25 of the Biggest 'Gym Rats' in Baseball History

A professional athlete of any sort has to have a certain amount of conditioning to stay competitive, but as we've seen from a number of baseball players throughout the years, some don't take that point too seriously.

Others, on the other hand, do. In the steroid era, we saw players bulking up more than ever, and while players like Jim Thome were just as big but didn't have the association, many of baseball's biggest gym rats weren't so clean.

Some of the game's best athletes, though, came far before this era, as players like Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson were multi-sport stars in college, choosing baseball as their outlet for professional success.

Ivan Rodriguez

Ivan Rodriguez is certainly the best catcher the game has seen in recent years, and while his career appears to be winding down, we won't soon forget all his contributions.

He's currently only 156 hits away from 3,000, and if he can hold out two more seasons, he could see the number become a reality.

In 21 seasons between six teams, Rodriguez has hit 311 home runs while putting up a .296 batting average and .464 slugging percentage while staying in good enough shape to appear behind the plate night after night.

Alex Rodriguez

With decreased time on the field in 2011, Alex Rodriguez's numbers went south, as for the first time in well over a decade, he hit less than 20 home runs and failed to drive in 100 runs.

He's in striking distance of a number of records, however, and if he can remain healthy in 2012, he will no doubt return to form and prove he's still one of the game's most dangerous hitters.

Jackie Robinson

During Jackie Robinson's college days, you probably couldn't consider him a gym rat—after all, being a letter winner in four sports doesn't leave much time.

His contributions to the game of baseball were all remarkable, as he showed a tremendous ability to hit for power, average and was a phenomenal baserunner.

But the athletic stud's college days showcased his skills on the football field, basketball court and track as well.

Mike Stanton

Standing tall at 6'5'' with a solid frame, Mike Stanton hit some of the most violent home runs we've seen in 2011, going deep 34 times in his sophomore season.

He'll be an important part of the revitalized Marlins in 2012 and should only improve with a talented offense around him in the lineup.

Mark McGwire

As one of the original Bash Brothers, Mark McGwire muscled his way to 583 career home runs, including 70 in his impressive 1998 season.

The cloud of steroid usage will always hang over what he did, but there's no question that he was one of the more ripped players to ever play the game.

Dave Winfield

A multi-sport star at the University of Minnesota, Dave Winfield could've played professional sports at multiple levels.

He chose baseball as the outlet for his athleticism and played his way to a Hall of Fame career that saw him play 22 seasons, hit over 3,000 career hits and go deep 465 times.

Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson's exploits on the football field were impressive enough, as the former Heisman trophy winner still has the fastest 40-second time ever recorded at the NFL combine (4.12 seconds).

On the baseball field, Jackson was a one-time All-Star and hit at least 22 home runs in four of his eight career seasons.

Alfonso Soriano

Alfonso Soriano has displayed the athletic prowess that few have managed during the history of the game.

As one of only four players to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a season, Soriano's combination of power and speed have also propelled him to three 30/30 seasons.

Frank Thomas

A two-sport star at Auburn University, Frank Thomas was a menacing force for pitchers during his 19-year career.

The Big Hurt went deep more than 30 times during nine seasons and finished his career with 511 home runs and an impressive .301 career batting average.

Deion Sanders

During a nine-year major league career, Deion Sanders managed a .263 career average and stole 186 bases, all while starring on NFL rosters.

Sanders' major league career certainly isn't Hall of Fame worthy, but he'll forever be enshrined in Canton, where he's a part of the football Hall of Fame.

Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun is currently fighting allegations surrounding the usage of PEDs, something that certainly tarnishes the records he's amassed.

You can't take away the more than 32 home runs per season he's managed to hit in his five years in the league, though, and once he settles his dispute with the league, Braun will certainly be back at it.

