In this group of 25 players, we have 10 Hall of Famers and two current major leaguers. Third Base is well-represented in this bunch with five guys who manned the hot corner and have 20 Gold Gloves between them. There are also four second basemen, all of which have legit arguments for induction into Cooperstown. We also have one of the best switch-hitters, a guy who threw over 6,000 innings, and a couple of 500-homer players. 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
#175 - Graig Nettles - Third Base - 1967-1988
Nettles was one of the best defensive third basemen ever despite winning only two Gold Gloves. He ranks third in games played (2,412), second in assists (5,279), and third in double plays (470). He hit 15 home runs for 17 straight years including 20 11 times. He led the league in 1976 with 32 bombs and had a career-high 37 in 1977. From 1971-1978 Nettles averaged 27 home runs and 90 RBIs per 162. He was a six-time All-Star and finished fifth and sixth in MVP voting in 1977 and 1978.
#174 - Buddy Bell - Third Base -1972-1989
Bell was also a superb defensive third baseman. He ranks sixth in double plays (430), fifth in assists (4,925), and third in TZR (167). He also led the league in TZR four times and range factor five times while taking home six Gold Gloves. Offensively, he didn't have the power Nettles had but was very productive. From 1977-1984, Bell slashed .297/.353/.436 (120 OPS+) averaging 15 home runs and 86 RBIs per 162. He was a five-time All-Star and in 1979 set career highs in hits (200), doubles (42), and RBIs (101).
#173 - Bobby Wallace - Shortstop - 1894-1918
As far as turn-of-the-century shortstops go, Wallace was one of the best. From 1897-1906, he slashed .285/.343/.395 (116 OPS+) averaging 17 stolen bases, 85 runs, and 92 RBIs per 162. Defensively, he led the league three times in assists and ranks 14th all-time with 6,303. Wallace is one of six shortstops (min. 1,500 games) with 200 stolen bases, 2,000 hits, and 1,100 RBIs. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953 by the Veteran's Committee.
#172 - Luis Tiant - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1964-1982
Tiant is remembered mostly as a starter. He started 484 games in his career but also came in as a reliever 89 times. In 1966, he had five shutouts and eight saves, the last pitcher to have five of each in a season. In 1968, Tiant led the league with a 1.60 ERA which was the lowest in the American League since 1919 and has not been matched since. He led the league again in 1972 with a 1.91 mark and is the only AL pitcher with multiple seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA post-integration (min. 175 innings). Tiant was a three-time All-Star, received top 6 CYA votes three times, and led the league in shutouts three times.
#171 - Manny Machado - Third Base - 2012-present
It's hard to believe Machado is entering his 14th season this year. He has been very productive both at the plate and in the field. From 2015-2022, he slashed .282/.348/.508 (132 OPS+) averaging 35 home runs and 101 RBIs per 162. He has won two Gold Gloves and has been an All-Star six times. Machado has finished in the top 5 of MVP voting four times and has won two Silver Sluggers. He has hit 30 homers seven times and driven in 100 runs four times.
#170 - Lance Berkman - Outfield/First Base - 1999-2013
One of the best switch-hitters in history, Berkman was a beast from 2001-2008. In that time, he slashed .303/.417/.564 (151 OPS+) averaging 35 home runs and 116 RBIs per 162. He led the league in doubles twice and finished in the top 5 of MVP voting four times. He was a six-time All-Star and is in the top 5 in many categories in Houston franchise history. His postseason career is impressive slashing .317/.417/.532 with nine homers and 41 RBIs in 52 games. During the decade of the 2000s, Berkman was one of only five players with a .300 average, 300 home runs, and 1,000 RBIs.
A very underrated player, Wynn had power and speed. From 1965-1970, he slashed .267/.374/.481 (145 OPS+) averaging 30 home runs and 24 stolen bases per 162. In 1969, Wynn hit 33 home runs, stole 23 bases, and walked 148 times. Barry Bonds and Jeff Bagwell are the only other players since 1900 to have a season with 30 homers, 20 steals, and 145 walks. After a bad season in 1971, Wynn had an .814 (130 OPS+) averaging 25 home runs and 16 stolen bases per 162 from 1972 to 1976. He is one of five centerfielders (min. 1,000 games) with 225 home runs, 225 stolen bases, and an .800 OPS.
#168 - Fred Clarke - Left Field - 1894-1911, 1913-1915
Clarke was a premier left fielder at the turn of the century. From 1895-1903, he slashed .332/.401/.454 (137 OPS+) averaging 134 runs, 16 triples, and 45 stolen bases per 162. Clarke batted .300 11 times with a career-high of .390 in 1897. He led the league in slugging in 1903 with a .532 mark. He is one of 10 players with 2,500 hits, 500 stolen bases, and 1,000 RBIs. Clarke was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945 by the Old Timer's Committee.
