ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: A MLB logo is seen before a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 22, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/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 20 greatest first basemen all-time. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
20. Mark McGwire
1988: Mark McGwire of the Oakland Athletics stands ready at bat during a 1988 season game. Mark McGwire played for the Oakland Athletics from 1986-1997. (Photo by: Bernstein Associates/Getty Images)
583 HRs and one of the most feared power hitters of his generation.
19. Don Mattingly
New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly watches the flight of the baseball as he stands at home plate during a 1986 game.
“Donnie Baseball” Had four of the greatest years of any player in history.
18. Tony Perez
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1972: Tony Perez #24 of the Cincinnati Reds bats against the New York Mets during an Major League Baseball game circa 1972 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Perez played for the Reds from 1964-76 and 1984-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
A main cog of the Big Red Machine.
17. Fred McGriff
ATLANTA, GA – CIRCA 1994: Fred McGriff #29 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the Montreal Expos during an Major League Baseball game circa 1994 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. McGriff played for the Braves from 1993-97. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The Crime Dog. 2023 inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
16. Pete Rose
(Original Caption) 7/30/72-Cincinnati, Ohio- Pete Rose of the Reds dives into home plate past the glove of Giants’ catcher Dave Rader, July 30th, in first game of double-header. Rose flew home from third on a single by Bobby Telas as Giants’ left-fielder Ken Henderson threw wide to the plate without a relay. Reds took both ends of the double-header, 4-0, and 6-1.
“Charlie Hustle”. One of the greatest contact hitters to have played the game.
15. Dick Allen
Sarasota – UNDATED 1973: Dick Allen of the Chicago White Sox poses before a MLB game at Payne Park in Sarasota, Florida. Allen played for the Chicago White Sox from 1972-74. (Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
7x All-Star and 2025 Hall of Famer.
14. Freddie Freeman
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 17: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Still active and dominating the league.
13. Eddie Murray
MILWAUKEE, WI – CIRCA 1987: First baseman Eddie Murray #33 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Milwaukee Brewers during an Major League Baseball game circa 1987 at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Murray played for the Orioles from 1977-88 and 1996. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
One of the few players in history with 3000+ hits and 500+ home runs.
12. Paul Goldschmidt
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 19: Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks looks on during an Arizona Diamondbacks MLB training session at Sydney Cricket Ground on March 19, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
With another few years of playing at a high level, he could easily finish in the top ten.
11. Jeff Bagwell
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 19: Jeff Bagwell #5 of the Houston Astros looks on for a pitch during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 19,1997 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Best known for being part of the most lopsided trade in baseball history.
10. Willie McCovey
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 1: Willie McCovey #44 of the San Francisco Giants swings at the pitch during an MLB game against the Chicago Cubs on June 1, 1960 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The Cubs catcher is Earl Averill #6 and the home plate umpire is Dusty Boggess. (Photo by Hy Peskin/Getty Images) (Set Number: X6739)
6x All-Star and hit 521 HRs in a difficult park for power hitters.
9. Joey Votto
CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 30: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates his 300th career home run in the third inning during their game against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on April 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Arguably the greatest Canadian baseball player.
8. Jim Thome
CLEVELAND – CIRCA 1999: Jim Thome #25 of the Cleveland Indians bats during an MLB game at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Thome played for 22 seasons, with 6 different teams, was a 5-time All-Star and was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. (Photo by SPX/Ron Vesely Photography via Getty Images)
His 612 home runs places him eighth overall.
7. Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas #35, Designated Hitter for the Chicago White Sox eyes the ball as he swings his bat during the Major League Baseball American League East game against the New York Yankees on 26 July 1998 at Yankee Stadium, New York, New York, United States. The Yankees won the game 6 – 3. (Photo by David Seelig/Getty Images)
“The Big Hurt” 5x All-Star and 2x AL MVP. Inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2014.
6. Hank Greenberg
CHICAGO – APRIL 20, 1938. Hank Greenberg, first baseman for the Detroit Tigers, hits a home run on opening day of the 1938 season against the Chicago White Sox on April 20, 1938. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
Considered one of the greatest sluggers in baseball history.
5. Johnny Mize
(Original Caption) Johnny Mize is shown here. He joined the New York Giants in 1946.
10x All-Star and 5x World Series Champion. Led the NL in home runs 4x.
4. Miguel Cabrera
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 10: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers watches his two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics during Game Five of the American League Division Series at O.co Coliseum on October 10, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“Miggy” 12x All-Star and one of the few players to hit for the Triple Crown.
3. Jimmie Foxx
circa 1930: Full-length portrait of American baseball player Jimmie Foxx (1907 – 1967), first-baseman and slugger for the Philadelphia Athletics, wearing his uniform and holding the follow-through of his swing while standing at home plate. (Photo by Photo File/Getty Images)
He played for 20 years and, when he retired, was second most in home runs behind Babe Ruth.
2. Lou Gehrig
1925: Lou Gehrig, first basemen for the New York Yankees, hitting the ball during warm p before a game, circa 1925. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images)
“The Iron Horse” Was the first player to have his number (#4) retired by a team.
1. Albert Pujols
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 08: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a single to left field against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning in game two of the National League Wild Card Series at Busch Stadium on October 08, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
703 HRs and 11x All-Star. Won the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards in the same season (2010).
