The 189 Best Baseball Players of All Time (Part 2)

 Part 1

If you want to know what all the numbers are, the methodology, check part 1 linked above.

100. TIM RAINES LF  SH  88.6

Expos/White Sox

1979-2002

WAR: 71.6

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 3

OPS+ 123

.303/.396/.478

Had a .391 OBP in his rookie season and kept an OBP of at least .350 the next 17 seasons, over .400 5 times.  Even his second stint in Montreal, 47 games in 2001, his OBP was .433.  

99.  OZZIE SMITH  SS  SH  88.7

1978-96

Cards

WAR: 77.3

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: -2.6

OPS+ 87

.273/.350/.359

44 dWAR, per b-ref.

98. KEVIN BROWN  RHP  88.9

1986-2005

Rangers/Dodgers

WAR: 72.9

Per Gm: 22

Postseason: -1.3

ERA+ 127

242-167

Had a 1.89 ERA (215 ERA+) with the Marlins in '96, finished 2nd in the Cy Young to Smoltz who went 24-8, 2.94 (149 ERA+)  Smoltz threw 20 more innings, so that's largely a wash.  I don't know if that vote flip makes Brown a Hall of Famer, but it wouldn't hurt.

97. TONY GWYNN  RF  LH  89

1982-2001

Padres

WAR: 70.1

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 4.9

OPS+ 132

.345/.397/.491

That's the highest translated BA we've seen so far, Gwynn's real BA was just 7 points less.  Gwynn led the NL in BA 8 times, 8 times led all of MLB and had similar postseason results, 27 games, hit .306.  

96. FRANKIE FRISCH  2B  SH  89.6

1919-37

Cards/Giants

WAR: 72.7

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 2.9

OPS+ 110

.286/.348/.439

Frisch has most of his bat earlier in his career, 131 OPS+ when he was 25, 130 the next season (it was 101 the year he won the MVP, and that would be something to look up, worst bats for position player MVPs). Frisch slugged under .400 that year ('31) that feels like a tough vote to defend.

95. MANNY RAMIREZ  RH  LF/RF  90.2

1993-2011

Indians/Red Sox

WAR: 70.1

Per Gm: 14

Postsesason: 6.1

OPS+ 154

.298/.400/.584

And now - we have a 90 Total Value player.  Ramirez Hits the 3/4/5 slashline and just misses the translated BA mark.  Never had a full season OPS+ below 125.  29 career postseason homers.  

94. LOU WHITAKER   2B   LH  90.3

1977-95

Tigers

WAR: 74.9

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: .4

OPS+ 117

.283/.372/.468

Trammell's in the HoF, his double play partner is not - but it's Whitaker who ranks higher.  Bat improved as he aged - in his 20s, Whitaker's best OPS+ was 124 when he was 28, in his 8th full season.  From age 31 forward: 127, 133, 107, 141, 137, 122, 129.  

93. ED DELAHANTY  LF  RH  90.4

1888-1903

Phillies

WAR: 73.4

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: -

OPS+ 152

.314/.386/.564

Led the league in doubles 5 times, triples once, homers twice, RBI 3 times, steals once, batting average twice (he hit .400 3x) OBP twice, SLG five times, OPS five times, OPS+ 4 times.  Died during the 1903 season with a 147 OPS+, he was 35 - but just the season before here was his slash: .376/.453/.590.  Delahanty had a 188 OPS+; it seems likely there was more value left had he been able to stay out of Niagara Falls.

92. ROD CAREW  LH  1B/2B  91

1967-85

Twins/Angels

WAR: 77.5

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: -1.5

OPS+ 131

.334/.402/.465

Led in batting avg 6 times; in 1977 won the MVP with an MLB leading 178 OPS+. Carew had a 19 year career -- and was an All Star 18 times.  

91. PAUL WANER  RF  LH  91.3

1926-45

Pirates

WAR: 76.7

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: .6

OPS+ 134

.312/.393/.509

Led MLB in triples his rookie year.  Won the MVP his second year.  Hit .370 his third year.  100 RBI his 4th year.  Hit .368 in year 5.  2 years later led the league in doubles. 2nd in the MVP in his 9th season.  In year 11, hit .373.  In year 12, .354.  Waner played another 8 years, some were good, but from ages 23-34, dude raked.  

90. MIGUEL CABRERA  1B/3B   RH  91.6

2003-

Tigers/Marlins

WAR: 72.1

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 6.5

OPS+ 142

.308/.389/.531

One more season for Cabrera, 50 some odd games at DH and he'll hit the 500 game mark.  Cabrera won back to back MVPs with the Tigers in '12-13, he led MLB in OPS both seasons.  2016 was the end of Cabrera's productive career, my guess is he drops back a little for his final ranking.

89. BILL DAHLEN  SS  RH  92.1

1891-1911

Colts/Superbas

WAR: 77.9

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: -.8

OPS+ 110

.248/.341/.429

Per b-ref, 28 career dWAR, never had a negative season with the glove. His bat years were early, 139 OPS+ in '92, 138 in '94, 156 in '96.  128 the next year, then 123. Dahlen plays another decade, his OPS+ never again hitting 120, and very often below 100.  

88. OSCAR CHARLESTON  CF   LF  92.3

1915-41

Crawfords/ABCs

WAR: 69.3

Per Gm: 23

Postseason: -

OPS+ 184

.298/.386/.557

Charleston hit .400 five times. led the Negro Leagues in OPS+ 4 times; won the Triple Crown 3 times.

87. LUKE APPLING   SS  RH  93

1930-50

White Sox

WAR: 78

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 0

OPS+ 113

.302/.380/.422

Appling was the White Sox shortstop for 2 decades; in '36 he hit .388 with 128 RBI; in '43 he led the AL in both BA and OBP, then missed the next season for the War.  Appling came back the following year, when he was 38, and hit .300+ every season until his last, when he was 43.

86. ROBIN YOUNT  SS/CF  RH  93

1974-94

Brewers

WAR: 78.4

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 1.3

OPS+ 115

.293/.354/.479

2 decades in Milwaukee for Yount. He led the big leagues in OPS in '82 as a shortstop. Led MLB in doubles twice, led the AL in triples twice. Won 2 MVP Awards, 7 years apart, the 2nd was '89 when he was 33 with a 152 OPS+.

85. BILL DICKEY  C  LH   93.2

1928-46

Yankees

WAR: 61.1

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: 6.6

OPS+ 127

.294/.359/.517

Dickey's got the least WAR of any non Negro Leaguer remaining; through 2022 I've got him as the 6th best catcher ever.  Hammered the ball mid career, OPS over .980 from '36-38.  Dickey had a 173 OPS+ when he was 36, playing a half season, then missed the next two years with the War and only played another 50+ games after returnign from the service.

84. BOBBY GRICH  2B  RH  93.2

1970-86

Angels/Orioles

WAR: 74.2

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: 1

OPS+ 125

.273/.381/.489

As a kid in the 80s, my entry point into advanced baseball analysis, into "hey, there's a way of thinking about this sport that I'm not getting from the NBC Game of the Week" was Bill James and the player whose performance seemed most at odds with my pre-existing conception was Grich.  In 1981, Grich led the AL in homers, led the AL in slugging, in OPS+, all while having a postive second base glove and finished 14th for MVP.  Per B-ref, he was 4th in WAR.  He had more than twice the WAR of Dave Winfield, who finished 7th.

83. ANDY PETTITTE  LHP  93.3

1995-2013

Yankees

WAR: 65.8

Per Gm: 20

Postseason: 12.4

ERA+ 117

251-208

Pettitte benefits from my new ranking system; by WAR, he's a marginal Hall of Famer, but add the per game value -- and then the postseason value.  Pettitte won 5 World Championships - he has 19 postseason wins and an ALCS MVP. Through 2022, I've got Pettitte as the 30th best pitcher in history.

82. FERGUSON JENKINS  RHP  93.3

1965-83

Cubs/Rangers

WAR: 80.2

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: 0

ERA+ 115

267-207, 7

Through 2022, the first 80 WAR player.  From '67-72, Jenkins won 20+ every year, two years later he led all MLB with 25. Jenkins led MLB in complete games 4 times, led MLB in least walks/9 4 times, led MLB in K/BB 5 times.  Walk limitation, that was the key for Jenkins (because he gave up a lot of bombs, 7 times the most homers given up in the league).

