#612 William Edward “Willie” Kamm
3B, White Sox, Indians, 1923–35
The White Sox bought his minor league contract from the San Francisco Seals in 1922 for a then-record sum of $100,000. Considered the best defensive player of his era, Kamm was among AL leaders in fielding statistics for most of his 13-year career, logging a lifetime fielding percentage of .967. His fielding prowess made him fifth in the 1928 AL MVP voting, despite hitting just over .300 with only one home run.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .281, HR: 29, RBI: 826, H:1,643, SB: 126
#613 Orel Leonard Quinton Hershiser IV
RHP, Dodgers, Indians, Giants, Mets, 1983–2000
Hershiser’s big year was 1988, when he won the NL Cy Young award, along with a Gold Glove and MVP awards in both the National League Championship Series and World Series. Hershiser became the first NL player to win MVP awards for both postseason series. He pitched two complete-game wins in the 1988 World Series, helping the Dodgers defeat the A’s. He pitched 59 consecutive scoreless innings that year, breaking a 20-year record held by former Dodger Don Drysdale.
LIFETIME STATS: W: 204, L: 150, SV: 5, ERA: 3.48, SO: 2,014, CG: 68
#614 Rickey Eugene “Rick” Reuschel
RHP, Cubs, Yankees, Pirates, Giants, 1972–91
Reuschel is among the Cubs’ all-time leaders in strikeouts, wins and games. He won a Gold Glove in 1985 and again in 1987. He won 10 or more games in his first nine seasons with the Cubs, 1972–80, including a 20-10 season in 1977 that made him third in NL Cy Young award voting. He was a three-time All Star, 1977, 1987 and 1989.
LIFETIME STATS: W: 214, L:191, SV: 5, ERA: 3.37, SO: 2,015, CG: 102
#615 Patrick Henry “Patsy” Dougherty
OF, Red Sox, Yankees, White Sox, 1902–11
Dougherty led the AL in 1903 with 107 runs, 195 hits and 590 at bats, and topped the league in 1908 with 47 stolen bases. He was a pitcher’s nightmare, breaking up four no-hitters in a 10-year career. “Patsy” hit two home runs and two triples to help the Red Sox defeat the Pirates in the first World Series.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .284, HR: 17, RBI: 413, H: 1,294, SB: 261
#616 Thomas Francis “Kelly,” “Tommy” Holmes
OF, Braves, Dodgers, 1942–52
Holmes had a career year in 1945, leading the NL with 28 home runs, 224 hits and 47 doubles. He had a .352 batting average that season, second-best in the league. Holmes set an NL record by hitting safely in 37 consecutive games, broken by Pete Rose in 1978. Also in 1945, he became the only player ever to lead his league in home runs and fewest strikeouts, nine.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .302, HR: 88, RBI: 581, H: 1,507, SB: 40
#617 Benjamin Ambrosio “Ben” Oglivie
OF-DH, Red Sox, Tigers, Brewers, 1971–86
Oglivie led the AL with 41 home runs in 1980 for the Brewers. He also tallied 118 RBI that year, second best in the league. He hit three home runs in a game three times for the Brewers that year. His 34 home runs in 1982 helped deliver the Brewers to the World Series against, which they would lose to the Cardinals. Oglivie was a three-time All Star, in 1980, 1982 and 1983.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .273, HR: 235, RBI: 901, H: 1,615, SB: 87
#618 Terry Bluford Moore
OF, Cardinals, 1935–42, 1946–48
The well-respected Moore served as the captain of two Cardinals World Series teams, both winners, against the Yankees in 1942 and the Red Sox in 1946. Among the NL top 10 in stolen bases from 1935 to 1938, and in 1940 and 1942, Moore entered the military in the fall of 1942, returning to professional baseball four years later. He was a four-time All Star.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .280, HR: 80, RBI: 513, H: 1,318, SB: 82
#619 Alan Dean Ashby
C, Indians, Blue Jays, Astros, 1973–89
During his career, Ashby tied the NL record for catching the most no-hitters with three, pitched by Ken Forsch in 1979, Nolan Ryan in 1981 and Mike Scott in 1986. He caught more games than anyone in Astros franchise history with 911 and became the first Astro to hit home runs both left- and right-handed in one game in 1982. An excellent defensive receiver, he led the league’s catchers in fielding percentage in 1987.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .245, HR: 90, RBI: 513, H: 1,010, SB: 7
#620 Spotswood Poles
OF, Philadelphia Giants, New York Lincoln Giants, Brooklyn Royal Giants, Lincoln Stars, Hilldale (Negro Leagues), 1909–23
