We will enter the top one percent of MLB players in its rich history. Number 233 on this list marks the top one percent of players to ever play in the major leagues. In this group, we have nine Hall-of-Famers and a few more who have compelling arguments to be enshrined in Cooperstown. We also have one of the best defensive shortstops ever along with a few underrated centerfielders. Let's continue our trek 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 | 251-276
Kaat was a workhorse tossing 200 innings 14 times and completing 10 games nine times. From 1962-1975, he won 225 games with a 3.21 ERA (114 ERA+) averaging 242 innings. In 1966, Kaat led the league with 25 wins in 304.2 with a 3.73 K/BB rate. He finished fifth in MVP voting. He finished fourth in CYA voting in 1975 for the Chicago White Sox. Kaat won 16 Gold Gloves and was a three-time All-Star. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022 by the Golden Days Era Committee.
#249 - Eppa Rixey - Left-Handed Pitcher - 1912-1917, 1919-1933
Rixey played six seasons before he went to fight in WWI. During that time, he won 70 games and had a 2.52 ERA (117 ERA+). He came back in 1919 and from 1921-1925 Rixey won 100 games with a 2.96 ERA (130 ERA+) averaging 290 innings per year. In 1922, he led the league with 25 wins and 313.1 innings pitched, both career highs. He eclipsed 210 innings 11 times and didn't have an ERA above 3.60 in any of those seasons. He is one of two pitchers to pitch in the last 100 years with over 4,000 innings and fewer than 100 home runs allowed (Walter Johnson). Rixey was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963 by the Veteran's Committee.
#248 - Darrell Evans - Third Base/First Base - 1969-1989
Evans had his breakout year in 1973. One of three Braves with 40 home runs, he set career highs with 41 bombs and 104 RBIs while leading the league in walks. Evans led the league in bases on balls again in 1974. His power and keen eye at the plate continued and in 1985, he led the American League in home runs at the age of 38. At the age of 40, Evans blasted 34 home runs and walked 100 times for the fifth time in his career. Since 1969, he is one of six players with 400 home runs and more walks than strikeouts.
Despite a career riddled with arm problems, Faber forged a 20-year stay in MLB and tossed over 4,000 innings. From 1914-1922, Faber was great winning 151 games with a 2.58 ERA (131 ERA+) averaging 242 innings per year. He led the league in ERA in 1921 and 1922. He won 46 games in those two seasons which accounted for a third of the White Sox victories. Faber pitched over 200 innings nine times including three times over 300. He is second in franchise history with 254 wins. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964 by the Veteran's Committee.
#246 - Orel Hershiser - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1983-2000
From 1984-1989, Hershiser was one of the best pitchers in baseball. He won 98 games with a 2.68 ERA (132 ERA+) averaging 242 innings per year. Hershiser finished in the top 4 in CYA voting four times. 1988 was his big year. He broke Don Drysdale's consecutive scoreless streak with 59 straight. Hershiser also won a Gold Glove, the CYA, NLCS MVP, and World Series MVP. In 1995 while with the Cleveland Indians, he was 4-1 in the postseason with a 1.53 ERA and 28/9 K/BB rate while winning the ALCS MVP.
#245 - Robin Ventura - Third Base - 1989-2004
Ventura was an excellent defensive third baseman who won six Gold Gloves. He led the league in assists three times and putouts three times. He could also hit. From 1991-1999, Ventura slashed .281/.372/.467 (123 OPS+) averaging 26 home runs and 104 RBIs per 162. In 1999, he was part of a record-setting New York Met team that committed just 68 errors. Ventura finished sixth in MVP voting that year with a .908 OPS, 32 home runs, and a career-high 120 RBIs.
#244 - Billy Herman - Second Base - 1931-1943, 1946-1947
Herman was the best second baseman in the National League in the 1930s. Offensively, he had 200 hits three times leading the league with 227 in 1935. That season he also led the league with 57 doubles which is still a Cubs record. He was a 10-time All-Star and finished in the top 4 of MVP voting three times. Defensively, he had no equal. Herman's 466 assists in 1933 stand as the NL record. He is 10th in putouts and 16th in assists at the keystone and led the league in either of those categories 10 times. Herman was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975 by the Veteran's Committee.
#243 - Mickey Welch - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1880-1892
As with many 19th-century starters, volume was there. Welch is no exception. In his prime from 1884-1890, he won 208 games with a 2.58 ERA (124 ERA+) averaging 427 innings. In 1885 he was 44-11 with a 1.66 ERA in 492 innings. He eclipsed 500 innings three times and finished his career with 4,802 which is 17th on the all-time list. Welch had 307 wins with a 2.71 ERA. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973 by the Veteran's Committee.
