We are getting close to the top. As expected, there are 16 Hall-of-Famers in this group. Among the other nine, one is on the ballot, one just retired, and one is still playing. First base and outfield are well-represented here. There are also a couple of catchers and a couple of shortstops. Let's continue our journey through the top 1,000 MLB players ever.
Be sure to check out the rest of our series: MLB 976-1,000 | 951-975 | 926-950 | 901-925 | 876-900 |850-875 | 826-850 | 801-825 | 776-800 | 751-775 | 726-750 | 701-725 | 676-700 | 651-675 | 626-650 | 601-625 | 576-600 | 551-575 | 526-550 | 501-525 | 476-500 | 451-475 | 426-450 | 401-425 | 376-400 | 351-375 | 326-350 | 301-325 | 276-300 | 251-275 | 226-250 | 201-225 | 176-200 | 151-175
#150 - Tom Glavine - Left-Handed Pitcher - 1987-2008
Glavine was one of the big three for the Atlanta Braves during their run as division champs. From 1991-2002, he was 209-102 with a 3.15 ERA (134 ERA+) and averaged 225 innings per year. He won the CYA twice and was runner-up twice. Glavine won 20 games five times and threw 200 innings 14 times in his career. He was a 10-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger. Glavine was the 1995 WS MVP and had a 3.30 ERA in his postseason career. He is one of six lefties to win 300 games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 by the BBWAA.
#149 - Dwight Evans - Right Field - 1972-1991
Evans was a solid player for his first eight seasons with the Red Sox. However, he really started to hit in the 1980s. During that decade, Evans slashed .280/.385/.497 (137 OPS+) averaging 28 home runs and 99 RBIs per 162. He had the most home runs in the AL in the 80s and the second-most RBIs. He led the league in home runs once, runs once, and walks three times. Evans was a three-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner. He finished in the top 10 of MVP voting four times and is in the top 5 in many offensive categories for Boston.
#148 - Bobby Bonds - Right Field - 1968-1981
Although Bobby's son Barry gets a ton of recognition, and rightfully so, Bobby was a power-speed threat, unlike most players. From 1969-1979, he slashed .272/.357/.482 (132 OPS+) averaging 31 home runs, 42 stolen bases, 94 RBIs, and 113 runs scored per 162. He had five 30/30 seasons which was only matched by his son. In 1973, he fell one homer shy of the first 40/40 season. Bonds was a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner. He led the league in runs twice and finished third in MVP voting in 1973. He and Barry are the only two members of the 300/400 club.
#147 - Craig Biggio - Second Base - 1988-2007
Biggio started out as a catcher and actually made the All-Star team in 1991 behind the plate. However, his bat was more important than his subpar defense as a backstop, so the Houston Astros moved him to second base. Although he finished 26th in hits (3,060) and 16th in runs scored (1,844), Biggio had an excellent seven-year peak. From 1993-1999, he slashed .303/.397/.473 (132) averaging 43 doubles, 19 home runs, 36 stolen bases, and 125 runs per 162. Biggio was a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, and four-time Gold Glove winner. He led the league in HBP five times, doubles three times, and stolen bases once. He is sixth in doubles with 668 and is the all-time leader in extra-base hits among second basemen with 1,014 (min. 1,000 games at the position). Biggio was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 by the BBWAA.
#146 - Ryne Sandberg - Second Base - 1981-1994, 1996-1997
Sandberg was a five-tool player. In 1984, he led the league with 19 triples and was the MVP while making the first of 10 All-Star games. In 1990, he led the league with 40 home runs. Sandberg was a nine-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time Silver Slugger. From 1984-1993, he slashed .296/.357/478 (126 OPS+) averaging 24 home runs and 28 stolen bases per 162. Sandberg was inducted in 2005 by the BBWAA.
