The best Center Fielders in Major League Baseball history

The best Center Fielders in Major League Baseball history

10) Richie Ashburn – A six time All Star, “Put Put” played 1,948 games in center field for 15 seasons from 1948-1962, mainly with the Phillies. Ashburn batted .308 with a .396 on base percentage and 234 stolen bases, and is credited with saving 39 runs defensively.

 

9) Jim Edmonds – “Jimmy Baseball” won eight Gold Gloves while playing 1,768 games in center field in 17 seasons from 1993-2010, primarily with the Angels and Cardinals. A four time All Star, Edmonds batted .284 with 393 homers and 1,199 RBI’s. He is credited with saving 80 runs on defense.

 

8) Andruw Jones – A five time All Star and winner of 10 Gold Gloves, “The Curacao Kid” played 1,724 games in centerfield and is credited with saving an impressive 220 runs at the position. Jones’ .992 fielding percentage is higher than the league average of .987 for the time of his career, 17 seasons from 1996-2012, mainly with the Braves. He batted .254 with 434 home runs and 1,289 RBI’s.

 

7) Duke Snider – The “Duke of Flatbush” played 1,589 games in center field for the Dodgers in 18 years from 1947-1964. The eight time All Star had a fielding percentage of .985, higher than the league average of .982, and batted .295 with 407 home runs, 1,333 RBI’s, and a .380 on base percentage.

 

6) Ken Griffey Jr. – Winner of 10 Gold Gloves and a 13 time All Star, “Junior” played 2,145 games in center for the Mariners and Reds. For 22 years from 1989-2010 Griffey batted. 284 with 630 home runs and 1,836 RBI’s. He was named the 1997 American League MVP.

 

5) Mickey Mantle – “The Commerce Comet” played 1,742 games in centerfield for the Yankees for 18 seasons from 1951-1968.  Mantle hit .298 with 536 homers, 1,509 RBI’s, a .421 on base percentage, and .557 slugging percentage. He was named to 20 All Star teams (two were played some years), won the AL MVP three times, and was awarded one Gold Glove.

 

4) Joe DiMaggio – A 13 time All Star and winner of the AL MVP award in 1939, 1941, and 1947, “Joltin’ Joe” played 1,634 games in centerfield for the Yankees, leading AL centerfielders in assists for three seasons. DiMaggio batted .325 with 361 home runs, 1,537 RBI’s, a .398 on base percentage and a .579 slugging percentage in 13 seasons from 1936-1951.

 

3) Tris Speaker – The 1912 AL MVP played 2,088 games in centerfield for 22 seasons from 1907-1940, primarily with the Indians and Red Sox. “The Grey Eagle” had a fielding percentage of .972, higher than the league average of .965, and led AL centerfielders eight years in double plays, seven years in assists, and four years in range factor. Speaker batted .345 with 3,514 hits, 1,531 RBI’s, 436 stolen bases, a .428 on base percentage, and a .500 slugging percentage. He is Major League baseball’s all time leader in doubles with 792.

 

2) Ty Cobb – Playing 1,697 games in center for 24 years from 1905-1928, mainly with the Tigers, Cobb won the AL MVP in 1911 and led AL centerfielders twice in fielding percentage and three times in double plays. “The Georgia Peach” is the majors’ all time leader in career batting average with a mark of .366. He had an on base percentage of .433, slugging percentage of .521, 4,189 hits, 1,944 RBI’s, and 897 stolen bases.

 

1) Willie Mays – A 24 time All Star and winner of the 1954 and 1965 NL MVP, the “Say Hey Kid” played 2,829 games in centerfield in 22 seasons from 1951-1973, primarily with the Giants. Mays won 12 Gold Gloves and is credited with saving an impressive 176 runs defensively in centerfield. He batted .302 with a .384 on base percentage, .557 slugging percentage, 660 home runs, 1,903 RBI’s, and 338 stolen bases.

 

The best Left Fielders in Major League Baseball history

The best Left Fielders in Major League Baseball history

 

10) Ralph Kiner – A six time All Star, Kiner played 1,307 games in left field in 10 seasons from 1946-1955, primarily with the Pirates. He batted .279 with a .398 on base percentage, 369 homers and 1,015 RBI’s.

