in the top 50 so that makes the total number of players to be ranked overall drop to 63.   We will look at numbers 50-26 this week, 25-11 next week and end with the top 10. 

Determining exactly where all 63 position players fit wasn’t easy.  Basically, I decided to come up with a “draft board” of where I would be willing to take each player if I was drafting a new team.  I’m hoping I was able to get each player within three spots of where most people would rank them for numbers 50-26, within two spots for numbers 25-11 and within one spot for the Top 10.  For these rankings, stats play a part in determining where a player was ranked.  However, these rankings are for overall greatest baseball player, so other factors also came into play such as but not limited to; did the player play multiple positions well, was their talent balanced between offense and defense and/or what was their overall importance to the game.

First, let’s start with the players that received a positional ranking but just missed making the top 50.  These players, while great in their own right, just missed the top 50 for many different reasons; some examples of these reasons are their stats didn’t compare as well to the ones that did make the top 50, their careers had big weaknesses without something all-time great to offset it, career was short, they were compilers etc.  It was hard to not rank these players in the top 50, but once you see who the Top 50 are, you’ll understand why.  So here’s the “honorable mentions”, alphabetically with their positional ranking:

Wade Boggs (3B #5), Lou Brock (LF #8), Andre Dawson (CF #8), Carlton Fisk (C #7), Charlie Gehringer (2B #8), Tony Gwynn (RF #8), Elston Howard (C #8), Johnny Mize (1B #9), Dale Murphy (CF #9), Eddie Murray (1B #8), Mike Piazza (C #6), Willie Stargell (LF #7) and Robin Yount (SS #7)

Two final notes about these honorable mentions; some of them came really close to making the Top 50 and it was tough to “leave them off” and if you notice, each player was at or near the bottom in the ranking for their position, so it only makes sense that they would also be at or near the bottom of the all-time rankings.

Now we’re down to 50 players, let’s see who numbers 50 through 26 are.  I will list the player’s overall rank, their name, their position used for the position rankings, their ranking at that position and the stats used to compare them to others.  I will also give a brief explanation of my feelings regarding each player and their place in history.  Let’s get started:

#50 – Jeff Bagwell (1B #7): 1 MVP (and 2 other top-5 finishes), 1 ROY, 4 time All-Star, 1 Gold Glove, 3 Silver Sluggers, 2150 Games, .297 batting average, .408 OBP, .540 Slugging %, .948 OPS, 149 OPS+, 449 HRs, 1529 RBIs, 2314 Hits, 1401 BBs and 1558 Ks.

Jeff Bagwell was the most feared Astros hitter of all-time and one of the most feared hitters in baseball in the 1990s.  He had an above average glove at first and had decent speed, stealing over 200 bases for his career.  He is arguably the 2^nd worst trade the Red Sox ever made (behind Babe Ruth of course).  Health issues were a problem for Bags his entire career – whether it was constant broken hands due to his batting stance or the shoulder issue that ultimately ended his career.

#49 – Jackie Robinson (2B #7): HOF, 1 MVP (and 1 other top-5 finish) , 1 ROY,  6 time All-Star, 1382 Games, .311 batting average, .409 OBP, .474 Slugging %, .883 OPS, 132 OPS+, 137 HRs, 734 RBIs, 1518 Hits, 740 BBs and 291 Ks.

Jackie Robinson was the player that broke the color-barrier in baseball joining the Dodgers in 1947 and in 1997 MLB retired his number 42 on all teams for what he meant to baseball as a whole.  His MLB career only lasted 10 seasons and that affects his final rankings.  Jackie was a balanced player; he was an above average defender who hit for average and decent power with fantastic speed – one of only two players from 1947-1956 to get 125 steals with a slugging percentage over .400.  What Jackie did for baseball and the Civil Rights movement in America is not shown by his career stats but always has to be accounted for and mentioned when discussing his place in baseball history.