Known as “the black Ty Cobb,” Poles stole 41 bases over 60 games in 1911 in the Negro Leagues. Poles hit .487 in 1914, and scored 11 runs for the New York Lincoln Giants in the 1915 Black World Series. He joined the army in 1917 and earned a Purple Heart in WWI. Poles is credited with a .440 average in nine “All Star” games against white big leaguers.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .335
#621 Harvey Edward Kuenn
OF-SS-3B, Tigers, Indians, Giants, Cubs, Phillies, 1952–66
In 1953 Kuenn was the AL Rookie of the Year playing for the Tigers, notching a league-leading 209 hits. He topped the AL in hits four times while with the Tigers. He hit .353 to win the American League batting championship in 1959. Kuenn hit over .300 in eight full seasons and was an eight-time All Star, from 1953 to 1960.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .303, HR: 87, RBI: 671, H: 2,092, SB: 68
#622 James Thomas “Jimmy” Williams
2B-3B, Pirates, Orioles, New York 1899–1909
Williams was among the league leaders in home runs for six of his 11 seasons in the majors. He led his league three times in triples, with a career high 27 in 1899 for the Pirates. That year, Williams hit nine home runs and 116 RBI, both third best in the league. He led the league’s second basemen twice in fielding percentage, in 1903 and 1905.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .275, HR: 49, RBI: 796, H: 1,507, SB: 151
#623 Andrew Wasil “Andy” Seminick
C, Phillies, Reds, 1943–57
Seminick was a solid defensive catcher who had some power: He hit 10 or more homers nine times in his career, including eight years in a row, 1946 to 1953. He hit two home runs in a five-home-run eighth inning in for the Phillies in a 1949 game against the Reds. Then he hit a third home run in the same game. Seminick was voted to the All Star team that year. He hit a career-high .288 with 24 home runs and 113 hits in 1950.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .243, HR: 164, RBI: 556, H: 953, SB: 23
#624 Howard Michael “Hojo” Johnson
3B-SS-OF, Tigers, Mets, Rockies, Cubs, 1982–95
As a Met, Johnson had three years with 30 or more home runs and stolen bases: 1987, 1989 and 1991. He set the NL record for home runs by a switch-hitter in 1987 with 36. He broke his own record in 1991, when he led the league with 38 home runs and 117 RBI.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .249, HR: 228, RBI: 760, H: 1,229, SB: 231
#625 John Milton “Mickey” Rivers
OF-DH, Angels, Yankees, Rangers, 1970–84
In New York, Rivers was known as “Mick the Quick.” He stole 70 bases as an Angel in 1975 to lead the AL. Rivers logged 190 stolen bases from 1974 to 1978. His forte was the postseason. Rivers had a .308 batting average over six postseason series, including three World Series as a Yankee, 1976–78. Rivers led the AL in triples in 1974 and 1975 with the Angels.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .295, HR: 61, RBI: 499, H: 1,660, SB: 267
#626 George John “Whitey” Kurowski
3B, Cardinals, 1941–49
Kurowski hit .300 or better four times in his nine-season career. He also led the NL in putouts three times and in fielding percentage twice. He ranked among NL leaders in home runs from 1943 to 1947. Kurowksi hit a ninth-inning home run in the fifth game of the 1942 World Series against the Yankees to break a 2–2 tie and take the Series.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .286, HR: 106, RBI: 529, H: 925, SB: 19
#627 Oscar Emil “Happy” Felsch
White Sox, 1915–20
Part of the 1919 Black Sox scandal team, Felsch was banned from baseball in 1920 after six seasons in the majors. He was in his prime, hitting .300 or better in three seasons. Felsch knocked in 100 or more runs in two seasons, 1917 and 1920. He was one of the best all-around players of his era. Felsch shares record for double plays in a season by an outfielder, with 15.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .293, HR: 38, RBI: 446, H: 825, SB: 88
#628 Walter William “Billy” Pierce
LHP, Tigers, White Sox, Giants, 1945–64
Billy Pierce won 15 or more games eight times in his career, including back-to-back 20-win seasons for the White Sox in 1956 and 1957. He was an “inning-eater,” leading the American League in complete games four times in his career and pitching more than 200 innings nine times in that span.