 

9) Ed Delahanty – “Big Ed” played 1,346 games in left for 16 seasons from 1888-1903, mainly with the Phillies. He had a career batting average of .346 with a .411 on base percentage, .505 slugging percentage, and 455 stolen bases.

 

8) Jim Rice – An eight time All Star and the 1978 AL MVP, Rice played 1,503 games in left field for the Red Sox for 15 years from 1974-1989. He batted .298 with 382 home runs and 1,451 RBI’s.

 

7) Billy Williams – “Sweet Swingin’” played 1,738 games in left during 17 seasons with the Cubs from 1959-1976. A six time All Star, Williams hit .290 with 426 home runs and 1,475 RBI’s.

 

6) Goose Goslin – Playing 1,948 games in left field for 18 seasons from 1921-1938, mainly with the Washington Senators, Hall of Famer Goslin batted .316 with a .387 on base percentage, 248 home runs, 1,612 RBI’s, and 176 stolen bases.

 

5) Al Simmons – “Bucketfoot Al” played 1,372 games in left for seven teams, mostly with the A’s, for 20 years from 1924-1944. A three time All Star, he also played centerfield. Simmons hit .334 with 307 home runs and 1,828 RBI’s.

 

4) Lou Brock – “The Rocket” spent 19 seasons with the Cubs and Cardinals from 1961-1979. Playing 2,161 games in left field Brock amassed 3,043 hits while batting .293. A six time All Star, he is second in baseball history with 938 stolen bases.

 

3) Rickey Henderson – “Man of Steal” played 2,421 games in left in 25 years for nine different teams, 14 seasons with the A’s, from 1979-2003. Henderson holds the MLB stolen base record with 1,406; he batted .279 with a .401 on base percentage, 3,055 hits, 2,295 runs scored, and 2,190 walks. A ten time All Star selection and winner of the 1990 AL MVP, he won one Gold Glove and is credited with saving 58 runs in left field.

 

2) Carl Yastrzemski – An 18 time All Star in 22 years from 1961-1983 for the Red Sox, “Yaz” won seven Gold Gloves and is credited with saving 134 runs defensively while playing 1,912 games in left field. The 1967 AL MVP totaled 3,419 hits while batting .285 with a .379 on base percentage, 452 home runs, 1,844 RBI’s, and 168 stolen bases.

 

1) Ted Williams – In 19 seasons from 1939-1960 “The Splendid Splinter” had a career batting average of .344, on base percentage of .482, slugging percentage of .634, 521 home runs, 1,839 RBI’s, and 2,021 walks.  Williams played 1,982 games in left field for the Red Sox, was a 19 time All Star, and won the AL MVP in 1946 and 1949.

The best Third Basemen in Major League Baseball history

The best Third Basemen in Major League Baseball history

10) Pie Traynor – A two time All Star, Traynor played 1,863 games in 18 years at third for the Pirates from 1920-1937. He had a career batting average of .320, drove in 1,273 runs and stole 158 bases. His .947 fielding percentage equaled the league average for that time period.

9) Graig Nettles – In 21 seasons from 1968-1988 “Puff” played 2,412 games at third base mainly for the Yankees, Indians, Twins, and Padres. A six time All Star and two time Gold Glove winner his fielding percentage of .961 was higher than the league average of .952, and he saved 134 runs at the hot corner. Nettles batted .248 with 390 home runs, and 1,314 RBI’s.

8) Scott Rolen – From 1996-2012 Rolen played 2,023 games at third base for the Phillies, Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Reds. A seven time All Star and eight time Gold Glove winner, his fielding percentage of .968 was higher than the league average of .954, and he saved 150 runs at third base. Rolen had a career batting average of .281, with 316 home runs, 1,287 RBI’s and 118 stolen bases.

7) Ron Santo – A five time Gold Glove winner and nine time All Star, Santo played 2,130 games at third for the Cubs in 15 seasons from 1960-1974. He had a .954 fielding percentage, with the league average being .948, and saved 27 runs in his career. Santo had a .277 batting average, 342 home runs, and 1,331 RBI’s.