#48 – Willie McCovey (1B #6): HOF – 1 MVP (and 1 other top-5 finish), 1 ROY, 6 time All-Star, 2588 games, .270 batting average, .374 OBP, .515 Slugging %, .889 OPS, 147 OPS+, 521 HRs, 1555 RBIs, 2211 Hits, 1345 BBs and 1550 Ks.

McCovey, like many others on these lists, was a power hitter who would miss big but hit big as well.  He formed a dynamic duo playing on the Giants teams with Willie Mays and produced one of the best one-two punches in baseball history. The San Francisco Giants honored him by renaming the body of water outside of right field in AT&T Park from China Basin to McCovey Cove.

#47 – Ryne Sandberg (2B #9): HOF, 1 MVP (and 2 other top-5 finishes), 10 time all-star, 9 Gold Gloves, 7 Silver Sluggers, 2164 games, .285 batting average, .344 OBP, .452 Slugging %, .795 OPS, 114 OPS+,  282 HRs, 1061 RBIs, 2386 Hits, 761 BBs and 1260 Ks.

Sandberg was the beginning of a change at second base in the 1980s – a “power” hitter who could hit for a decent average while still putting up Gold Glove caliber defense.  Among the second basemen that played in the 1980s and 1990s, not many would be considered better than Sandberg.

#46 – Al Kaline (RF #7): HOF, 3 top-5 MVP finishes, 15 time All-Star, 10 Gold Gloves, 2834 games, .297 batting average, .376 OBP, .480 Slugging %, .855 OPS, 134 OPS+, 399 HRs, 1583 RBIs, 3007 Hits, 1277 BBs and 1020 Ks.

Kaline hit for average and hit for power (at that time, 25 HRs a season was great) and he was probably one of the best defensive right fielders in history (it’s a toss up between him and Clemente with the edge going to Clemente).  Who’s number was the first retired by the Detroit Tigers?  If you say Ty Cobb, you’re wrong.  It was none other than Al Kaline.

#45 – Cal Ripken Jr (SS #6).: HOF, 2 MVPs (and 1 other top-5 finish), 1 ROY, 19 time All-Star, 2 Gold Gloves, 8 Silver Sluggers, 3001 games, .276 batting average, .340 OBP, .447 Slugging %, .788 OPS, 112 OPS+, 431 HRs, 1695 RBIs, 3184 Hits, 1129 BBs and 1305 Ks.

Cal’s an interesting case.  Yes, he had The Streak, but many people will question how long the streak should have continued when Cal wasn’t the same, at least offensively as he was when he was younger and how much of him continuing The Streak was actually hurting the team.  Cal had a couple great seasons as evidenced by his MVP awards, but most of his seasons were average; decent batting average, bad OBP etc.  However, Cal was the first of the “new breed” of power hitting shortstops with average to above average defense that we saw later in ARod, Tejada and Nomar.  Cal is one of baseball’s all-time great ambassadors of the game.

#44 – Roy Campanella (C #5): HOF – 3 MVPs, 8 time All-Star, 1215 games, .276 batting average, .360 OBP, .500 Slugging %, .860 OPS, 123 OPS+, 242 HRs, 856 RBIs, 1161 Hits, 533 BBs and 501 Ks.

A car accident resulting in Roy being paralyzed ended his career and stopped him just short of being in the discussion of best catcher ever.  How many more MVPs could he have won?  How close to 500 HRs would he have been?  He’s the player that has one of the biggest questions of “What If”?

#43 – Reggie Jackson (RF #6): HOF, 1 MVP (and 4 other top-5 finishes), 14 time All-Star, 2 Silver Sluggers, 2820 games, .262 batting average, .356 OBP, .490 Slugging %, .846 OPS, 139 OPS+, 563 HRs, 1702 RBIs, 2584 Hits, 1375 BBs and 2597 Ks.