LIFETIME STATS: W: 211, L: 169, SV: 32, ERA: 3.27, SO: 1,999, CG: 193
#629 James Joseph “Jimmy” Dykes
3B-2B-1B-SS, A’s, White Sox, 1918–39
One of the most versatile players of the 1920s and 1930s, Dykes began his career as a second baseman for the A’s and ended it as a third baseman for the White Sox. In between, he played wherever he was needed, and usually played very well. He was also an excellent pinch hitter, with a .321 career average. He hit .421 to lead Philadelphia in the 1929 World Series.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .280, HR: 108, RBI: 1,071, H: 2,256, SB: 70
#630 Zoilo Casanova “Zorro” Versalles
SS-3B-2B, Senators, Twins, Dodgers, Indians, Braves, 1959–71
Versalles was one of the best defensive shortstops of his era, winning Gold Gloves twice as the Twins’ shortstop, in 1963 and 1965. Named 1965 AL MVP, he led the league with 126 runs, 45 doubles and 12 triples and also stole a career-high 27 bases that year. He helped lead the Twins to the 1965 World Series, which they ultimately lost to the Dodgers.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .242, HR: 95, RBI: 471, H: 1,246, SB: 97
#631 Claude Cassius “Little All Right” Ritchey
2B-SS, Reds, Louisville Colonels, Pirates, Boston Doves, 1897–1909
The diminutive (5'6", 167 pounds) Ritchey was a five-time NL fielding percentage leader at second base for Pittsburgh. He also led the NL three times in double plays, working mostly along with Honus Wagner at shortstop for the Pirates. He notched 31 sacrifice hits in 1898 for the Colonels to lead the National League.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .273, HR: 18, RBI: 673, H: 1,618, SB: 155
#632 Henry Leval “Hank” Severeid
C, Reds, Browns, Senators, Yankees, 1911–13, 1915–26
Severeid was one of the most durable catchers of his era. He caught 1,225 games over 15 seasons, appearing in more than 100 games each year from 1916–24, with the exception of his year in the military in 1918. One of his claims to fame was being knocked unconscious in a 1916 game by the Red Sox’ Babe Ruth, who barreled into him while he was defending the plate. He hit .300 or better five seasons in a row, 1921–1925.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .289, HR: 17, RBI: 539, H: 1,245, SB: 35
#633 Victor Woodrow Wertz
OF-1B, Tigers, St. Louis Browns, Orioles, Indians, Red Sox, Twins, 1947–63
Wertz, as Willie Mays will tell you, could hit the baseball. He made more than 100 RBI a season five times. He ranked among the top 10 AL MVP candidates in 1949, 1950, 1956 and 1957. Wertz logged a career-high 133 RBI in 1949 with the Tigers. His claim to fame, though, was making one of the most famous outs in World Series history: He hit the ball in the 1954 World Series that Mays tracked down with a legendary over-the-shoulder catch. Wertz still batted .500 for the Indians in that Series, though the New York Giants swept the Indians in four games.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .277, HR: 266, RBI: 1,178, H: 1,692, SB: 9
#634 Jesse Joseph “Pop” Haines
RHP, Reds, Cardinals, 1918, 1920–37. Hall of Fame, 1970
Haines was a very consistent pitcher for a very long time, which was the principal factor in his election to the Hall of Fame. He won more games for the Cardinals than anyone but Bob Gibson, yet he won 20 or more games in a season only three times. Seven times he won between 11 and 13 games. Haines pitched in four World Series and won two games with a 1.08 ERA in the Cardinals’ 1926 World Series victory over the Yankees.
LIFETIME STATS: W: 210, L: 158, SV: 10, ERA: 3.64, SO: 981, CG: 208
#635 Joseph Anthony “Joe” Kuhel
1B, Senators, White Sox, 1930–47
Kuhel was a tremendous defensive first baseman, probably the best of his era. In a 1941 doubleheader against the A’s, Kuhel recorded 17 putouts in the first game and 23 in the second, breaking a record set by Hal Chase in 1906. Kuhel hit a career-best .322 with 107 RBI in 1933, helping take the Senators to the World Series. He led AL first basemen that year in putouts with 1,498. In 1940, Kuhel hit a personal-best 27 home runs for the White Sox.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .277, HR: 131, RBI: 1,049, H: 2,212, SB: 178
#636 Leo Ernest “Ernie” Whitt
C, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Braves, Orioles, 1976–78, 1980–91
One of the most popular members of the expansion Blue Jays, Whitt was also a very good defensive catcher and handler of pitchers. As a Blue Jay, he hit three of a major league single-game-record-setting 10 team home runs against the Orioles in 1987. Voted to the All Star team in 1985, Whitt led American League catchers in putouts with 803 in 1987.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .249, HR: 134, RBI: 534, H: 938, SB: 22
#637 William Mitchell “Billy” Nash
3B, Richmond Virginians, Boston Beaneaters, Boston Doves, Phillies, 1884–98
Nash was a great two-way star for Boston in the late 1880s and early 1890s, with a stint in the Players League mixed in there in 1890. He had 90 or more RBI in six of his 15 seasons and averaged 28 stolen bases a year. Nash also led third baseman in fielding percentage four times while with the Beaneaters. In 1893 he logged a career year with the Beaneaters, hitting .291 with 10 home runs, 123 RBI and 30 stolen bases.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .275, HR: 60, RBI: 977, H: 1,606, SB: 265
