The MLB's Top 10 Center Fielders Since 1980

Part Eight in my Top 10...Since 1980 series was center field, and it was no less difficult than the first seven.

The trouble with this list is that the players were so different. It is hard to compare guys like Kenny Lofton and Marquis Grissom to guys like Ken Griffey Jr. and Dale Murphy.

That said, there are certainly some stellar players not on this list. I only considered stats and accolades from 1980-now. Also, a player must have played at least 1,000 career games to qualify.

Seeing as I was considering four different guys for the tenth spot, and none of them really jumped out at me, I look forward to hearing your opinions.

So we will begin with No. 10...

No. 10: Torii Hunter

.273 BA, 222 HR, 813 RBI, 148 SB
All-Star Appearances: 2 (one start)
Gold Gloves: 8
.300+ BA Seasons: 0
30+ HR Seasons: 1
100+ RBI Seasons: 2

He is the best defensive center fielder of his generation and should tack a few more Gold Gloves onto his résumé before it is all said and done.

Hunter has also become a legitimate middle of the order run producer, and while his offensive numbers do not quite stack up to the rest of the guys on this list, his glove alone gets him on here.

No. 9: Ellis Burks

.291 BA, 352 HR, 1,206 RBI, 181 SB
All-Star Appearances: 2
Silver Sluggers: 2
Gold Gloves: 1
.300+ BA Seasons: 4
30+ HR Seasons: 4
100+ RBI Seasons: 1

While some may call into question how much of Burks' production was a result of the Coors Field effect, two of his 30+ home run seasons came after his tenure with the Rockies was over.

That said, his best season by far came as a Rockie in 1996 with a line of .344, 40, 128 while leading the NL in OBP, Slugging Percentage, and Runs Scored with a whopping 142.

No. 8: Bernie Williams

.297 BA, 287 HR, 1,257 RBI, 147 SB
All-Star Appearances: 5 (one start)
Silver Sluggers: 1
Gold Gloves: 4
.300+ BA Seasons: 8
30+ HR Seasons: 1
100+ RBI Seasons: 5

Williams played his entire career with the Yankees and enjoyed his best seasons at the heart of their dynasty.

His career postseason numbers are simply amazing with a line of .275, 22, 80; he was consistently great when it mattered most. His 80 RBI and 51 extra base hits are both postseason records.

No. 7: Andruw Jones

.260 BA, 374 HR, 1,139 RBI, 139 SB
All-Star Appearances: 5
Silver Sluggers: 1
Gold Gloves: 10
.300+ BA Seasons: 1
30+ HR Seasons: 7
100+ RBI Seasons: 5

He was not the fastest center fielder, but he had the best instincts and got the best jumps on balls of anyone I have ever seen.

Hard to believe he is already 32, as it seems like just yesterday he was a 19-year-old playing in the playoffs. His career has been a bit of a disappointment, but the 10 Gold Gloves and the 50 home run season put him on the list.

No. 6: Jim Edmonds

.284 BA, 382 HR, 1,176 RBI, 65 SB
All-Star Appearances: 4 (three starts)
Silver Sluggers: 1
Gold Gloves: 8
.300+ BA Seasons: 5
30+ HR Seasons: 5
100+ RBI Seasons: 4

I discredit the Gold Gloves a bit, seeing as Edmonds had a knack for making the routine plays look difficult. I mean that in a good way, not like how Chris Duncan makes routine plays look difficult nowadays.

At his peak, Edmonds was a lock for 30 homers, 100 RBI, and a Gold Glove, and even in a platoon role in his final season he was a very productive hitter. Overall, one of the best offense-defense combinations at the position.

No. 5: Kenny Lofton

.299 BA, 130 HR, 781 RBI, 622 SB
All-Star Appearances: 6 (three starts)
Gold Gloves: 4
.300+ BA Seasons: 7
30+ SB Seasons: 9
100+ Runs Seasons: 6

He was THE leadoff hitter of the 1990s. He led the AL in steals five years in a row from 1992-1996 and went over 50 six different times in his career.

He also had a decent amount of pop for a slap hitter, registering double-digit home runs seven different times.

No. 4: Dale Murphy

.267 BA, 352 HR, 1,107 RBI, 144 SB
All-Star Appearances: 7 (five starts)
Silver Sluggers: 4
Gold Gloves: 5
.300+ BA Seasons: 2
30+ HR Seasons: 6
100+ RBI Seasons: 5
1982 NL MVP
1983 NL MVP

While I personally do not believe he is a Hall of Famer, I do feel that he was one of the best players of the 1980s, evidenced by his back-to-back MVPs.

Murphy was also an above average center fielder, especially considering his natural position was catcher. That makes his five Gold Gloves even more impressive.

No. 3: Robin Yount

.292 BA, 217 HR, 1,103 RBI, 193 SB
Hall of Fame
3,142 Career Hits
All-Star Appearances: 3 (two starts)
Silver Sluggers: 3
Gold Gloves: 1
300+ BA Seasons: 6
100+ Run Seasons: 5
1982 AL MVP
1989 AL MVP

While he played more career games at short, he played more in centerfield from 1980-on, so for the sake of these rankings he is a center fielder.

Yount was a deserving first ballot Hall of Famer as a two-time MVP and member of the 3,000 hit club. He also had one of the longest careers in the history of the game, as his 11,008 career at-bats are seventh all-time.

No. 2: Kirby Puckett

.318 BA, 207 HR, 1,085 RBI, 134 SB
Hall of Fame
All-Star Appearances: 10 (six starts)
Silver Sluggers: 6
Gold Gloves: 6
.300+ BA Seasons: 8
200+ Hit Seasons: 5
100+ RBI Seasons: 3

Puckett was everything you want in a baseball player—good power, great contact, Gold Glove defender—but what made him a fan favorite was his personality and his overall love for the game.

Due to his career being shortened by injury, his numbers are not overwhelming, but as the Hall of Fame voters made clear, he was one of the best.

Rest in Peace Kirby.

No. 1: Ken Griffey Jr.

.287 BA, 614 HR, 1,779 RBI, 184 SB
All-Star Appearances: 13 (nine starts)
Silver Sluggers: 7
Gold Gloves: 10
.300+ BA Seasons: 8
30+ HR Seasons: 9
100+ RBI Seasons: 8
1997 AL MVP

If not for injuries, he could very well be shooting for 1,000 career home runs. That said, 614 is nothing to laugh at.

Griffey was hands down the most popular player in the game throughout the 1990s, and with good reason. He approached the game like it was just that, a game. He had fun, and he put up ridiculous numbers while he did it.

Just look at that picture—that was the sweetest swing in all of baseball.

Honorable Mention

Carlos Beltran: Mets
Steve Finley: D'Backs
Johnny Damon: Red Sox
Mike Cameron: Mariners
Willie McGee: Cardinals
Marquis Grissom: Braves
Devon White: Blue Jays
Andy Van Slyke: Pirates
Eric Davis: Reds
Gorman Thomas: Brewers
Willie Wilson: Royals
Ray Lankford: Cardinals
Fred Lynn: Red Sox
Chet Lemon: Tigers
Brett Butler: Dodgers
Lance Johnson: White Sox