6) Chipper Jones – Winner of the 1999 National League MVP award Jones played 1,992 games at third base for the Braves in 19 seasons from 1993-2012. He also played the outfield. An eight time All Star, Jones batted .303, with a .401 on base percentage, 468 home runs, 1,623 RBI’s, and 150 stolen bases. His .954 fielding percentage was close to the league average of .953.

5) Wade Boggs – “Chicken Man” played 2,215 games in 18 seasons at third base from 1982-1999 for the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays, and was selected to 12 All Star teams. He won two Gold Gloves, saved 95 runs, and his fielding percentage of .962 was higher than the .951 league average.  Boggs batted .328 with a .415 on base percentage in his career, and won five American League batting titles.

4) Eddie Mathews – “Cap’n Eddie” was a 12 time All Star during 17 seasons, mainly with the Milwaukee Braves. He batted .271 with a .376 on base percentage, .509 slugging percentage, 512 home runs, and 1,453 RBI’s. Mathews played 2,181 games at third base, is credited with saving 40 runs defensively, and his .956 fielding percentage was higher than the league average of .950.

3) George Brett – “Mullet” was named to 13 All Star teams while playing 1,692 games at third in 21 seasons from 1973-1993 for the Royals. Brett collected 3,154 hits while batting .305 with 317 home runs, 1,596 RBI’s and 201 stolen bases. He won the 1980 AL MVP and a Gold Glove in 1985, and is credited with saving 54 runs on defense in his career.

2) Brooks Robinson – Perhaps the best defensive baseball player of all time, winning 16 Gold Gloves and credited with saving an amazing 293 runs in 2,870 games at third base for the Orioles in 23 seasons from 1955-1977, the “Human Vacuum Cleaner” was named to 18 All Star teams. Robinson’s fielding percentage of .971 was higher than the league average of .953 for third basemen. He batted .267 with 268 home runs and 1,357 RBI’s in his career, and was named the American League MVP in 1964.

1) Mike Schmidt – A 12 time All Star and 3 time National League MVP, “Schmitty” played 2,212 games at third base for the Phillies in 18 years for the Phillies from 1972-1989. Schmidt hit .267 with a .380 on base percentage, 548 home runs, 1,595 RBI’s, and 174 stolen bases. He won 10 Gold Gloves; his .955 fielding percentage is higher than the league average of .949, and he saved 129 runs defensively during his career.

 

 

The 10 best Shortstops in major League baseball history

The 10 best Shortstops in major League baseball history

10) Phil Rizzuto – winner of the 1950 American League MVP award and a five time All Star, “Scooter” played 1,647 games in 13 seasons for the Yankees in the 1940’s and 1950’s, contributing to 7 World Championship teams.  He had a fielding average of .968, higher than the league average of .959. Rizzuto had a career batting average of .273 with an on-base percentage of .351 and 149 stolen bases.

9) Robin Yount – in a twenty year career from 1974 -1993 “The Kid” played 1,479 games at shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers with a .964 fielding percentage, equal to the league average during that time. Winner of a  a Gold Glove in 1982, as well as the AL MVP in 1982 and 1989, he batted .285 with 3,142 hits, 251 home runs, 1,406 RBI’s, and 271 stolen bases. A three time All Star, Yount played centerfield for the latter half of his career.

8) Pee Wee Reese – in sixteen seasons in the 1940’s and 1950’s “The Little Colonel” played 2,014 games at shortstop for the Dodgers and was named to 10 All Star teams. His fielding average was .962, higher than the league average of .958, and his career totals include .269 batting average with a .366 on base percentage and 232 stolen bases.

7) Barry Larkin – Winner of the 1995 NL MVP award, Larkin was a 12 time All Star in a 19 year career and 2,085 games with the Reds, from 1986-2004. His .975 fielding percentage was above the league average of .968, and he led the league in range factor per game for three seasons. Larkin had a career batting average of .295, an on base percentage of .371, and 379 stolen bases.

6) Luke Appling – In 20 years from 1930-1950 “Luscious Luke” played 2,218 games at shortstop for the White Sox, and was named to seven All Star teams. He had a career batting average of .319 with an on base percentage of .399. Appling led American League shortstops in range factor per game for three seasons.