#638 John Phelan “Stuffy” McInnis
1B-SS, Philadelphia A’s, Red Sox, Indians, Boston Braves, Pirates, Phillies, 1909–27
McInnis was a good-hitting first baseman with limited range. Still, he committed only one error at first base in 152 games for the 1921 Red Sox to log a .999 fielding average. He would lead the league in fielding six times in his career. McInnis hit over .300 in 12 of his 19 seasons and appeared in five World Series, winning four times.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .307, HR: 20, RBI 1,062, H: 2,405, SB: 172
#639 Henry “Heinie” Zimmerman
3B-2B-SS-1B, Cubs, New York Giants, 1907–19
A versatile player early in his career, Zimmerman played all four infield and all three outfield positions for the Cubs. In 1912, his second year as a regular for Chicago at third, he led the NL with a .372 batting average, 14 home runs, 41 doubles, 207 hits and a .571 slugging percentage. Zimmerman led the league in RBI twice. He was suspended from the Giants toward the end of the 1919 season and next year banned from baseball for conspiring to fix games.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .295, HR: 58, RBI 796, H: 1,566, SB: 175
#640 William Ellis “Bill” Russell
SS-2B-OF, Dodgers, 1969–86
Russell was one of the more underrated postseason players. He participated in 10 postseason series, averaging .294. Russell played in four World Series, including the Dodgers’ 1981 win over the Yankees. He led the NL in games played in 1973 with 162. He was among league leaders in at bats that year and from 1977 to 1979. Russell played more games for the Dodgers than anyone in franchise history except Hall of Famer Zach Wheat.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: 263, HR: 46, RBI: 627, H: 1,926, SB: 167
#641 Alfred Karl “Kip” Selbach
OF-SS-2B, Senators, Reds, New York Giants, Orioles, Boston Pilgrims, 1894–1906
Selbach batted over .300 in seven of his 13 professional seasons and logged 100 RBI in 1896 with the Senators. The fireplug-like (5'7", 190 pounds) Selbach was among NL leaders in 1900 with a .337 batting average, his career best. He led the NL in triples in 1895 with 22. In 1904, Selbach caught the final out in left field to clinch the pennant for the Boston Red Sox.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .293, HR: 44, RBI: 779, H: 1,803, SB: 334
#642 James Luther “Luke” Sewell
C, Indians, Senators, White Sox, St. Louis Browns, 1921–39, 1942
Tough and durable, Sewell set an AL record for playing 20 seasons as an active catcher. He was named to the All Star team during his 1937 season with the White Sox. Sewell was among the top 10 AL MVP candidates in 1927, the year he set career-high marks with a .294 batting average and 138 hits. He repeated among the top 10 MVP candidates in 1937.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .259, HR: 20, RBI: 696, H: 1,393, SB: 65
#643 William Robert “Bob” Allison
OF-1B, Senators, Twins, 1958–70
Allison was named the 1959 AL Rookie of the Year, hitting 30 home runs and 85 RBI for the Senators. He hit 29 home runs or more five times in his career. In 1963, he led the American League in runs with 99 for the Twins. Allison and Twins teammate Harmon Killebrew became the first two major leaguers to each hit a grand slam in the same inning in 1962.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .255, HR: 256, RBI: 796, H: 1,281, SB: 84
#644 Marquis Dean Grissom
OF, Expos, Braves, Indians, Brewers, Dodgers, Giants, 1989–2005
One of the best defensive outfielders of the 1990s, Grissom was a four-time Gold Glove outfielder, 1993–96. He committed only one error over 158 games in center field for the 1996 Braves. Voted ALCS MVP in 1997 for his efforts to lift the Indians over the Orioles. Grissom ranks 19th among active players in career hits and seventh among active players for stolen bases with 425.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .272, HR: 227, RBI: 967, H: 2,251, SB: 429
#645 Denis John Menke
SS-3B-2B-1B, Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Astros, Reds, 1962–74
The versatile Menke was twice voted an All Star, in 1969 and in1970. He peaked in 1970 with the Astros, batting .304 with 92 RBI and 171 hits, all career-high numbers. He homered off Catfish Hunter in Cincinnati’s 1972 World Series against the A’s, though the Reds ultimately lost in seven games.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .250, HR: 101, RBI: 606, H: 1,270, SB: 34
#646 George Henry “Dode” Paskert
OF, Reds, Phillies, Cubs, 1907–21
Paskert led National League outfielders in fielding percentage in 1917 while with the Phillies. Admired for his smooth fielding style and exceptional range, Paskert had his best offensive season in 1912, batting .315 with 170 hits for the Phillies. He stole a career-high 51 bases for the 1910 Reds, on his way to 293 lifetime stolen bases. He was among league leaders in bases on balls six times.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .268, HR: 42, RBI: 577, H: 1,613, SB: 293
#647 Richard Joseph “Richie” Hebner
3B-1B, Pirates, Phillies, Mets, Tigers, Cubs, 1968–85