81. ROBIN ROBERTS  RHP  94

1948-66

Phillies

WAR: 81.6

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: .3

ERA+ 113

293-233, 26

The generation prior to Jenkins was Roberts, another 80 WAR winning RH, similar per game value, postseason value, ERA+.  Roberts led MLB in wins 4 straight years (and then led the league in losses the next 2). Roberts was a horse in his 20s - led all MLB in starts 6 straight seasons, in IP 5 straight seasons.  He gave up a ton of hits and homers (more than anyone in MLB 4 straight years).  But, just like Jenkins, he limited walks - leading MLB in BB/9 4 times and in K/BB 5 times.  Roberts and Jenkins, really, really similar career profiles.

80. PHIL NIEKRO  RHP  94.1

1964-87

Braves

WAR: 86.3

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: -3.2

ERA+ 115

323-261, 28

There's not really anything like Phil Neikro's workload.  He led MLB in IP 3 times....in his age 38,39,40 seasons.  Add his age 41 season and that's how many straight years he led MLB in starts.  In those same 4 years, he had more losses than anyone in the NL.  In 1979, a 40 year old Niekro led the NL in wins and losses. Gave up more homers and hit more batters than anyone in baseball.  And he finished 6th in the Cy Young voting.  There won't be someone with more WAR until the ranking reaches the 60s.

79. ADRIAN BELTRE  3B  RH  94.4

1998-2018

Rangers/Dodgers/Mariners

WAR: 80.2

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 1.2

OPS+ 116

.285/.341/.488

Beltre's last year in LA was his best ever with the bat, led MLB in homers, topped 1.000 OPS for the only time in his career. Finished 2nd in the MVP, which would be his best ever. He didn't win his first Gold Glove until 2007. It was really in his 30s, starting in his one year in Boston, that Beltre found a consistent bat - other than that last year in LA, which was his best bat season - his 7 best OPS+ seasons start after age 30.

78. JOHNNY MIZE  1B  LH  94.6  

1936-53

Cards/Giants/Yankees

WAR: 69

Per Gm: 19

Postseason: 6.6

OPS+ 158

.299/.386/.634

Mize was a Cardinal the first 6 seasons of his career, leading the NL in OPS 3 straight seasons. In '42 he was dealt to the Giants, he led the league in slugging - and then missed his next 3 seasons for the War. In his first season back, he had his career best OPS+ (186) the next year, when he was 34, he led MLB in homers and RBI.  The next year - he led MLB in homers again.  Big Cat could hit.  

77. FRANK THOMAS  DH/1B  RH  95.7

1990-2008

White Sox

WAR: 79.2

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: .5

OPS+ 156

.299/.420/.591

Just like that, we're over 95 Total Value.  Thomas hit out the gate.  Rookie year, 177 OPS+.  2nd year led all of MLB in OPS+. Third year, led MLB in OPS -- and then Thomas won back to back MVPs in his next two seasons.  The next 3 years, OPS over 1.000.  Outside of '01, when Thomas played 20 games, he really won't approach a middling year with the bat until he was 40.  Big Hurt could hit. 

76. CARLTON FISK  C  RH  95.8

1969-93

White Sox/Red Sox

WAR: 70.8

Per Gm: 12

Postseason: 2.3

OPS+ 117

.261/.340/.500

24 year career and just kept catching, Fisk caught over 2200 games, was still catching into his mid 40s.  In 1990, Fisk was 42, he caught over a hundred games and had a 134 OPS+.

75. TOM GLAVINE  LHP  96.1

1987-2008

Braves/Mets

WAR: 76.2

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: 8

ERA+ 118

300-279

Led MLB in wins 4 times, in starts 6 times.  2 Cy Youngs. Glavine in the World Series, 4-3, 2.16, 58 innings.  

74. CHIPPER JONES  3B  SH  96.1

1993-2012

Braves

WAR: 80.1

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 1

OPS+ 141

.296/.392/.519

Longtime teammates Glavine and Chipper, dead even at 96.1 Total Value.  His best year with the bat by OPS+ came late, when he was 36.  And the year prior was his only season he led the NL in OPS+  Topped 1.000 OPS 5 times. 

73. PAUL MOLITOR  DH/3B  RH  96.7

1978-98

Brewers

WAR: 75.8

Per Gm: 12

Postseason: 8.9

OPS+ 122

.310/.376/.486

Molitor led the AL in hits when he was 39. In 29 postseason games Molitor hit .359 with a 1.026 OPS, he was 1993 World Series MVP for the Jays with a 1.452 OPS and 7 RBI.

72. JEFF BAGWELL   1B  RH  96.8

1991-2005

Astros

WAR: 79.4

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: .4

OPS+ 149

.292/.401/.554

Bagwell never had an OPS+ below 135 until he was 35. Slugged .750 in his MVP year of '94.  Just 21 seasons in history with a Slugging % that high. 10 of them were in the Negro Leagues.  7 of them were Bonds/Babe.  The other 4, Gehrig, Hornsby, McGwire and Bagwell in '94.

71. ZACK GREINKE  RHP  98.2

2004-

Royals

WAR: 78.4

Per Gm: 24

Postseason: 1

ERA+ 123

270-198, 1

Assuming he plays, 2023 will be Greinke's aged 39 season, he's still effective, but hasn't had an ERA+ better than 111 since 2019, so it's likely this rank won't hold.  Had an ERA+ over 200 twice. 

70. ARKY VAUGHAN  SS  LH  98.4

1932-48

Pirates

WAR: 77.6

Per Gm: 20

Postseason: .6

OPS+ 136

.306/.405/.515

Vaughan's got the translated 3/4/5 slashline as a +shortstop.  Led the NL in OBP 3 straight years -- lemme show you Vaughan's 1936.  .385 BA, led the league. .491 OBP, led all MLB.  .607 Slugging, led the league.  190 OPS+ led all MLB.  Vaughan led the NL in B-Ref WAR (9.8) but finished 3rd in the MVP.  Hartnett won with a 4.9 WAR (b-ref).  

69. BULLET ROGAN  RHP/CF  B-RH  98.7

1916-38

Monarchs

WAR: 59.9

Per Gm: 21/20

Postseason: .5

ERA+ 161

OPS+ 152

109-90, 34

.280/.358/.469

Rogan had a 223 ERA+ in 1921, his second full season, 4 years later, it was 302 while leading the Negro Leagues in complete games.  Meanwhile, he had an OPS above 1.000 4 times, he didn't have an OPS+ below 111 until he was 44.  

68. REGGIE JACKSON  RF/DH  LH  99.6

1967-87

A's/Angels/Yankees

WAR: 75.4

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 11.2

OPS+ 139

.267/.362/.560

Reginald Martinez Jackson.  Led the AL in homers 4 times, OPS+ 4 times, Slugging 3 times.  Had a 130 OPS+ as a 39 year old Angel.  Won 5 titles.  Here's his World Series record: 27 games, 116 plate appearances, .357/.457/.755 -- that's a .755 World Series Slugging Percentage.  10 homers, 24 RBI.  World Series MVP in '73 and '77.  

67. AL KALINE  RF  RH  99.6

1953-74

Tigers

WAR: 82.3

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 3.3

OPS+ 134

.296/.372/.503

Broke in at 18, 3rd in Rookie of the Year at 19, hit .340 when he was 20, 3rd in the MVP when he was 21. Led the AL in OPS when he was 24. From '55 forward he hit below 107 OPS+ once, 96 when he was 38.

66. YOGI BERRA  C  RH  100.7

1946-65

Yankees

WAR: 64.3

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 12.2

OPS+ 125

.280/.337/.523

And we cross 100 Total Value.  3 time MVP.  10 Time World Series Champion.  Yogi played in 72 World Series games, hit a dozen homers, walked nearly twice as much as struck out.  4 times in World Series had an OPS over 1.000.  

65. NOLAN RYAN  RHP  101.6

1966-93

Astros/Angels/Mets/Rangers

WAR: 91.3

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: -.4

ERA+ 112

337-260, 1

And we cross 90 WAR.  Through 2022, career leader in Ks, walks, and fewest hits/9.  Led the league in Ks 11 times.  Led all of MLB in fewest hits/9 11 times. Led all MLB in K/9 10 times. Never won the Cy Young, finished 5th the year he led the league in ERA+.  Threw over 200 innings 4 straight years in his 40s.  

64. CHARLIE GEHRINGER  2B  LH  101.7

1924-42

Tigers

WAR: 80

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: 5.7

OPS+ 125

.288/.368/.482

Through 2022, Gehringer is the 5th greatest second baseman ever.  He suffers in the translated slash, his real BA is .320, real OBP .404. In 20 World Series games he hit .321.  

63. EDDIE PLANK  LHP  102

1901-17

Athletics

WAR: 84

Per Gm: 19

Postseason: 4.4

ERA+ 122

259-153, 28

In his year in the Federal League, Plank gave up 1 homer in 268 innings pitched.  3 time World Series Champion, 1.32 ERA in 54 World Series innings.  

