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 our best all-time MLB lineup. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
Batting order: 1. DH 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.
Greatest leadoff hitter ever and MLB stolen base leader
2. CF 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.
Greatest all-around player in MLB history
3. LF 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)
.344 lifetime BA and 2x Triple Crown Winner
4. RF Babe Ruth
Yankees’ champion player, Babe Ruth, demonstrating his batting style in 1929.
714 Home Runs and .342 lifetime BA
5. 1B Hank Aaron
(Original Caption) Hank Aaron is shown in this close up. He is shown as an Atlanta Braves outfielder during Spring Training.
755 Home Runs
6. 3B Mike Schmidt
Baseball player Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a match in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 1979. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
548 Home Runs and 10x Gold Glove Winner
7. 2B 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.
Won 7 batting titles
8. SS Honus Wagner
American baseball player, John Peter “Honus” Wagner (1874-1955) swinging bat at game. Undated photograph. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)
Won 8 Batting titles
9. Johnny Bench
Best all-around Catcher, Won 2 MVP awards
Hitting Bench: Jackie Robinson
circa 1945: A portrait of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ infielder Jackie Robinson in uniform. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
for more team speed and infield defense
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)
Defensive replacement for Aaron in the 6th or 7th inning
Ty Cobb
(Original Caption) 1921-Ty Cobb.
in case we need a walk
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.
can’t not have him on the roster
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
In case we need power
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)
best clutch hitter in playoffs
Starting Pitching: SP1 Walter Johnson
CIRCA 1900: Pichter Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators poses for a portrait circa 1900. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images)
477 Wins and 2.17 ERA
SP 2 Cy Young
BOSTON – 1908. Cy Young, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, warms up before a game at Huntingdon Ave. Grounds in Boston in 1908. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
Unhittable throughout his career
SP 3 Greg Maddux
DENVER – 1995: Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves pitches during an MLB game versus the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado during the 1995 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Won 4 straight Cy Young Awards
SP 4 Randy Johnson
DETROIT – 1992: Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners pitches during an MLB game against the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan during the 1992 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
5 Cy Young Awards and 4875 Ks
Closer: RP: Mariano Rivera
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 1996: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees pitching to the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the 1996 World Series on October 22, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)
652 saves is the most all-time
Additional Pitchers: Nolan Ryan
ARLINGTON, TX: Nolan Ryan #34 of the Texas Rangers pitches during a game at Arlington Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ryan pitched for the Rangers from 1989-93. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
In case we need a big strikeout
Sandy Koufax
(Original Caption) Sandy Koufax of the Brooklyn Dodgers
Clutch playoff pitcher
Tom Seaver
(Original Caption) The New York Mets’ pitcher Tom Seaver is shown pitching during the opening day game at Shea Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Always ready to throw in case he’s needed
Christy Mathewson
Portrait of Christy Mathewson (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)
