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 for over a century. Here is a list of the 20 greatest first basemen to have ever played. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
20. Bill Mazeroski
Pittsburgh Pirate Bill Mazeroski with Bat
Best defensive 2B ever.
19. Julio Franco
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 5: Julio Franco of the Atlanta Braves bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates during a Major League Baseball game at PNC Park on June 25, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Braves 5-2. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Played for three decades.
18. Ian Kinsler
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 13: Ian Kinsler #5 of the Texas Rangers bats and runs to first base from the batter’s box during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, September 13, 2009. The Rangers defeated the Mariners 7-2. (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Underrated power/speed combo.
17. Tony Lazzeri
1932: Tony Lazzeri, second baseman for the New York Yankees poses before a game circa 1932. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images)
Overlooked as part of the Yankees dynasty.
16. Jose Altuve
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 5: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Globe Life Field on September 5, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. Altuve hit a home run in each of his first three at bats. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Could finish higher on this list by the time he retires.
15. Lou Whitaker
BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1984: Lou Whitaker #1 of the Detroit Tigers in action against the Baltimore Orioles during an Major League Baseball game circa 1984 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Whitaker played for the Tigers from 1977-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
One-half of one of the top double-play units of all time.
14. Davey Lopes
LOS ANGELES, CA – CIRCA 1978: Davey Lopes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs the bases during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Lopes played for the Dodgers from 1972-81. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Phenomenal base stealer.
13. Bobby Grich
American baseball player Bobby Grich, the California Angels’ second baseman, pictured circa July 1979. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Another underrated hitter with a super-high OBP.
12. Robinson Cano
NEW YORK – MAY 02: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Yankees follows through on his fifth inning three run home run against the Chicago White Sox on May 2, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the White Sox 12-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Multiple-time All-Star.
11. Dustin Pedroia
BOSTON, MA – MAY 07: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after throwing the runner out at first base in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the interleague game at Fenway Park on May 7, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
MVP winner and had multiple Gold Gloves.
10. Eddie Collins
(Original Caption) After ten years with the Chicago White Sox, Eddie Collins, veteran second baseman, will again play with the team he made his debut in baseball back in 1907. He is shown above after hitting the ball over the fence at the athletics Spring Training camp at Clearwater, Florida.
Amazingly dominant player of his generation.
9. Nap Lajoie
Nap Lajoie, Cleveland Al (Baseball), 1913. Creator: Harris & Ewing. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
Early MLB superstar.
8. Jeff Kent
12 Aug 1997: Second baseman Jeff Kent of the San Francisco Giants swings at the ball during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won the game 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport
Most HRs by a 2B.
7. Ryne Sandberg
CHICAGO – JUNE 15: Ryne Sandberg #23 of the Chicago Cubs hits the ball during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on June 15, 1983 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Could you imagine how good he would have been if he hit in April?
6. Rod Carew
Panamanian-American baseball infielder Rod Carew, of the Minnesota Twins, pictured at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 1969. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Won seven batting titles.
5. Craig Biggio
Houston Astro second baseman, Craig Biggio batting, during a night game at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois USA, June 14, 2006. The Houston Astros over the Chicago Cubs by a score of 5 to 4. (Photo by Warren Wimmer/Getty Images)
Had over 3000 hits in his career.
4. Roberto Alomar
BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1992: Roberto Alomar #12 of the Toronto Blue Jays in action against the Baltimore Orioles during a Major League Baseball game circa 1992 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Alomar played for the Blue Jays from 1991-95. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Won 10 Gold Gloves.
3. Jackie Robinson
circa 1945: A portrait of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ infielder Jackie Robinson in uniform. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Trailblazer who helped change the game.
2. Joe Morgan
PITTSBURGH, PA – 1975: Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates during a Major League Baseball game at Three Rivers Stadium in 1975 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
All-around elite player.
1. Rogers Hornsby
(Original Caption) 5/12/1921- Rogers Hornsby, star second baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals and batting king of the National League. Hornsby led the league in batting last season with an average of 370. He is out to repeat this year and to better his last seasons mark. Hornsby held this title from 1920-25, and ended his career with the second highest overall average of .359. He also holds the record for highest average in a season at .424. This photograph depicts him holding a bat on his shoulder, alone.
