Top 100 Baseball Players of All Time

Can you name the top MLB and Negro League players of all-time according to an ESPN poll of experts from 2022?

Team is the team they are most associated with

Active players in gold

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Last updated: February 5, 2022

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First submitted	July 23, 2016
Times taken	57,386
Average score	40.0%
Rating	4.09

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#	Retired	Team	Player
1	1935	Yankees	Babe Ruth
2	1973	Giants	Willie Mays
3	1976	Braves	Hank Aaron
4	1928	Tigers	Ty Cobb
5	1960	Red Sox	Ted Williams
6	1939	Yankees	Lou Gehrig
7	1968	Yankees	Mickey Mantle
8	2007	Giants	Barry Bonds
9	1927	Senators	Walter Johnson
10	1963	Cardinals	Stan Musial
11	2009	Red Sox	Pedro Martinez
12	1917	Pirates	Honus Wagner
13	2010	Mariners	Ken Griffey Jr.
14	2008	Braves	Greg Maddux
15	active	Angels	Mike Trout
16	1951	Yankees	Joe DiMaggio
17	2007	Red Sox	Roger Clemens
18	1989	Phillies	Mike Schmidt
19	1976	Reds	Frank Robinson
20	1937	Cardinals	Rogers Hornsby
21	1911	Spiders	Cy Young
22	1986	Mets	Tom Seaver
23	2003	A's	Rickey Henderson
24	2009	Mariners	Randy Johnson
25	1916	Giants	Christy Mathewson
26	2016	Yankees	Alex Rodriguez
27	1972	Pirates	Roberto Clemente
28	2014	Yankees	Derek Jeter
29	1983	Reds	Johnny Bench
30	active	Cardinals	Albert Pujols
31	2013	Yankees	Mariano Rivera
32	1966	Dodgers	Sandy Koufax
33	1975	Cardinals	Bob Gibson
34	1986	Reds	Pete Rose
35	1946	Grays	Josh Gibson
36	1928	Indians	Tris Speaker
37	1984	Reds	Joe Morgan
38	1956	Dodgers	Jackie Robinson
39	1965	Yankees	Yogi Berra
40	1945	A's	Jimmie Foxx
41	1965	Monarchs	Satchel Paige
42	1993	Angels	Nolan Ryan
43	1993	Royals	George Brett
44	2001	Padres	Tony Gwynn
45	1999	Red Sox	Wade Boggs
46	2019	Mariners	Ichiro Suzuki
47	1965	Braves	Warren Spahn
48	1916	Indians	Nap Lajoie
49	2008	White Sox	Frank Thomas
50	1953	Indians	Bob Feller

#	Retired	Team	Player
51	1971	Cubs	Ernie Banks
52	active	Dodgers	Clayton Kershaw
53	1941	Crawfords	Oscar Charleston
54	1947	A's	Lefty Grove
55	1986	A's	Reggie Jackson
56	1995	Yankees	Dave Winfield
57	1930	Phillies	Grover Alexander
58	1988	Phillies	Steve Carlton
59	active	Tigers	Miguel Cabrera
60	1967	Yankees	Whitey Ford
61	1983	Red Sox	Carl Yastrzemski
62	1947	Giants	Mel Ott
63	2016	Red Sox	David Ortiz
64	1968	Braves	Eddie Mathews
65	active	Nationals	Max Scherzer
66	2001	Orioles	Cal Ripken Jr.
67	1977	Orioles	Brooks Robinson
68	2011	Red Sox	Manny Ramirez
69	1996	Cardinals	Ozzie Smith
70	1975	Twins	Harmon Killebrew
71	1974	Tigers	Al Kaline
72	active	Tigers	Justin Verlander
73	1980	Giants	Willie McCovey
74	1975	Giants	Juan Marichal
75	1985	Twins	Rod Carew
76	1897	Whitestockings	Cap Anson
77	2011	Expos	Vladimir Guerrero
78	2012	Braves	Chipper Jones
79	1947	Tigers	Hank Greenberg
80	1993	Brewers	Robin Yount
81	2008	Mets	Mike Piazza
82	1930	A's	Eddie Collins
83	1957	Dodgers	Roy Campanella
84	1998	Brewers	Paul Molitor
85	1984	Orioles	Jim Palmer
86	2004	Blue Jays	Roberto Alomar
87	1993	White Sox	Carlton Fisk
88	1982	Pirates	Willie Stargell
89	1920	White Sox	Shoeless Joe Jackson
90	2011	Rangers	Ivan Rodriguez
91	1997	Cubs	Ryne Sandberg
92	2013	Blue Jays	Roy Halladay
93	2009	Braves	John Smoltz
94	active	Nationals	Bryce Harper
95	1964	Dodgers	Duke Snider
96	1942	Tigers	Charlie Gehringer
97	2018	Rangers	Adrian Beltre
98	2012	Indians	Jim Thome
99	1987	Braves	Phil Niekro
100	2004	Reds	Barry Larkin