#145 - Bob Johnson - Left Field - 1933-1945
Unfortunately, Johnson didn't start his career until he was 27 years old. While he only played 13 seasons, he made the most out of them and was one of the most productive players in the 30s and 40s. For his career, Johnson slashed .296/.393/.506 (139 OPS+) averaging 25 home runs and 112 RBIs per 162. He had 20 homers and 100 RBIs for seven straight years. He was a seven-time All-Star and finished in the top 10 of MVP voting three times. Johnson also led the league in left field assists four times and putouts seven times. He is one of 14 players who debuted after 1930 with 1,200 runs, 1,200 RBIs, and a slash of .290/.390/.500.
#144 - Bobby Abreu - Right Field - 1996-2012, 2014
Abreu had a rare combination of power, speed, and ability to get on base. Unfortunately, he was often overshadowed by the ridiculous talent during that era. From 1999-2008, he slashed .301/.407/.503 (135 OPS+) averaging 43 doubles, 23 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 101 RBIs per 162. In 2004, Abreu became the only player with a season of 40 doubles, 40 stolen bases, 30 home runs, and a .300 average. He was a 20/20 player nine times, an All-Star twice, and a Gold Glove winner. Abreu and Barry Bonds are the only two players ever with 250 home runs, 400 stolen bases, and an .870 OPS.
#143 - Carlton Fisk - Catcher - 1969, 1971-1993
In 1972, Fisk was the AL ROY, finished fourth in MVP voting, and was a Gold Glove winner. From that season to 1983, he slashed .282/.355/.469 (124 OPS+) averaging 23 home runs, 86 RBIs, and even chipped in 10 stolen bases per 162. In 1985, he set career highs with 37 home runs, 107 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. Fisk was a three-time Silver Slugger and 11-time All-Star. In 1983, he finished third in MVP voting. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000 by the BBWAA.
Rose is the all-time leader in hits with 4,256. He is also second in doubles (746) and ninth in total bases (5,752). From 1965-1981, he slashed .315/.386/.434 (127 OPS+) averaging 39 doubles and 107 runs per 162. Rose finished top 5 in MVP voting five times, winning the award in 1973. He led the league in batting three times and hits seven times. He slashed .321/.388/.440 in his postseason career which spanned 67 games and was the WS MVP in 1975. He played over 575 games at five different positions winning two Gold Gloves in right field. He was a 17-time All-Star and eclipsed 200 hits 11 times.
#141 - Don Drysdale - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1956-1969
Although Sandy Koufax got much of the recognition on the Dodgers in the early 60s, Drysdale was an absolute workhorse who was the ace before Lefty came along. From 1957-1968, Drysdale tossed at least 200 innings and won at least 12 games each season. He threw 300 innings and led the league in games started four years in a row. He led the league three times in strikeouts and was a nine-time All-Star. Drysdale was the CYA winner in 1962 and finished with two top 5 finishes for MVP. His crowning achievement was the 58-inning scoreless streak he spun in 1968 breaking Walter Johnson's record set in 1913. It would later be broken by Orel Hershiser 20 years later. Drysdale was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984 by the BBWAA.
#140 - Freddie Freeman - First Base - 2010-2024
Freeman has been one of the best first basemen in baseball for a while now. He finished in the top 10 of MVP voting eight times, winning the award in 2020. From 2013-2023, Freeman slashed .308/.397/.527 (148 OPS+) averaging 42 doubles, 29 home runs, and 101 RBIs per 162. He led the league in doubles four times including 59 in 2023 which tied Todd Helton in 2000 for the most doubles in a single season since 1936 while setting a Dodgers record. Freeman has won a Gold Glove, three Silver Sluggers, and is an eight-time All-Star.
#139 - Keith Hernandez - First Base - 1974-1990
The best defensive first basemen ever won 11 Gold Gloves when defense mattered at the position more than it has in recent years. He was no slouch with the bat either. From 1979-1986, Hernandez slashed .313/.403/.456 (139 OPS+) averaging 12 home runs, 10 stolen bases, and 92 RBIs per 162. He was co-MVP in 1979 and finished second in 1984. He batted over .300 six times and won a batting title in 1979 while also leading the league with 48 doubles and 116 runs scored. Hernandez led the league in double plays six times, assists five times, and putouts four times.