Hebner led National League rookies with a .301 batting average for the Pirates in 1969. He would go on to play in nine postseason series, setting an NL record for most LCS appearances, with eight. He led the 1979 Mets with 79 RBI. Hebner hit a career-high 82 RBI in 104 games with the 1980 Tigers. He also hit 25 home runs with the Pirates in 1973.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .276, HR: 203, RBI: 890, H: 1,694, SB: 38
#648 Stephen Wayne “Steve” Yeager
C, Dodgers, Mariners, 1972–86
Yeager played in 11 postseason series with the Dodgers and four World Series. He was named co-MVP in the 1981 World Series against the Yankees, along with Ron Cey and Pedro Guerrero. Yeager hit two home runs in that Series, including a shot off Ron Guidry to win Game Five. He tied the NL record for catchers in 1972 with 22 putouts in a game.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .228, HR: 102, RBI: 410, H: 816, SB: 14
#649 Henry E. “Ted” Larkin
1B-OF, Philadelphia A’s, Indians, Senators, 1884–93
Larkin was one of the early stars of big league baseball, hitting .300 or better six times in his 10-season career. Ranking among league leaders in extra-base hits and home runs for much of his career, Larkin topped the American Association in doubles in 1885 and 1886. He hit a career-high .330 with 112 RBI for the Indians in 1890, and stole 37 bases for the A’s in 1887.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .303, HR: 53, RBI: 836, H: 1,429, SB: 129
#650 William Michael “Bill” Joyce
3B-1B, Brooklyn Ward’s Wonders, Boston Reds, Brooklyn Grooms, Senators, New York Giants, 1890–92, 1894–98
Joyce still ranks sixth in all-time career on-base percentage, with .435. He hit .300 or better four consecutive years, 1894–97. In 1896, Joyce led the NL in home runs with 13. He hit 17 home runs in both 1894 and 1895 for the Senators. He notched a career-best .355 batting average in 1894. An excellent base runner, Joyce stole 20 or more bases in each of his eight major league seasons, totaling 264 in all.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .294, HR: 70, RBI: 607, H: 970, SB: 264
#651 Larry Alton Parrish
3B-OF-DH, Expos, Rangers, Red Sox, 1974–88
Parrish became the 13th player to record seasons of 30 or more home runs in both the AL and NL. He was named Expos Player of the Year in 1979 with a .307 batting average, 82 RBI and 30 home runs, and was voted to the All Star team for that year. He was vote an All Star for the second time in 1987, hitting 100 RBI and 32 home runs by the end of the season.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .263, HR: 256, RBI: 992, H: 1,789, SB: 30
#652 Jeff Blauser
SS-2B-3B, Braves, Cubs, 1987–99
The defensive mainstay of the Braves for most of the 1990s, Blauser blew hot and cold offensively throughout most of his career. A two-time All Star, he twice topped .300, in 1993 and 1997. But the free-swinging Blauser also struck out 100 or more times in four seasons in his career.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .262, HR: 122, RBI: 513, H: 1,187, SB: 65
#653 Cletis Leroy “Clete” Boyer
3B-SS-2B, Kansas City A’s, Yankees, Braves, 1955–57, 1959–71
The very versatile Boyer led NL third basemen in fielding percentage in 1967 and 1969. He also won a Gold Glove for third base work with the Braves in 1969. He was one of three brothers to play in the majors. Clete and his brother Ken became the first siblings to each hit home runs in the same World Series game when the Yankees played the Cardinals in 1964.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .242, HR: 162, RBI: 654, H: 1,396, SB: 41
#654 Bret William Saberhagen
RHP, Royals, Mets, Rockies, Red Sox, 1984–95, 1997–2001
In 1985 at the age of 21, Saberhagen became the youngest pitcher to win a Cy Young award. He led the 1985 Royals to a World Series victory over the Cardinals, pitching two complete games with an 0.50 ERA and winning the World Series MVP award. In 1989, he won the AL Cy Young award again, leading the league in complete games with 12, and posting 23 wins.
LIFETIME STATS: W: 167, L: 117, SV: 1, ERA: 3.34, SO: 1,715, CG: 76
#655 J. Preston “Pete” Hill
OF-2B, Philadelphia Giants, Leland Giants, Chicago American Giants, Detroit Stars, Philadelphia Madison Stars, Milwaukee Bears, Baltimore Black Sox (Negro Leagues),1904–25. Hall of Fame, 2006
The swift Hill was a tremendous line-drive hitter who once hit safely in 115 of 116 games as an American Giant in 1911. That season, the team finished the year 106–7, and was considered one of the greatest Negro League teams ever. A very consistent hitter, Hill led the Detroit Stars with a .388 batting average in 1921 at the age of 41.
LIFETIME STATS (Negro Leagues games only): BA: .306, H: 477
#656 Victor Gazaway “Vic” Willis
RHP, Boston Beaneaters, Pirates, Cardinals, 1898–1910. Hall of Fame, 1995
Willis started his major league career with a bang, winning 25 games in his first season with Boston. He would go on to win 20 or more games a season eight times over his 13-season career. In 1902 Willis set a National League record with 45 complete games. He completed 388 of the 471 games he started in his career. He ranks 19th lifetime in complete games and shutouts (50).
