A Salute to the 15 Greatest U.S. Armed Forces Veteran MLB Players

As we prepare to honor all the United States Veterans who have served our great country this Memorial Day, we take a look at a special subset of these selfless patriots.

Some of the greatest players in the history of Major League Baseball have served their country and then gone on to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

A total of 64 members honored in the prestigious Cooperstown venue are officially classified as Veterans, having served in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime.

Additionally, one of the all-time legendary players in the game served in both World War II and the Korean War. Ted Williams was a Navy pilot from 1942-1946 and then flew 39 combat missions as a Marine Corps fighter pilot from 1952-1953.

Without intent to in any way diminish the richly deserved honor, praise, and collective gratitude owed to all our brave Veterans, the following is a tribute to the best of the best within the baseball fraternity.

Here are the 15 greatest Major League Baseball players with the additional proud distinction of U.S. War Veteran.

No. 15 Jackie Robinson

Despite a life cut far too short by medical issues at just 53, Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was a remarkable individual who has left a lasting legacy.

Although his on the field contributions were among the best in history, Robinson's impact on Major League Baseball and the country as a whole extended well beyond the white lines and his relatively brief 10-year career.

After graduating from UCLA in 1942, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and went on to be commissioned as a second lieutenant. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1944, Robinson briefly coached college athletics before starring in the "Negro Leagues."

Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Robinson in 1946 and he made history one year later by breaking the "color barrier" as the first African-American to play Major League Baseball.

Jackie spent most of his career playing second base, where he excelled with the glove. He also provided a well balanced offensive threat—combining speed, power and hitting to help the Dodgers reach the World Series a remarkable six times over his 10 seasons.

Honors included six All-Star appearances, MLB Rookie of the Year, and the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949. Overall, he batted .311, hit 137 HRs and stole 197 bases while amassing a .409 OBP and .474 SLG in his career.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
4877 947 1518 137 734 197 .311 .409 .474

No. 14 Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before beginning an illustrious 19-year career with the Chicago Cubs.

After joining the Cubs for a proverbial cup of coffee in 1953, Banks became a fixture at shortstop the following season and then first base for almost two decades. His body of work, demeanor, work ethic and popularity earned him the title "Mr. Cub."

A banner flies high above Wrigley Field displaying his now retired No. 14 jersey in recognition of his playing excellence. Banks currently ranks 21st in HRs with 512 and 28th with 1,636 RBI all time.

He also collected considerable accolades during his career, including two NL MVP trophies, one Gold Glove at shortstop and 11 All-Star selections. Mr. Cub was ultimately inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
9421 1305 2583 512 1636 50 .274 .330 .500

No. 13 Hank Greenberg

The original "Hammerin' Hank" anchored the Detroit Tigers lineup for 12 of his 13 seasons in the "Bigs." The slugging first baseman/outfielder had a remarkable career, especially when considering that he served over four years in World War II during the prime of his career.

Although he posted spectacular numbers and eventually was elected to the Hall of Fame, there is no telling what he might have accomplished playing the national past-time had he not selflessly enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1941.

Over the seven full seasons that he played from 1934 to 1946, Greenberg averaged 40 HRs and 147 RBI. He earned AL MVP honors in 1935 when he banged 36 HRs, drove in 170 RBI, and hit .328.

After missing a year with injury, Greenberg followed that up with sizzling 40/183/.337 and 58/146/.315 stat lines the next two seasons. He was recognized with a second AL MVP in 1940 when he smacked 41 HRs, 150 RBI, and batted .340.

The five-time All-Star ranks seventh all-time in both slugging percentage (.605) and OBPS (1.017.) Some other remarkable numbers that he posted included 63 doubles in 1934, 144 runs scored in 1938, and 103 RBI at the All-Star break in 1935.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
5193 1051 1628 331 1276 58 .313 .412 .605

No. 12 Bob Feller

Like Greenberg, "Bullet" Bob Feller enlisted to serve in World War II during the prime of his career. Coming off three spectacular seasons, he dutifully joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and volunteered for combat where he earned five campaign ribbons and eight battle stars.

Feller, also known as "Rapid Robert" for his dominating fastball, played his entire 18-year career for the Cleveland Indians. Although he played in an age without "JUGS" guns, baseball historians consider him the hardest throwing pitcher in the history of the game. Equipment used at the time once recorded his fastball at an astonishing 107.6 mph.

In the period from 1939-1941, Feller recorded a staggering won-lost record of 76-33. The workhorse also compiled 767 strikeouts in 960 innings—obviously before the age of pitch counts and five-game rotations.