5) Luis Aparicio – “Little Louie” played 2,599 games at shortstop in 18 years from 1956 to 1973 for the White Sox, Orioles, and Red Sox. He saved 149 runs in his career, had a fielding percentage of .972, higher than the league average of .963, won 9 Gold Gloves, and was named to 10 All Star teams. Aparicio batted .262 with 506 stolen bases in his career.

4) Derek Jeter – “Captain Clutch” played 2,674 games at shortstop for 20 seasons from 1995-2014 for the Yankees, and was named to 14 All Star teams. He won five Gold Gloves and his .976 fielding percentage was higher than the league average of .972. Jeter finished his career with a .310 batting average, .377 on base percentage, 3,465 hits, 1,923 runs scored, 358 stolen bases, 260 home runs, and 1,311 RBI’s.

3) Honus Wagner – In 21 years from 1898-1917, “The Flying Dutchman” played 1,887 games at shortstop for the Pirates. He led the league in fielding percentage four seasons, with his .940 career mark higher than the league average of .927. He also played the outfield and the three other infield positions.  Wagner batted .328 with a .391 on base percentage, 3,420 hits, 1,739 runs scored, 723 stolen bases, and 1,732 RBI’s.

2) Cal Ripken Jr. – The “Iron Man,” was a 19 time All Star, won two Gold Gloves, and winner of the AL MVP in 1983 and 1991. He played 2,302 games at shortstop in a 21 year career from 1981-2001 for the Orioles. His fielding percentage of .979 was higher than the league average of .969, and he is crediting with saving 176 runs at shortstop. Ripken batted .276 with 431 home runs and 1,695 RBI’s.

1) Ozzie Smith – Playing 2,511 games at shortstop in 19 years from 1978-1996 for the Padres and Cardinals, “The Wizard of Oz” saved an astounding 239 runs during his career. He is baseball’s all-time leader, at any position, in career Defensive Wins-Above-Replacement with 43.4. A 13 time Gold Glove winner, his fielding percentage of .978 was higher than the league average of .966. Named to 15 All Star teams, Smith batted .262 with 580 stolen bases.

The 10 best second basemen in Major League Baseball history

The 10 best second basemen in Major League Baseball history

10) Tony Lazzeri – Playing in 1,760 games from 1926-1939, primarily for the Yankees, “Poosh’em Up Tony” batted .292, with 178 home runs, 1,194 RBI’s, 148 stolen bases, and a .380 on base percentage.

9) Craig Biggio – From 1988-2007 Biggio played 1,989 games at second base for the Astros; he also played catcher and centerfield. His career totals included a .281 batting average, 3,060 hits, 291 homers, 1,175 RBI’s, 414 stolen bases, and a .363 on base percentage. His .984 fielding percentage was higher than the league average of .982 for secondbasemen; he won four Gold Gloves and was named to seven All Star teams. 

8) Bill Mazeroski – From 1956-1972, “Maz” played in 2,163 games for the Pirates and had a fielding average of .983, higher than the league average of .976 at the time. Defensively he saved 148 runs in his career and won eight Gold Gloves. Named to seven All Star teams, Mazeroski had a career batting average of .260.

7) Ryne Sandberg – A ten time All Star and winner of the 1984 National League MVP, “Ryno” played in 2,164 games from 1981-1997, all but thirteen with the Cubs. He batted .285 with 282 home runs, 1,061 RBI’s, and 344 stolen bases. Sandberg’s fielding average of .989 was higher than the league average of .981, and he saved 57 runs in his career, winning nine Gold Gloves.

6) Joe Morgan – Morgan played 2,527 games at second base from 1962-1984, primarily for the Astros and Reds.  He batted .271, with a .392 on base percentage, 268 home runs, 1,133 RBI’s, 689 stolen bases, and a .981 fielding percentage, compared to the league average of .977. Morgan was a ten time All Star, won five Gold Gloves, and was named the National League MVP in 1975 and 1976.

5) Frankie Frisch – Playing in 2,311 games from 1919-1937 for the Cardinals and Giants, “The Fordham Flash” had a career batting average of .316, with 2,880 hits and 419 stolen bases. His fielding average of .974 was higher than the league average of .965. Frisch was selected as the 1931 National League MVP.