What can I say about “the straw that stirs the drink”?  Reggie either hit big or missed big.  He had a cannon for an arm but no accuracy.  However, when October rolled around and you needed the big hit, you wanted Reggie at the plate.

 #42 – Mickey Cochrane (C #4): HOF – 2 MVPs, 2 time All-Star, 1482 games, .320 batting average, .419 OBP, .478 Slugging %, .897 OPS, 128 OPS+, 119 HRs, 832 RBIs, 1652 Hits, 857 BB and 217 Ks.

Mickey’s the one catcher that never seems to be remembered.  Until Berra and Bench, Mickey was in the discussion of best catcher ever.  He was a fantastic hitter and was considered excellent on defense.  If Mickey played in a different era, he would not be as “forgotten” as he is today.

#41 – Frank Thomas (1B #5): 2 MVPs (and 4 other top-5 finishes), 5 time All-Star, 4 Silver Sluggers, 2322 games, .301 batting average, .419 OBP, .555 Slugging %, .974 OPS, 156 OPS+, 521 HRs, 1704 RBIs, 2468 Hits, 1667 BBs and 1397 Ks.

The Big Hurt was one of the most feared hitters of the 1990s.  He is one of four players (along with Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Mel Ott) to have at least a .300 batting average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks in a career.  What makes Frank Thomas drop “this low” all-time is the fact that out of his 2322 games played, 971 were at first and 1351 were as a DH.  How much longer was his career because of the DH?  We’ll never know but it has to be taken into account that for more than half his career he never had to play defense.

#40 – Duke Snider (CF #7): HOF, 3 top-5 MVP finishes, 8 time All-Star, 2143 Games, .295 batting average, .380 OBP, .540 Slugging %, .919 OPS, 140 OPS+, 407 HRs, 1333 RBIs, 2116 Hits, 971 BBs and 1237 Ks.

Snider had the bad luck of being a center fielder in New York at the same time as Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle.  However, Dodger fans will always think that Snider was better than both of them.  When the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, Snider’s offense took a hit due to the cavernous LA Coliseum coupled with a bad knee.

#39 – Harmon Killebrew (1B #4): HOF – 1 MVP (and 5 other top-5 finishes), 11 time All-Star, 2435 games, .256 batting average, .376 OBP, .509 Slugging %, .884 OPS, 143 OPS+, 573 HRs, 1584 RBIs, 2086 Hits, 1559 BBs and 1699 Ks.

“Hammerin Harmon” was a true power hitter and is arguably the best Twins/Senators player in history (along with Walter Johnson).  He hit the most HRs in the 1960s and most of them were “tape measure” shots.  Like many others on these lists, Harmon hit big and missed big and the low batting average is why he isn’t ranked higher.

#38 – Barry Larkin (SS #5): 1 MVP, 12 time All-Star, 3 Gold Gloves, 9 Silver Sluggers, 2180 games, .295 batting average, .371 OBP, .444 Slugging %, .815 OPS, 116 OPS+, 198 HRs, 960 RBIs, 2340 Hits, 939 BBs and 817 Ks.

Barry was overshadowed for most of his career by either Ozzie Smith or Cal Ripken Jr.  However, compared to those players, he was the more complete shortstop.  His defense was almost as good as Ozzie’s and offensively he was better overall than Ripken.  If he had played during almost any other era, he wouldn’t be as underrated as he is today.

#37 – Bill Dickey (C #3): HOF – 3 top-5 MVP finishes, 11 time All-Star, 1789 games, .313 batting average, .382 OBP, .486 Slugging %, .858 OPS, 127 OPS+, 202 HRs, 1209 RBIs, 1969 Hits, 678 BBs and 289 Ks.

Considered one of the best catchers in history along with Mickey Cochrane until Berra and Bench came along.  He could hit for a high average (had records for average for catcher in a single season until Piazza) and had a great arm and ability to handle pitchers.  Hit over 20 HRs and drove in over 100 RBIs in four consecutive seasons.