#167 - Lou Whitaker - Second Base - 1977-1995
For a solid eight-year stretch, Whitaker was the best second baseman in the AL. He started driving the ball more in 1983 and for the next 13 seasons, he slashed .278/.367/.448 (124 OPS+) averaging 21 home runs and 99 runs per 162. Whitaker was excellent defensively, sixth in assists, fourth in double plays, 11th in putouts, and ninth in TZR. He was the 1978 ROY and was a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Gold Glove winner.
#166 - Alan Trammell - Shortstop - 1977-1996
Trammell was the best shortstop in the AL not named Cal Ripken Jr. in the 1980s. He batted .300 seven times and won four Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers. He was a six-time All-Star and finished second in MVP voting in 1987 (he should've won). That year he set career highs in home runs (28), RBIs (107), and batting (.343). From 1980-1993 he slashed .291/.359/.433 (118 OPS+) averaging 15 home runs and 19 stolen bases per 162. Trammell was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 by the Modern Baseball Era Committee.
#165 - Zack Greinke - Right-Handed Pitcher - 2004-2023
Greinke had an impressive career. During his peak from 2009 to 2019, he won 171 games with a 3.08 ERA (133 ERA+), averaging 201 innings and 192 strikeouts while walking just 45 per year. He led the league in ERA twice and won the CYA in 2009. In 2015, Greinke had a 1.66 ERA with 200 strikeouts. It is only the second time since 1970 that a pitcher has had a season with a sub-1.70 ERA and 200 Ks (Dwight Gooden 1985). He was a six-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner with two Silver Sluggers. Greinke is one of 16 pitchers in history with 2,750 strikeouts, 225 wins, and a sub-3.50 ERA.
#164 - Richie Ashburn - Centerfield - 1948-1962
Ashburn led the league in stolen bases with 32 in 1948 and finished third in ROY voting. He was an exceptional leadoff hitter with a .396 career OBP, eclipsing the .400 mark six times and leading the league four times. He led the league three times in hits, twice in triples, and twice in batting. Defensively, he was excellent leading the league in putouts nine times and assists four times. Ashburn ranks third all-time in putouts by a centerfielder and ninth in assists. The six-time All-Star was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995 by the Veteran's Committee.
#163 - Joe Cronin - Shortstop - 1926-1945
Cronin was MVP in 1930 and finished second in 1933. He was the AL shortstop in seven of the first nine All-Star games. From 1930-1940, he had eight years of 100 RBIs and six years of 40 doubles including leading the league twice. For his career, Cronin slashed .301/.390/.468 (119 OPS+) averaging 39 doubles and 109 RBIs per 162. There have been two seasons by a shortstop who had 120 runs, 120 RBIs, and a .340 average since 1900 (Cronin 1930, Alex Rodriguez 1996). Cronin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956 by the BBWAA.
#162 - Bill Dickey - Catcher - 1928-1943, 1946
Dickey was one of the best catchers in history. From 1929-1939, he slashed .320/.386/.510 (131 OPS+) averaging 21 home runs and 121 RBIs per 162. He was the first of three pitchers to hit .360 in a season. He was an 11-time All-Star and won eight World Series rings. Dickey had six seasons with double-digit home runs and as many homers as strikeouts. Only Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio have as many. He finished in the top 6 of MVP voting four times. Dickey was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1954 by the BBWAA.
#161 - Bobby Grich - Second Base - 1970-1986
Grich was an all-around player in Baltimore from 1972 to 1976. During that five-year stretch, he slashed .263/.374/.410 (129 OPS+) averaging 15 home runs and 16 stolen bases per 162 while winning four straight Gold Gloves. Grich went to California and had a couple of mediocre seasons until another five-year run put him again among the best second basemen in the league. From 1979-1983, he slashed .283/.380/.477 (137 OPS+) averaging 24 home runs and 85 RBIs per 162. In 1979, he had career highs in home runs (30) and RBIs (101). Grich was a six-time All-Star and led the league in home runs and slugging in 1981.
Arguably the best offensive second baseman post-integration, Kent was a solid hitter with the Mets. However, he was ridiculously productive once he got to the Giants, especially for a second baseman. From 1998-2007, Kent slashed .301/.373/.529 (133 OPS+) averaging 43 doubles, 29 home runs, and 116 RBIs per 162. He was a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, winning the MVP in 2000. He blasted 25 home runs six times and had over 100 RBIs eight times. Kent has the most home runs by a second baseman and is second in doubles and third in RBIs.
#159 - Reggie Smith - Outfield - 1966-1982
In 1967, Smith finished second in ROY voting. The following year he led the league with 37 doubles and won his only Gold Glove. Then, from 1969-1980, Smith slashed .295/.375/.509 (143 OPS+) averaging 28 home runs and 96 RBIs. He was a seven-time All-Star and finished fourth in MVP voting in back-to-back years. He hit 20 home runs eight times and batted .300 seven times. Smith led the league again in doubles in 1971 and led the league in OBP in 1977.
