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MLB Top 10 Best Baseball Players All Time Rankings

Ranking the greatest baseball players in MLB history

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By admin | October 9, 2022

The history of Major League Baseball continues year to year as new fresh potential legends are born; current legends begin to move to join other MLB greats who have played the game.

As you look around the long list of greats that have graced the MLB diamond, the list is loaded with so many players deserving of a spot on the Top 10 MLB Players All-Time rankings list.

As fans and experts debate over who is the Greatest MLB Player All-Time, it is fun and exciting to look at all the players who warrant consideration and compare the impact they have had on the game of baseball.

The list of top MLB Players of All-Time includes a talented group of players who were not only great hitters but also great fielders and all-around baseball players.

A list that includes the former New York Giants and San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays, the Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams, and possibly one of the most known baseball players of All-Time Babe Ruth. Here is a look at the Top 10 MLB Players All-Time rankings.

Honorable Mention

Walter Johnson

Team(s): Washington Senators 

Landing just outside of the Top 10 MLB Players All-Time Rankings list is the former Washington Senators great Walter Johnson.

Johnson, who is often considered one of the greatest pitchers All-Time, put together a career resume as long and as good as any pitcher to pitch in baseball history. Johnson, who spent his entire 21-year career with the Senators pitched to a career 2.17 earned run average while winning 417 games.

Over his career, Johnson led the league in strikeouts in 12 different seasons, wins in six different seasons, won two MVP awards, and one World Series Championship.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best Pitchers of All Time Rankings

Accolades:
  • World Series champion (1924)
  • 2× AL MVP (1913, 1924)
  • 3× Triple Crown (1913, 1918, 1924)
  • 6× AL wins leader (1913–1916, 1918, 1924)
  • 5× AL ERA leader (1912, 1913, 1918, 1919, 1924)
  • 12× AL strikeout leader (1910, 1912–1919, 1921, 1923, 1924)
  • Pitched a no-hitter on July 1, 1920
  • MLB record 110 career shutouts
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team
  • Major League Baseball All-Time Team
  • Washington Nationals Ring of Honor

Albert Pujols

Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers & Los Angeles Angels 

Fans of today’s MLB have had the luxury to watch one of the greatest players in the history of Major League Baseball play each season.

That player is the current St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols who recently joined the 700-home run club. In addition to joining the 700-home run club, Pujols is also a member of the 3,000-hit club (3,377 career hits).

Over his career the longtime Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels great has led the NL in home runs twice, won three NL MVP awards, the 2001 Rookie of the Year award, two Gold Glove awards, and made 11 MLB All-Star teams.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best First Basemen of All Time Rankings

Accolades:
  • 11× All-Star (2001, 2003–2010, 2015, 2022)
  • 2× World Series champion (2006, 2011)
  • 3× NL MVP (2005, 2008, 2009)
  • NL Rookie of the Year (2001)
  • NLCS MVP (2004)
  • 2× Gold Glove Award (2006, 2010)
  • 5× Fielding Bible Award (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
  • 6× Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008–2010)
  • 2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2003, 2009)
  • Roberto Clemente Award (2008)
  • NL batting champion (2003)
  • 2× NL home run leader (2009, 2010)
  • NL RBI leader (2010)

Top 10 MLB Players All Time 

10. Stan Musial

Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals

In at number 10 on the Top 10 MLB Players All-Time rankings is another St. Louis Cardinals great Stan Musial. Musial who spent his entire MLB career with the Cardinals franchise is one of the greatest players to play baseball and ranks among the best in the team’s history.

Musial who played from 1941 to 1963 put together a remarkable career while being both a great outfielder and first baseman.

Musial was a 24 time All-Star, three World Series Champion, three-time NL MVP, seven-time batting Champion and a member of the baseball Hall of Fame.

Related Links: MLB Top 10 Best Left Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • 24× All-Star (1943, 1944, 1946–1963)
  • 3× World Series champion (1942, 1944, 1946)
  • 3× NL MVP (1943, 1946, 1948)
  • 7× NL batting champion (1943, 1946, 1948, 1950–1952, 1957)
  • 2× NL RBI leader (1948, 1956)
  • St. Louis Cardinals No. 6 retired
  • St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team

9. Ken Griffey Jr.

Team(s): Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds & Chicago White Sox

If it weren’t for injuries the Seattle Mariners great Ken Griffey Jr may have gone on to be ranked number one on the list of the greatest MLB players All-Time.

The Kid could do it all including being a Gold Glove center fielder who could hit for average and for power while also having the speed to swipe a bag.

However, injuries limited his career after joining the Cincinnati Reds, while keeping him away from potentially hitting 700 plus home runs.