Dave Kingman

Standing tall at 6'6'', Dave Kingman was a feared slugger during his playing days. He did have a tendency to strike out, but he was also capable of powering balls over 500 feet and is the only player to hit a ball into the ceiling of the H.H.H. Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Barry Bonds

Indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in 2007, Barry Bonds has spent just as much time in the limelight for the controversy as he has for his home run-hitting tendencies.

No matter how he got there, Bonds' massive physique during his more powerful years made him a feared figure every time he stepped into the batter's box.

Glenn Braggs

Bulky sluggers are nothing new to baseball, but as you'll see in the video, Glenn Braggs gave his power a new definition, as he frequently swung so hard that he broke bats on his back while following through with his swing.

Roger Clemens

As one of the most notable names on the Mitchell Report that alleges a number of steroid users, Roger Clemens was indicted on felony counts for perjury and obstruction of Congress based on the statements he made under oath.

On the mound, Clemens was an extremely dominant pitcher that displayed great conditioning and strength for a pitcher in his later years.

Albert Pujols

With 445 career home runs and a career OPS of 1.037, the Los Angeles Angels have landed themselves one of the best players of our generation in Albert Pujols.

Yes, 2011 may have been his "worst" season, yet he still went deep 37 times and batted .299, a stat line that anyone would beg for.

Jose Bautista

He doesn't even tip the scales at 200 pounds, but Jose Bautista has still been one of the most prolific offensive players in the league in recent years.

Bautista's 97 home runs over the past two seasons are incredible alone, and in 2011, he saw his average climb more than 40 points from the 2010 season.

Joe Mauer

Given his inability to hit for power and stay on the field since the Twins made their move to Target Field, it's hard to think of Joe Mauer as a "gym rat."

But at nearly 240 pounds and with Jim Thome and Jason Kubel out the door, and Justin Morneau fighting to potentially play again, the former two-sport All-American will be counted on for the offense that he's shown before.

Julio Franco

Maintaining a career .298 batting average during a 23-year career is no small task, and it undoubtedly required a great deal of conditioning for Julio Franco. 

With most players calling it a career before they reach 40, it's amazing that Franco was able to stay on the field until almost 50.

Matt Kemp

Many think Matt Kemp should've taken home the NL MVP award in 2011 after going deep 39 times and driving in 126 runs while stealing 40 bases—just one home run short of the always elusive 40/40 plateau.

While he came up just short to Ryan Braun, Kemp will be blasting the long ball out of Dodger Stadium for years to come, as the team rewarded his efforts with a contract extension through 2019.

Jose Canseco

As one of baseball's original Bash Brothers, Jose Canseco's massive stature may have tied him to speculation surrounding the usage of steroids during his career, but Canseco also confirmed it in 2005 with the release of his book Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big.

Canseco took his admission even further in his book, stating that around 85 percent of the league was on steroids.

Gabe Kapler

Playing for six different teams during his 12-year career, Gabe Kapler never hit the 20-home run mark.

Although, when you look at his physique, it's hard to believe he wasn't able to send more balls into the stands.

Rickey Henderson

Holding a record that may never be broken, Rickey Henderson probably spent plenty of time on the treadmill throughout the years, parlaying that into 1,406 stolen bases—468 more than Lou Brock.

Henderson never boasted much power, but with a career on-base percentage over .400, his biggest contributions were made on the basepaths.

Carl Crawford

Carl Crawford's 2011 season certainly didn't exhibit everything he has to offer an organization, but his athletic talent is something that can't be questioned.

Crawford has stolen more than 45 bases in seven of his 10 career seasons, and although he batted a dismal .255 in 2011, he's batted over .300 during half of his seasons.

With all the talent he displays on the baseball field, it's hard to believe he was also recruited to play football at Nebraska.

Lou Gehrig

You don't get the nickname "Iron Horse" without being able to back it up, and Lou Gehrig certainly lived up to the billing throughout his life.

At Columbia University, he was a star on the football field as well as the baseball diamond, and though he was a first baseman during his professional career, he was the ace of the pitching staff at Columbia.