62. GAYLORD PERRY  RHP  102.1

1962-83

Giants

WAR: 92.2

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: -1.7

ERA+ 117

311-236, 10

Through 2022, the 22nd greatest pitcher ever.  Had an ERA+ at 106 or better every year from '66-'80. Kept pitching - threw over 200 innings when he was 43.  Won 20+ five times.

61. KEN GRIFFEY, JR.  CF  LH  102.4

1989-2010

Mariners/Reds

WAR: 83.1

Per GM: 15

Postseason: 4.3

OPS+ 136

.277/.363/.551

3rd in Rookie of the Year at 19.  Had an OPS+ of at least 97 every full season of his career. Led the league in homers 4 times. Most of who you think this guy was happened in his 20s, all of his top 10 MVP finishes were in his 20s, all of his Gold Gloves.  Played until he was 40.

60. MAX SCHERZER  RHP  102.5

2008-

Nationals/Tigers

WAR: 74.7

Per Gm: 28

Postseason: 5.2

ERA+ 135

247-149

2023 will be his age 38 season, he hasn't let up, with ERA+ in the 160s the prior 2 years.  3 time Cy Young Winner.  Led the league in WHIP 5 times.  In K/BB ratio 4 times.  Has only been below 108 ERA+ once.  

59. IVAN RODRIGUEZ  C  102.5

1991-2011

Rangers/Tigers

WAR: 75

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 3.2

OPS+ 106

.289/.328/.466

Through 2022, the 3rd greatest catcher of all time.  Caught over 2400 games. 29.6 dWAR per b-ref.  13 Gold Gloves.  Didn't have an OPS+ that reached 100 after the age of 32 and played until he was 39.

58. STEVE CARLTON  LHP  102.7

1965-88

Phillies/Cards

WAR: 90.3

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: .8

ERA+ 115

310-256, 2

4 Cy Youngs.  Led the league in innings pitched 5 times, including the ages of 35,37,38.  In 1982 Carlton was 37, led the MLB in wins, complete games, shutouts, Ks and FIP.  The next year, led all of MLB in Ks and K/9.  Still threw 150+ innings when he was 42.  Didn't have an ERA+ below 97 until he was 41.  

57. PETE ROSE  SH  1B/LF/3B/2B/RF  103.1

1963-86

Reds/Phillies

WAR: 78.5

Per Gm: 10

Postseason: 14.6

OPS+ 118

.305/.380/.448

MLB career leader in games, plate appearances, at bats, hits.  Led MLB in hits 7 times, the last, when he was 40.  Led MLB in doubles 5 times, all between the ages of 33 and 39.  Rose's best ever season in OBP was when he was 38.  Hit .321 in 67 postseason games.  MVP in the '75 Series.  

56. GARY CARTER  C  RH 103.2

1974-92

Expos/Mets

WAR: 71.9

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: 5.9

OPS+ 115

.263/.340/.490

Through 2022, the second best catcher ever.  The best player I ever met.  26.1 dWAR.  2 time All Star MVP.  Caught over 2000 games.  

55. ROBERTO CLEMENTE  RF   RH  103.3

1955-72

Pirates

WAR: 81.7

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: 5.6

OPS+ 130

.324/.370/.520

4 batting titles, double digit triples 5 straight years, the last was '69 when he was 34 and led all MLB.  Gold Gloves in each of his final 12 seasons.  OPS+ of 114 and up each of his last 13 seasons.  Didn't have an OPS+ below 136 the last decade of his career.  

54. GEORGE DAVIS  SH  SS/3B  103.4

1890-1909

Giants/White Sox

WAR: 84

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: 3.4

OPS+ 121

.282/.356/.466

Through 2022, the 4th best shortstop in history.  24 dWAR, played 18 full seasons in MLB, had an OPS+ below 111 three times. 619 career stolen bases.  

53. CURT SCHILLING  RHP  103.5

1988-2007

Phillies

WAR: 72.8

Per Gm: 22

Postseason: 14.1

ERA+ 127

245-175, 18

Led all MLB in wins at ages 34 and 37, Led MLB in innings pitched at 34.  In his final 7 seasons he led the league in K/BB 5 times.  Led MLB in BB/9 when he was 39.  By ERA+, his best year was age 36.  From aged 34-37 had 3 2nd place Cy Young finishes.  And really why he gets here is the postseason record; 11-2, 2.23 in 133 innings.  3 time World Champion, World Series MVP, NLCS MVP.

52. CARL YASTRZEMSKI LH  LF/1B  104.2

1961-1983

Red Sox

WAR: 89.5

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 1.7

OPS+ 130

.281/.376/.484

Led the league in OPS+ 4 times.  In his MVP season, led all MLB in homers, RBI, OBP, slugging, OPS, OPS+, total bases and won a Gold Glove. 18 time All Star.  In a 23 year career, he had 2 seasons with an OPS+ below 108, his rookie year and when he was 41.  

51. KID NICHOLS  RHP  104.3

1890-1906

Beaneaters

WAR: 91.8

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: -

ERA+ 139

235-141, 13

In Kid Nichols first 9 seasons, his smallest win total was 27. He threw over 400 innings his first 5 seasons.  Over 300 the next 5.  

2022 NFL Picks, Week 15

 37-28-1

KC -14 Hou loss

Niners -3 Sea  win

Ind +4 Minn    win

LAR +7 GB loss

Mia +7.5 Buff win

40-30-1

2022-23 College Bowl Predictions

 

Friday, 12-16 

Bahamas Bowl: Miami +11.5 v. UAB (ML)         WIN/WIN       1-0/1-0

11:30 ESPN

Cure Bowl: UTSA +2.5 Troy                                 LOSS/LOSS   1-1/1-1

3 ESPN

Saturday, 12-17

Fenway Bowl: Cincinnati v. Louisville +1.5         WIN/WIN     2-1/2-1

11 ESPN

Celebration Bowl: Jack St (ML) v. NC Central +16.5  LOSS/WIN    2-2(ML) 3-1 (ATS)

12 ABC

LV Bowl: Florida v. Ore St  -7.5                           WIN/WIN   3-2/4-1

2:30 ESPN

LA Bowl: Wash St (ML) v. Fres St   +4.5             LOSS/WIN   3-3(ML) 5-1 (ATS)

3:30 ABC

Lending Tree Bowl: Rice v. So Miss  -4.5            WIN/WIN     4-3/6-1

5:45 ESPN

New Mexico Bowl: SMU -2.5  BYU                    LOSS/LOSS  4-4/6-2

730 ABC

Frisco Bowl: N Tex v. Boise  -4.5                          WIN ML 5-4, LOSS ATS 6-3

9:15 ESPN

Monday, 12-19

Myrtle Beach Bowl: Marshall (ML)  v. UConn     +12.5     WIN ML  6-4  LOSS ATS  6-4

2:30 ESPN

Tuesday, 12-20

Potato Bowl: E Mich v. SJ St   -3.5                        LOSS  6-5 ML  6-5 ATS                                 

3:30 ESPN

Boca Raton Bowl: Liberty v. Toledo  -1.5          WIN  7-5  ML   7-5  ATS

7:30 ESPN 

Wednesday, 12-21

New Orleans Bowl: W Kentucky +2.5 S Alabama  (ML)  7-6 ML  8-5 ATS

9 ESPN

Thursday, 12-22

Armed Forces Bowl: Baylor -5.5 A Force                   7-7 ML   8-6 ATS

7:30 ESPN

Friday, 12-23

Independence Bowl: Louisiana v. Houston  -2.5         8-7 ML 9-6 ATS

3 PM ESPN

Gasparilla Bowl: Wake (ML)v. Missouri   +1.5           9-7 ML  9-7 ATS

6:30 ESPN

Saturday, 12-24

Hawaii Bowl: Mid Tenn St v. SD St   -1.5                  9-8 ML  9-8 ATS  

8 ESPN

Monday, 12-26

Quick Lane Bowl: NMex St v. BGSU +1.5               9-9 ML  9-9 ATS

230 ESPN

Tue, Dec 27

Camellia Bowl: Geo So (ML)  Buff   +4.5                9-10  ML  10-9 ATS

12 ESPN

1st Responder Bowl: Memphis (ML) Utah St   +10.5        10-10  ML  10-10 ATS

315 ESPN

Birmingham Bowl  CCarolina +7.5 ECarolina  (ML)     11-10 ML  10-11 ATS

645 ESPN

Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Wisc -2.5 OK St                    12-10 ML 11-11 ATS

