MLB Power Rankings: The Greatest Hitter in Each Team's History
If you're a baseball fan like me, and a stat junkie as well, then this is just for you.
Who are the best hitters in each team's history?
It's quite a task for several reasons. Some may value power numbers above other statistics. Some may also factor in the Steroids Era and discount a player's numbers.
In other cases, it's hard to pick out that one dominant player. Take Texas, for instance. The Rangers have had several great hitters, but no one who was dominant across the board. The Yankees are packed with Hall of Famers, so it's almost like picking which art masterpiece is better.
It is achievable, though. Most of these names you will recognize. Legends like Pete Rose, Ernie Banks and Cal Ripken Jr. are included on this list. Others may surprise you. I've tried to look at the overall body of work, and not get caught up in a player who had one good year.
So here it is. Tell me what you think:
Anaheim Angels: Garret Anderson
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Confession: When I first noticed Anderson's name at the top of the major stats, I was stunned.
I always thought he was a solid player, but I figured it would be Vladimir Guerrero or Rod Carew who held most of the offensive records.
Anderson is behind both in batting average at .296, but is first on the team in runs (1,024), hits (2,368) and RBI (1,292) and is second in home runs (272).
Arizona Diamondbacks: Luis Gonzalez
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The left fielder had previous stops with the Astros, Cubs and Tigers before landing in Arizona, where he played for eight seasons.
The hero of the 2001 World Series (one of the very best, in my opinion), Gonzalez hit .298 with the team and is first in runs (780), hits (1,337), home runs (224), RBI (774) and slugging percentage (.529).
As a lifelong Yankees fan, my heart broke when Gonzo hit the game-winner off Mariano Rivera back in 2001. The sportsman in me was amazed, though. If you can win the World Series off perhaps the greatest closer in major league history, I'm impressed and will applaud that any day.
Atlanta Braves: Hank Aaron
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He's one of the game's great gentlemen.
I admire how firm he is in his opinions and the strength and dignity he had as he chased Babe Ruth's home run record while enduring death threats and racial epithets hurled at him.
Aaron is second on the team with a .310 batting average, but is first in runs (2,107), hits (3,600), home runs (733), RBI (2,202) and slugging (.567).
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Baltimore Orioles: Cal Ripken Jr.
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This one's easy.
The legendary shortstop broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record. I got choked up that night and got chills as Joe DiMaggio walked out to pay respect to Ripken.
Ripken, a career .276 hitter in 21 seasons with Baltimore, is the team's all-time leader in hits (3,184), runs (1,647) and RBI (1,695).
Boston Red Sox: Ted Williams
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There is probably no one before, or since, who has been more consumed with hitting than Williams.
He finished with a career .344 average, and is remembered for hitting .406 in 1941. It remains a single-season record.
I always loved Williams. He was old-school, larger-than-life and a man's man who was passionate about life, whether it was baseball, politics or fishing. I loved it when he showed up at the All-Star game to throw out the first pitch, and he held court with all the players.
Chicago Cubs: Ernie Banks
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No offense Sammy Sosa fans, but he doesn't compare in my book to Ernie.
Banks hit .274 during his career, was fifth in runs (1,305), second in hits (2,583), second in home runs (512), second in RBI (1,636) and ninth in slugging (.500).
He's an icon, a gentleman and a tremendous role model. When you think about the legendary faces of the Cubs, you've got to think of Ernie right with Harry Caray and Ryne Sandberg.
Chicago White Sox: Frank Thomas
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I've got to go with The Big Hurt here over Joe Jackson.
The former first baseman/designated hitter spent 16 years with Chicago. He is ninth all-time with a .307 batting average, but first in home runs (448) and RBI (1,465) and third in hits (2,136).
In his prime, Thomas could flat out mash. At 6'5'', 240 pounds, he didn't need performance enhancing drugs to crush a ball.
Cincinnati Reds: Pete Rose
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I certainly didn't like it when Rose denied gambling, and I hated seeing him banned from the game.
I also was just as frustrated at his stubborness, but thankfully he came forward many years later and admitted what we all knew. I was relieved and glad to seem him embraced like he was in Cincinnati. We're a forgiving nation, and there's something in all of us that wants to embrace our fallen heroes who truly deserve a second chance.
Known to many as "Charlie Hustle," Rose spent 19 years with the Reds and holds the record for hits (3,358) and runs (1,741). He was also a key member of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine in the late 1970s.
For his career, Rose hit .303, with a major-league best 4,256 hits, 1,314 RBI and 2,165 runs.
Cleveland Indians: Tris Speaker
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Speaker began his career with the Red Sox before heading to Cleveland, where he played for 11 seasons.
The Hall of Famer is second on the team in batting average (.354), runs (1,079) and hits (1,965). He also was fifth in RBI (884) and seventh in slugging (.520).
Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton
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I knew Helton was special back when he was abusing pitchers while playing at Tennessee.
The Rockies took him with the eighth overall pick in 1995.
In 14 years, he is batting .324, with 2,236 hits, 1,270 runs and 1,239 RBI. He is slugging .555 and has an on-base percentage of .424.
Right now, Helton has this spot, but let's see if Carlos Gonzalez stays the course. He's about to enter his third season with the Rockies. Gonzalez, or shortstop Troy Tulowitzki may overtake him.
Detroit Tigers: Ty Cobb
11 of 30Cobb spent the bulk of his career with the Tigers, before finishing with the Philadelphia Athletics for two seasons.
In 3,035 games, he had 4,189 hits and 1,937 RBI and a major-league record .366 career batting average.
His career hits had been a record, too, until Pete Rose broke it.
Florida Marlins: Miguel Cabrera
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When the kid first showed up, you knew he would be special.
Cabrera is now with Detroit, but he still ranks first for the Marlins in batting average (.313), fifth in hits (842), third in RBI (523), third in home runs (138) and fifth in runs (449).
Houston Astros: Jeff Bagwell
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It was sad to see "The Killer Bs" never win a World Series together.
This is a tough one, because Bagwell and Craig Biggio hold so many of the team's offensive records. Both are top-notch, class guys, but I'm going to give Bagwell the nod here.
Bagwell is first on the team in batting average (.297), second behind Biggio in runs (1,517), second in hits (2,314), first in RBI (1,529) and second in slugging (.540).
Kansas City Royals: George Brett
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This is another easy one.
Brett was one of my favorite players growing up. We all remember the famous pine tar incident, but many may not know he was flirted with .400, finishing the 1980 season with a .390 average.
In 21 seasons, Brett hit .305, with 3,154 hits.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Duke Snider
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Snider died on Sunday at age 84. He had been in declining health and had been battling diabetes for many years.
Like Ted Williams, Ernie Banks and Hank Aaron, he's an icon and a link to the past. Snider began his career back when they were the Brooklyn Dodgers, then moved west with the team, where he played five more seasons in Los Angeles. He spent the final two years with the Mets and San Francisco Giants.
Snider, a .300 hitter with the team, ranks third in runs (1,199), fourth in hits (1,995), first in home runs (389) and first in RBI (1,271).
Milwaukee Brewers: Robin Yount
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This one could have an asterisk next to it, because I think Ryan Braun will eventually take over this spot by the time his career is over.
This was one of the tough ones for me, because I grew up when Yount and Paul Molitor both played for the Brewers. Both were tremendous all-around players and incredible hitters.
Yount ranks first in runs (1,632), hits (3,142), RBI (1,406) and home runs (251). His .285 batting average also ranks him seventh among Brewer players.
Minnesota Twins: Kirby Puckett
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His home run in the 1991 World Series is one of the most legendary in baseball history.
Whether you were a Twins fan or not, it was hard not to like Kirby.
He ranks sixth on the team with a .318 average, is second in hits (2,304), fourth in runs (1,071) and third in RBI (1,085).
New York Mets: Darryl Strawberry
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Straw had a nice career, but if he hadn't dealt with drugs, you have to wonder how incredible he could've been.
The former left fielder is in the same group with former teammate Doc Gooden and current Ranger outfielder Josh Hamilton: That's God-given talent. You have to work to perfect it, but some players like Strawberry are just gifted to be special.
Strawberry, who hit .263 with the Mets, was first in runs (662), home runs (252) and RBI (733). He's also second in slugging (.520) and ninth in hits (1,025).
New York Yankees: Babe Ruth
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Look through the Yankees hitting records and it's full of legends.
Ruth remains the Yankees leader in batting average at .349. Lou Gehrig is right behind (.340). The Bambino is also first in home runs (659), followed by guys named Mantle (536), Gehrig (493) and DiMaggio (361). He also holds the record for runs scored, with 1,959.
Originally a member of the Boston Red Sox, Ruth finished his career with 2,873 hits, 714 home runs, 2,213 RBI, a .342 career batting average and .690 slugging percentage.
Oakland Athletics: Jimmie Foxx
20 of 30I'm going old school here, when they used to be known as the Philadelphia Athletics.
Foxx is second in average (.339), RBI (1,075) and home runs (302, trailing Mark McGwire's 363). He's also fourth in runs (975) and seventh in hits (1,492).
I know some will say McGwire deserves to be on here, and others will tell me Rickey deserves to be on here. I'd go with Rickey first, but in terms of pure offensive numbers Foxx gets my vote.
Philadelphia Phillies: Mike Schmidt
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I think I was a teenager when I first heard the story about Schmidt getting booed. By his own fans.
I still don't get it, but I do know Schmidt gets this spot without a doubt.
