MLB
5 Greatest MLB Hitters of All-Time + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest hitters in MLB history from Barry Bonds to Babe Ruth to Willie Mays
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Baseball, America’s beloved pastime, has been shaped by countless players over its storied history, but few have left as profound a legacy as those who mastered the art of hitting. From the earliest days of Major League Baseball to the modern era of towering home runs, certain players have captivated fans with their ability to turn a game on its head with a single swing. These legendary hitters not only rewrote record books but also became enduring symbols of excellence and skill on the diamond.
The world’s best hitters have the rare ability to change any game with one swing of the bat. As the sport evolved, so did the importance of these sluggers, whose feats at the plate have become defining moments in baseball lore. Each era has produced its own giants of hitting, players who have etched their names into the annals of the sport by consistently delivering clutch performances and amassing staggering statistics.
This top-5 ranking pays homage to the greatest hitters in MLB history, whose contributions transcended mere athleticism to become cultural icons. Their accomplishments on the field not only brought home championships and accolades but also inspired generations of fans and players alike. As we delve into their achievements, we honor their enduring impact on the game, acknowledging their place among the immortals of baseball history.
Baseball’s allure lies not just in its statistics or championships, but in the moments of pure magic created by its greatest hitters. Whether it’s Babe Ruth’s towering home runs that changed the game’s strategy forever, Hank Aaron’s relentless pursuit of excellence, or Barry Bonds’ unparalleled ability to reach base, these players transcended the sport, becoming cultural icons recognized by fans who are young and old.
Their swings were not just physical feats but cultural events, drawing crowds to witness history unfold with each crack of the bat. As we celebrate their achievements, we recognize the profound impact these legends had on shaping the very essence of baseball. Honorable mention includes: Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Gehrig, Honus Wagner, and Ty Cobb. Each are a formidable talent in their own right, deserving of recognition alongside the very best.
Here are the top 5 greatest MLB hitters of all time. Create your own rankings below!
– 7x WS Champ | 2x All-Star | 12x AL HR Leader | 1923 MVP
– MLB leader in OPS (1.164), SLG (.690), & Season Runs (177)
– Most seasons (10) with 130+ RBI ever | 1st to 500 HR
The Babe, The Sultan of Swat, The Colossus of Clout, The Great Bambino. Not often does an athlete have this many nicknames, but when they are on the level of Babe Ruth, they have earned every single one. Babe Ruth was a generational talent for the New York Yankees and changed the game of baseball as people knew it, cementing his spot as the greatest hitter of all time.
Babe Ruth HOF resume:
– 7x WS Champ
– 2x All-Star
– 12x AL HR Leader
– 6x AL RBI Leader
– 1923 AL MVP
– 1928 AL Batting Champ
– 1916 AL ERA leader
– Highest OPS (1.164) & SLG (.690)
– 1st to 500 HR
– #3 retired by Yankees
– MLB All-Century & All-Time Teamshttps://t.co/1Pofbq3mVh— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 6, 2022
– 7x NL MVP | 12x Silver Slugger | 14x All-Star | 7x OBP leader
– MLB leader in HR (762), MVP (7), & Silver Sluggers (12)
– Most HR (73) & 2 Highest OBP (.609 & .582) in 1 season
There have been few hitters in MLB history who could swing it like Barry Bonds. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Bonds terrorized opposing pitchers with his beautiful lefty swing and genius approach that set remarkable records which might never be broken. His all-time HR record and single-season HR records cement his spot as one of the all-time greats.
Barry Bonds resume:
– 14x All Star, 7x NL MVP, 12x Silver Slugger, 8x Gold Glove
– Career (762) & Season (73) HR Leader
– 2x NL batting title
– 7x MLB OBP Leader & 3x NL Leader
– 2 Highest OBP seasons (.609 & .582)
– Most season (232) & career BB (2,558)
pic.twitter.com/8W49OUck01— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 25, 2021
– 24x All-Star | 12x Gold Glove | 2x MVP | 4x NL HR Leader
– 1954 WS Champ | 1951 NL ROY | 1954 NL Batting Champ
– Most All-Star GS (18) ever | 1st with 200+ HR & 200+ SB
Willie Mays was an incredible baseball player and it shows through his accomplishments. He was the first MLB player with 200 home runs and 200 stolen bases in his career. Throughout his time playing, he used his incredible speed and great bat to change the game and become a staple of the game for many years to come.
Willie Mays' HOF resume:
– 24x All-Star; Most ASG GS (18) & SB (6) ever
– 12x Gold Glove
– 2x MVP
– 1954 World Series Champ
– 1951 Rookie of the Year
– 1954 NL Batting Champ
– 4x NL HR Leader, 4x NL SB Leader
– #24 retired by #Giantspic.twitter.com/sVExLf4H66— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 11, 2022
– 25x All-Star (most ever) | 1957 MVP & World Series Champ
– MLB leader in career RBI (2,297), TB (6,856), & XBH (1,477)
– 1st with 3,000+ hits & 500+ HR | MLB All-Century Team
Hank Aaron is truly a player of caliber fans don’t see often. His name is all over the MLB record books as he’s the all-time leader in RBI, TB, and XBH. Hank was so good, that he had his number retired by not one, but two franchises. Hammerin’ Hank did things no hitter had done before and is still revered as one of the best to ever do it.
Hank Aaron HOF resume:
– 25x All-Star (Most ever)
– 1957 NL MVP & WS Champ
– 3x Gold Glove
– 4x NL HR & RBI leader
– 2x NL Batting Champ
– MLB All-Century Team
– MLB all-time RBI (2,297), TB (6,856), & XBH (1,477) leader
– #44 retired by #Braves & #Brewerspic.twitter.com/VsIj93rsUh— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 18, 2022
– 19x All-Star | 2x AL MVP | 2x Triple Crown | 10x OBP leader
– 2x MLB Batting Title & HR leader | MLB OBP (.482) leader
– 4x AL Batting Champ | Most recent .400 season AVG (.406)
Teddy Ballgame will forever be a legend in Boston and the game of baseball as a whole. He played all 19 of his MLB seasons in Beantown and has an incredible legacy for what he did on the field. Ted Williams would always find a way to get the job done and is one of the premier players in the game’s history.
Ted Williams’ HOF resume:
– 19x All-Star
– 2x AL MVP
– 2x Triple Crown
– 2x MLB, 2x AL HR leader
– 2x MLB, 4x AL Batting Title
– 10x MLB, 1940 AL OBP leader
– #9 retired by #RedSoxhttps://t.co/oQQIqiUFhc— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) November 23, 2022