LIFETIME STATS: W: 249 L: 205, SV: 11, ERA: 2.63, SO: 1,651, CG: 388
#657 Ronald Edwin Gant
OF-2B-3B, Braves, Reds, Cardinals, Phillies, Angels, Rockies, A’s, Padres, 1987–93, 1995–2003
The swift Gant became the third player ever to have back-to-back seasons with 30 or more stolen bases and home runs in 1991 with the Braves. He also displayed some power, hitting 25 or more home runs in seven seasons. Gant logged a career-best 36 home runs and 117 RBI in 1993, his last year with Atlanta. He currently ranks 20th among active players, with 321 career home runs.
LIFETIME STATS (THROUGH 2003): BA: .256, HR: 321, RBI: 1,008, H: 1,651, SB: 243
#658 Brady Kevin Anderson
OF-DH, Red Sox, Orioles, Indians, 1988–2002
As an Oriole in 1992, Anderson became the first AL player ever to reach the milestones of 20 home runs, 50 steals and 75 RBI in one season. In 1994, Anderson stole 31 bases in 32 attempts. Between his 1994 and 1995 seasons, Anderson stole 36 consecutive bases without getting caught. He led the American league with 92 extra-base hits in 1996, the same year he hit a career-best 50 home runs.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .256, HR: 210, RBI: 761, H: 1,661, SB: 315
#659 Jesse Lee Barfield
OF, Blue Jays, Yankees, 1981–92
Barfield was a superb defensive outfielder, winning a Gold Glove with the Blue Jays in 1986 and in 1987. Known for his strong arm, Barfield led American League outfielders in assists three years in a row, from 1985 to 1987. He also hit 20 or more home runs six times in his career. His personal best numbers came in 1986 with 40 home runs and 108 RBI.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .256, HR: 241, RBI: 716, H: 1,219, SB: 66
#660 Oswald Lewis “Ossie” Bluege
3B-SS-2B, Senators, 1922–39
Bluege was a fixture at third base for the Senators from 1923 to 1933. Among top 10 AL MVP candidates in 1925, Bluege turned in a .287 batting average and 150 hits. At 5'11" and 165 pounds, Bluege was not a sturdy-looking guy, but he ranked among top-10 batters hit by pitches for nine of his 18 seasons. He hit a career-best 98 RBI with eight home runs in 1931.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .272, HR: 43, RBI: 848, H: 1,751, SB: 140
#661 Clifford Earl Torgeson
1B, Boston Braves, Phillies, Tigers, White Sox, Yankees, 1947–61
As a Brave in 1950, Torgeson led the National League in runs scored with 120. The following year, he reached career highs with 24 home runs and 92 RBI. Torgeson boasted the best batting average in the 1948 World Series, hitting .389 over five games, though the Braves ultimately lost to the Indians.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .265, HR: 149, RBI: 740, H: 1,318, SB: 133
#662 George Frederick “Doggie” Miller
C-OF-3B-SS-2B, Pirates, St. Louis Browns, Louisville Colonels, 1884–96
The versatile Miller had a career-best year in 1894 with the Browns, hitting eight home runs with 86 RBI, and leading his team with a .339 batting average and 163 hits. He collected the 10th-most hits in the National League as a Pirate in 1891 with 156. That was the year he played 41 games at catcher, 37 games at shortstop and 34 games at third base.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .267, HR: 33, RBI: 567, H: 1,380, SB: 260
#663 Ivey Brown Wingo
C, Cardinals, Reds, 1911–29
One of the more durable catchers of his generation, Wingo briefly held the record for most career games caught upon his retirement in 1929, with 1,233. Wingo played for Cincinnati in the infamous 1919 World Series with the Chicago Black Sox, and hit .571 in the Series. He ranks seventh among catchers in career assists with 1,487, and also holds the 20th-century record for catchers’ career errors, with 234.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .260, HR: 25, RBI: 455, H: 1,039, SB: 87
#664 Donald Eulen “Don” Kessinger
SS-2B, Cubs, Cardinals, White Sox, 1964–79
“Kess,” as he was known to his Cub teammates, was a two-time Gold Glove winner, 1969–70, as well as a six-time All Star, from 1968 to 1972 and in 1974. In the middle of his career, Kessinger led NL shortstops multiple times in various categories, including putouts, double plays, assists and fielding percentage. He batted six-for-six during an extra-inning game in 1970 with the Cubs. In 1969, he went 54 games without an error, a shortstop record at the time.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .252, HR 14, RBI: 527, H: 1,931, SB: 100
#665 Nathaniel Frederick “Fred” Pfeffer
2B-SS, Troy Trojans, Chicago White Stockings, Chicago Pirates, Louisville Colonels, New York Giants, 1882–97