After returning from active duty to toss nine games in 1945, Rapid Robert picked up where he left off five years earlier. He recorded 26 wins, 36 complete games, a 2.18 ERA, and 348 strikeouts in an amazing 371.1 innings of work.

Feller is 36th on the all-time win list with 266, but he might have exceeded 350 for his career had he not chosen to nobly serve his country rather than further his baseball career. He was a seven-time All-Star and the 1940 MLB Player of the Year.

G W L PCT ERA SO SHO
570 266 162 .621 3.25 2581 44

No. 11 George Sisler

George Sisler played 15 seasons primarily for the St. Louis Browns and Boston Braves from 1915-1930. "Gorgeous George" also served in the U.S. Army during World War I prior to his baseball career.

The first baseman was not a slugger, but made his mark on the game with superb hitting and excellent speed. Sisler's .340 career batting average ranks him 16th all-time.

Twice in his career, Sisler exceeded the extremely rare .400 mark. In 1920, he set a major league record by collecting 257 hits (later broken by Ichiro Suzuki in the current extended season format) on his way to topping the league by hitting .407.

After batting "only" .371 the following season, Sisler topped himself with an astounding .420 average in 1922 to win a second batting title. He augmented that by amassing 134 runs, 246 hits, 42 doubles, and 18 triples—resulting in AL MVP honors.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
8267 1284 2812 102 1175 375 .340 .379 .468

No. 10 Tris Speaker

Although he played in the days of baggy flannel knickers, Tris Speaker displayed an elegance playing the game that earned him an early entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame. "Spoke" also served in the U.S. Navy during World War I prior to becoming one of the most famous baseball players in the "Dead Ball" era.

Speaker played a superb center field to go along with his superior offensive skills—playing primarily in a period before the long ball became a big part of the game.

He ranks in the top 15 in several career categories, including a .345 batting average (sixth), 3,514 hits (fifth), 792 doubles (first), 222 triples (sixth), .428 OBP (11th), 1,882 runs (11th), and 5,101 total bases (15th).

Speaker won the AL MVP when he hit .383 and recorded a 1.031 OPS. He also stole 52 bases that season while leading the league with 53 doubles and 10 HRs.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
10195 1882 3514 117 1529 436 .345 .428 .500

No. 9 Eddie Collins

Another player from the same era, Eddie Collins is considered by many as baseball's second best second baseman behind the legendary Rogers Hornsby. He played a remarkable 2,826 games spanning 25 big league seasons.

Collins graduated from prestigious Columbia University and served in the United States Marines before launching his long major league career. Like Speaker, you can find Collins' name at the top of a variety of baseball's all-time batting categories.

He ranks 10th in hits (3,315), 14th in OBP (.424), 12th in triples (187), 18th in bases on balls (1,499), eighth in stolen bases (741), third in singles (2,643), and first in sacrifices (512). Overall, "Cocky" accumulated a .333 career batting average, including a .372 mark in 1920.

In seven separate seasons, Collins finished in the top six of MVP voting, including 1914 when he won the AL trophy. His playing career was split between the Philadelphia Athletics and Chicago White Sox—that included eight trips to the "Fall Classic" and six World Series Championships.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
9949 1821 3315 47 1300 741 .333 .424 .429

No. 8 Warren Spahn

Warren Spahn got a late start in baseball due to enlisting in the U.S. Army, but made up for it by extending his career to the advanced age of 44. His remarkable baseball accomplishments were rivaled only by his distinctive military service.

He was awarded a "Purple Heart" and the "Bronze Star" for bravery during his three-year stint. The Buffalo native also saw action in the "Battle of the Bulge" and at the "Ludendorff Bridge" and was awarded a battlefield commission.

When he returned to baseball during the 1946 season, he quickly established himself as one of the game's finest pitchers. Over the next 17 years, Spahn recorded an astounding 13 20-win seasons.

During that period, he was elected to 14 All-Star squads and won the MLB Cy Young Award in 1957. And, three other seasons he finished as the runner-up.

Spahns' 363 career wins rank him sixth all-time amongst major league pitchers, but first amongst lefthanders. Besides being inducted into the Hall of Fame, MLB recognizes his excellence by awarding a trophy bearing his name to each season's top left-handed hurler.

G W L PCT ERA SO SHO
750 363 245 .597 3.09 2583 63

No. 7 Grover Cleveland Alexander

Grover Cleveland Alexander's baseball career was interrupted by one year of combat duty in World War I in 1918 on his way to becoming the third winningest pitcher in Major League history. Over 20 seasons, Alexander accumulated a 373-208 won-loss record with a sparkling 2.56 ERA.