#158 - Robinson Cano - Second Base - 2005-2020, 2022
Cano was part of one of the best offensive infields in history during his time with the Yankees. He continued to hit when he went to Seattle. From 2009-2016, Cano slashed .308/.364/.511 (136 OPS+) averaging 42 doubles, 27 home runs, and 99 RBIs per 162. For five straight years he finished in the top 6 of MVP voting. Cano was an eight-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, and two-time Gold Glove winner. He is 27th in doubles with 572 and 80th in hits with 2,639. He is the only Yankee with five consecutive years of 40 doubles.
#157 - John Clarkson - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1882, 1884-1894
Like many 19th-century pitchers, Clarkson threw a ton of innings. However, he was among the elite. He led the league four times in innings pitched and eclipsed 600 twice. In 1889, he won the Triple Crown (49, 2.73, 284). From 1884-1892, Clarkson won 303 games with a 2.62 ERA (137 ERA+) averaging 452 innings and 209 strikeouts per year. He is one of six pitchers with multiple 300-strikeout seasons in the 1800s. Clarkson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963 by the Veteran's Committee.
#156 - Mark McGwire - First Base - 1986-2001
McGwire set a then-rookie record with 49 home runs in 1987 winning the ROY award. He went on to hit 30+ home runs in four of the next five seasons until injuries held him to 74 games over two seasons in 1993 and 1994. From 1995-2001, Big Mac slashed .278/.430/.683 averaging an amazing 63 home runs and 139 RBIs per 162. Of course, he is remembered for his chase with Slammin' Sammy in 1998, but overall, he led the league four times in homers and led the majors with 58 in 1997 splitting time between Oakland and St. Louis. McGwire is 11th in home runs with 583 and 14th in OPS with a .982 mark.
#155 - David Ortiz - Designated Hitter/First Base - 1997-2016
Ortiz is the gold standard when it comes to designated hitters. He was a solid player for the Twins but took his game to a Hall-of-Fame level when he got to Boston in 2003. During his career with the Red Sox, Ortiz slashed .290/.386/.570 (148 OPS+) averaging 43 doubles, 40 home runs, and 127 RBIs per 162. He led the league in RBIs three times and home runs once. His 54 bombs in 2006 set the Red Sox record which stood for 68 years. Ortiz finished in the top 5 of MVP voting five times. He was a 10-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger. He was the 2004 ALCS MVP and the 2013 WS MVP. During Boston's 2004 run, Ortiz was ridiculous slashing .400/.515/.764 with five homers and 19 RBIs in 14 games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022 by the BBWAA.
Santo was the NL's premier third baseman for a decade. From 1963-1972, he slashed .288/.377/.490 (137 OPS+) averaging 28 home runs and 104 RBIs per 162. He won five Gold Gloves and led the league in walks four times. Santo finished in the top 8 of MVP voting four times and was a nine-time All-Star. He drove in 100 runs four times and led the league in triples in 1964. That season stands as the only one by a third baseman with a .950 OPS, 30 home runs, 110 RBIs, and 10 triples. Santo was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012 by the Veteran's Committee.
#153 - Paul Goldschmidt - First Base - 2011-present
Although he is at the back end of his career, Goldschmidt was one of the league's best first basemen for a decade. From 2013-2022, he slashed .298/.395/.532 averaging 33 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and 106 RBIs. He won four Gold Gloves and was a five-time Silver Slugger. The seven-time All-Star finished in the top 6 of MVP voting six times winning the award in 2022. Goldschmidt and Jeff Bagwell are the only first basemen with 350 home runs and 150 stolen bases.
Before Santo began his reign as the NL's best third baseman, there was Boyer. From 1956-1964, Boyer slashed .299/.364/.491 (124 OPS+) averaging 26 home runs and 102 RBIs per 162. He was an 11-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner. In 1964, Boyer was the NL MVP and led the league with 119 RBIs. He is one of four third basemen with 250 home runs, 100 stolen bases, and multiple Gold Gloves at the position.
#151 - Pud Galvin - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1875, 1879-1892
Pitchers had crazy workloads in the 19th century, but none like Galvin. From 1879-1888, he won 301 games with a 2.71 ERA (110 ERA+) and averaged an insane 495 innings per year. In 1884, he set a record with 20.5 WAR for pitching. That season he tossed 636.1 innings, won 46 games, and had a 1.99 ERA. Galvin also struck out 369 batters to just 63 walks while also leading the league with 12 shutouts. He is one of four pitchers with five seasons of 450 innings and a sub-2.75 ERA. He is second to Cy Young in career innings pitched with 6,003.1. Galvin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965 by the Veteran's Committee.
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