#36 – Roberto Alomar Jr (2B #6): 2 top-5 MVP finishes, 12 time all-star, 10 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Sluggers, 2379 games, .300 batting average, .371 OBP, .443 Slugging %, .814 OPS, 116 OPS+, 210 HRs, 1134 RBIs, 2724 Hits, 1032 BBs and 1140 Ks.

Arguably the best second baseman of the 1990s.  He hit for average, hit for power (for second basemen) and had a fantastic glove.  He may not have the magic numbers that other second basemen during his time had (3000 hits or 300 HRs) but Alomar was the most complete second basemen of his era.

#35 – Arky Vaughan (SS #4): HOF, 2 top-5 MVP finishes, 9 time All-Star, 1817 games, .318 batting average, .406 OBP, .453 Slugging %, .859 OPS, 136 OPS+, 96 HRs, 926 RBIs, 2103 Hits, 937 BBs and 276 Ks.

Another player who lost time to military service.  He was routinely at the top of the league for average, runs scored, RBIs and stolen bases.  He has the 2^nd highest average for a shortstop in the Hall of Fame behind only Honus Wagner.

#34 – Eddie Mathews (3B #4): HOF, 2 top-5 MVP finishes, 9 time All-Star, 2391 games, .271 batting average, .376 OBP, .509 Slugging %, .885 OPS, 143 OPS+, 512 HRs, 1453 RBIs, 2315 Hits, 1444 BBs and 1487 Ks.

Mathews and Hank Aaron made up one of the best one-two punches in baseball history (along with Ruth/Gehrig and Mays/McCovey).  When Ty Cobb says the following about Eddie’s swing it shows you just how great Mathews was; “I’ve only known three or four perfect swings in my time. This lad has one of them.”  Mathews graced the cover of the first ever Sports Illustrated in August 1954.  Mathews is also in the discussion of greatest Braves player ever (along with Aaron, Spahn, Maddux and Chipper Jones).

#33 – Hank Greenberg (1B #3): HOF – 2 MVPs (and 2 other top-5 finishes), 4 time All-Star, 1394 games, .313 batting average, .412 OBP, .605 Slugging %, 1.017 OPS, 158 OPS+, 331 HRs, 1276 RBIs, 1628 Hits, 852 BBs and 844 Ks.

Hank is another of a long line of players that because of World War II, you have to ask “What If”?  What would his stats be like if he didn’t miss prime years (he actually re-enlisted to join the Army Air Forces after the attack on Pearl Harbor).  Hank was a great power hitter (for the time) but also hit for average.  Hank was also famous for taking Jewish holidays off, even in the middle of pennant races; he was respected and hated for this.

#32 – Ozzie Smith (SS #3): HOF, 1 top-5 MVP finish, 15 time All-Star, 13 Gold Gloves, 1 Silver Slugger, 2573 games, .262 batting average, .337 OBP, .328 Slugging %, .666 OPS, 87 OPS+, 28 HRs, 793 RBIs, 2460 Hits, 1072 BBs and 589 Ks.

Ozzie is considered amongst the greatest fielders the game has ever seen and hands down the greatest defensive shortstop.  Where most people have a problem with Ozzie is his offense or lack thereof and that can’t be argued.  However, baseball isn’t just about offense there is such a thing as defense.  I’m not sure how many runs his defense prevented compares with how many runs he failed to produce at the plate, having the “Wizard of Oz” roaming short is not a bad thing.

#31 – Rod Carew (2B #5): HOF, 1 MVP (and 2 other top-5 finishes), 1 ROY, 18 time all-star, 2469 games, .328 batting average, .393 OBP, .429 Slugging %, .822 OPS, 131 OPS+, 92 HRs, 1015 RBIs, 3053 Hits, 1018 BBs and 1028 Ks.