1015 ESPN

Wed, Dec 28

Military Bowl: UCF (ML) Duke  +3.5                        12-11 ML 12-11 ATS

2 ESPN

Liberty Bowl: Kansas v. Arkansas  -4.5                      13-11 ML  12-12 ATS

530 ESPN

Holiday Bowl: Ore -9.5 UNC                                     14-11 ML 12-13 ATS

8 Fox

Texas Bowl: TTech v. Ole Miss -3.5                             14-12 ML  12-14 ATS

9 ESPN

Thurs, Dec 29

Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse v. Minn   -6.5                    15-12  ML  13-14  ATS            

2 ESPN

Cheez It Bowl: Ok v. Fla St  -7.5                                16-12 ML  13-15 ATS

530 ESPN

Alamo Bowl: Tex (ML) Wash  +3.5                           16-13 ML  14-15 ATS

9 ESPN

Fri, Dec 30

Mayo Bowl: Mary -2.5  NC St                                    17-13 ML  15-15  ATS

12 ESPN

Sun Bowl: Pitt v. UCLA   -3.5                                    17-14 ML   15-16 ATS

2 CBS

Gator Bowl: N Dame (ML) S Carolina  +4.5        18-14 ML  16-16 ATS

330 ESPN

Arizona Bowl: Ohio (ML) Wyoming   +3.5         19-14 ML      17-16 ATS

430

Orange Bowl: Tenn +4.5  Clem                          20-14 ML  18-16 ATS

8 ESPN

Sat, Dec 31

Music City Bowl: Iowa +1.5  UK                      21-14 ML  19-16 ATS

12 ABC

Sugar Bowl: Alabama -4.5 K St                         22-14 ML  20-16 ATS

12 ESPN

Mich (ML)TCU   +9.5                                        22-15 ML   21-16 ATS

4 ESPN

UGA -6.5  Ohio St                                              23-15 ML  21-17 ATS

8 ESPN

Mon, Jan 2

ReliaQuest Bowl: Miss St -1.5 Illinois             24-15 ML  22-17 ATS  

12 ESPN2

Citrus Bowl: LSU -5.5  Purdue                            25-15 ML  23-17 ATS

1 ABC

Cotton Bowl: USC -1.5 Tulane                            25-16 ML  23-18 ATS             

1 ESPN

Rose Bowl: Utah +.5 Penn St                                25-17 ML  23-19 ATS       

5 ESPN

Jan 9 - National Title

UGA/Ohio St -.5 Michigan/TCU

The 189 Best Baseball Players of All Time (Part 1)

 Through 2022.

This supersedes all of my prior baseball rankings.

It's been a minute since I did an MLB players ranking.  

I've come up with one overall ranking number - a Total Value number, combining the following:

Regular Season Career Value - that's WAR, my WAR number is a combination of Baseball-reference, Fangraphs, and Clay Davenport's WARP3.  Except for Negro Leaguers, that number is largely based on the gWAR number found at Seamheads.  

Per Regular Season Game Value - that's WAR/PA or WAR/IP, with those totals then scaled to more approximate WAR.   

Postseason Value.  You can't fight city hall - it's been 30 years since the WC and going forward its now clear MLB has really adapted a playoff structure much closer to the other major sports; there has to be a recognition of this in player rankings.  The main component here is Postseason Win Probability/Championship Probability Added. 

There's an upward adjustment for catchers and a downward adjustment for starting pitchers.  Adjustments for relievers are made both ways.

Note - it's a dynamic ranking for actives, not just upward, but downward - per game value drops post peak and the postseason value number is likely to have fluctuation.  It's not the case that Active Player X will always keep rising - the further he is from his prime, but still remaining active and still heading out to the field - the lower that Total Value score will tick down.

The minimum for consideration is 40 WAR (45 for starting pitchers; 25 for bullpen).  

Ties to the player with the higher WAR.  Second tiebreaker is the per game WAR.

I spent way too much time on this.  

In MLB history, there are 189 players with a Total Value of 75+

Here are the 74s, the group that just missed.

190. Darrell Evans (74.8)

191. Jesse Burkett (74.8)

192. Mark Buehrle (74.8)

193. Rube Waddell (74.8)

194. Joe Torre (74.7)

195. Willie Stargell (74.7)

196. Elmer Flick (74.7)

197. Jack Morris (74.7)

198. Chuck Finley (74.5)

199. Charlie Keller (74.5)

200. John Olerud (74.3)

201. Jon Lester (74.2)

202. Willie Wells (74.1)

203. Stan Hack (74)

Player profiles include Total Value, all seasons played, teams played for 5+ years, positions played 500+ games, 

my WAR number, WAR/game, Postseason value number, OPS+, ERA+, Davenport translated stats for BA/OBP/SLG, W-L-Saves; those stats are an attempt to normalize all eras (what do 60 complete games in the 1880s mean when thinking about all of baseball history - it's an inflation adjustment).

189. DICK ALLEN   1B/3B   RH  75.2

Phillies

1963-77

WAR: 59.5

Per game: 16

Postseason: .3

OPS+ 156

.297/.398/.605

It might be a second before we get another translated .600 slugging percentage on the list; it appears the highest WAR not to make this list is in the 65s (Reuschel, Biggio, Nettles). Allen had more games played at first, but given positional disparity, he's on my All Time Third Base list, through 2022, he is 14th with Darrell Evans next.

188. JONATHAN PAPELBON   RHRP  75.3

Red Sox

2005-16

WAR: 25.3

Per Game: 47

Postseason: 7

ERA+ 177

65-32, 356

Through 2022, there are 4 relievers on the list, next man out is Gossage (70.7) Kenly Jansen is right there, at 70.3, but he may tick down in his final seasons given a likely drop in per game value (although postseason can fluctuate either way). Aroldis Chapman has 23.8 WAR through 2022, so doesn't quite qualify, he would come in right after Jansen on the all time reliever list if he can squeak out the rest of the WAR.  Also not quite making the qualifying floor are Sutter, Franco.

187. THURMAN MUNSON   C    RH  75.4

Yankees

1969-79

WAR: 45

Per Game: 15

Postseason: 8.5

OPS+ 116

.300/.357/.461

14 catchers on this list through 2022, Munson just above Joe Torre, in case you skipped the "just missed" section.  Played in 30 postseason games, hit .357.

186. RICHIE ASHBURN  CF   LH  75.5

Phillies

1948-62

WAR: 63.4

Per Game: 13

Postseason: -.9

OPS+ 111

.313/.399/.407

Ashburn led MLB in OBP three times, in '58 he led the NL in OBP, BA and triples with a solid center field glove and finished 7th in the MVP race.  There are 15 center fielders on this list through 2022, Turkey Stearnes, who had an 18 year Negro League career is next (72.8)

185. BOB FELLER  RHP  75.7

Indians

1936-56

WAR: 64

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: -1.3

ERA+ 122

241-183, 23

Through 2022, Feller's the first starting pitcher on the list; there are 55 still to come.  4 starting pitchers are part of the group of 74 that just missed: Buehrle (74.8) Waddell (74.8) Morris (74.7) Finley (74.5) Lester (74.2) Two active pitchers are within shouting distance, Sale (72.9) Wainwright (72.4). There's no bonus points for missing time for a good cause, but Feller had top 3 MVP finishes in the 3 years prior to his missing 3 years during WW2.

184. CRAIG KIMBREL  RHRP  75.9

Braves

2010-

WAR: 26.4

Per Gm: 51

Postseason: 2.5

ERA+ 177

64-37, 385

Through 2022, Kimbrel's the first active player on the list (through 2022, there are a total of 11) so its possible he moves up - and possible, given how close he is to that 75 line, that he's off the list entirely by career's end.  Kimbrel led the NL in saves in his first 4 big league seasons.

183. REGGIE SMITH  RF/CF  SH  76.1

Red Sox/Dodgers

1966-82

WAR: 60.7

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: .4

OPS+ 137

.287/.367/.533

Smith would be high up on the list of top performances for 1 year San Francisco Giants - in '82, a 37 year old Smith came to San Francisco and had a 134 OPS+ in 398 PA.  Smith had top 5 MVP finishes for the Dodgers back to back pennant winners in the late 70s.  

182. COLE HAMELS  LHP  76.3

Phillies

2006-20

WAR: 57.5

Per Gm: 21

Postseason: 1.8

ERA+ 123

210-153

In 14 full seasons of a big league career, Hamels had a sub 100 ERA+ once, and it was 97.  

181. JUAN MARICHAL  RHP   76.3

Giants

1960-75

WAR: 61.9

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: .4

ERA+ 123

209-149, 2

The only San Francisco pitcher on the list through 2022, in '68, Marichal was 30, he led the NL with 325 IP, he had 30 complete games, it was the third season of his career pitching over 300 innings, in the following season he had a 168 ERA+ and by and large that was it - he had a sub 100 ERA+ in '70 and '72, '73 was his last season as a full time starter.  Marichal left most of his arm back in the 60s but pitched until '75. 