Nonetheless, Griffey Jr racked up 10 Gold Glove awards, seven Silver Slugger awards, one AL MVP award, and 13 MLB All-Star selections.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best Center Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • 13× All-Star (1990–2000, 2004, 2007)
  • AL MVP (1997)
  • 10× Gold Glove Award (1990–1999)
  • 7× Silver Slugger Award (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996–1999)
  • NL Comeback Player of the Year (2005)
  • 4× AL home run leader (1994, 1997–1999)
  • AL RBI leader (1997)
  • Seattle Mariners No. 24 retired
  • Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame
  • Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team

8. Mickey Mantle

Team(s): New York Yankees

When you set the record for the All-Time highest sold baseball card of All-Time with a sale price of $12.6 million dollars it is easy to understand how great Mickey Mantle was.

Mantle, who was a career .298 hitter, racked up 10 seasons with a career batting average of .300 or better. In addition to hitting for average, Mantle is considered one of the greatest power hitters of All-Time while leading the AL in home runs in four different seasons.

Mantle posted 2,415 hits to go along with 536 home runs while driving in 1509 runs. Mantle was a key part of the New York Yankees success helping to lead the team to seven World Series Championships.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best Center Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • 20× All-Star (1952–1965, 1967, 1968)
  • 7× World Series champion (1951–1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962)
  • 3× AL MVP (1956, 1957, 1962)
  • Triple Crown (1956)
  • Gold Glove Award (1962)
  • AL batting champion (1956)
  • 4× AL home run leader (1955, 1956, 1958, 1960)
  • AL RBI leader (1956)
  • New York Yankees No. 7 retired
  • Monument Park honoree
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team

7. Lou Gehrig

Team(s): New York Yankees

Joining Mickey Mantle on the Top 10 MLB Players All-Time rankings list is another New York Yankees great Lou Gehrig. Gehrig who played from 1933 to 1939 all with the Yankees while ranking as one of the best first basemen of All-Time.

Over his career, Gehrig racked up a career .340 batting average to go along with 2,721 hits, 493 home runs, and 1995 runs batted in.

In addition, Gehrig once held the record for the most consecutive games played with 2,130 career starts without missing a game earning him the nickname The Iron Horse.

His production on the field earned him the 1934 Triple Crown, two AL MVP awards, seven All-Star selections, and six World Series Titles.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best First Basemen of All Time Rankings

Accolades:
  • 7× All-Star (1933–1939)
  • 6× World Series champion (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936–1938)
  • 2× AL MVP (1927, 1936)
  • Triple Crown (1934)
  • AL batting champion (1934)
  • 3× AL home run leader (1931, 1934, 1936)
  • 5× AL RBI leader (1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934)
  • Hit 4 home runs in one game on June 3, 1932
  • New York Yankees captain (1935–1939)
  • New York Yankees No. 4 retired
  • Monument Park honoree
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team
  • Major League Baseball All-Time Team

6. Ty Cobb

Team(s): Detroit Tigers & Philadelphia Athletics

One player who was known for his aggressive style of play on the baseball diamond is the longtime Detroit Tigers center fielder Ty Cobb.

Cobb who received 98.2% of votes electing him to the 1936 Baseball Hall of Fame was one of the best pure hitters to play the game.

The Tigers star was the 1911 MVP, hit for the Triple Crown in 1909, led the league in stolen bases in six different seasons and for average in 12 seasons. Cobb finished his career as a .367 hitter with 4,191 hits, 1938 runs batted in, and 892 stolen bases.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best Center Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • AL MVP (1911)
  • Triple Crown (1909)
  • 12× AL batting champion (1907–1915, 1917–1919)
  • AL home run leader (1909)
  • 4× AL RBI leader (1907–1909, 1911)
  • 6× AL stolen base leader (1907, 1909, 1911, 1915–1917)
  • Name honored by the Tigers
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team

5. Ted Williams

Team(s): Boston Red Sox

Teddy Ballgame lands at number five on the Top 10 MLB Players All-Time rankings list. The Boston Red Sox left fielder Ted Williams finished his career as one of the greatest Red Sox players of All-Time and another pure hitter who could hit for average as well as power.

Williams led the AL in batting six different times and in home runs four times. His ability to hit for both power and hitter helped Williams hit for the Triple Crown in two different seasons.

Over his career Williams was a 19-time MLB All-Star while racking up a .344 batting average and 521 home runs.

Related Links: MLB Top 10 Best Left Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • 19× All-Star (1940–1942, 1946–1951, 1953–1960²)
  • 2× AL MVP (1946, 1949)
  • 2× Triple Crown (1942, 1947)
  • 6× AL batting champion (1941, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1957, 1958)
  • 4× AL home run leader (1941, 1942, 1947, 1949)
  • 4× AL RBI leader (1939, 1942, 1947, 1949)
  • MLB record .482 career on-base percentage
  • Boston Red Sox No. 9 retired
  • Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
  • San Diego Padres Hall of Fame
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team
  • Major League Baseball All-Time Team

4. Barry Bonds

Team(s): Pittsburgh Pirates & San Francisco Giants

Depending on who you ask, Barry Bonds is considered by many to be the best baseball player of All-Time. Despite the drama surrounding his name and steroids, many question how good Bonds was.