Rod Carew finished higher in these rankings than his #5 positional ranking would lead you to believe because he played basically two positions for his career, first and second, and spent over 1100 games at each.  At first, Carew was a fantastic fielder, with a fielding percentage of .991 and at second, he had a .973.  He managed to bat almost .330 for his career with an OBP of almost .400 finished with over 3000 hits and over 1000 RBIs.  To me, Carew was one of those quietly great players – you don’t remember him being as good as he was until you look at the stats.

#30 – Ernie Banks (SS #2): HOF, 2 MVPs (and 2 other top-5 finishes), 11 time All-Star, 1 Gold Glove, 2528 games, .274 batting average, .330 OBP, .500 Slugging %, .830 OPS, 122 OPS+, 512 HRs, 1636 RBIs, 2583 Hits, 763 BBs, and 1236 Ks.

“Mr. Cub” was the first African-American player for the Cubs.  Ernie always wanted to “play two”.  His love and desire to play the game of baseball is legendary.  He was the first shortstop in National League history to win the MVP in back-to-back seasons.  He held the record for most HRs by a shortstop (277, later broken by Cal Ripken Jr.) when he retired.  Played more games at first base, but will always be known as a shortstop.

#29 – Eddie Collins (2B #4):  HOF, 1 MVP (and 5 other top-5 finishes), 2826 Games, .333 batting average, .424 OBP, .429 Slugging %, .853 OPS, 141 OPS+, 47 HRs, 1300 RBIs, 3315 Hits, 1499 BBs and 286 Ks.

When Eddie retired, he ranked 2^nd all-time in games played, walks and stolen bases, 3^rd in runs scored, 4^th in hits and at-bats, 6^th in OBP and 8^th in total bases.  He is easily the greatest second baseman of his era. He was a member of the 1919 “Black” Sox Scandal but did not take part in it.

#28 – Brooks Robinson (3B #3): HOF, 1 MVP (and 4 other top-5 finishes), 15 time All-Star, 16 Gold Gloves, 2896 games, .267 batting average, .322 OBP, .401 Slugging %, .723 OPS, 104 OPS+, 268 HRs, 1357 RBIs, 2848 Hits, 860 BBs and 990 Ks.

Similar to Ozzie Smith in that his defense is considered the best ever at his position and his “lack of offense” can easily be overlooked for this fact.  However, he did beat out Mickey Mantle for MVP honors in 1964.  Brooks’ defense in the post-season even caused the Reds’ Manager, Sparky Anderson, to say this:  “I’m beginning to see Brooks in my sleep. If I dropped this paper plate, he’d pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first.”  That statement alone sums up many managers feelings about having Brooks as the opposing teams third baseman.

#27 – Mel Ott (RF #5): HOF, 3 top-5 MVP finishes, 11 time All-Star, 2730 games, .304 batting average, .414 OBP, .533 Slugging %, .947 OPS, 155 OPS+, 511 HRs, 1860 RBIs, 2876 Hits, 1708 BBs and 896 Ks.

Mel was a power hitter that could hit for average and had a great OBP – one of four players all-time to have at least a .300 batting average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks in a career (Frank Thomas, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams are the other 3).  The best National League right fielder until Aaron and Clemente came along. 

#26 – Nap Lajoie (2B #3): HOF, 1 American League Batting Triple Crown, 2480 games, .338 batting average, .380 OBP, .467 Slugging %, .846 OPS, 150 OPS+, 83 HRs, 1599 RBIs, 3242 Hits, 516 BBs and 85 Ks.

Lajoie didn’t hit for power (though he did win the Triple Crown once), all he did was hit.  He retired with the 2^nd most hits ever (at the time behind only Honus Wagner) and had the AL Record for hits in a career until Ty Cobb passed it in 1918.

So, what do you think?  Do you have a problem with the order?  Let me know if you think someone is too low or too high and please give an explanation of why.  Come back next week and find out which players are ranked from 25^th through 11^th All-Time.