180. JACK GLASSCOCK   SS  RH  76.5

Blues

1879-95

WAR: 60.5

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: -

OPS+ 112

.281/.336/.414

Glasscock's the first of 18 shortstops on the list; first man out is Willie Wells (74.1) who had a 21 year Negro League career.  Glasscock's got a lot of defensive value, per baseball-references's dWAR, his glove was worth 22 wins.  Glasscock played for 9 big league teams in 17 seasons.

179. PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT  1B  RH  76.6

DBacks/Cards

2011-

WAR: 59.2

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: .4

OPS+ 145

.303/.402/.533

Hard not to like a .300/.400/.500 translated slashline; Goldschmidt's got more to go, in 2022 he had a career best 180 OPS+.  He was 34, so apparently it is possible to have a late career power spike not attributed to magic beans.  

178. MICKEY COCHRANE C  LH  76.7

Athletics

1925-37

WAR: 52.4

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: .3

OPS+ 129

.283/.381/.473

Cochrane played in 800 more games with Philly than Detroit, Cochrane had just two full time seasons as a Tiger, but was AL MVP in one of them (his second MVP Award).  His real career BA/OBP significantly higher than the translated slash if you were looking for that .419 career on base.  

177. CHASE UTLEY 2B  LH  76.7

Phillies

2003-18

WAR: 58

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 3.7

OPS+ 117

.267/.353/.479

16 second basemen on the list; Utley's first - right behind him is a guy who should be here next year, Jose Altuve (73.6). Utley led all MLB in being hit by pitches 3 straight years, '07-'09. 

176. BUSTER POSEY  C  RH  76.9

Giants

2009-21

WAR: 51.5

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: .4

OPS+ 129

.316/.389/.486

Just 5600 career plate appearances for Posey - 3 thousand fewer than Bench, nearly 5000 fewer than Pudge Rodriguez.  Munson's career was cut short in that plane crash and he had more plate appearances than Posey.  Posey does not get much postseason bounce, despite the 3 titles. He had 58 career postseason games, 252 plate appearances, here was his slashline: .252/.321/.345, compare that to his regular season career slashline .302/.372/.460.

175. MOOKIE BETTS   RF  RH  77.2

Red Sox

2014-

WAR: 54.9

Per Gm: 22

Postseason: .3

OPS+ 134

.301/.380/.526

2023 will be Betts's age 30 season, through 2022 he's the youngest active player on this list so there's more to come.  He's got 4 top 5 MVP finishes through 2022.  

174. WHITEY FORD  LHP  77.2

Yankees

1950-67

WAR: 57.2

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: 6.1

ERA+ 133

201-163, 8

16 year big league career - and only once did Ford have an ERA+ below 115 and that was 105 when he was 36 years old.  The year prior, 1964 when Ford was 35 - he went 17-6 with a 170 ERA+, the second best mark of his career.  

173. DAVID WELLS   LHP   77.2

Blue Jays

1987-07

WAR: 57.9

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: 6.4

ERA+ 108

245-208, 8

Led MLB in BB/9 3 times. His 2 top 3 Cy Young finishes were in his mid 30s. Pitched forever - threw 157 innings in '07 when he was 44.  

172. CRISTOBAL TORRIENTE  CF  LH  77.3

American Giants

1920-32

WAR: 51.3

Per Gm: 26

Postseason -

OPS+ 158

.300/.386/.509

The first Negro League player on the list, in 1920, Torriente hit .411 and led the Negro National League in BA/OBP/SLG.

171. BUCK EWING  C   RH   77.6

Giants

1880-97

WAR: 53.9

Per game: 19

Postseason -

OPS+ 129

.279/.336/.493

Seriously.  On the all time catcher rankings, Buster Posey, the great 21st century Giant - is right behind Buck Ewing, the great 19th century Giant.  WAR?  Nearly identical.  Per game value?  Nearly identical.  OPS+?  Identical.  Plate appearances?  Ewing, by less than 200.  5 Giants championships between them.  Ewing and Posey, separated by over a century, together here.

170. GOOSE GOSLIN  LF   LH  77.6

Senators

1921-38

WAR: 60.2

Per game: 12

Postseason: 5.4

OPS+ 128

.283/.353/.510

Goslin's the first of 13 left fielders as of 2022, both Jesse Burkett (74.8) and Charlie Keller (74.5) were on the just missed list.   Goslin's closest similarity score match is Clemente.

169. BUDDY BELL   3B   RH  77.6

Rangers/Indians

1972-89

WAR: 64.6

Per game: 13

Postseason: 0

OPS+ 109

.284/.349/.448

Bell got 500 plate appearances as a 20 year old rookie in '72, just 3 years after being a 16th round draft pick. A year later he was an All Star.  23.8 career dWAR per b-ref.  

168. SANDY KOUFAX  LHP  77.7

Dodgers

1955-66

WAR: 49.3

Per Game: 21

Postseason: 11.5

ERA+ 131

156-89, 10

Here are the last 4 years of Koufax's career - Cy Young, 3rd in Cy Young, Cy Young, Cy Young.  He also threw over 300 innings in 3 of those 4 years, leading all of MLB in his final two seasons and then his arm gave out.  Maybe direct the next person complaining about modern starting pitchers getting coddled with pitch counts and innings limits to Koufax's baseball reference page.  Would you like to see more guys retire at 30?  Koufax threw 57 World Series innings.  His ERA was 0.95.  

167. DAVE WINFIELD  RF   RH  77.7

Yankees/Padres 

1973-95

WAR: 64.7

Per game: 10

Postseason: 3

OPS+ 130

.289/.361/.533

If you're paying a 31 year old Aaron Judge into his age 40 season knowing the challenging aging history of men of that body type, your counter-example wish is Winfield.  When he was 40, he was 5th in the AL MVP with 100+ RBI and a 138 OPS+ for the World Champion Jays.  4 years prior, at the age of 36, he was 4th in the MVP race with a 159 OPS+.

166. JACOB DEGROM  RHP  78

Mets

2014-22

WAR: 46.8

Per Gm: 35

Postseason: .3

ERA+ 155

134-67

Just 1300+ innings pitched for DeGrom through his age 34 season; won back to back Cy Youngs in 2018-19.  He's over double digit K/9 (and sometimes way over) each of the last 6 seasons through 2022.  His most recent season pitching 100 innings (as of 2022) is 2019.  

165. BRET SABERHAGEN  RHP  78.1

Royals

1984-01

WAR: 59.8

Per Gm: 23

Postseason: -.6

ERA+ 126

192-125

Some pitchers, like DeGrom, start their big league careers at 26 -- Saberhagen threw 150 innings when he was 20 and won the Cy Young the next season.  In 1999, with Boston, had a 171 ERA+ in 119 IP at the age of 35 in his last full big league season.  

164. PEE WEE REESE  SS  RH  78.1

Dodgers

1940-58

WAR: 61.2

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 3.9

OPS+ 99

.269/.361/.400

WW2 wiped out Reese's age 24-26 seasons. 121 was his top ever OPS+, it happened twice, the second time he was 35. 8 top 10 NL MVP finishes for Reese. 

163. ERNIE BANKS  1B/SS  RH  78.1

Cubs

1953-71

WAR: 65.1

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 0

OPS+ 122

.272/.334/.534

Banks played a hundred more games at first than at short.  Back to back MVP Awards in '58-9, but never led the NL in any category. 

162. MONTE WARD SS/RHP  SH  78.2

Giants/Grays

1878-94

WAR: 60

Per Game: 9/10

Postseason: 1

OPS+ 92

ERA+ 119

.267/.312/.370

81-50, 3

Ward wouldn't meet the minimum threshold either as a position player or a pitcher, which skews the ratios in an undesirable way - but I'm giving him his Total Value number anyway and slotting him here.  When he was 18, Ward led the NL in ERA, when he was 19, he won 47 games.  FF 7 years, when Ward was 26 he stole 111 bases and then 5 years later, stole 88. 19th century baseball, man.  

161. LUIS TIANT RHP  78.5

Red Sox/Indians

1964-82

WAR: 61.3

Per Game: 18

Postseason: 3.3

ERA+ 114

216-156, 10

Tiant followed a 1.60 ERA in '68 with a 20 loss '69.  Over 200 innings pitched when he was 37 with a 126 ERA+ 

160. AL SIMMONS  LF/CF  RH  78.6

Athletics

1924-44

WAR: 63.2

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 2.4

OPS+ 133

.298/.342/.541

Simmons had top 5 AL MVP finishes in 3 of his first 4 seasons. The translation adjusts his numbers for era, which is important - but Simmons real career BA was .334; in '30-'31 he hit .380 and .391.  