Nonetheless when you look at his production from the start of his career to the finish, Bonds was always a great player who was not only one of the best hitters in the game but also one of the best outfielders in the early part of his career.

Bonds was a seven-time NL MVP, 14-time NL All-Star, eight time Gold Glove award winner, and two-time NL home run champion.

Related Links: MLB Top 10 Best Left Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • 14× All-Star (1990, 1992–1998, 2000–2004, 2007)
  • 7× NL MVP (1990, 1992, 1993, 2001–2004)
  • 8× Gold Glove Award (1990–1994, 1996–1998)
  • 12× Silver Slugger Award (1990–1994, 1996, 1997, 2000–2004)
  • 3× NL Hank Aaron Award (2001, 2002, 2004)
  • 2× NL batting champion (2002, 2004)
  • 2× NL home run leader (1993, 2001)
  • NL RBI leader (1993)
  • San Francisco Giants No. 25 retired
  • San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame

3. Hank Aaron

Team(s): Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves & Milwaukee Brewers

As you look around the faces of Major League Baseball it is easy to rank Hank Aaron as one of the most important players in the history of the game.

Aaron, who made his debut during the 1954 MLB season, racked up the most home runs All-Time with 755 while breaking Babe Ruth’s record at the time of his retirement.

In addition to the 755 home runs, Aaron also posted a career .305 batting average, 3,771 hits, and 2,297 runs batted in. Aaron was a 25-time MLB All-Star, four-time NL home run leader, and three-time Gold Glove award winner.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best Right Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • 25× All-Star (1955–1975)
  • World Series champion (1957)
  • NL MVP (1957)
  • 3× Gold Glove Award (1958–1960)
  • 2× NL batting champion (1956, 1959)
  • 4× NL home run leader (1957, 1963, 1966, 1967)
  • 4× NL RBI leader (1957, 1960, 1963, 1966)
  • Atlanta Braves No. 44 retired
  • Milwaukee Brewers No. 44 retired
  • Braves Hall of Fame
  • American Family Field Walk of Fame
  • Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team

2. Babe Ruth

Team(s): Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees & Boston Braves

When it comes to the top two spots on the Top 10 MLB Players All-Time rankings list, it is difficult as both players warrant the spot.

However, only one could land at it with Babe Ruth coming in at number two. Ruth, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and eventually one season for the Boston Braves.

The seven-time World Series Champion was a dynamic two-way player who won at least 20 games multiple times over his career and also racked up 714 career home runs.

The Red Sox and Yankees great finished with a career .342 batting average to go along with 2,873 hits, 714 home runs, and 2,214 runs batted in.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best Right Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • 2× All-Star (1933, 1934)
  • 7× World Series champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)
  • AL MVP (1923)
  • AL batting champion (1924)
  • 12× AL home run leader (1918–1921, 1923, 1924, 1926–1931)
  • 5× AL RBI leader (1919–1921, 1923, 1926)
  • AL ERA leader (1916)
  • New York Yankees No. 3 retired
  • Monument Park honoree
  • Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team
  • Major League Baseball All-Time Team

1. Willie Mays

Team(s): New York Giants, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets

Sitting at the top of the list as the greatest MLB player All-Time is the former New York Giants and San Francisco Giants All-Star and Hall of Famer Willie Mays.

The Say Hey Kid star was known for his ability to hit and play tremendous defense in center field. Mays, who was considered one of the greatest 5-tool-players to play baseball, made one of the most iconic catches in the history of baseball with his over the shoulder catch during the 1954 World Series.

Mays finished his career with a .302 batting average to go along with 3,283 hits, 660 home runs, and 1,903 runs batted in. Mays racked up two NL MVP awards, 12 Gold Glove awards, made 24 All-Star teams, and the 1951 NL Rookie of the Year.

Related Links: Top 10 MLB Best Center Fielders of All Time

Accolades:
  • 24× All-Star (1954–1973)
  • World Series champion (1954)
  • 2× NL MVP (1954, 1965)
  • NL Rookie of the Year (1951)
  • 12× Gold Glove Award (1957–1968)
  • Roberto Clemente Award (1971)
  • NL batting champion (1954)
  • 4× NL home run leader (1955, 1962, 1964, 1965)
  • 4× NL stolen base leader (1956–1959)
  • Hit 4 home runs in one game on April 30, 1961
  • San Francisco Giants No. 24 retired
  • New York Mets No. 24 retired
  • San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame
  • Major League Baseball All-Century Team
  • Major League Baseball All-Time Team

How would you rank these great Major League Baseball players of All-Time? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings.

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