Who is the best baseball player of all time? The 10 greatest baseball players ever ranked

Who is the best baseball player of all time? The 10 greatest baseball players ever ranked

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:20 PM

The best baseball players, whether rookies or veterans, regularly demonstrate their talents on the baseball pitch. These incredible baseball players of all time, who range from ace pitchers to elite shortstops to highlight-reel catching outfielders, have earned their reputations by outperforming everyone else.

Statistically, here are the best baseball players of all time
Who is the best baseball player of all time? The 10 greatest baseball players ever ranked. Photo: Hulton Archive, Focus on Sport, Pictorial Parade, Focus on Sport (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Several contenders for the title include Willie Mays, a two-time All-Star MVP who won NL MVP in 1954 and 1965 and Babe Ruth, who led the AL in home runs 12 times, and set a record for 60 home runs in a single season in 1927.

Who are the 10 best baseball players of all time?

And while this is not just about winning the Hall of Fame, it is all about how outstanding different players are and how much they have achieved as far as their careers are concerned. Statistically, the best baseball players of all time are listed here.

10. Roger Clemens

Who is the best Latino baseball player of all time
Former Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens throws out the first pitch before the game against the New York Yankees on 19 October 2022 in Houston, Texas. Photo: Rob Carr
Source: Getty Images

Even though Roger Clemens almost barely makes it to the list, he is renowned for being the 1986 AL MVP. Despite his overly controversial career, from getting special treatment to abusing Steroids, one constant thing about him is the fact that he is one of the best pitchers in MLB history.

Full name

Roger Clemens

Date of birth

4 August 1962

Age

60 years of age as of December 2022

Nationality

American

Teams

Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Houston Astros

Achievements

A two-time World Series champion and one time NL MVP

Total career wins

354

9. Stan Musial

Who are the best baseball players as of 2022?
American baseball player Stan Musial (1920-2013) pictured in action at St Louis Cardinals circa 1956. Photo: Rolls Press
Source: Getty Images

At the 9th position, sits Stan Musial, who finished his career with a 331-battling average, 475 home runs, and 1951 RBI. Similarly, Musial's career of 3,630 hits and 724 doubles ranks him second in the respective category.

Following his retirement as a player, he served as St Louis vice president and later in 1969 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is regarded as a consistent and best hitter in MLB history.

Full name

Stanislaw Franciszek Musial

Date of birth

21 November 1920

Age

Died on 19 January 2013

Nationality

American

Teams

St. Louis Cardinals

Achievements

7-time NL batting champion, 3-time World Series Champion

8. Walter Johnson

The best black baseball player of all time
American baseball player Walter Johnson, pitcher for the Washington Senators, poses with a trophy he was awarded in the1920s. Photo: Hulton Archive
Source: Getty Images

During his time, Walter Johnson was regarded as one of the greatest pitchers to ever dominate the baseball pitch. In his 20 years as a pro, Johnson led the league in strikeout record 12 times. Additionally, the player's 110 career shoutout record is yet to be broken.

Full name

Walter Perry Johnson

Date of birth

6 November 1887

Age

76 years of age as of December 2022

Nationality

American

Teams

Washington Senators

Achievements

2 MVP awards, 1 World Series title, and 3 triple crown champions

7. Lou Gehrig

Who are the 10 best baseball players of all time?
Portrait of New York Yankees first baseman, Lou Gehrig (1903 - 1941), seated with three baseball bats over his shoulder, circa 1930s. Photo: Pictorial Parade
Source: Getty Images

At the seventh position, sits Lou Gehrig, the first player in the history of MLB to ever have a jersey number retired by the team. He finished his career with a 340-battling average and 493 home runs. Throughout his career, he won 6 world series championships, the triple crown, MVP.

It is no wonder that he appears among the best baseball players as of 2022.

Full name

Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig

Date of birth

19 June 1903

Age

Died on 2 June 1941

Nationality

American

Teams

New York Yankees

Achievements

6-time World Series champion and a two-time AL MVP

6. Ty Cobb

Some historians and media strategists often refer to Cobb as one of the best baseball players during the dead-ball period. As of 2022, he is still the youngest player in MLB history to ever record 4000 hits and score 2000 runs.

Full name

Tyrus Raymond Cobb

Date of birth

17 July 1961

Age

61 years of age as of December 2022

Nationality

American

Teams

Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics

Achievements

One-time AL MVP

5. Ted Williams

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Hall of Famer Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox holding a bat. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Even though Ted Williams could not play in 3 seasons of his prime due to military service in the Korean War, his career accomplishments are still enough to rank him in the fifth place of the best baseball players of all time.

Full name

Ted J Williams

Date of birth

17 November 1943

Age

79 years of age as of December 2022

Nationality

American

Teams

Boston Red Sox

Achievements

6-time batting champion, 4-time home run leader, RBI leader, and MVP award

4. Hank Aaron

The second-best baseball player of all time
Outfielder Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves poses for a circa 1970s portrait in his National League All Stars uniform. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Hall of fame slugger and great power hitter, Hank Aaron is one baseball player famous for breaking the Babe Ruth home runs record. He broke the record and set his 755 home runs. Additionally, he is considered the all-time leader in RBI with 2,297 runs, total bases 6,856, and other extra hits with 1,477.

Full name

February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021

Date of birth

5 February 1934

Age

Died on 22 January 2021

Nationality

American

Teams

Indianapolis Clowns, Milwaukee/ Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers

Achievements

3-time Gold Glove, 2-time NL batting champion, four-time NL home run leader, NL RBI leader, NL MVP award and World Series champion

3. Barry Bonds

The best black baseball player of all time
Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants watches the ball fly after connecting at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

At the third position, sits Barry Bonds, a popular personality in the history of baseball. However, in 2013 amid his career, despite being eligible to receive the Hall of Fame, he failed to receive enough vote required to be an inductee.

Full name

Barry Lamar Bonds

Date of birth

24 July 1964

Age

58 years of age as of December 2022

Nationality

American

Teams

Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants

Achievements

7-time NL MVP

2. Willie Mays

Who are the best baseball players as of 2022?
Outfielder Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants poses for the camera at the Cracker Jack Classic during the 1980s. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Whenever there is a discussion about incredible all-round baseball players, Willie Mays is the perfect example. Although his offensive number may not match other players', his all-round performances rank him the second-best baseball player of all time.

He is also regarded as the best black baseball player of all time.

Full name

Willie Howard Mays Jr

Date of birth

6 May 1931

Age

91 years of age as of December 2022

Nationality

American

Teams

New York/ San Fransico Giants, New York Mets

Achievements

A two-time All-Star MVP, a two-time NL MVP, Similarly, World Series champion

1. Babe Ruth

At the first position, sits the legendary baseball player, Babe Ruth. He is the best baseball player as of 2022. He started as a pitcher and within a short period, he became one of the best MLB hitters of all time.

Throughout his career, he led the AL in home runs 12 times, and in 1927 he set a then-record of 60 home runs in a single season. He won 3 World Series with the Red Sox and later went on to win the next 4 with the Yankees.

Full name

George Herman Babe Ruth Jr

Date of birth

6 February 1895

Age

Died on 16 August 1948

Nationality

American

Teams

Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Boston Braves

Achievements

7-time World Series champion, one-time AL MVP and MLB All-Time winner

One interesting fact about some of the best baseball players of all time, is that they have served in the military at least once in their lifetime. That can be good trait, as being in the military hardened and gave them what it takes to be the best.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.