159. TOMMY JOHN  LHP  78.6

Yankees/White Sox/Dodgers

1963-89

WAR: 67.2

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 1.5

ERA+ 111

263-255, 3

Am I missing someone?  Has anyone accumulated more value as both a Dodger and a Yankee?  Wee Willie Keeler?  Tommy John started a combined 68 games for the Yankees in '87-'88 when he was 44 and 45 years old because that was the past.  

158. OREL HERSHISER  RHP  78.9

Dodgers

1983-00

WAR: 55.2

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: 9.9

ERA+ 112

212-181, 1

132 postseason innings pitched for Hershiser: 8-3, 2.59.  World Series MVP.  NLCS MVP - even an ALCS MVP in '95, when he was 36 as a Cleveland Indian.  

157. ROBINSON CANO  2B  LH  78.9

Yankees/Mariners

2005-22

WAR: 68

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: -3.1

OPS+ 124

.308/.362/.513

Assuming that Cano is done, and after playing 33 games in 2022, not playing in 2021, 49 games in 2020, it seems reasonable to conclude he's done, I've got him as the 15th best second baseman who ever lived.  4 top 4 MVP finishes. Still hitting until it was done, 2020, age 37, 49 games as a Met, 143 OPS+. No, I don't care about the PEDs.  I just told you that Monte Ward won 47 games one season - you think whatever level of deviation from what we think of as baseball is greater w/ PED use than whatever was happening when Monte Ward one 47 games?  It's baseball.   There's PEDs, there's the Gilded Age.  All of it happened.  All of it counts.

156. GARY SHEFFIELD  RF  RH  79.1

Marlins

1988-09

WAR: 65.1

Per Gm: 12

Postseason: 2

OPS+ 140

.286/.389/.533

5 seasons with an OPS+ over 1.000.  Sheff was an OBP monster in the middle of his career; from '95-'03, he was over .400 OPS every single year. You know that thing they say abour Rice?  That he was "feared" -- Sheff scared the hell out of me as opposition.  Dude was vicious.  

155. WILLIE MCCOVEY 1B LH  79.2

Giants

1959-80

WAR: 66.4

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: -1.2

OPS+ 147

.273/.382/.579

I watched Willie McCovey play baseball at Candlestick Park.  That's testiment both to my being an old and McCovey playing forever.  4 different decades of San Francisco Giants baseball for McCovey.  Stretch has an obvious peak - his ages 30-32 seasons.  He broke in in '59, from '59 to '67 McCovey led the NL in one category one time (homers, '63).  And then from '71 forward to the end of his career in '80, McCovey led in only intentional walks, twice.  And then came 1968.  Led the NL in homers, RBI, OBP and all of MLB in SLG and OPS.  Then did it again in '69, but added OBP.  Then in '70, led in walks, slugging, OBP and OPS.  

154. PUD GALVIN  RHP   79.2

Bisons/Alleghenys

1875-92

WAR: 71.4

Per Game: 12

Postseason: -

ERA+ 107

225-124, 1

I believe Galvin is the lowest ranked 70 WAR player on the list (and there are no 70 WAR players who are not on the list).  Galvin had a 1.16 ERA when he was 18 in 1875. In 1883 he threw 72 complete games and pitched in over 650 innings.  He is, of course, in the Hall of Fame.  But not Roger Clemens, because, you know, of how he skews the record books.  

153. JACKIE ROBINSON  2B  RH  79.4

Dodgers

1945-56

WAR: 62.1

Per Game: 21

Postseason: -3.7

OPS+ 133

.306/.400/.513

Robinson hits that magical translated slashline, 3/4/5 (his actual slugging falls short). Really got on base, in 11 seasons his lowest OBP was .367, in his final season, at the age of 37, his OBP was .382.  He wasn't great in the postseason, in 38 World Series Games his slashline was .234/.335/.343; Robinson had 10 xtra base hits in the postseason and hit into 5 double plays.  

152. YADIER MOLINA   C   RH  79.5

Cards

2004-22

WAR: 54.1

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 5.2

OPS+ 96

.283/334/.408

We've reached the top 10 catchers of all time.  Molina caught over 2100 games.  In 21 World Series games Molina hit .328.  

151. MARK MCGWIRE  1B  RH  79.8

A's/Cards

1986-01

WAR: 66.2

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: -3.4

OPS+ 163

.265/.395/.640

Should Mark McGwire be in the Hall of Fame?  For the love of God -- that is a .640 translated slugging percentage.  Higher than anyone else on the list so far - a hundred points higher than Goldschmidt, for example.  At 163, this is the best OPS+ we've seen so far.  7 times McGwire had an OPS over 1.000.  McGwire's translated home run total?  659.  659!  

150. JOE CRONIN  SS    RH   79.9

Red Sox/Senators

1926-45

WAR: 66

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: -1.1

OPS+ 119

.275/.359/.473

Cronin had an OPS+ over 100 every year in his 30s.  I've got him as the 15th best shortstop in baseball history.  

149. JOE GORDON  2B  RH  80.1

Yankees

1938-50

WAR: 58.8

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: 3.3

OPS+ 120

.262/.340/.519

We've crossed the 80 Total Value mark with Gordon, the 13th greatest second baseman through 2022.  Gordon won the AL MVP in '42 and then lost '44 and '45 for the War. Short career, like Robinson, both of them right around 6000 plate appearances.  That's half of Eddie Collins, for ex - that's less than Altuve, through 2022.  

148. HAL NEWHOUSER  LHP  80.2

Tigers

1939-55

WAR: 63.2

Per Gm: 21

Postseason: .2

ERA+ 130

195-146, 37

Wartime star, back to back MVPs in '44-'45, led all of MLB in wins 3 straight years.  The dominance was short, outside of a spike in '54, where Newhouser had a strong season in the Indians pen, he never had a better ERA+ than 124 after the age of 28.  But he is in the Hall of Fame, despite the skewing of the records caused by WW2.  

147. WILLIE RANDOLPH  2B  RH  80.3

Yankees

1975-92

WAR: 65.2

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 1.1

OPS+ 104

.289/.389/.391

20+ career dWAR and a career translated OBP near .400 for a guy with nearly 10,000 plate appearances. The best batting average of Randolph's career? .327 when he was a 36 year old Milwaukee Brewer in 512 plate appearances. Randolph played over 2100 games at second base.  

146. HANK GREEENBERG  1B  RH  80.4

Tigers

1930-47

WAR: 56.6

Per Gm: 19

Postseason: 4.8

OPS+ 159

.288/.379/.627

Greenberg won two MVPs in his 20s and then missed his aged 31-33 seasons for the War.  Led the league in doubles twice, homers 4 times, including at the age of 35, RBI four times, walks twice, including his final season as a 36 year old Pirate.  For the list so far, just McGwire has a better OPS+ and translated slugging.  

145. HARRY HEILMANN RF  RH  80.4

Tigers

1914-32

WAR: 65.4

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 0

OPS+ 148

.310/.379/.555

I get an excessive amount of pleasure from this, Greenberg and Heilmann, representing 40 years of Detroit baseball, together with 80.4 Total Value (yes, enitrely coincidental, as in I didn't notice until right now).  Heilmann's last year in Detroit was '29 -- Greenberg's rookie year was '30.  Heilmann's real career BA was .342, he takes a hit with the translation.  Hit .403 in '23 and was over .390 three other seasons.  In his final full season, in Cincinnati, Heilmann had a 143 OPS+.  

144. JIM EDMONDS  CF   LH  80.7

Cards/Angels

1993-2010

WAR: 63.2

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: 1.5

OPS+ 132

.277/.365/.521

Through 2022, I've got Edmonds as the 12th greatest center fielder of all time.  8 Gold Gloves and in the middle of his career just pounded the ball, Age 30, 147 OPS+, Age 31 149 OPS+ Age 32 158 OPS+ Age 33 160 OPS+ Age 34 171 OPS+ -- Jim Edmonds just mashed the ball when he was 34, slugging .643 with 42 homers and 111 RBI, that was 2004, his best ever season with the bat.  I don't recall Edmonds getting the "these numbers don't count" treatment, but there you go.  

143.  DUKE SNIDER  CF  LH  81.2

Dodgers

1947-64

WAR: 59.1

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 8.1

OPS+ 140

.289/.374/.559

Willie and Mickey are still to come, but here's the Duke.  In 36 World Series games (32 against the Yankees) Snider hit 11 homers. When you look at his dWAR in his 30s, Snider maybe could have used a DH spot as he aged.