4) Charlie Gehringer – “The Mechanical Man” played in 2,323 games for the Tigers from 1924-1942, batting .320 with 2,839 hits, 184 home runs, 1,427 RBI’s, 181 stolen bases, and a .404 on base percentage. Gehringer’s .976 fielding percentage was higher than the league average of .968; he was named to six All Star teams and won the 1937 American League MVP.

3) Rogers Hornsby – From 1915-1937 “Rajah” played 1,561 games at second base, mainly with St. Louis. He also played shortstop, third base, and the outfield. His career numbers include a .358 batting average, .434 on base percentage, 2,930 hits, 301 home runs, and 1,584 RBI’s. He won the Triple Crown in 1922 and 1925, and the National League MVP in 1925 and 1929. 

2) Nap Lajoie – Playing for Cleveland and Philadelphia from 1896-1916, Lajoie spent 2,035 games at second base; he also played first base, shortstop, third base, and the outfield. He had a .963 fielding percentage, compared with the league average of .949 for secondbasemen. His batting numbers include 3,243 hits, 1,599 RBI’s, 380 stolen bases, a .338 batting average, and a .380 on base percentage. 

1) Eddie Collins – The American League MVP in 1914, “Cocky” played in 2,650 games at second base for the White Sox and Philadelphia A’s from 1906-1930. Collins amassed 3,315 hits, 1,300 RBI’s, 741 stolen bases, a .333 batting average, and .424 on base percentage. His .970 fielding percentage was higher than the league average of .958.

The 10 best first basemen in Major League Baseball history

The 10 best first basemen in Major League Baseball history

10) Orlando Cepeda – Played 1,683 games in 17 seasons from 1958-1974 at first base for six teams, primarily the Giants. An eleven time All Star and the 1967 NL MVP, Cepeda batted .297 with 379 home runs and 1,365 RBI’s.

9) Johnny Mize – “The Big Cat” played 1,667 games at first base during 15 seasons from 1937-1953 for the Cardinals, Giants, and Yankees, finishing with a .312 career batting average, 359 home runs, and 1,337 RBI’s. He was a ten time All Star selection.

8) Tony Perez –  “Big Dog” was a seven time All Star with a .279 career batting average, 379 home runs, and 1,652 RBI’s in 23 seasons from 1964 to 1986 with the Cincinnati Reds, playing 1,778 games at first base.

7) George Sisler – Playing in 2,055 games during 15 years with Boston, St. Louis, and Washington from 1915-1930, “Gorgeous George” had a .340 career batting average with 2,812 hits and was the 1922 American League MVP.

6) Hank Greenberg – Winner of the American League MVP in 1935 and 1940, “Hammerin’ Hank” had a career batting average of .313 with 331 homers, 1,274 RBI’s, a .412 on base percentage, and a .605 slugging percentage in 13 seasons from 1930-1947, primarily with the Boston Red Sox. He played 1,138 games at first base and also played the outfield.

5) Jake Beckley – “Eagle Eye” played 2,380 games at first base during 20 years in the major leagues from 1888-1907 with the Cardinals, Reds, Pirates, and Giants. He finished his career with a .308 batting average, 2,934 hits and 1,578 RBI’s.

4) Willie McCovey –  Playing 2,045 games at first base in a 22 year career from 1959-1980 “Big Mac” hit .270 with 521 home runs and 1,555 RBI’s, mainly with the San Francisco Giants. A six time All Star and winner of the 1969 National League MVP.

3) Eddie Murray – Playing 2,413 games at first base “Steady Eddie” batted .287 with 3,255 hits, 504 home runs, and 1,917 RBI’s during 21 seasons with the Orioles, Dodgers, Indians, Mets, and Angels from 1977-1997. Was an eight time All Star and won three Gold Gloves.

2) Jimmie Foxx – Winner of the 1933 Triple Crown, “The Beast” was a three-time American League MVP and was named to nine All Star teams.  Playing in 1,919 games at first base, mainly with Philadelphia and Boston from 1925-1945, Foxx batted .325 with 534 home runs and 1,922 RBI’s, as well as a .428 on-base percentage and .609 slugging percentage. He also played third base, catcher and outfield.

