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)
There have been many incredible players to play in the MLB since its inception, but who is the greatest player for each MLB franchise? DrRoto.com attempts to answer this question. Do you agree with our selections? Let us know in the comments.
Baltimore Orioles—SS 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 Ironman of Baseball
Boston Red Sox—OF 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)
Widely regarded as the best pure hitter in baseball history
New York Yankees—OF Babe Ruth
Yankees’ champion player, Babe Ruth, demonstrating his batting style in 1929.
He was the greatest power hitter of his generation, and many forget how good a pitcher he was, too.
Tampa Bay Rays—3B Evan Longoria
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – APRIL 14: Infielder Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws over to first against the New York Yankees during the game on April 14, 2008 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
Won the Rookie of the Year back in 2008
Toronto Blue Jays—SP Roy Halladay
July 9, 2006; Kansas City, MO, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher (32) Roy Halladay delivers a pitch in the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 John Rieger
Had 148 wins and 6 All-Star appearances as a member of the Blue Jays
Chicago White Sox—1B 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 was a wrecking machine at the plate
Cleveland Guardians (Indians)—SP Bob Feller
(Original Caption) USA: Bob Feller, Cleveland Indians pitcher.
Had 279 complete games in his 18-year career
Detroit Tigers—OF Ty Cobb
(Original Caption) 1921-Ty Cobb.
Won 12 batting titles in his legendary career
Kansas City Royals—3B George Brett
(Original Caption) 10/3/1990-Cleveland, OH: Kansas City Royals George Brett singled in the seventh inning today and raised his average to .329. Brett will become the first to win a batting title in three different decades if Oakland’s Ricky Henderson cannot go 3 for 3. Ph: Roger Mastroianni
He was a 13-time All-Star as a member of the Royals
Minnesota Twins—1B Harmon Killebrew
Unknown date; Cleveland, OH; USA; FILE PHOTO; Minnesota Twins first baseman Harmon Killebrew at the plate against the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Had more HR than any right-handed batter in AL history when he retired
Houston Astros—1B Jeff Bagwell
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)
Part of the single greatest lopsided trade (Larry Andersen) in MLB history
Los Angeles Angels—OF Mike Trout
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 2: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 2, 2023 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Diamondbacks 5-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
In his prime, he was one of the most feared hitters in the game
(Oakland) A’s—OF 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.
The greatest base stealer in MLB history
Seattle Mariners—OF Ken Griffey, Jr.
May 29, 1989; Bronx, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright USA TODAY Sports
Junior was the face of the Mariners franchise for over a decade
Texas Rangers—C Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez
1998, Arlington, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez at Rangers Stadium during the 1996 season. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
No catcher had a better arm than prime Pudge
Atlanta Braves—OF Hank Aaron
(Original Caption) Hank Aaron is shown in this close up. He is shown as an Atlanta Braves outfielder during Spring Training.
Had 20 All-Star appearances for the Braves
Miami Marlins—OF Giancarlo Stanton
Mar 5, 2012; Jupiter, FL. USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) connects for a base hit against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The Marlins defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Won the 2017 MVP as a Marlin
New York Mets—SP 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.
“Tom Terrific” has his own statue outside Citi Field
Philadelphia Phillies—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)
He was the best two-way third baseman in MLB history as he led the NL in HRs eight times and had nine Gold Gloves
Washington Nationals—SP Max Scherzer
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 18: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals throws a fifth inning pitch against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on April 18, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Led the franchise to its first-ever World Series championship
Chicago Cubs—SS Ernie Banks
(Original Caption) Mesa, Arizona: Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs during spring training.
“Mr. Cub” is generally recognized as the best player to never win a World Series ring
Cincinnati Reds—1B/3B Pete Rose
(Original Caption) 7/30/72-Cincinnati, Ohio- Pete Rose of the Reds dives into home plate past the glove of Giants’ catcher Dave Rader, July 30th, in first game of double-header. Rose flew home from third on a single by Bobby Telas as Giants’ left-fielder Ken Henderson threw wide to the plate without a relay. Reds took both ends of the double-header, 4-0, and 6-1.
The all-time MLB hits leader
Milwaukee Brewers—SS/OF Robin Yount
Aug 1982; Cleveland, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Robin Yount (19) at bat against the Cleveland Indians during the 1982 season at Cleveland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Won two MVP Awards with the Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates—OF Roberto Clemente
(Original Caption) 4/13/1967-New York, NY: Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates, batting during a game in Shea Stadium against the Mets.
One of the greatest, both on and off the field.
St. Louis Cardinals—OF/1B 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” made 20 All-Star appearances
Arizona Diamondbacks—SP Randy Johnson
4 Nov 2001: Co-MVP winners Randy Johnson #51 and Curt Schilling #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hold the trophys after winning the World Series over the New York Yankees at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees 3-2. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT
Had four straight Cy Young awards with Arizona
Colorado Rockies—1B Todd Helton
Sep 22, 2005; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies Todd Helton prior to start of the game against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Byron Hetzler-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Byron Hetzler
Outstanding two-way first baseman and Rockies legend
Los Angeles Dodgers—IF Jackie Robinson
circa 1945: A portrait of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ infielder Jackie Robinson in uniform. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The first African-American to play in the modern era and has his “42” uniform retired by MLB.
San Diego Padres—OF Tony Gwynn
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1993: Tony Gwynn #19 of the San Diego Padres poses for this photo circa 1993. Gwynn played for the Padres from 1982-01. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
One of the purest hitters of all time
San Francisco Giants—OF 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.
Many consider Mays to be the game’s greatest all-around player
