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 20 greatest first basemen to have ever played. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
20. Mark Belanger
Closeup shot of Mark Belanger Demonstrating his batting stance.
Second greatest defensive shortstop of all-time.
19. Dave Bancroft
(Original Caption) Some of the Giants have put on some avoirdupois during the winter months. Among these we find Dave Bancroft pictured here who shows how fat his face got.
Hall of Famer.
18. Ozzie Smith
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 10 : St. Louis Cardinals Ozzie Smith gets the jump on Dodgers Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, then slides safely into 2nd base during playoff series of the Los Angeles Dodgers against St. Louis Cardinals at Dodgers Stadium, October 10 1985 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)
“The Wizard of Oz”; Greatest defensive shortstop ever.
17. Bill Dahlen
View of American baseball player Bill Dahlen warms up in Washington Park, Brooklyn, New York, New York, 1910. (Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)
An early great in baseball history.
16. Maury Willis
(Original Caption) Vero Beach, Florida: Maury Wills of the L.A. Dodgers during spring training.
Changed the game with his base stealing skills.
15. Arky Vaughn
PITTSBURGH – AUGUST 31, 1935. Arky Vaughn, who as just set a new Pittsburgh Pirate record by hitting 19 home runs in a season as a shortstop, takes batting practice at Forbes field in Pittsburgh before a game on August 31, 1935. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
Career .318 hitter.
14. Bobby Wallace
ST. LOUIS – APRIL, 1910. Shortstop Bobby Wallace of the St. Louis Browns, takes some hacks at the club’s Houston, Texas spring training facility in April of 1910. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
Hall of Famer.
13. Troy Tulowitzki
DENVER – JULY 08: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies makes contact as he takes an at bat against the Washington Nationals during MLB action at Coors Field on July 8, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 10-4. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
“Tulo” Terrific with the bat and glove.
12. Nomar Garciaparra
Boston Red Sox batter Nomar Garciaparra makes contact against the Texas Rangers Friday, July 9, 2004. The Red Sox won 7-0 at Fenway Park in Boston. (Photo by J Rogash/Getty Images)
“Nomah” Fantastic hitter whose statistics waned at the end due to injuries.
11. Pee Wee Reese
(Original Caption) Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers is shown here in this close-up.
Dodgers Captain and Hall of Famer.
10. Phil Rizzuto
Portrait of Phil Rizzuto (1917 – 2007), Shortstop for the New York Yankees before the Major League Baseball American League game against the Washington Senators on 11th September 1949 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Curt Gunther/Keystone View Company/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
“The Scooter” Doesn’t get as much acclaim as Reese, but he was a better all-around player.
9. Robin Yount
MILWAUKEE: Robin Yount of the Milwaukee Brewers bats during an MLB game at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milkwaukee, Wisconsin. Yount played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1974-1993. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Started his career at SS before moving to the OF.
8. Omar Vizquel
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1994: Omar Vizquel #13 of the Cleveland Indians down and ready to make a play on the ball against the New York Yankees during an Major League Baseball game circa 1994 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Vizquel played for the Indians from 1994-2004. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
11-time Golden Glove winner.
7. Alan Trammell
CHICAGO: Alan Trammell of the Detroit Tigers fields during an MLB game at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. Alan Trammell played for the Detroit Tigers from 1977-1996. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
6x All-Star and Hall of Famer.
6. Barry Larkin
COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 22: Barry Larkin poses for a photograph with his plaque at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 22, 2012 in Cooperstown, New York. Larkin played his entire 19 year major league career with the Cincinnati Reds, compiling a .295 average, 2,340 hits, 1,329 runs, 198 home runs, 960 runs batted in and stole 379 bases. He was named to 12 All-Star games and was the 1995 National League MVP. Larkin was also a member of the 1990 World Series championship team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
12x All-Star and amazing all-around player.
5. Luke Appling
1940: Luke Appling, of the Chicago White Sox, poses for a portrait, circa 1940. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images)
.310 career batting average and Hall of Famer.
4. Cal Ripken Jr.
BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1995: Cal Ripken Jr #8 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for this portrait before the start of a Major League baseball game circa 1995 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Baltimore, Maryland. Cal Ripken Jr played for the Orioles from 1981-01. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
“The Iron Man” 2x League MVP.
3. Derek Jeter
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees bats the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Two of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
5x World Series Champion and arguably the most clutch hitter in post-season history.
2. Ernie Banks
(Original Caption) Mesa, Arizona: Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs during spring training.
“Mr. Cub” Hit 512 HRs.
1. Luis Aparicio
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – CIRCA 1964: Baltimore Orioles shortstop Luis Aparicio (#11) runs to first base during a regular season game against the New York Yankees at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland in 1964. Aparicio, a 13-time All-Star, played for the Orioles from 1963-1967, helping them win their first-ever World Series in 1966. (Photo by James Drake/Getty Images)
9x Gold Glove winner and led the AL in steals 9x, too.