#242 - Tommy John - Left-Handed Pitcher - 1963-1974, 1976-1989
John's name is uttered on a near-daily basis now that his namesake surgery is a rite of passage for current major league pitchers. However, he was a damn good pitcher before and after the procedure. For a decade from 1965-1974, John won 122 games with a 2.94 ERA (117 ERA+) averaging 205 innings while leading the league twice in shutouts. For seven years after the surgery, from 1976-1982, he won 113 games with a 3.15 ERA (120 ERA+) averaging 221 innings. John was a four-time All-Star and was runner-up in CYA voting twice.
#241 - Joe Gordon - Second Base - 1938-1943, 1946-1950
For five years before he entered WWII, Gordon was a power-hitting run producer from a typically light-hitting position. He slashed .282/.368/.478 (128 OPS+) averaging 25 home runs and 101 RBIs. Gordon was the 1942 MVP edging out Ted Williams who had the Triple Crown. He came back in 1946 and struggled so the Yankees sent him to Cleveland. Gordon proved he had a bit more in the tank. In 1947 and 1948, he hit 61 home runs and drove in 217 runs including a career-high 124 in 1948. Gordon is one of six second basemen with 250 home runs and an .800 OPS. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 by the Veteran's Committee.
#240 - Willie Davis - Centerfield - 1960-1976, 1979
Davis was one of the best defensive centerfielders ever. He is fifth in putouts (5,279) at the position and 19th in assists (134). He has a career TZR of 103 which ranks eighth and in 1964 had 29 TZR which was an NL record until Andruw Jones had 35 in 1998. Davis had some offense to his game as well. From 1969-1974, he slashed .299/.329/.440 (116 OPS+) averaging 14 home runs, 26 stolen bases, and 86 RBIs per 162. Davis led the league in triples twice, was a two-time All-Star, and a three-time Gold Glove winner.
#239 - Jack Quinn - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1909-1915, 1918-1933
Although Quinn's age was always a mystery, baseball-reference.com has him pitching his final game at age 50. Not only did he pitch for a long time, but he also pitched well. Quinn won 27 games with a 2.24 ERA in his first two seasons. He had his best season in 1928 winning 18 games with a 2.90 ERA for the Athletics. Quinn led the league twice in walks/9 and finished in the top 5 of that category eight times in a 10-year stretch. He is one of two pitchers (Christy Mathewson) since 1900 with more than 3,900 innings and fewer than 900 walks. Quinn is also one of five pitchers with 200 wins and 50 saves.
#238 - Chuck Finley - Left-Handed Pitcher - 1986-2002
Finley was one of the best left-handers in the AL for a decade. From 1989-1998, he won 139 games with a 3.58 ERA (123 ERA+) averaging 213 innings and 174 strikeouts per year. He finished seventh in CYA voting in 1990 winning 18 games with a 2.40 ERA. Finley led the league in innings pitched in 1994 with 183.1 and tossed over 200 innings nine times. He was a five-time All-Star and the Angels' franchise leader in wins (165). He is second behind Nolan Ryan for the franchise lead in strikeouts (2,151). Finley has the seventh-most strikeouts by a left-hander in history.
#237 - Luis Aparicio - Shortstop - 1956-1973
When the greatest defensive shortstops are talked about, Aparicio has to be in the top 5 easily. He led the league in assists in his first six years in MLB. He also led in putouts three times in his first four seasons. From 1959-1966, Aparicio led the league in fielding percentage each season. He is fourth in TZR (149), second in assists (8,016), and sixth in putouts (4,548). He was ROY in 1956 and led the league in steals each of his first nine seasons. Aparicio was a 13-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984 by the BBWAA.
#236 - Rick Reuschel - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1972-1981, 1983-1991
Reuschel was a very good pitcher for a long time. He was rarely dominant but had 12 seasons of 200+ innings and only once with an ERA above 4.00. From 1972-1981, he won 133 games with a 3.40 ERA (116 ERA+) averaging 225 innings. Reuschel missed 1982 and pitched sparingly in 1983 and 1984. From 1985-1989, he won 72 games with a 3.10 ERA (117 ERA+) averaging 218 innings. He was a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner. Reuschel finished third in CYA voting twice.
#235 - Chet Lemon - Centerfield - 1975-1990
Lemon is very underrated. From 1977-1984, he slashed .286/.369/.474 (132 OPS+) averaging 20 home runs and 90 runs per 162. He led the league with 44 doubles in 1979 and was a three-time All-Star. Despite never winning a Gold Glove, Lemon was an excellent defensive outfielder. He is 11th in TZR for centerfielders with 96 and is eighth in range factor per game at 3.018.
#234 - Andy Pettitte - Left-Handed Pitcher - 1995-2010, 2012-2013
Pettitte pitched for 18 seasons and never had a record below .500. He led the league in wins with 21 in 1996 and led the league three times in games started. He tossed 200 innings 10 times. Pettitte finished in the top 6 of CYA voting five times including a runner-up finish in 1996. His postseason career was equal to his regular season career: Winning percentage .633-.626 PS-RS, ERA 3.81-3.85 PS-RS, K/BB rate 2.41-2.37 PS-RS. Pettitte was the 2001 ALCS MVP shutting down the 116-win Seattle Mariners. He is one of eight left-handers with 2,400 strikeouts and 250 wins.