#138 - Barry Larkin - Shortstop - 1986-2004
Larkin was the premier shortstop in the NL in the late 80s and through the 90s. From 1988-2000, he slashed .305/.383/.463 (125 OPS+) averaging 16 home runs and 33 stolen bases per 162. He became the first shortstop with a 30/30 season in 1996. He was the MVP in 1995 with a career-high 51 stolen bases. Larkin was a 12-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Gold Glove winner. He performed well in limited postseason experience with an .862 OPS and eight steals in 17 games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012 by the BBWAA.
#137 - Luke Appling - Shortstop - 1930-1943, 1945-1950
Appling was one of the most consistent players through the 30s and 40s. From 1933-1949, he batted .300 in every full season he played except one. He led the league twice hitting .388 in 1936 and .328 in 1943. Both seasons he was the runner-up in MVP voting. During those 16 seasons, Appling slashed .317/.409/.404 (117 OPS+) averaging 191 hits and 93 walks per 162. He led the league in assists seven times and is sixth on the all-time list for shortstops. Appling was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964 by the BBWAA.
#136 - Joey Votto - First Base - 2007-2023
Votto was a dominant hitter from 2009-2017. During that time, he slashed .315/.436/.544 (162 OPS+) averaging 39 doubles, 30 home runs, and 94 RBIs per 162. He led the league in OBP seven times and OPS twice. He was the NL MVP in 2010 and finished second in 2017. During that season, Votto became one of five players with a season of 35 home runs, 130 walks, fewer than 90 strikeouts, and a .320 average. He won a Gold Glove in 2011 and was a six-time All-Star. Votto has the most walks in franchise history and is second on the Reds' all-time list in OPS behind Frank Robinson. He is also second in home runs with 356 behind Johnny Bench.
#135 - Harmon Killebrew - First Base/Third Base/Left Field - 1954-1975
Killebrew played his first full season in 1959 and promptly led the league with 42 home runs. He led the league in that category seven times and blasted 40 homers eight times. He finished in the top 4 of MVP voting six times winning the award in 1969 when he led the league with 49 home runs, 140 RBIs, and a .427 OBP. From 1959-1970, Killebrew slashed .265/.386/.543 (153 OPS+) averaging 44 home runs and 115 RBIs per 162. He was a 13-time All-Star, led the league in RBIs three times, and walks four times. Killebrew was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984 by the BBWAA.
#134 - Mickey Cochrane - Catcher - 1925-1937
Cochrane was an elite offensive catcher for his time. From 1927-1933, he slashed .326/.419/.505 (135 OPS+) averaging 39 doubles, 17 home runs, and 103 RBIs while striking out only 22 times per 162. He is one of five players with a season in which they hit more home runs than they struck out while walking over 100 times. Cochrane won the MVP awards in 1928 and 1934. His .419 career OBP ranks 15th all time and his .320 batting average is 43rd (min. 5,000 PA). Cochrane was the first catcher inducted into the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in 1947
#133 - Ichiro Suzuki - Right Field - 2001-2019
In his first year in the majors, Ichiro led the league in batting, stolen bases, and hits while taking home the AL ROY and MVP in 2001. From his rookie season through 2010, Ichiro slashed .331/.376/.430 (117 OPS+) averaging 229 hits and 39 stolen bases. He won the Gold Glove each year and was an All-Star every season. In 2004, he led the league in batting with a .372 mark. That was also the year he broke the hits record for a single season with 262. Ichiro is Seattle's franchise leader in hits (2,542), triples, (79), and stolen bases (438). He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
#132 - Goose Goslin - Left Field - 1921-1938
Goslin was a premier hitter in the 20s and 30s. From 1924-1931, he slashed .333/.403/.543 (143 OPS+) averaging 37 doubles, 15 triples, 21 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and 125 RBIs per 162. He led the league twice in triples and once in RBIs. He drove in 100 runs 11 times. Goslin led the league with a .379 average in 1928. He also had 15 homers and 15 stolen bases that season with fewer than 20 strikeouts which is one of only two seasons like that (min. 500 PA). For his career, he is 36th in RBIs (1,612), 22nd in triples (173), and 59th in hits (2,735). Goslin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968 by the Veteran's Committee.