"Old Pete" began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, but was sold to the Chicago Cubs after seven dazzling seasons when the team feared that he would be drafted. The Phillies speculation turned out to be reality, but the Cubs got several fine seasons from the right-handed hurler once he returned from active duty.

Alexander's one-year of combat in France did take its toll on him, though. He suffered shell shock, partial hearing loss, ongoing seizures, and resorted to alcohol for relief. Although he was very good after returning, the pitcher was not the same player who dominated the National League prior to his departure.

Immediately prior to being drafted, Alexander recorded three consecutive 30-win seasons. He accumulated a staggering 190-88 in those first seven Phillies seasons—more than half his ultimate win total.

His 1915-1917 body of work is undoubtedly three of the best campaigns ever complied by a big league pitcher. A 31-10, 1.22 ERA season was followed by a 33-12, 1.55 ERA and 30-13, 1.83 ERA. It doesn't get much better than that.

G W L PCT ERA SO SHO
696 373 208 .642 2.56 2198 90

No. 6 Joe DiMaggio

A three-time MVP and 13-time All-Star, Joe DiMaggio was one of the most revered players in the history of the game. Playing a starring role in the Big Apple on a perennial Yankees powerhouse team along with a high profile marriage to Marilyn Monroe surely kept him in the limelight.

At the peak of his brilliant career, DiMaggio enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and served from 1943-1946. He returned to the ball field and an adoring nation, with perhaps a little bit less magic than he displayed prior to his tour of duty.

"The Yankee Clipper" was known as an excellent center fielder capable of roaming the vast Yankee Stadium territory—with the arm necessary to gun down runners on the base paths. He collected 20 or more assists three different seasons and usually placed at the top of league rankings.

DiMaggio and winning became synonymous. In his first four seasons, the Bronx Bombers emerged as World Series Champions and were victorious nine of his 13 campaigns.

One of his most amazing feats—a 56-game hitting streak—still stands as a Major League record. Overall, DiMaggio batted .325 in his career and ranks high in many categories, but his sacrifice to serve his country during his prime playing days likely prevented him from dominating the top 10 places.

His second big league season may have been his greatest, when he smacked 46 HRs, knocked in 167 RBI, batted .346, and compiled a .673 slugging percentage. Two seasons later, DiMaggio hit a career high .381 with an amazing 1.119 OPS to earn his first MVP.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
6821 1390 2214 361 1537 30 .325 .398 .579

No. 5 Stan Musial

"Stan the Man" Musial earned his famous nickname through 22 years of excellence with the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite being one of the all-time greats, Musial was known throughout baseball for his modesty and excellent sportsmanship.

His stature was further increased when he left his Hall of Fame career to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. Just one campaign removed from winning the N.L. MVP Award, Musial missed all of the 1945 season to serve his country before getting an honorable discharge.

Clearly his time away did not diminish his tremendous skills as he claimed his second MVP trophy when he returned to action in 1946. He led the league in 12 offensive categories, including batting (.365), doubles (50), triples (20), runs (124), and slugging (.587.)

Two years later, “Stan the Man” was at it again with perhaps his best campaign, this time leading the league in 11 categories. Musial hit a career high .376 along with a phenomenal .702 slugging percentage—and missed a Triple Crown by one home run. He was recognized with his third MVP Award.

The outfielder/first baseman was elected to 24 All-Star games (baseball had two in a few seasons) and places high in many all-time rankings. Some of those include batting average .331 (32nd), on base percentage .417 (23rd), slugging .559 (20th), hits 3,630 (fourth), runs 1,949 (ninth), total bases 6,134 (second), doubles 725 (third), triples 177 (19th), HRs 475 (28th), and RBI 1,951 (sixth).

Musial's exploits helped the Cardinals win three World Series Championships during his career.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
10972 1949 3630 475 1951 78 .331 .417 .559

No. 4 Christy Mathewson

In an unusual twist, Major League Baseball's third most winningest pitcher served in the armed forces after his playing career was over. Christy Mathewson accumulated a 373-188 record over 17 seasons with the New York Giants at the outset of the 20th century.

Mathewson registered 30-win seasons four different times and 20-win seasons another nine times in his career. His 2.13 ERA and 79 shutouts rank him ninth and third all-time.

The tall righthander's best campaign was 1908 when he went 37-11 with a 1.43 ERA. Of course, 31-9 with a 1.28 ERA three years earlier was not too shabby, either.