Level 45

Jul 25, 2016

Really disappointed that I missed so many big names (Jackson, Boggs, Hornsby, and Gwynn to name a few), but honestly...what a ridiculous list. Trout is in what, his fifth season? And he's already being ranked the 40th best of all-time? And the fact that he's that much higher than Harper is also a joke. Also, I'm pretty sure I typed "Smoltz" but it didn't get accepted...maybe I had a typo, 'cause it looks like others are getting him.

Level ∞

Jul 25, 2016

I would also say Trout is a little too high, but he definitely deserves a place on this list. The 6 seasons at the start of his career are one of the best stretches in baseball history. Sandy Koufax only had 6 good seasons in his entire career and is rated 16th.

Level 69

Jul 30, 2016

Koufax is the epitome of the argument for peak vs longevity

Level ∞

Aug 9, 2016

Of course, Koufax is the most over-rated player on this list, so it's cherry-picking. But, Trout has ALREADY matched Koufax's peak greatness (in terms of WAR).

Level 61

Aug 1, 2017

That Koufax' greatness wasn't achieved until his eighth season seems to enhance his reputation.

If you're great out of the chute and your prime years are your first ten years instead of reaching your prime a few years in and extending it in later years, commenters, writers, and such seem to be less impressed.

Orlando Cepeda (properly not on this list) is another example. His first seven or eight years were his best.

The shorter your prime, the better it must be.

Level 61

Sep 20, 2017

A good way to handle active players is to ask, "If he retired (or worse) today, where would he rank?"

Level 61

Sep 20, 2017

Koufax is the extreme example of this type. From 1962-1966 his ERA+ was 167.

IMO, good enough to make the list, but not at 16.

Level 61

Feb 19, 2018

Yes, but Trout has played only a TOTAL of six years, Koufax played at least 11, maybe 12.

Level ∞

Oct 29, 2019

Trout's first 6 years were better than Koufax's entire career. To put it in perspective, Koufax is ranked 321th all-time in career WAR, putting him at the same level as Ryan Braun. Koufax had 2 great seasons, 4 very good ones, and 6 mediocre ones.

Level 62

Aug 18, 2021

Now question is, would you say this now? Considering many are saying Trout is maybe best ever.

Level ∞

Feb 5, 2022

I think Mike Trout is appropriately ranked now at #15. He has a chance to get into the top 10 but he's going to have to stay healthy.

Koufax is still overrated at #32.

Level 87

Feb 5, 2022

Sandy Koufax was one of those watershed players. If you watch pitchers before him and after him, there's a definite legacy. He just looked like a steam explosion propelling the ball. People have surpassed him, but his approach was a phenomenon.

Level 25

Jan 11, 2017

I agree Mike Trout shouldn't be that far ahead of Bryce Harper and I don't think Trout should be that high neither should Clayton Kershaw.

Level 73

Feb 22, 2017

Bryce Harper's career WAR: 21.5

Mike Trout's career WAR: 48.5

Harper gets a lot of credit for how good he is for his age, but he's not on Trout's level.

Level ∞

Oct 29, 2019

Update 2019. Mike Trout career's WAR is 72.5. Harper's is 31.5. I'd say Mike Trout is already a top 30 player if he retires today. He's had eight full seasons and they have all been at the MVP level. I'd put Harper in the 200-500 range.

Level 41

Oct 13, 2021

in 2021, where mike trout is obviously one of the greatest of all time, and Bryce Harper shouldn't even be be near this list, this comment is hilarious

Level 42

Oct 3, 2022

Overrated. Clap, clap, clap clap clap.

Level 20

Nov 13, 2022

Same and who TF Is this Oscar Charleston and why Hell is Harper on here and i might get bullied for me why is pete rose he is a cheater a gambler like why

Level 43

Aug 26, 2016

Absurd that McGwire didn't make the cut. Greatest home run hitter of all time, in my opinion. Just couldn't stay healthy.

Level 84

Sep 22, 2016

It's hard staying healthy with an IV drip of rabid bull semen plugged directly into your eyeball every night. A lot of people don't appreciate that.

