(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.
Although he didn’t crack the top 10, we wanted to give an honorable mention to the All-time stolen base leader. Rickey Henderson was a special player who gave so much to the game of baseball. Here are the top 10 outfielders in MLB history:
10. Tris Speaker
UNITED STATES – CIRCA 1912: Informal three-quarter length portrait of Hall of Fame outfielder Tris Speaker of the American League’s Boston Red Sox, sitting in front of grandstands on the field at Comiskey Park, Chicago, IL, 1912. A man is partially visible sitting in the grandstands in the foreground. (Photo by Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum/Getty Images)
.345 career batting average and most OF assists
9. Ken Griffey Jr.
SEATTLE – SEPTEMBER 20: Ken Griffey Jr #24 of the Seattle Mariners makes a hit during the game against the New York Yankees on September 20, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
“Junior” was the best two-way player not named Mays
8. Joe DiMaggio
(Original Caption) 7/18/1941-Cleveland, OH: Joe DiMaggio, slugging outfielder of the New York Yankees, makes a pair of “duck eggs” with his fingers to indicate that for the first time in 57 consecutive games he has gone hitless. The end of the amazing series of hit games came against the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland yesterday. DiMaggio went to bat four times, failed to get the ball past the infielders three times and walked once. His record of hits in 56 consecutive games is expected to stand for many moons.
“Joe D” Had an incredible 56 game hitting streak
7. Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle #7 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait during batting practice prior to an MLB game against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, August 24, 1958. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images)
“The Mick” Would be #1 or 2 overall had he not hurt his knees
6. Ty Cobb
(Original Caption) 1921-Ty Cobb.
Highest batting average in MLB history
5. 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.
“Stan the Man” Outstanding pure hitter
4. Hank Aaron
(Original Caption) Hank Aaron is shown in this close up. He is shown as an Atlanta Braves outfielder during Spring Training.
Legendary power hitter who broke Ruth’s long time HR record
3. 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)
“Splendid Splinter” Arguably the best hitter of the modern era
2. Babe Ruth
Yankees’ champion player, Babe Ruth, demonstrating his batting style in 1929.
“The Babe” Dominated baseball like no one before him
1. 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.
“The Say Hey Kid” –Best five-tool player in MLB history
