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)
Jeff Bagwell just missed the cut, but he was a tremendous hitter, and we wanted to give him an honorary mention. Here is a list of the 10 greatest first basemen to have ever played. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
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).