142. MIKE PIAZZA C  RH  81.4

Mets/Dodgers

1992-2007

WAR: 60.4

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: -2.4

OPS+ 143

.305/.371/.552

Had an OPS over 1.000 4 times, twice led all MLB in OPS+.  4 top 5 MVP finishes. 

141. ED WALSH  RHP  81.4

White Sox

1904-17

WAR: 63.7

Per Game: 21

Postseason: 1

ERA+ 146

165-93, 42

As of 2022, the career leader in ERA (1.82) and FIP.  Won 40 in 1908, led all MLB in innings pitched 4 times, led the AL in saves 5 times.  

140. DON DRYSDALE  RHP  81.6

Dodgers

1956-69

WAR: 65.3

Per Game: 19

Postseason: 1.6

ERA+ 121

203-157, 6

From '62-65 Drysdale led all MLB in starts.  3 times he led MLB in strikeouts, 5 times he led the NL in hit batsmen.  Through 2022, I've got Drysdale as the 42nd best pitcher ever.  

139. LANCE BERKMAN  SH  1B/LF  81.8

Astros

1999-2013

WAR: 53.7

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 14.1

OPS+ 144

.284/.396/.526

That's a ton of postseason value, a ton.  Here's Berkman's World Series record.  11 games.  50 plate appearances.  He hit .410.  Had a .520 OBP.  In a 52 game postseason career, Berkman had a .949 OPS.  Just the one WS title and he never won a playoff MVP, so you maybe don't think of him as an all time great playoff performer, but there you go.

138. HOME RUN BAKER  3B  LH  81.9

Athletics/Yankees

1908-22

WAR: 57.2

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: 7.7

OPS+ 135

.296/.352/.519

Led the AL in homers 4 straight years,  Won 3 World Series; in 25 games he hit .363.  The A's went back to back in '10-'11 and here were Baker's slashlines.  1910: .409/.458/.636, 1911: .375/.400/.708.

137. GABBY HARTNETT  C  RH   82.1

Cubs

1922-41

WAR: 60.9

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: -3.3

OPS+ 126

.269/.355/.517

Won the MVP at 34, hitting .344.  Caught nearly 1800 games. Through 2022, he's my 8th best ever catcher.

136. BILLY HAMILTON  CF  LH  82.2

Beaneaters/Phillies

1888-1901

WAR: 65.2

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: -

OPS+ 141

.308/.426/.454

Just always got on base; you see his translated OBP, his real OBP was .455.  Led the NL in OBP 5 times, in 1894 Hamilton had a .521 on base percentage.  Led the NL in runs scored 4 times, in stolen bases 5 times, in walks 5 times.  Hamilton hit .403 in '94.  

135. JOEY VOTTO  1B  LH  82.2

Reds

2007-

WAR: 67.4

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: -1.6

OPS+ 145

.296/.413/.517

Votto will be in his age 39 season in 2023, 2022 was his worst with the bat with an 89 OPS+ and he's always been a subpar glove, it seems unlikely there's a lot of advancement left and may drop back.  He's just short of 3/4/5 in his translated slashline and his real slashline is almost identical.  The last time he hit .300 was 2017, so it seems really unlikely that bumps up.  In a 16 year career, Votto has led the NL in OBP 7 times.

134. EDDIE MURRAY  1B  SH  82.4

Orioles

1977-97

WAR: 74.4

Per Gm: 12

Postseason: -4

OPS+ 129

.291/.367/.523

Murray's the lowest ranked position player with 70+WAR, that rough postseason record really hurts him here, particularly the World Series performances - 18 games, 75 plate appearances: .169/.280/.369.  Murray had more strikeouts than hits in the World Series.

133. SAM CRAWFORD  RF  LH  82.6

Tigers

1899-17

WAR: 68.6

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 1

OPS+ 144

.301/.360/.542

The career leader in triples. Crawford's only career top 10 MVP finish was 2nd when he 34, leading the league in triples and RBI with a 158 OPS+  Through 2022, Crawford's the 13th best RF in history.

132. SATCHEL PAIGE  RHP  82.7

Monarchs/Crawfords

1927-65

WAR: 58.1

Per Gm: 28

Postseason: 1

ERA+ 152

181-110, 79

18 seasons in the Negro Leagues, 2.46 career Negro League ERA.  Signed with the Indians when he was 41, had a 2.48 ERA.  4 years later, in 1952, a 45 year old Satchel Paige led the AL with 35 complete games and then a year later had 34.  Just roll through that a couple of times.  46 years old.  34 complete games.  

131. DEREK JETER SS RH   82.9

Yankees

1995-2014

WAR: 69.3

Per Gm: 11

Postseason: 2.6

OPS+ 115

.304/.374/.452

Through 2022, Jeter's the 14th best shortstop ever; 3 career top 5 MVP finishes, led MLB in hits when he was 38. By dWAR an actively bad glove, in 20 seasons, only 3 had a +dWAR.  

130. RAFAEL PALMEIRO  1B  LH  83.2

Rangers/Orioles

1986-2005

WAR: 72.9

Per Gm: 12

Postseason: -1.7

OPS+ 132

.284/.369/.537

Palmeiro's best year with the bat was '99 when he was 34, .324/.420/.630.  His 5th place in the AL MVP was his highest finish.  Talk about a bad glove.  -10 dWAR for his career.  Born to DH.  

129.  TIM KEEFE  RHP  83.3

Giants

1880-93

WAR: 72.7

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 1

ERA+ 126

188-120, 2

In 1880, a 23 year old Keefe had an ERA of 0.86, 3 years later he had 68 complete games.  In 1886, Keefe went 42-20.  In 1888, 35-12.   Keefe's translated wins is 188, his real wins: 342.  

128. SHOELESS JOE JACKSON  LH  RF/LF  83.4

Indians/White Sox

1908-20

WAR: 59.2

Per Gm: 21

Postseason: 3.2

OPS+ 170

.335/.402/.600

The bat. The.  Bat.   A 170 Career OPS+ is the best on the list so far; look at the translated slashline, 3/4/6.  3/4/6!  Quick spot check - Jackson's the top sub 60 career WAR ever who didn't play in the Negro Leagues. 

127. BROOKS ROBINSON  3B  RH  83.4

Orioles

1955-77

WAR: 68.8

Per Gm: 12

Postseason: 12

OPS+ 105

.277/.331/.434

You know how some guys have big historical defensive reputations but the metrics don't back that up?  Robinson has 39.1 dWAR.  

126. LARRY WALKER  RF  LH  83.5

Rockies/Expos

1989-05

WAR: 64.2

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: 3.3

OPS+ 141

.283/.373/.527

Walker suffers from the translation, his real world slashline hits the 3/4/5 mark, .313/.400/.565.  In '97 and '99 Walker was with the Rockies and had an OBP over .450 and a SLG over .700.  Walker never stopped hitting - he never had an OPS+ in any full season below 110.  When Walker was 37, his OPS was over 1.000

125. SCOTT ROLEN  3B   RH  83.5

Phillies/Cards

1996-2012

WAR: 68.2

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: -.7

OPS+ 122

.272/.356/.489

The list hits the top 10 third basemen of all time, through 2022 (and that includes a couple of DH's) so yeah, one of the ten best third basemen in MLB history should probably be in the Hall of Fame.  The glove never stopped, just 2 negative dWAR seasons in 17 years.  

124. JOHN CLARKSON  RHP  83.7

Beaneaters

1882-94

WAR: 72.1

Per Gm: 16

Postseason -

ERA+ 133

175-111, 4

Clarkson won 53 games in 1885.  Completed 56 in 1887.  Was 49-19 in 1889.  

123. KEITH HERNANDEZ   1B  LH  84

Cards/Mets

1974-90

WAR: 62.2

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 6.8

OPS+ 128

.300/.391/.486

11 time Gold Glove winner (not supported by dWAR) Hernandez is helped by the two titles.  Hit .344 in his MVP season and led the NL in OBP the following year.  Hernandez was a 42nd round draft pick.

122. LOU BOUDREAU  SS  RH  84

Indians

1938-52

WAR: 64.7

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: 1.3

OPS+ 120

.298/.373/.471

Lou Boudreau was 30 when he won the '48 MVP.  That year....his career best home run total, RBI total, walk total, batting average, OBP, SLG, OPS, Total Bases.  

121. DAVID CONE  RHP  84.3

Mets/Yankees

1986-03

WAR: 62.5

Per Gm: 22

Postseason: 4.2

ERA+ 121

223-152

Most valuable Met+Yankee, right?  Strawberry would be the only competition?  Cone won 20 for the Mets in '88 and a decade later 20 for the Yanks.  Right in the middle, the Cy Young for the Royals with a 171 ERA+.  Cone won 5 World Series Championships, 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 29 innings pitched.

