Baseball was the great unifier when America was at its lowest, especially during the Civil War and World Wars. Besides its rich history, the standout players also helped grow the sport’s popularity. Although comparing such gifted athletes across eras and positions may be challenging, these 15 players take the cake with their outstanding contributions to the game.
Joe DiMaggio
Like Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio played for the Yankees (1936-51) and became famous for his 56-game hitting streak. Hemingway referenced him, and songs celebrated him. When DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe, baseball’s national reputation shot up, and more fans trooped in. The Yankee Clipper is among MLB’s greatest, with nine championship rings.
Ken Griffey Jr.
For many young up-and-comers, dressing up with their baseball caps backward was preparing to become like “The Kid.” Ken Griffey Jr., who played for the Mariners, Reds, and White Sox, led the league in home runs four times. Despite injuries, Griffey remains a beloved icon and was within three votes to become the first unanimous Hall of Famer.
Lou Gehrig
Besides winning AL MVP in 1928 and 1934, the MLB community remembers Lou Gehrig for his courage in facing the disease that bears his name. He earned the nickname “Iron Horse” after playing 2,130 consecutive games. Gehrig performed at the highest level, leading the league in home runs (thrice) and RBIs (five times).
Roger Clemens
Despite the PED controversy that has kept him out of the Hall of Fame, Roger Clemens is one of the greatest pitchers ever statistically. Clemens played over 24 seasons, posting a 354-184 record, 3.12 ERA, and 4,672 strikeouts. Clemens won seven Cy Young awards and an AL MVP in 1986 with a 24-4 record.
Mickey Mantle
When injuries ended Mickey Mantle’s superstar days at 33, he had 536 home runs and 1,509 RBIs. The 16-time All-Star player had three AL MVP awards and captured the 1956 Triple Crown. His record 18 World Series home runs leaves the MLB community wondering what he could’ve become without his injury.
SP Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux earned four consecutive NL Cy Young Awards (1992-95) and 10 division titles for the Atlanta Braves over his 23-year career. In addition to winning 355 games, Maddux is the only pitcher with 300+ wins, 3,000+ strikeouts, and fewer than 1,000 walks, making his legacy unique in baseball.
Walter Johnson
In a list full of hitters, Walter Johnson is the baseball definition of dominant pitching. His mentality was, “You can’t hit what you can’t see.” Johnson’s 3,509 strikeouts set a 56-year record, and his 417 wins are second only to Cy Young. He also set a record for throwing 110 complete-game shutouts, 20 more than any pitcher.
Honus Wagner
Many modern fans know Honus Wagner through the valuable 1909–11 T206 baseball card, which sold for $7.25 million in 2022. But Wagner was more than that. At his retirement in 1917, “The Flying Dutchman” ranked second in hits, doubles, triples, and RBIs. Wagner was among the inaugural five Baseball Hall of Famers inducted in 1936.
Stan Musial
Besides being an all-time great, “Stan the Man” was also a beloved icon in St. Louis. He spent his entire 22-season career with the Cardinals, leading them to three World Series titles and earning three MVP awards with a lifetime .331 batting average. Musial’s 1948 season stands out with a .376 average and 39 home runs.
Ty Cobb
He has the highest lifetime batting average at .366 and has won 11 or 12 batting titles in his 24-year career. Although many criticize him for sharpening his spikes to injure opponents during slides, Cobb has left a lasting impact on the game, retiring as the leader in hits (4,189), runs (2,246), and stolen bases (892).
Ted Williams
Before you’re called “the greatest pure hitter who ever lived,” you must have passed Ted Williams’ insane .4817 on-base percentage record. Despite missing nearly five prime seasons due to military service, Williams ranks in the top 20 in runs scored, home runs, RBIs, and walks. After a 19-year career, he wrote a book titled, “The Science of Hitting.”
Barry Bonds
Before Barry Bonds’ PED speculations started, he’d bagged several impressive records, including 762 home runs, seven MVP awards, and 688 intentional walks. His unparalleled eye-hand coordination scared and scarred pitchers. With 2,558 career walks and a staggering .4443 lifetime on-base percentage, it’s fair to say Willie Mays’ godson deserves his flowers despite controversies surrounding his career.
Hank Aaron
The Home Run King achieved legend status after his 755th career home run, surpassing Babe Ruth’s record. In his three-decade-long career, Aaron hit over 30 home runs in 15 seasons in 21 consecutive All-Star Games. When he retired by 1976, he had the second most hits (3,771) and runs scored (2,174) in MLB history.
Willie Mays
Willie Mays’s career-defining moment was his iconic over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series. His offensive prowess includes 3,283 hits, 660 home runs, and 1,903 RBIs, complemented by 12 Gold Glove Awards (1957–68). Regarded as baseball’s greatest all-around player in baseball, Mays retired with one championship and two MVP awards.
Babe Ruth
For 43 years, Babe Ruth held the record for most consecutive scoreless innings pitched in World Series history. He’s also the all-time leader in career slugging percentage, with .690. Today, Babe is regarded as the most important MLB player ever. Besides his exceptional talent, his on- and off-field activities as a celebrity superstar propelled baseball into national prominence.