Pfeffer’s unofficial nickname was “the Dandelion,” because he could really “pick” ground balls. He was among the league leaders in home runs five times, from 1884 to 1887, and again in 1891. He posted a career-high 25 home runs and 101 RBI in 1884 with the White Stockings. In a playoff series against the St. Louis Browns of the American Association in 1885, Pfeffer hit .407 over a seven-game series. He was known as the first infielder to cut off a catcher’s throw to second, then throw out a runner at the plate, foiling a double steal.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .255, HR: 94, RBI: 1,019, H: 1,671, SB: 382
#666 John Anthony “Johnny” Romano
C, White Sox, Indians, Cardinals, 1958–67
A two-time All Star in 1961 and 1962, Romano registered peak career numbers in those years with the Indians, hitting 21 home runs and 80 RBI in 1961, and 25 home runs and 81 RBI in 1962. He led the Indians in RBI and home runs in 1962. Romano hit 10 homers or more for seven consecutive years. The husky (some say overweight) Romano was slowed by a hand injury after the 1963 season.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .255, HR: 129, RBI: 417, H: 706, SB: 7
#667 Harry M. Steinfeldt
3B-2B, Reds, Cubs, Boston Braves, 1898–1911
Third baseman Steinfeldt was the fourth infielder in the Cubs’ legendary Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance infield. He was a solid hitter, leading the National League with 176 hits and 83 RBI in 1906, his first year with the Cubs, when he also posted his best batting average, .327. He also led the NL in doubles in 1903 with 32. Steinfeldt played in four World Series, winning two with the Cubs over the Tigers, in 1907 and 1908.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .267, HR: 27, RBI: 762, H: 1,576, SB: 194
#668 Charles Theodore “Chili” Davis
OF-DH, Giants, Angels, Twins, Royals, Yankees, 1981–99
Davis was a durable outfielder, ranking third in all-time career home runs by switch-hitters with 350. He also ranks in the top 100 all-time in most hits, home runs, RBI and extra-base hits. A three-time All Star in 1984, 1986 and 1994, Davis homered twice in the Twins’ 1991 World Series victory over the Braves. Davis averaged 23 home runs and 91 RBI over a 19-season career.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .274, HR: 350, RBI: 1,372, H: 2,380, SB: 142
#669 William J. “Kid” Gleason
2B-RHP, Phillies, St. Louis Browns, Orioles, New York Giants, Tigers, White Sox, 1888–1908, 1912
As a pitcher, Gleason garnered four seasons with 20 or more wins, including a 38–17 year with the Phillies in 1890. He moved to second base with the Giants, and hit .319 with 106 RBI and 43 stolen bases in 1897. Gleason twice led NL in sacrifice hits, 1904–05, with 35 and 43 respectively. Perhaps he is best known as the unsuspecting manager of the 1919 “Black” Sox, several of whose players threw the World Series.
LIFETIME STATS: W: 138, L: 131, SV: 6, ERA: 3.79, SO: 744, CG: 240. BA: .261, HR: 15, RBI: 823, H: 1,944, SB: 328
#670 Ron Hansen
SS-3B, Orioles, White Sox, Senators, Yankees, Royals, 1958–72
Hansen was named AL Rookie of the Year in 1960 as an Oriole, hitting 22 home runs with 86 RBI. The next year, he led American League shortstops in double plays with 110. He went on to lead his teams in that category three times in his career, and topped AL shortstops four times in assists over 15 seasons. As a Senator, Hansen completed an unassisted triple play in a 1968 game against the Indians.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .234, HR: 106, RBI: 501, H: 1,007, SB: 9
#671 Keith Anthony “Tony” Phillips
OF-2B-3B-SS-DH, A’s, Tigers, Angels, White Sox, Blue Jays, Mets, 1982–99
Philips’s 114 runs with Detroit led the American League in 1992. Patient at the plate, Phillips topped the AL twice in bases on balls and ranks 30th in career walks. Phillips tied a major league record in 1986 with 12 assists at second base in a game for Oakland. He played in two World Series, hitting a home run in Oakland’s four-game sweep of the Giants in 1989.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .266, HR: 160, RBI: 819, H: 2,023, SB: 177
#672 Adrian “Addie” Joss
RHP, Indians, 1902–10. Hall of Fame, 1978
Joss packed a solid career into only eight full seasons. He ranks second in all-time lowest ERA, with a 1.89 career average, and led the American League in ERA in 1904 and 1908. Joss led the AL in wins in 1907 with 27. He won 20 or more games in a season four consecutive years, 1905–08. He threw a perfect game against the White Sox in 1908. In all, Joss completed 234 of his 260 career starts. He died in 1911 of meningitis.
