The 25 Greatest First Basemen in MLB History

The WAR number is a combination of B-Ref and Davenport, the best WAR that exists for historical comparison.  Additional numbers are OPS+, plate appearances, WAR/Plate appearance, and the number of Most Valuable Player Quality Seasons (8 WAR seasons - 8 WAR is an MVPQ, 10 WAR is an EMVPQ, 12 WAR an EEMVPQ, 14 WAR an EEEMVPQ)

I've got each position carried out to 32 slots for a project that I don't believe fits this space, so I'll just include the top 25 here.  I'll also include last player out.  For some players, it's hard to slot them at a particular position (where does King Kelly go, for example) so I just chose one (if you don't see a first baseman in the top 25 who you know should be there, maybe he's a third baseman instead). 

Each player is only listed with one team - the team that is most representative of his MLB performance.  This is just merit, that's the only way I rank stuff - it's not social impact or the quality of their character.  It's performance.

1. Lou Gehrig (1923-39, Yankees) WAR 105.25 OPS+179 PA 9663 (WAR/PA .0109) EMVPQ: 27 MVPQ: 28, 35, 34, 30, 36 

2. Albert Pujols (2001-, Cardinals) WAR 107.85 OPS+152 PA 11188 (.0097) EMVPQ: 09
MVPQ: 08, 07, 03, 04, 06, 05, 10, 

3. Jimmie Foxx (1925-45, A's) WAR 88.5 OPS+ 163 PA 9676 (91) EMVPQ: 32 MVPQ: 33, 34,

4. Cap Anson (1871-97, White Stockings) WAR 95.45 OPS+ 142 PA 11331 (84)

5. Frank Thomas (1990-08, White Sox) WAR 84.05 OPS+ 156 PA 10075 (83) MVPQ: 91

6. Dan Brouthers (1879-04, Bisons) WAR 81.3 OPS+ 171 PA 7691 (.0106) MVPQ: 92, 86, 82,

7. Roger Connor (1880-97, Giants) WAR 87 OPS+153 PA 8847 (98) MVPQ: 85, 88,

8. Jim Thome (1991-2012, Indians) WAR 81.6 OPS+ 147 PA 10313 (79) MVPQ: 02,

9. Johnny Mize (1936-53, Cardinals) WAR 71.35 OPS+158 PA 7370 (97) MVPQ: 40,

10. Mark McGwire (1986-01, Athletics) WAR 68.65 OPS+ 163 PA 7660 (90) MVPQ: 98,

11. Jeff Bagwell (1991-05, Astros) WAR 75.55 OPS+149 PA 9431 (80) MVPQ: 94,

12. Todd Helton (1997-2013, Rockies) WAR 66.8 OPS+133 PA 9453 (71) MVPQ: 00, 04,

13. Willie McCovey (1959-80, Giants) WAR 65.9 OPS+147 PA 9692 (68)

14. David Ortiz (1997-16, Red Sox) WAR 66.9 OPS+141 PA 10091 (67)

15. Rafael Palmeiro (1986-05, Rangers) WAR 73 OPS+ 132 PA 12046 (61)

16. Eddie Murray (1977-97, Orioles) WAR 69.95 OPS+ 129 PA 12817 (55)

17. Joey Votto (2007-, Reds) WAR 59.9 OPS+ 158 PA 6141 (98) MVPQ: 17

18. Hank Greenberg (1930-47, Tigers) WAR 54.4 OPS+158 PA 6098 (89) MVPQ: 37

19. Will Clark (1986-00, Giants) WAR 60.1 OPS+ 137 PA 8283 (73) MVPQ: 89

20. John Olerud (1989-05, Blue Jays) WAR 63.85 OPS+ 129 PA 9063 (70) MVPQ: 93,

21. Keith Hernandez (1974-90, Cardinals) WAR 63.25 OPS+ 128 PA 8553 (74)

22. Jason Giambi (1995-14, A’s) WAR 60.7 OPS+ 139 PA 8908 (68) EMVPQ: 01 MVPQ: 00, 02

23. Mark Teixeira (2003-16, Yankees) WAR 58.9 OPS+ 126 PA 8029 (73)

24. Bill Terry (1923-36, Giants) WAR 50.7 OPS+ 136 PA 7108 (71)

25. Fred McGriff (1986-04, Blue Jays) WAR 54.3 OPS+ 134 PA 10174 (53)

(last out - Adrian Gonzalez)