Level 48

Sep 22, 2016

I agree. Same goes for Sosa. But if you're going to have Bonds on the list, then you have to include Big Mac and Sosa.

Level ∞

Oct 30, 2019

Despite popular misconception, steroids actually help you stay healthy (at least in the short term). Taking steroids doesn't magically turn you into the incredible hulk. But it does allow you to lift weights and maintain muscle mass during the season. Its especially helpful for older athletes who normally don't recover as quickly.

Level 80

Apr 8, 2020

What are you talking about? He just went through puberty in his mid-30s, that's all.

Level 87

Feb 5, 2022

^ R.I.P., above commenter

Level 86

Jun 7, 2018

Absolutely not.

Level 64

Sep 22, 2016

I got 2. never seen a game in my life. pleased with that!

Level 84

Sep 22, 2016

I named the handful of famous players I knew and then started in with random English, Irish, German and Spanish names.

Level 88

Sep 22, 2016

I'm not a baseball fan either, but I managed to get 23 based off on all the baseball names I remember hearing about.

Level 29

Sep 22, 2016

you need to explain yourself better in the description, active should be current team, or say what team they are most known for.

Level 83

Sep 22, 2016

86/100. Should've gotten 90 or more, but brain-freeze kicks in.

Level 67

Sep 22, 2016

Surprised not to see Roy Hallady here. Jim Thome and Rafael Palmeiro are surprising omissions too. Neither ever had the flash, but they were rock solid players for their whole careers. Palmeiro is one of only four players (along with Hank Aaron, Eddie Murray, and Willie Mays, I think) who have both 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. He also has three Gold Gloves. Thome very quietly worked his way into the record books: 7th all-time in home runs, 19th all-time in OPS, 26th all-time in RBI's. Pretty remarkable career.

Level 45

Sep 23, 2016

Shocked that Bryce Harper (a player who's played for 4 years) is ahead of a guy with 600 HRs and no PED allegations (Thome)

Level 33

Jul 6, 2020

I would put Thome not only in the top 100, but easily inside of it. It's shocking he didn't make the cut.

Level 61

Sep 22, 2016

LOL. Nothing to add beyond that.

Level 78

Sep 22, 2016

Quizmaster, were the given teams your decision or ESPN's? If they represent the team the player is most associated with I must disagree with a few, the most egregious of which is Curt Schilling with the Philllies. He won two World Series with the Red Sox (remember the bloody sock?) He also won the Series with the Diamondbacks over the Yankees in 2001. I just can't believe that Boston would take a back seat to the Philadelphia Phillies. Also, he retired in March 2009, not 2007 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curt_Schilling).

Level 44

Sep 22, 2016

He played the most seasons with the Phillies.

Level 78

Sep 23, 2016

There is certainly a case to be made for any of the three teams Schilling played for. But looking at his entry on Wikipedia, his Phillies career (9 seasons) warrants 2 paragraphs, his 4 seasons with the Diamondbacks also receives 2 paragraphs, and his 5 seasons with the Red Sox gets a whopping 9 paragraphs! No disrespect to fans from Philadelphia and Arizona but I believe the "bloody sock" wins every time as far as name recognition goes, and that happened in Boston.

Level 45

Sep 23, 2016

I would not associate Schilling with the Phillies. Red Sox, maybe D-Backs.

Level 82

Nov 8, 2018

I always associate Schilling with the Orioles, but only as part of the worst trade ever.

Level 23

Sep 24, 2016

Lefty Grove's last year was 1941, not 1947.

Level 48

Sep 24, 2016

what about Jackie Robinson where on the list should he be?

Level 48

Sep 24, 2016

I missed seeing found him on the list

Level 29

Oct 9, 2016

why the hell is Bryce Harper on this list? I can almost see Trout, but Harper, come on.

Level 49

Dec 2, 2016

Bryce Harper?? gotta be kidding.Guy has has 1 great season and 4 good ones. Number 85? Maybe 385. ESPN is a joke anyway

Level 45

Mar 16, 2017

Oh so apparently Bryce Harper is better than Jim Thome, Gary Sheffield, Trevor Hoffman, and others... OK. I mean like maybe at the end of his career yeah but now? He's had one (albeit extremely) good year.

Level 61

Apr 7, 2020

Trevor Hoffman? yeah, Harper, even when this list was made, was better than Hoffman.

Level 59

Mar 6, 2022

And yet, Hoffman is only slightly worse than Rivera, who unequivocally belongs on this list.