#233 - Evan Longoria - Third Base - 2008-2023
As the face of the Tampa Bay franchise, Longoria is number one in many offensive categories. For a decade from 2008-2017, he slashed .270/.341/.483 (125 OPS+) averaging 38 doubles, 29 home runs, and 101 RBIs per 162. Longoria was ROY in 2008 and was a three-time All-Star. He finished with MVP votes in five seasons and won three Gold Gloves. Defensively, Longoria is sixth in DRS with 93 and 10th in TZR with 121. He is one of eight third basemen with 300 home runs, an .800 OPS, and a Gold Glove.
#232 - Jim McCormick - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1878-1887
Plenty of pitchers tossed 500 innings in a season back in the 19th century. However, McCormick was the only one to do it five times. From 1879-1884, he won 195 games with a 2.23 ERA (123 ERA+) averaging 539 innings per year. If you just take his 3,236 innings from those six seasons, he would be 103rd on the all-time list. In 1880, he was the player-manager of the Cleveland Blues. He started 74 of their 85 games and won 45 of their 47 wins with a 1.85 ERA in 657.2 innings. He led the league twice in wins and twice in ERA.
Although he wasn't a strikeout pitcher and was on a dismal team that never made the playoffs, Lyons was an ace. From 1925-1930, he won 112 games (30% of his team's total) with a 3.47 ERA (120 ERA+) averaging 275 innings per year. Arm trouble crept up and Lyons discovered the knuckleball. From 1939-1942, he had a .634 winning percentage with a 2.96 ERA (143 ERA+) and still averaged 182 innings per year. He led the league in ERA with a 2.10 mark in 1942. He received MVP voted in 10 different seasons. Lyons was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955 by the BBWAA.
#230 - Jake Beckley - First Base - 1888-1907
A triples machine, Beckley is fourth on the all-time list with 244. He had exactly 19 triples each year from 1891-1895, the only player to have the same total of an offensive statistic five consecutive seasons. Beckley is the only first baseman with 300 stolen bases and 1,200 RBIs. In his career, he slashed .308/.361/.436 (125 OPS+) averaging 17 triples, 21 stolen bases, and 107 RBIs per 162. He is the all-time leader in putouts by a first baseman with 23,755. Beckley was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971 by the Veteran's Committee.
#229 - Frank Tanana - Left-Handed Pitcher - 1973-1993
While shoulder tendinitis and various arm injuries sapped some of the zip on his fastball, Tanana was a great pitcher, especially at the beginning of his career. For a short four-year stretch from 1974 to 1977, he won 64 games with a 2.68 ERA (132 ERA+) averaging 264 innings and 229 strikeouts per year. Tanana led the league in strikeouts in 1975 and ERA in 1977. Despite arm issues, he managed 200 innings nine more times. He and Randy Johnson are the only two lefties to start their careers after 1970 with 4,000 innings and 2,700 strikeouts.
#228 - Ed Cicotte - Right-Handed Pitcher - 1905, 1908-1920
While Cicotte may be remembered for being one of the "eight men out", he was one of the top pitchers toward the end of the dead-ball era. From 1913-1918, he won 126 games with a 2.04 ERA (140 ERA+) averaging 267 innings per year. During that time he had a sub-2.00 ERA four times. In 1917, he led the league with 28 wins and a 1.53 ERA finishing second in strikeouts with 150. Since 1914, Cicotte is one of four pitchers with 250 in a season without allowing a home run. His 2.38 career ERA is seventh all-time (min. 3,000 IP).
#227 - Sammy Sosa - Right Field - 1989-2005, 2007
The home run chase of 1998 will always go down as arguably the most compelling storyline in baseball history. While Sosa ultimately ended up with fewer home runs than Mark McGwire, he gave us unmatched theater that season. Sosa was certainly not a one-year wonder. From 1995-2003, he slashed .289/.369/.595 (147 OPS+) averaging 53 home runs and 137 RBIs per 162. He swatted 60 home runs three times and amazingly led the league twice, neither of them in the years he hit 60. Sosa was the 1998 MVP and in 2001, he hit 64 homers second to Barry Bonds. He led the league in RBIs twice and runs three times.
#226 - Johnny Damon - Outfield - 1995-2012
Damon rarely received much attention. First, he was in Kansas City and then surrounded by stars in Boston and New York. However, he was an excellent player for a long time and a key cog on a couple of championship teams. For a decade from 1999-2008, he slashed .293/.362/.444 (108 OPS+) averaging 16 home runs, 31 stolen bases, and 121 runs per 162. He led the league with 46 steals in 2000 and scored 100 runs nine years in a row. Damon is one of four players with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in their postseason career and the only one to do it under 60 games played.
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