PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 28: The Major League Baseball logo is seen on a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Baseball fans love to argue over who is the best at each position. It’s so hard to determine greatness in a game that has been played over a century. Here is a list of the 25 greatest outfielders to have ever played. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
25. Billy Williams
(Original Caption) Mesa, Arizona: Billy Williams, of the Chicago Cubs, during spring training. March 1964.
Consistent power hitter for the Cubs
24. Mike Trout
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 2: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 2, 2023 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Diamondbacks 5-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Exceptional all-around talent
23. Shoeless Joe Jackson
(Original Caption) “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, former Chicago White Sox player, involved in Black Sox Scandal.
Great pure hitter
22. Ichiro Suzuki
TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 21: Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners at bat in the 8th inning, last plate appearance, during the game between Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics at Tokyo Dome on March 21, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)
Greatest Japanese player to play in the MLB
21. Andre Dawson
SAN DIEGO – 1986: Andre Dawson #10 of the Montreal Expos swings during a 1986 season game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
The Hawk”—Great arm in the outfield
20. Carl Yastrzemski
The Boston Red Sox’ Carl Yastrzemski batting in the third game of the World Series in St Louis, Missouri, October 7th 1967. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
“Yaz” Triple Crown Winner and Red Sox Legend
19. Tony Gwynn
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1993: Tony Gwynn #19 of the San Diego Padres poses for this photo circa 1993. Gwynn played for the Padres from 1982-01. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Might have the purest stroke outside of Ted Williams
18. Reggie Jackson
The New York Yankees’ Reggie Jackson batting during a game against the Texas Rangers, New York, May 25th 1977. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
“Mr. October” No better clutch playoff hitter
17. Duke Snider
American baseball player Duke Snider (1926 – 2011) of the Brooklyn Dodgers, USA, circa 1960. (Photo by FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Dodgers Legend
16. Al Kaline
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 28: Al Kaline #6 of the Detroit Tigers swings at the pitch during an MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles on June 28, 1959 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan. The Orioles catcher is Gus Triandos #11. (Photo by Hy Peskin/Getty Images) (Set Number: X6039)
“Mr. Tiger” 10x Gold Glove Winner
15. Mel Ott
1934: Mel Ott of the New York Giants, poses in a batters stance, circa, 1934. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images)
511 career HRs
14. Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
586 HRs and 2x MVP
13. Barry Bonds
7 Oct 2001: Barry Bonds #25 of the San Francisco Giants watches his 73rd home run hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Harry How/ALLSPORT
Seven time MVP
12. Roberto Clemente
(Original Caption) 4/13/1967-New York, NY: Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates, batting during a game in Shea Stadium against the Mets.
Not only a great player but a great humanitarian as well
11. Rickey Henderson
(Original Caption) Oakland A’s Rickey Henderson holds up the base as Lou Brock (left) looks on after Henderson broke Brock’s record on 118 steals by stealing his 119th in the third inning of the A’s-Milwaukee Brewers game.
All-time stolen base leader
10. Tris Speaker
UNITED STATES – CIRCA 1912: Informal three-quarter length portrait of Hall of Fame outfielder Tris Speaker of the American League’s Boston Red Sox, sitting in front of grandstands on the field at Comiskey Park, Chicago, IL, 1912. A man is partially visible sitting in the grandstands in the foreground. (Photo by Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum/Getty Images)
.345 career batting average and most OF assists
9. Ken Griffey Jr.
SEATTLE – SEPTEMBER 20: Ken Griffey Jr #24 of the Seattle Mariners makes a hit during the game against the New York Yankees on September 20, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
“Junior” was the best two-way player not named Mays
8. Joe DiMaggio
(Original Caption) 7/18/1941-Cleveland, OH: Joe DiMaggio, slugging outfielder of the New York Yankees, makes a pair of “duck eggs” with his fingers to indicate that for the first time in 57 consecutive games he has gone hitless. The end of the amazing series of hit games came against the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland yesterday. DiMaggio went to bat four times, failed to get the ball past the infielders three times and walked once. His record of hits in 56 consecutive games is expected to stand for many moons.
“Joe D” Had an incredible 56 game hitting streak
7. Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle #7 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during batting practice prior to an MLB game against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, August 24, 1958. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images)
“The Mick” Would be #1 or 2 overall had he not hurt his knees
6. Ty Cobb
(Original Caption) 1921-Ty Cobb.
Highest batting average in MLB history
5. Stan Musial
(Original Caption) 8/12/1956-Chicago, IL- Stan Musial, of the Cardinals, slaps out his 1,071st extra base-hit to tie a National League Record held by Mel Ott, former Giants great. Musial’s blow, a double, came in the 6th inning of the first game against the Chicago Cubs. The pitcher at the time was Bob Rush. The Cubs won, 6-2.
“Stan the Man” Outstanding pure hitter
4. Hank Aaron
(Original Caption) Hank Aaron is shown in this close up. He is shown as an Atlanta Braves outfielder during Spring Training.
Legendary power hitter who broke Ruth’s long time HR record
3. Ted Williams
circa 1955: Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams (1918 – 2002) in a gray uniform, holding a baseball bat in a baseball stadium. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
“Splendid Splinter” Arguably the best hitter of the modern era
2. Babe Ruth
Yankees’ champion player, Babe Ruth, demonstrating his batting style in 1929.
“The Babe” Dominated baseball like no one before him
1. Willie Mays
(Original Caption) Willie Mays, Giants’ centerfielder and rookie of the year in the National League at Giants’ spring training, Phoenix, Arizona. Willis is waiting for his draft call.
“The Say Hey Kid” –Best five-tool player in MLB history