Level 13

Mar 31, 2017

I got 61/100. I could have gotten 90.

Level 61

Jun 3, 2017

Underachiever.

Level 48

Jul 8, 2017

This needs updating, David Ortiz is retired and Albert Pujols plays for the Angels now.

Level 63

Aug 28, 2017

Pedro #11 all time?

Level ∞

Aug 29, 2017

His stats are amazing considering the era he played in. Imagine how low his ERA would have been if he were throwing in the 1960s - from a higher mound, in a larger stadium, against 180 pound hitters.

Level 61

Sep 20, 2017

Regarding Black players, around 1907 Honus Wagner, the greatest shortstop ever, was told that John Henry Lloyd was being called "The Black Wagner."

Honus said, "It's an honor to be mentioned with John Henry Lloyd/"

Around 1935, Babe Ruth was asked who the best player he ever saw was. "The best player in the Majors, huh?" The writer said, "Not just the Majors, but anywhere.

The Babe said, "Oh. In that case I'd have to say Pop Lloyd."

His numbers cannot be documented, but maybe Lloyd should be listed here.

Level 22

Jan 25, 2018

Did MIke Trout's mother make this list?!? To have him (and Harper) on a list of ALL-TIME players is one thing but to have him AHEAD of names like Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray, Nolan Ryan, Carl Yastrzemski, Tony Gwynn, etc, etc, etc,..... is an absolute JOKE.

Level 9

Feb 11, 2018

Bartolo Colón should be up there. You gotta add big sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Level 9

Feb 11, 2018

Babe Ruth cannot be ranked 1st on this list. Yes he hit 714 home runs, but he was terrible at fielding. I do agree with Willie Mays though, for he is the greatest defensive center fielder of all time and hit 660 home runs. In order to be in the top 20, you gotta make sure that player is a 5 tool player. You also can't put player like Barry Bonds so high up on this list because he took PED's. I see you know what you are doing, but there needs to be sources.

Level 55

Jul 13, 2018

Understand your point but you are forgetting(?) that before he went to the Yankees Ruth was one of the premier pitchers in major league baseball with Boston. Consider that the guy accomplished all those hitting feats and STILL had the time (and talent) to win 90 games! And a lifetime ERA of 2.28 in over 1200 innings ain't bad. There never has been such a player with such combined stats as this.

Level ∞

Oct 30, 2019

I just read this amazing book about Babe Ruth. You should read it. There will never be another player like Babe Ruth. Some of his feats are simply incredible. In any case, he was actually an above average fielder throughout most of his career. If you look at his advanced stats on baseball-reference.com, you'll see the same thing.

Level 61

Apr 7, 2020

Ruth is easily the best player ever. Not a terrible fielder either.

Level 61

Feb 19, 2018

Clemente is way too high. His off-field heroics have magnified his on-field accomplishments. He should be in the 70s or so.

Level 56

May 27, 2018

3000 hits. One of the best pure hitters in the history of the game. Sure, his off-field accomplishments increase his standing, but he was one of the greatest players and fielders ever

Level 61

Apr 7, 2020

"Pure hitter" is a nonsense term.

Level 52

Oct 24, 2019

As much as I love Clemente, agreed. I’m also kind of surprised that Pops is only ranked 98.

Level 48

May 23, 2018

Update needed, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz are no longer active. Albert Pujols now plays for the Angels.

Level 55

Jun 8, 2018

Ichiro Suzuki is now retired.

Level 55

Jul 13, 2018

I think the omission of Oscar Charleston from this list is a major "faux pas". There are many sources from his playing days---black AND white---who maintain he was the best player they ever saw.

Level 64

Jul 31, 2018

Al Kaline is one of the coolest names in baseball history.

Level 23

Dec 21, 2018

Why retirement date

Level 70

Mar 11, 2019

Piazza, but not Gary Carter? That's a miscarriage of justice!

Level 52

Oct 24, 2019

Verlander belongs on this list just as much as Kershaw does. He’s actually won a World Series ring, has three no-hitters, and an absurd strikeout count.

Level ∞

Oct 29, 2019

True! Back in 2016, it looked like Verlander's career was winding down. What a comeback!

Level 82

Apr 7, 2020

"Rodriguez" gives you Ivan but not Alex.

Level ∞

Apr 7, 2020

Not true. But there was one weird misspelling of Rodriguez which would have given you one but not the other. This has been fixed.

Level 60

Apr 7, 2020

Bryce Harper is no longer on the Nationals.