1) Lou Gehrig – The “Iron Horse” played in 2,164 games at first base from 1923-1939 for the Yankees. Gehrig batted .340 for his career, with a .447 on base percentage, .632 slugging percentage, 493 home runs and 1,995 RBI’s. A six time All Star, two time AL MVP, and winner of the 1934 Triple Crown, Gehrig also hit .361 with 10 homers and 35 RBI’s in 34 World Series games.

The 10 best catchers in Major League Baseball history

The best Catchers in major league baseball history

 

10) Thurman Munson:  Winner of the 1970 Rookie of the Year Award, and named the American League MVP in 1976, Munson was a seven time All Star selection. The winner of three Gold Gloves, he threw out 44% of base runners attempting to steal, and is credited with saving 34 runs in his career. Munson caught 1,278 games in eleven seasons for the Yankees from 1969-1979, batting .292 with 113 home runs and 701 RBI’s. Also, in 16 World Series games he hit .373 and drove in 12 runs.

 

9) Mickey Cochrane: A two time All Star, Cochrane was named American League MVP in 1928 and 1934. He has a career batting average of .320 with a .419 on-base percentage, 119 home runs, and 830 RBI’s. He threw out 39% of basestealers while catching 1,421 games in 13 seasons for the A’s and Tigers from 1925-1937.

 

8) Ernie Lombardi: A seven time All Star and winner of the 1938 National League MVP award, Lombardi caught 1,544 games in 17 seasons from 1931-1947, mainly with the Reds and Giants. He had a .306 career batting average, 190 home runs, 990 RBI’s, and threw out 48% of attempted base stealers.

 

7) Roy Campanella: Selected as the National League MVP in 1951, 1953, and 1955, Campanella was named to eight All Star teams. He threw out 57% of basestealers while catching 1,183 games in 10 seasons from 1948-1957 for the Dodgers. His career batting numbers include a .276 average, 242 home runs, and 856 RBI’s.

 

6) Gary Carter: Winner of three Gold Gloves, Carter is credited with saving 106 runs and caught 35% of attempted basestealers while catching 2,056 games in 20 seasons from 1974-1992, mainly with the Expos and Mets. An eleven time All Star, he batted .262 with 324 home runs and 1,225 RBI’s.

 

5) Gabby Hartnett: Catching 1,793 games in 20 seasons from 1922-1941, mainly for the Cubs, Hartnett led the National League catchers in caught stealing percentage six times, with a career mark of 56%. A six time All Star, he had a career batting average of .297 with 236 home runs and 1,179 RBI’s. Hartnett won the 1935 National League MVP award.

 

4) Bill Dickey:  An eleven time All Star for the Yankees, Dickey threw out 47% of runners attempting to steal and led American League catchers in range factor per game for six seasons.  In 17 years from 1928-1946 Dickey caught 1,708 games, while batting .313 with 202 home runs and 1,209 RBI’s.

 

3) Ivan Rodriguez: A thirteen time Gold Glove winner and fourteen time All Star, Rodriguez won the 1999 American League MVP award. Catching 2,427 games in 21 seasons from 1991-2011, primarily for the Rangers and Tigers, he threw out 46% of runners attempting to steal and is credited with saving 167 runs in his career. Rodriguez batted .296 with 311 home runs and 1,332 RBI’s.

 

2) Johnny Bench: Winner of ten Gold Gloves and a fourteen time All Star, Bench won the National League MVP award in 1970 and 1972. Catching 1,742 games in 17 seasons for the Reds, he threw out 43% of basestealers and also saved 97 runs in his career. Bench’s career marks include a .267 average, 389 home runs, and 1,376 RBI’s.

 

1) Yogi Berra:  Selected to the All Star team 15 times, Berra won the American League MVP award in 1951, 1954, and 1955. He caught 1,699 games in 19 seasons and threw out 49% of basestealers to go along with a .285 career batting average, 358 home runs, and 1,430 RBI’s.