120. DON SUTTON RHP  84.5

Dodgers

1966-88

WAR: 75

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: -.1

ERA+ 108

311-260, 3

Sutton's the first 300 game translated winner on the list, the first 75 WAR player. 5 top 5 Cy Young finishes for Sutton, right in a row from '72 to '76. Led the NL in WHIP 4 times.  

119. DAVID ORTIZ  LH  DH  84.6

Red Sox/Twins

1997-2016

WAR: 58.4

Per Gm: 12

Postseason: 14.2

OPS+ 141

.277/.380/.551

When I post the positional ranks, you'll see Ortiz ranked with the first basemen, I don't have a standalone DH list.  Ortiz is this high for the postseason success, 3 titles, World Series MVP, ALCS MVP. In 14 World Series games Ortiz hit .455 with a 1.372 OPS.  I'm not saying Ortiz is the best position player in WS history, but he's on the short list.  

118. JOSH GIBSON  C  RH  85.3

Grays/Crawfords

1930-46

WAR: 47.5

Per Gm: 29

Postseason: 1

OPS+ 214

.325/.409/.709

Cartoonish bat. The OPS+.  The translated slugging.  Gibson's the top sub 60 WAR player in history and he's sub 50.  8 time Negro League leader in OPS+.

117. BOBBY WALLACE  SS  RH  85.5

Browns/Cards

1894-1918

WAR: 70.5

Per Gm: 15

Postseason -

OPS+ 105

.261/.336/.421

25 year big league career; strong glove, 28.7 dWAR, almost all of that packed into the middle decade of his career.  

116. FRED CLARKE  LF  LH  85.7

Pirates/Colonels

1894-1915

WAR: 67.6

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 4.1

OPS+ 133

.291/.371/.497

.926 OPS in the Bucs WS win in 1909, Walked 4 times in Gm 7.

115. CARL HUBBELL  LHP   86

Giants

1928-43

WAR: 66.1

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: 6.4

ERA+ 130

230-161, 35

2 Time NL MVP; he led in ERA+ both of those seasons.  In another year, Hubbell led in both complete games and saves; in other, he led in Ks and winning %.  1.79 career ERA in 50 WS innings.

114. CC SABATHIA   LHP   86

Yankees/Indians

2001-19

WAR: 69.7

Per Gm: 19

Postseason: 1.8

ERA+ 116

272-218

Led MLB in complete games in '06, in IP in '07, in complete games again in '08, led the AL in starts in '10 and in batters faced in '11.  Even in his late 30s with the Yankees, Sabathia was pitching lots of innings, 179 when he was 35, 153 when he was 37.

113. DENNIS ECKERSLEY  RHRP  86.3

A's/Red Sox

1975-98

WAR: 66.7

Per Gm: 24

Postseason: .1

ERA+ 116

225-159, 350

Eck's here as a reliever, 390 saves, but he also won almost 200 games and more than that when you translate his numbers.  His MVP year was '92....but back up a couple of years.  In 73 innings pitched in 1990, Eck's ERA was...0.61.  That's an ERA+ of 603.  He gave up 5 earned runs all year.    Just one reliever left on the list.  

112. RON SANTO  3B  RH  86.3

Cubs

1960-74

WAR: 71.3

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 0

OPS+ 125

.274/.368/.499

Compared to Robinson/Rolen, not a lot of dWAR, Santo's here for being able to field third base capably while also nearing a .500 translated slugging.  

111. RED RUFFING  RHP  86.6

Yankees/Red Sox

1924-47

WAR: 67.1

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 9.1

ERA+ 109

251-232, 21

So, the first thing, Ruffing was a pretty good bat for a pitcher, 86 OPS+, hit 36 homers.  Second thing, he missed his aged 38-39 seasons for WW2 and still came back to start another 27 games over the subsequent 3 years.  And finally - it's all the postseason value that gets Ruffing this slot.  7 World Series, won 6 of them. 7-2 2.52 in 85 innings. 

110. RYNE SANDBERG  2B  RH  86.7

Cubs

1981-97

WAR: 70.9

Per Gm: 18

Postseason: .8

OPS+ 114

.280/.343/..481

9 straight Gold Gloves and dWAR seems him as steady throughout his career. Led the league in triples in '84 and homers in '90. Sandberg had a 145 OPS+ in '92 at the age of 32 and then fell off the table, 109 OPS+ the next year, never hit 100 again.  

109. ROY HALLADAY  RHP  87

Jays

1998-2013

WAR: 65.8

Per Gm: 24

Postseason: 1.8

ERA+ 131

219-147

Almost a hundred guys through this list, the only starters with more per game value are DeGrom (and that's likely to drop) and Paige.  Cy Youngs in both leagues - Halladay led the league in complete games 7 times and 6 of those he led all of MLB.  

108. ROBERTO ALOMAR  2B  SH  87.5

Jays

1988-2004

WAR: 70.9

Per Gm: 14

Postseason: 2.6

OPS+ 116

.301/.373/.460

Nearing the top 100 and nearing 90 Total Value.  Alomar's got an identical WAR to Sandberg, a little more on base, a little less power, similar gloves; he's got 2 World Championships Sandberg doesn't have and that provides the edge (Robby also had nearly 500 stolen bases). 

107. BARRY LARKIN  SS  RH  87.8

Reds

1986-2004

WAR: 69.3

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 3.5

OPS+ 116

.289/.366/.455

Larkin had a real bat spike in the mid 90s, the only 3 OPS seasons of his career that topped .900 were '96-98 when he was 32-34.  He hit 33 homers in '96, he only hit 20 one other time and that was 6 years before.  Barry Larkin is, of course, in the Hall of Fame.  

106. EDGAR MARTINEZ  DH/3B  87.9

Mariners

1987-2004

WAR: 71.3

Per Gm: 16

Postseason: .6

OPS+ 147

.308/.415/.548

Both translated and real slashline hits that 3/4/5 mark. You want to see a mid/late 90s bat spike for a guy in his 30s?  Edgar's 3 best OPS seasons were '95-97 when he was 32-34.  Here are his home runs per season: 0,0,2,11,14,18,4,13.  That takes us to 1995 when he is 32.  Here's the rest of his career: 29,26,28,29,24.....37, that's the year 2000, Edgar Martinez is 37 years old, and he hits his career high in homers.  In the year 2000.  When he's 37.  Finishing up: 23,15,24,12.  Martinez led the AL in RBI when he was 37.  Only time he ever did that.  Martinez had an OPS over 1.000 5 times, all from the age of 32 forward.  Edgar Martinez is, of course, in the Hall of Fame.  Put this on my tombstone.  Or better yet, on Costas's or any of the real PED hawks.  

105. JIM THOME LH  1B/DH   88

Indians

1991-2012

WAR: 75

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: -2

OPS+ 147

.266/.393/.559

6 OPS seasons over 1.000, the last one 2010 when he was 39. Thome mashed - had a 131 OPS+ when he was 22 and never looked back, he didn't have an OPS+ below 120 until he was 38 and then came back the next year with the second best slugging % of his career. 

104. CARLOS BELTRAN  CF   SH   88.1

Royals/Mets

1998-2017

WAR: 67.7

Per Gm: 12

Postseason: 8.4

OPS+ 119

.276/.351/.486

It's the postseason for Beltran that gets him knocking on the door of the top 100 players of all time. 65 games, 256 plate appearances.  .307/.412/.609.  Beltran hit 16 postseason home runs. 

103. DWIGHT EVANS  RF  RH  88.2

Red Sox

1972-91

WAR: 68.4

Per Gm: 13

Postseason: 6.8

OPS+ 127

.267/.372/.511

Evans top home run season was '87, when he was 35, he had a .569 SLG that season, his best ever mark. 

102. ALAN TRAMMELL   SS   RH  88.5

Tigers

1977-96

WAR: 70.9

Per Gm: 15

Postseason: 2.6

OPS+ 110

.289/.359/.449

Just hit a .400 OBP once, in '87, clearly his career year with the bat, his top BA, his top SLG.  His biggest home run and RBI season.  Finished second to George Bell in the AL MVP that season, Bell had 19 more homers but just 4 points ahead in OPS.  

101. JIM PALMER   RHP  88.6

Orioles

1965-84

WAR: 67.5

Per Gm: 17

Postseason: 8.8

ERA+ 125

243-164, 2

Won 20 games 8 times, 3 time Cy Young winner, led the AL in IP 3 straight times in his early 30s.  3 World Championships for Palmer, here was his postseason record: 8-3, 124 IP, 2.61 ERA.

The top 100 players in MLB history are next.