Level ∞

Apr 7, 2020

"Team is the team they are most associated with"

Level 86

Apr 7, 2020

I got 32 of the top 33...got a little spotty after that, but still managed 69.

Level ∞

Apr 7, 2020

I wonder if we'll even get a baseball season this year. It seems like one possibility is that you test all the players regularly, and then allow something like 5000 well-spaced-out fans into the stadiums. Sporting events seem like one of the last things that are likely to return.

Level ∞

Feb 5, 2022

Shaking my head now at how wrong I was.

Of course stadiums full of screaming fans are totally fine, but kids have to wear masks at school and some of them are still online even in 2022. A good reality check about the priorities of the American public which seem to be driven mostly by fear and greed.

Level 60

Apr 7, 2020

I literally quit the quiz when I saw Harper and King Felix on the list. ESPN is trash nowadays.

Level 61

Apr 7, 2020

For someone like Bryce Harper to show up on this list but not Roy Halladay makes little sense at all. Also, I know what he did, but Pete Rose seems like he should be higher than 37th. And I'd argue Albert Pujols should be higher too. He has the possibility of reaching 3000 hits and 700 home runs, something no one else has done.

Level 63

Nov 7, 2020

Nolan Ryan IS AT 50????????? WHAT???????

Level 51

Dec 16, 2020

I'm more confused that he's apparently associated most with the Angels. Understanding he spent more time with them than either Houston or Texas, but he helped get the Astros to the NLCS twice and threw his last two no-hitters with the Rangers (not to mention subsequent leadership roles with both clubs over the past 20 years). And I would guess that if you asked your average baseball fan which of the three they associated Ryan with the Angels would get about 15-20% of the vote.

Level ∞

Feb 5, 2022

He's in the Hall of Fame as an Angel.

Level 79

Dec 14, 2022

Ryan is in the Hall of Fame as a Ranger.

(His "primary team" on the HoF website is the Angels, but his plaque has a Rangers cap.)

Level 61

Feb 7, 2022

ok this isn't right. The pitcher with the most strikeouts, no-hitters, and any stat you can imagine is 42nd? idk about this voting

Level 16

Mar 3, 2021

Got 84 cant believe Harper and felix is on here and jeff bagwell that low and i missed joe morgan carlton fisk ramirez rose

Level 55

Feb 6, 2022

If Shohei Ohtani produces 5 more seasons like 2021 then he easily makes the top 20.

Level 61

Feb 7, 2022

Harper? Is this list based on ejections?

Level 59

Mar 6, 2022

Harper is a great player, but should probably be ranked around #200.

Level 59

Mar 6, 2022

Is there an argument for Trout over Pujols?

Level 79

Apr 8, 2022

Yes

Level 59

Apr 9, 2022

Is it a good argument?

Level 79

Dec 14, 2022

Level 62

Jul 26, 2022

This ranking is obviously highly subjective, but Trout has no business being anywhere near 15. Based on this list, he should slot between Brett and Ichiro at say 43-46.

But honestly, if this was an accurate ranking, he doesn't belong in the top 100.

Level 72

Apr 8, 2022

Matt Stairs is the best baseball player of all time?

Level 62

Apr 9, 2022

Let's go Braves!

Level 45

Apr 12, 2022

Piazza is most associated with the Mets? I don't know about that one.

Level 79

Apr 14, 2022

He's in the Hall of Fame as a Met and played more games with the Mets than any other team (although his Dodgers years were somewhat better than his Mets years).

Level 48

Apr 14, 2022

Need to update this. Verlander- Astros, Harper- Phillies, Scherzer-Mets. Though funny thing, you don't have to update Pujols lol

Level 26

Jun 23, 2022

are you sure this was made in 2022. Bryce harper phillies. Max scherzer mets. And Justin verlander astros

Level 61

Aug 4, 2022

I don't get how these "ESPN poll of experts" vote Mike Trout over Cy Young

Level 61

Oct 13, 2022

AND Mike Trout over Albert Pujols

Level 61

Nov 7, 2022

Pujols is no longer active

Level 61

Jan 13, 2023

WOW...Where is Eddie Murray??? Someone that had over 3000 hits and over 500 HRs you think would make the top 100. Only 6 people in history accomplished this.

Level 24

Jan 27, 2023

disappointed that Kirby Puckett isn`t on their but Molitor is I think Puckett had a way better career than Molitor even though Molitor played for the Twins for 2 seasons and Managed them for 3 seasons. I still think Kirbs was better.

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