#131 - Roger Connor - First Base - 1880-1897
Although Dan Brouthers and Cap Anson overshadowed him in the 19th century, Connor was one of the best first basemen in the early days of baseball. From 1882-1895, he slashed .321/.407/.499 (159 OPS+) averaging 20 triples, 12 home runs, 22 stolen bases, and 112 RBIs per 162. He led the league in triples twice and had 15 in a season nine times. Connor led the league in batting in 1885 with a .371 mark and in 1887 he became the first player with 20 triples and 15 home runs in a season. He had three seasons with more triples than strikeouts and his 233 career triples rank fifth. Connor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976 by the Veteran's Committee.
#130 - Gary Sheffield - Outfield/Third Base - 1988-2009
One of the most feared hitters in baseball for over a decade, Sheffield combined power with a great eye. From 1992-2005, he slashed .304/.411/.551 (153 OPS+) averaging 37 home runs and 115 RBIs per 162. He also averaged 101 walks to just 73 strikeouts during that time. He finished in the top 3 of MVP voting three times and was a nine-time All-Star. Sheffield was a five-time Silver Slugger and led the league in batting in 1992 with a .330 mark. He is one of three players with 1,600 runs, 1,600 RBIs, 1,400 walks, and 250 stolen bases.
#129 - Edgar Martinez - Designated Hitter/Third Base - 1987-2004
Martinez didn't become a full-time player until he was 27 in 1990. He had three excellent years and led the league with 46 doubles and a .343 batting average in 1992. After an injury-plagued 1993 and the strike in 1994, Martinez bounced back. From 1995-2001, he slashed .329/.446/.574 (164 OPS+) averaging 46 doubles, 31 home runs, and 123 RBIs per 162. He led the league in batting again in 1995 with a .356 mark while also leading in doubles with 52. Martinez led the league in OBP three times and was a seven-time All-Star. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 by the BBWAA.
#128 - Dave Winfield - Right Field - 1973-1988, 1990-1995
Winfield was famously drafted in three sports. He picked the right one. From 1978-1988, he slashed .293/.363/.499 (139 OPS+) averaging 28 home runs and 111 RBIs per 162. In 1979, Winfield finished third in MVP voting (he should've won) while leading the league with 118 RBIs. That season he also won the first of seven Gold Gloves. He was a 12-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger. Winfield hit at least 20 home runs 15 times and drove in over 100 eight times. He is 36th in home runs (465), 24th in hits (3,110), and 19th in RBIs (1,833). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001 by the BBWAA.
#127 - Roy Halladay - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1998-2013
As the last workhorse, Halladay dominated for over a decade. From 2001-2011, he won 175 games with a 2.98 ERA (148 ERA+) averaging 209 innings and 163 strikeouts to just 36 walks per year. He was an eight-time All-Star and finished in the top 5 of CYA voting seven times, winning the award twice. Halladay led the league in complete games seven times and innings pitched four times. Since 2000 there have been 10 instances of a pitcher tossing nine complete games in a season. Halladay did it four times. In Game One of the 2010 NLDS, he threw only the second no-hitter in postseason history. It would've been a perfect game if not for a fifth inning walk to Jay Bruce. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 by the BBWAA.
#126 - Ralph Kiner - Left Field - 1946-1955
When we talk about a dominant power hitter, there aren't many that surpass Kiner. He led the NL in home runs each of his first seven seasons. In the middle of that run from 1947-1951, he slashed .294/.420/.609 (169 OPS+) averaging 50 home runs, 129 RBIs, and 125 walks per 162. Kiner led the league in OPS three times and RBIs once. Since WWII, he is one of five players with multiple seasons of 50 home runs, 125 RBIs, and a .310 batting average. Kiner is one of two players to achieve a season with those numbers and fewer than 70 strikeouts. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975 by the BBWAA.
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