After retiring from baseball, Mathewson enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I. He served as a Captain in a newly formed "Chemical Service," and fell victim to an accident that would ultimately lead to his untimely death in 1925 at the age of 45.

G W L PCT ERA SO SHO
636 373 188 .665 2.13 2507 79

No. 3 Ted Williams

No matter whether he was called "The Kid," "The Splendid Splinter," "Teddy Ballgame," or "The Thumper," one thing was certain—Ted Williams was arguably the greatest pure hitter in the history of the game.

Williams enjoyed a phenomenal career that spanned 19 seasons, but it was twice put on hold to serve in the U.S. military. He first enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II in 1942 and did not return to baseball until 1946.

Then, at the age of 34, he was recalled to active duty in the Korean War. This time he served as a pilot in the Marines and received an "Air Medal" for a heroic act in battle.

While on the baseball diamond, Williams accumulated recognitions like base hits during a batting streak. Besides earning All-Star honors 19 times, he won five Major League Player of the Year Awards, two AL MVPs, and two AL Triple Crowns.

The Boston Red Sox left fielder batted .344 (eighth) with a .482 OBP (first) and .634 SLG (second) over his career. Williams spanked 521 HRs (18th) and drove in 1,839 RBI (13th) to place high in the career rankings, but had he not given away five years to serve his country he undoubtedly would have placed much higher.

Perhaps his best season was 1941 when he hit a league best .406 and 37 HRs to go with an incredible .553 OBP and .735 SLG. For his efforts, though, he placed second to Joe DiMaggio in the MVP voting.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
7706 1798 2654 521 1839 24 .344 .482 .634

No. 2 Ty Cobb

Interestingly, baseball's all-time batting leader served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps with Christy Mathewson and George Sisler under the direction of Major Branch Rickey. Ty Cobb, who had enlisted in October of 1918, was given an honorable discharge after a short stint and avoided missing playing time.

Cobb played 24 seasons (mostly with the Detroit Tigers) that were marked with amazing statistics and considerable controversy. His highly aggressive style and surly personality did not always win him friends, but the 90 records that he set certainly gathered a great deal of attention.

He remains the all-time leader in batting at .366 and in batting titles with eleven. Cobb places second in four other major categories—runs (2,246), hits (4,189), triples (295), and singles (3,053).

"The Georgia Peach" won his only MVP trophy when he hit a staggering .420 with 248 hits and 24 triples in 1911. He followed that up with a .409 season that placed him a "ho, hum" seventh in the MVP balloting. Overall, Cobb eclipsed the .400 mark three times in his career.

The mercurial center fielder won the AL Triple Crown in 1909 when he batted .377 with 9 HRs and 107 RBI. He also stole 76 bases that season, the third highest total in his career (83 in 1911 and 96 in 1915.) Cobb's 897 steals rank him fourth all-time.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
11434 2246 4189 117 1938 897 .366 .433 .512

No. 1 Willie Mays

Cobb or DiMaggio would likely be considered the greatest center fielders in the history of baseball had Willie Mays not come along. The "Say Hey Kid" was the consummate five-tool player and is widely considered the second greatest player of all-time behind only the legendary Babe Ruth.

Mays broke into the Bigs with the New York Giants in 1951 at the ripe old age of 19 with an NL Rookie of the Year campaign that was modest in comparison to what he would do later in his career.

Early in his sophomore season, Mays was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean War. Although he did not go into active combat, Mays missed most of the 1952 and all of the 1953 seasons.

He returned to the playing field in 1954 seemingly an even better player. "Say Hey" promptly won the NL MVP Award by hitting a league leading .345 with 41 HRs and 110 RBI. He also led the Giants to a World Series Championship that was marked by "The Catch"—often considered the greatest play in the history of the national past-time.

Mays went onto to win another MVP, 24 All-Star selections, 12 Gold Gloves, two All-Star Game MVPs, four HR crowns, and four stolen base titles. His 660 HRs rank fourth, 6,066 total bases rank third, 2,062 runs rank seventh, 3,283 hits rank 11th, and 1,903 RBI rank 10th all-time in major league baseball.

AB R H HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
10881 2062 3283 660 1903 338 .302 .384 .557

Special Tribute and Thank You

So there you have it—the best of the best. We salute these 15 great Major League Baseball players who gave themselves to their country along with the approximately 40 million other United States Veterans.

And, as we approach Memorial Day, please let this serve as a humble and very special thank you to all Veterans of the United States Armed Services—past or present, living or deceased—who have served so bravely and selflessly.