Who are the best center fielders of all time? A ranked list

The best center fielders of all time have left indelible marks on the pitch, with unmatched prowess that has set their teams ahead of the rest. Some of these legends are no longer alive, but their performance record has outlived them, inspiring generations of baseballers.

Center fielders play a significant role in any baseball game. They cover the middle portion of the field and are considered the outfield captain. Center fielders play a defensive position and have to be fast runners. Read on and discover the best center fielders from then and now.

Best center fielders of all time ranker

These outstanding athletes have broken records in the history of baseball. Some of the greatest center fielders, like Andruw Jones, one of the best Braves center fielders of all time, now play as free agents. Here are the top 10 best ranked center fielders of all time:

1. Willie Mays

Willie Mays Howrd Jr., popularly known as ''The Say Hey Kid,'' was born on May 6, 1931, in Alabama, U.S.A. The 91-year-old played for the New York Giants in 1951 and 1952, then from 1954 to 1957. He later moved to San Francisco Giants from 1958 to 1972 and finally played for the New York Mets between 1972 and 1973, when he retired.

Willie's performance has remained unmatched, and several individuals believe he is one of the best defensive center fielders of all time. His famous 'Catch' in 1954 earned his team the World Championship.

In his 22 years on the pitch, Mays bagged several accolades, including ''Rookie of the Year'' in 1951 and MVP (Most Valuable Player) award in 1954 and 1965. He is also a 24-time All-Star holder with 12 consecutive Gold Gloves Awards.

2. Ty Cobb

Ty was born in December 1886 but unfortunately passed away in July 1961. He was one of the most aggressive players of his time, finishing his career with 4,189 hits, the second-highest most hits in MLB history.

Cobb played for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics. While playing with the Tigers, he won the batting title 11 times out of all 12 seasons. The baseballer garnered the most votes in the first Hall of Fame election in 1936. Ty was honoured at Comerica Park with his initials 'TC', and his statue was erected at the stadium in 2000.

3. Mickey Mantle

Mickey, who bore the nicknames ''The Commerce Comet" and "The Mick,'' was born in October 1931 in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, USA. Unfortunately, the famous sports personality passed away in August 1995. Mickey Mantle's death cause was liver cancer.

Mantle is undoubtedly one of the best Yankees center fielders of all time. He was a 16-time All-Star player and won several world series with his team. Other achievements by the player include MVP winner in 1956, 1957, and 1962.

''The Mick'' was also a National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 1974) and was among only three center fielders with at least 500 career home runs. At 24 years old, the center fielder won the Triple Crown in 1956 after hitting 353 with 52 HR (Home Runs) and 130 RBI (Runs Batted In).

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4. Dexter Fowler

36-year-old Dexter was born in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A, in March 1986. The professional baseballer now works as a free agent but previously played for Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, and Chicago Cubs. Fowler is also one of the best Cubs center fielders of all time, and he played with the team between 2015 and 2016.

After exiting Chicago Cubs, ''Daddy Long Legs,'' one of Dexter Fowler's nicknames, joined St. Louis Cardinals from 2017 to 2020 and later moved to Los Angeles Angels in 2021. Fowler was named an All-Star in 2016.

Additionally, he is the only player who exceeded 2,000 plate appearances as a center fielder apart from Charlie Blackmon. Dexter's record includes 358 OBP (On Base Percentage), 417 SLG (Slugging Percentage), and 775 OPS (On Base Plus Slugging).

5. Tris Speaker

Tris, also known as Tristram Edgar Speaker, was born in 1888 but died in 1958 at 70. Tris has been named one of the best Red Sox center fielders of all time after playing with the team between 1907 and 1915.

The skillful baseballer was left-handed. Speaker was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937, its second year of voting. His batting average is .345, and he had 3,514 career hits, the fifth-highest total major leaguer.

6. Joe Dimaggio

Joe, otherwise known as Joseph Paul DiMaggio and nicknamed ''Joltin Joe,'' was born in November 1914 and passed away in March 1999. Joe's impressive performance during his days on the pitch is why he is still considered one of the best center fielders of all time.

DiMaggio debuted with the Yankees in 1936 and immediately became an All-Star. He holds the record for the longest-hitting streak in MLB history with 56 games. The three-time America League champion had 361 home runs and over 2,000 hits. The late athlete is also a nine-time World Series champion and was the Hall of Fame inductee in 1955.

7. Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken is the son of former Major League player Ken Griffey Sr. He was born in November 1969, in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. His career debuted in 1987 with the Seattle Mariners, and played in 22 seasons.

Griffey had 630 home runs, 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards and one AL MVP Award in 1997. Additionally, he was named Player's Choice Player of the Decade in 1999. Ken is a National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2016).

8. Richie Ashburn

Richie, known fully as Don Richard Ashburn, was born in March 1927 but unfortunately passed away in September 1997. The athlete was famous for his running speed on the pitch and spent 12 of his 15 seasons playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ashburn has remained one of the best Phillies center fielders of all time and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995. Other career achievements include over 351 OBP, 440 OPS, and 215 hits.

9. Jim Edmonds

Former baseballer, TV broadcaster and actor Jim Edmonds was born in June 1970 in Fullerton, California, USA. He played for St. Louis Cardinals for seven years, becoming one of the best Cardinals center fielders of all time.

Jim's career achievements include 284 AVG (Batting Average), 393 Home Runs, 1,199 RBIs (Runs Batted In), and 1,250 Hits. The baseballer was famous for his impressive defensive skills. He is one of three players with three seasons of more than 155 WRC+ (Weighted Runs Created) over the last 50 years, and the others are Willie Mays and Mike Trout.

10. Mike Trout

Michael Nelson Trout is an American professional baseball player born in August 1991. He is a 10-time MLB (Major League Baseball) All-Star with 3 MVP awards (2014, 2016, and 2019). Trout has also won the Silver Slugger Award nine times.

His debut was in 2011, and he has played in 11 seasons with Los Angeles Angels. Despite his age, Mike is recognized as one of the best Angels center fielders of all time. In 2012, Trout was named the American League Rookie of the Year.

The best center fielders of all time have inspired a whole generation, leaving a trail of excellence in their craft. The NBL will undoubtedly see more talent emerge as the younger athletes take their place in the game.

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