The Top 10 Switch-Hitters In MLB History

Switch-hitting is a very valuable asset in the game of baseball. If you can bat fairly well from both sides of the plate, you probably will not be platooned.

You will also be immune to situational pitching late in the game. If they decide to bring in a lefty to pitch to you, you simply walk over to the other box.

There have been quite a few men who could bat either way, though not as many as you may think.

Of the Top 10, five of them are in the Hall of Fame, should be six (guess who?)

Also in the Top 10 are two current players, on in the twilight of his career, the other still in his prime.  For all the younger fans, you will be pleased to know that there is only one "Mayflower" boy in the crowd.

Let's begin.

No 10.  Chili Davis - Outfielder

Chili played 19 years for five teams representing both leagues.

He batted .300+ three times, hit 20 or more HR 10 times, and drove in over 100 runs once.

No. 9 - Lance Berkman - First Baseman

Berkman is in his 11th year all with the Houston Astros. He has batted over .300 four times, hit 40+ HR twice, over 30 HR three times and knocked in over 100 RBI six times, once leading the league with 128.

No. 8 - George Davis - Shortstop

Davis is the lone "Mayflower" Boy in the Top 10. He played 20 seasons overlapping the 19th and 20th centuries.  He was a .300 hitter nine times, hit 10 or more HR twice (that was big then), and drove in over 100 runs three times, once leading the league with 136. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 by the Veteran's Committee.

No. 7 - Bernie Williams - Outfielder

Williams played 16 seasons all with the New York Yankees. He batted .300+ eight times, with one batting title of .339. He also hit 20 or more HR seven times, drove in over 100 runs five times, and had over 200 hits twice.

No. 6 - Frankie Frisch - Second Baseman

Frisch played 19 seasons with two teams in the National League. He batted over .300 13 times, knocked in over 100 runs three times, had over 200 hits three times, leading the league once with 223. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

No. 5 - Roberto Alomar - Second Baseman

Alomar played 17 seasons in the majors with seven teams in both leagues. Roberto was a .300 hitter nine times, hit over 20 HR three times, and drove in 100+ runs twice.

No. 4 - Pete Rose - Every Place

The all-time hits leader, Pete played 24 seasons for three teams all in the National League. He won three batting titles, hit .300+ 15 times, was the league leader in hits seven times, had over 200 hits 10 times and won one MVP award.

No. 3 - Eddie Murray - First Baseman

Murray played for 21 seasons for five teams in both leagues. He batted .300+ seven times, hit 20+ HR 16 times, had 100+ RBI six times, won one HR title and one RBI crown. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

No. 2 - Chipper Jones - Third Baseman

Chipper is in his 16th season all with the Atlanta Braves. He has one MVP award, one batting title and batted .300+ 10 times, hit 30+ HR six times, and drove in 100+ runs nine times.

No. 1 - Mickey Mantle - Outfielder

Mickey Mantle played for the New York Yankees for 18 seasons. He won three MVP awards, one Triple Crown, won one batting title, batted .300+ 10 times, hit over 50 HR twice, over 40 HR twice, over 30 HR five times and drove in 100+ runs four times.  He won four HR titles, and one RBI crown. He was induced into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

                                     AVG     HITS          HR       RBI

1. Mickey Mantle	298	2415	536	1509
2. Chipper Jones	309	2372	421	1425
3. Eddie Murray	287	3255	504	1917
4. Pete Rose	303	4256	160	1314
5. Roberto Alomar	300	2724	210	1134
6. Frankie Frisch	316	2880	105	1244
7. Bernie Williams	297	2336	287	1257
8. George Davis	295	2660	73	1437
9. Lance Berkman	300	1530	306	1016
10. Chili Davis	274	2380	350	1372

(c) 2009 Clifton Eastham