The best Catchers in Major League Baseball history

The best Catchers in major league baseball history

 

10) Thurman Munson: Winner of the 1970 Rookie of the Year Award, and named the American League MVP in 1976, Munson was a seven time All Star selection. The winner of three Gold Gloves, he threw out 44% of base runners attempting to steal, and is credited with saving 34 runs in his career. Munson caught 1,278 games in eleven seasons for the Yankees from 1969-1979, batting .292 with 113 home runs and 701 RBI’s. Also, in 16 World Series games he hit .373 and drove in 12 runs.

 

9) Mickey Cochrane: A two time All Star, Cochrane was named American League MVP in 1928 and 1934. He has a career batting average of .320 with a .419 on-base percentage, 119 home runs, and 830 RBI’s. He threw out 39% of basestealers while catching 1,421 games in 13 seasons for the A’s and Tigers from 1925-1937.

 

8) Ernie Lombardi: A seven time All Star and winner of the 1938 National League MVP award, Lombardi caught 1,544 games in 17 seasons from 1931-1947, mainly with the Reds and Giants. He had a .306 career batting average, 190 home runs, 990 RBI’s, and threw out 48% of attempted base stealers.

 

7) Roy Campanella: Selected as the National League MVP in 1951, 1953, and 1955, Campanella was named to eight All Star teams. He threw out 57% of basestealers while catching 1,183 games in 10 seasons from 1948-1957 for the Dodgers. His career batting numbers include a .276 average, 242 home runs, and 856 RBI’s.

 

6) Gary Carter: Winner of three Gold Gloves, Carter is credited with saving 106 runs and caught 35% of attempted basestealers while catching 2,056 games in 20 seasons from 1974-1992, mainly with the Expos and Mets. An eleven time All Star, he batted .262 with 324 home runs and 1,225 RBI’s.

 

5) Gabby Hartnett: Catching 1,793 games in 20 seasons from 1922-1941 for the Cubs and one year with the Giants, Hartnett led the National League catchers in caught stealing percentage six times, with a career mark of 56%. A six time All Star, he had a career batting average of .297 with 236 home runs and 1,179 RBI’s. Hartnett won the 1935 National League MVP award.

 

4) Bill Dickey:  An eleven time All Star for the Yankees, Dickey threw out 47% of runners attempting to steal and led American League catchers in range factor per game for six seasons.  In 17 years from 1928-1946 Dickey caught 1,708 games, while batting .313 with 202 home runs and 1,209 RBI’s.

 

3) Ivan Rodriguez: A thirteen time Gold Glove winner and fourteen time All Star, Rodriguez won the 1999 American League MVP award. Catching 2,427 games in 21 seasons from 1991-2011, primarily for the Rangers and Tigers, he threw out 46% of runners attempting to steal and is credited with saving 167 runs in his career. Rodriguez batted .296 with 311 home runs and 1,332 RBI’s.

 

2) Johnny Bench: Winner of ten Gold Gloves and a fourteen time All Star, Bench won the National League MVP award in 1970 and 1972. Catching 1,742 games in 17 seasons for the Reds, he threw out 43% of basestealers and also saved 97 runs in his career. Bench’s career marks include a .267 average, 389 home runs, and 1,376 RBI’s.

 

1) Yogi Berra:  Selected to the All Star team 15 times, Berra won the American League MVP award in 1951, 1954, and 1955. He caught 1,699 games in 19 seasons and threw out 49% of basestealers to go along with a .285 career batting average, 358 home runs, and 1,430 RBI’s.

Who was the Yankees MVP in 2013?

In 2013 the New York Yankees finished tied with the Baltimore Orioles for third place in the American League Eastern Division with a 85-77 record. They managed to accomplish this with a roster of players consisting of a hodgepodge of journeymen, scrubs, and not-ready-for-prime-time minor leaguers, since many key players missed most of the season due to injuries. The extended absences of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Curtis Granderson led to gaping holes in the team’s lineup.

Manager Joe Girardi deserves some credit for keeping the Yanks in the race for much of the season. He handled the pitching staff well and squeezed enough out of the position players to enable the team to finish over .500 for the season.

General Manager Brian Cashman deserves zero credit, since all he did was throw stuff up against the wall and hope that it would stick. The minor league system, under Cashman’s direction for the past seven years, provided practically no help during the season. 

Vernon Wells and Travis Hafner contributed offensively during the month of April, helping to keep the Yanks above water early on. Unfortunately neither one provided much for the remainder of the season.