LIFETIME STATS: W: 160, L: 97, SV: 5, ERA: 1.89, SO: 920, CG: 234
#673 Samuel Blair “Sam” Mertes
OF-2B, Phillies, Cubs, White Sox, Giants, Cardinals, 1896, 1898–1906
The swift Mertes ranked among league leaders for stolen bases from 1899 to 1905. Over that span, he averaged 45 stolen bases a year. Mertes led American League outfielders in assists with the 1902 White Sox, and the following year topped National League outfielders in fielding percentage as a Giant. Mertes was also an offensive threat, leading the NL in RBI (104) and doubles (32) in 1903.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .279, HR: 40, RBI: 721, H: 1,227, SB: 396
#674 Michael Lewis “Mike” Greenwell
OF-DH, Red Sox, 1985–96
“Greenie” hit .300 or better in seven of his 12 major league seasons. He ranked second in AL MVP voting in 1988, hitting .325 with 22 home runs and 119 RBI. The successor in left field to Jim Rice, Greenwell averaged 93 RBI a season for Boston. He burst out of the gate his rookie year, homering for his first three hits with Boston in 1985. He hit a career-best 22 home runs with 119 RBI in 1988 and was a two-time All Star, in 1988 and 1989.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .303, HR: 130, RBI: 726, H: 1,400, SB: 80
#675 Forest Glenn Wright
SS, Pirates, Brooklyn Robins, White Sox, 1924–33, 1935
Wright had unusual power for a shortstop, and was among league leaders in home runs and RBI in 1925 and 1930. He averaged 105 RBI over 11 seasons. In 1930, his second season in Brooklyn, Wright hit .321 with 126 RBI and 22 home runs. Wright was an agile fielder, leading the National League in double plays and assists his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He also made an unassisted double play for the Pirates in a 1925 game against the Cardinals.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .294, HR: 94, RBI: 723, H: 1,219, SB: 38
#676 Frederick Joseph “Freddy” Patek
SS, Pirates, Royals, Angels, 1968–81
The diminutive (5'5") Patek was nonetheless a terror on the base paths, and was one of the top six stolen base leaders 1971–78 in the American League. Patek led the AL in steals in 1977 with 53 and averaged 38 stolen bases a year, collecting 385 over a 14-season career. He led the league in triples with 11 in 1971. Patek was not a great hitter during the regular season, managing a career best of only .267 in 1971. But he hit .389 in both the 1976 and 1977 ALC against the Yankees.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .242, HR: 41, RBI: 490, H: 1,340, SB: 385
#677 Mateo Rojas “Matty” Alou
OF-1B, Giants, Pirates, Cardinals, A’s, Yankees, Padres, 1960–74
The best hitting of the three Alou brothers, Matty hit .300 or better in seven seasons. He led the National League in 1966 with a .342 average for the Pirates. Three years later, Matty topped the NL with 231 hits and 41 doubles. Brothers Jesus and Felipe played with him briefly on the Giants in 1963. Alou came over to the American League in 1972, and hit .381 in the A’s ALCS against Detroit at age 34 to help deliver Oakland to the World Series.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .307, HR: 31, RBI: 427, H: 1,777, SB: 156
#678 Joseph Vance “Joe” Ferguson
C-OF, Dodgers, Cardinals, Astros, Angels, 1970–83
Ferguson set a major league record for catchers in 1973 with only three errors in 700 or more chances. In addition to leading the league in fielding percentage, he also led NL catchers that year in double plays with 17. Not blessed with a lot of power, Ferguson did hit a career-best 25 home runs with 88 RBI in 1973. He hit a two-run home run off Vida Blue to lead the Dodgers to their only win over the A’s in the 1974 World Series.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .240, HR: 122, RBI: 445, H: 719, SB: 22
#679 Wilbert Robinson
C, Philadelphia A’s, Orioles, Cardinals, 1886–1902. Hall of Fame, 1945
Robinson, called “Uncle Robbie” for his happy personality, hit a career-best .353 with 98 RBI for Baltimore in 1894. He once logged seven hits in one game for the Orioles. Although a relatively rotund player, he was known for his endurance, once catching a tripleheader and then a double-header the following day as an Oriole. He went on to manage the Brooklyn Dodgers, leading them to the NL pennant in 1916 and 1920, and was elected to the Hall of Fame as a manager.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .273, HR: 18, RBI: 722, H: 1,388, SB: 196
#680 Fred “Cy” Williams
OF, Cubs, Phillies, 1912–30
Williams was a slugging outfielder who led the National League in home runs four times. He shared the major league home run lead in 1923 with New York’s Babe Ruth, when both hit 41 homers. Over the course of his 19-season career, Williams ranked among the top three in the NL for home runs 11 times. He could also hit for average, and batted .300 or better in six seasons. Williams belted seven career grand slams and also scored on 12 inside-the-park home runs.
LIFETIME STATS: BA: .292, HR: 251, RBI: 1,005, H: 1,981, SB: 115