Granderson didn’t provide his usual punch when he returned from injuries, batting .229 with seven homers and 15 RBI’s in 61 games and 214 at-bats – numbers that don’t translate well when projected over a 162 games season.

Eduardo Nunez didn’t show much while filling in for Jeter at shortstop, with a .260 average, 3 home runs, 28 RBI’s and 10 stolen bases in 90 games and 304 at-bats. His fielding average was .953, well below the league average of .973, and he was projected to cost the team 18 runs as a shortstop, according to zone fielding calculations.

So who were the top ten most valuable players for the Yankees in 2013?

10) Brett Gardner – Gardner was reliable, playing in 145 games, but stole only 24 bases with an average on-base percentage of .344, and wasn’t as much of a sparkplug as had been hoped. In centerfield he cost the team 20 runs, according to one zone fielding statistic.

9) Jayson Nix – Nix actually came up with some key hits that led to Yankee victories, even though he played in only 87 games.

8) Lyle Overbay – Overbay also came up with some clutch hits in crucial situations, leading to Yankee wins. He hit 14 homers and drove in 59 runs.

7) Ivan Nova – Finishing 9-6 with a 3.10 ERA, Nova pitched well and kept the Yankees in the race in the summer.

6) Chris Stewart – Stewart handled the pitching staff well, and threw out 32% of runners attempting to steal.

5) Mariano Rivera – Most people would put Rivera higher on the list, but he blew seven saves – 92 wins would have landed the Yanks a playoff spot.

4) Hiroki Kuroda – Kuroda pitched well for most of the season, keeping the team in games.

3) Alfonso Soriano – Providing much needed pop in the lineup during the second half of the season, Soriano hit .256 with 17 home runs and 50 RBI’s in only 219 at-bats.

2) David Robertson – Robertson had a great year as a set-up man, with a 2.04 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .213 opponents’ batting average, and 77 strikeouts in 66 innings pitched.

1) Robinson Cano – While I think Cano is an over-rated player, statistically he had an outstanding year both offensively and defensively, accomplishing this with only average players around him. His .314 batting average, .383 on-base percentage, 27 home runs and 107 RBI’s along with a .991 fielding percentage make him the Yankees’ Most Valuable Player for the 2013 season.

  

 

 

source for statistics: http://www.baseball-reference.com/

These Yankees are boring on and off the field

Ichiro Suzuki’s walk-off home run that won Tuesday night’s game for the Yankees in the Bronx was a rare moment of excitement for fans. During April and May journeymen like Lyle Overbay, Vernon Wells, and Jayson Nix provided clutch hits that kept the team in first place or close to the top. Above average starting pitching and solid effort from the relief corps helped a great deal as well.

 However the month of June has seen the Yanks swoon. Timely hitting has dwindled, and the team has struggled to score runs. Mediocre pitching from one time Golden-Boys Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain hasn’t helped. Andy Pettitte hasn’t been as sharp in the last few starts, so age may finally be catching up to him. And, of course, the continued absence of injured players such as Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson has hurt the offense.

Brett Gardner has played well, but at this point in the season one of the fastest runners in the major leagues ought to have more than 11 stolen bases (and not been nailed 6 times already). Gardner has to get into scoring position; it’s still easier to single someone in than it is to hit a home run.

The 2013 Yankees aren’t a very exciting team to watch. Yankee Stadium will have even more empty seats by August if things don’t turn around.

With the exception of outfielder Zoilo Almonte there isn’t going to be much help coming up from the minor leagues, the result of scouting ineptness by general manager Brian Cashman and his baseball cronies in the front office.

Off the field, the headlines featuring Alex Rodriguez are simply uninteresting. At least with the late 1970’s Yankees there was some passion involved, and much humor to be found in all the shenanigans. Rodriguez is a dullard. A seemingly compulsive liar, he’s a boring person, and was always an over-rated player, even when he played with Seattle back in the 1990’s.

The current team will probably stay in the wildcard race until the end of the season since the other American League East teams aren’t that good, either. And if Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter can come back sometime during the summer and play at their high levels of the past, maybe some excitement will return to Yankee Stadium.