The former third baseman and Hall of Famer hit .267, and holds team records in runs (1,506), hits (2,234), home runs (548) and RBI (1,595). He also ranks fourth in slugging (.527).
Philadelphia's never been one of my teams, but I've always respected them because they've had hard-nosed, competitive players who got after it on the field. I grew up with Schmidt and Lenny Dykstra, then enjoyed seeing Dutch Dalton and Kruk play.
Now they've assembled what looks to be a legendary pitching staff. Let's see if it helps them win it all this fall.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Honus Wagner
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That statue outside PNC Park is Wagner.
In just over 9,000 at-bats, the Pirates legend hit .328, is first in runs (1,521) and second in both hits (2,967) and RBI (1,475).
Now chew on this: According to baseball-reference.com, Wagner struck out just 327 times in 21 seasons.
Saint Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols
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For you traditionalists, let me just say this: Pujols is going to rocket past Stan Musial.
Since his rookie year in 2001, Pujols has a .331 career batting average, is slugging .624, has 1,900 hits, 408 home runs, and 1,230 RBIs. He also has six seasons with 40 home runs or more.
This from a guy who was taken in the 13th round of the 1999 major league draft.
For those wondering, here are the career numbers for Musial, who was with the Cardinals from 1941-1963: .331 batting average, 3,630 hits, 475 home runs, 1,951 RBIs and a .559 slugging percentage.
San Diego Padres: Tony Gwynn
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Growing up, Tony was one of my three favorite baseball players.
Let's just say I was taken aback when I met him back during my reporting days, and he was coaching San Diego State's baseball team. I'm not going to bash him. Maybe it was a bad day. I'm just going to assume that.
In 20 years with the Padres, Gwynn hit .338, with 3,141 hits, 1,383 runs and 1,138 RBI. His strikeout/walk ratio is also impressive (434/790).
San Francisco Giants: Willie Mays
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Sorry. Can't do it. Can't bring myself to put that other person on here above Willie.
You know who I'm talking about.
I won't even say his name. He hit .312 with the Giants, while his godfather hit .304. Willie holds the team records for hits (3,187), runs (2,011), home runs (646) and is second in RBIs (1,859). The other player? He ranks fifth, third, second and third, respectively, in each offensive category.
Willie is an icon and a true living legend. Can't say the same about the other one.
Seattle Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki
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I've watched baseball since I was a kid, and I've never seen anyone like Ichiro.
He currently holds the record for career batting average (.331), is third in runs (1,047) and sixth in RBI (558) and on-base percentage (.376). With 2,244 hits, he needs just four more to move into first here all-time, surpassing Edgar Martinez (2,247).
Tampa Bay Rays: Carl Crawford
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I already have a ton of respect for Carl's game, but if he can keep this up in the pressure-cooker at Fenway, I'll be incredibly impressed.
The left fielder holds team records for batting average (.296), runs (765), hits (1,480) and RBI (592).
I wish Tampa could have kept him, but hey, I like the idea of him playing in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. We'll see what happens.
Texas Rangers: Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez
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Right now, I'm sticking Pudge here.
It's a dilemma: You could go with Juan Gonzalez's crazy power numbers, but he also was a strikeout machine (1,076). Michael Young almost should be on here: He's got a .300 average, with 811 RBI and 1,848 hits. He also has just 158 home runs and 1,004 strikeouts.
You could also argue Rusty Greer, who hit .305 and had 1,166 hits. What made Rusty so good, though, was his fielding and his smarts at the plate. I could easily put Alex Rodriguez on here, but I also have a problem justifying that since he was with the team for just three seasons.
Like I said at the start: Lots of great hitters, but not one who's dominated across the board for an extended period. Pudge, though, comes the closest I think.
He ranks seventh in batting average (.304), fourth in runs (866), second in hits (1,747), fourth in home runs (217) and third in RBI (842).
Not resigning Pudge remains the stupidest move in Rangers history (just ahead of Tom Hicks' brilliance with signing Chan Ho Park). He remains a Rangers icon, with only Nolan Ryan the closest who could match his level of adoration.
Toronto Blue Jays: Carlos Delgado
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In all my years as a sportswriter, Carlos was one of my absolute favorites.
He was super helpful, very patient and cooperative and event went the extra mile to remember your name. Not every major leaguer was like that, so dealing people like him was refreshing and fun.
At his prime, Delgado was one of baseball's very best hitters. He holds team records for runs (889), RBI (1,058), home runs (336) and slugging (.556). He's also third in hits (1,413) and ninth in batting average (.282).
Washington Nationals: Vladimir Guerrero
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Keep in mind that before they were in Washington, this was the Montreal Expos.
Back in the day, Vlad was a terror.
He still holds the team record for batting average (.323). During his time with the team, he also had 234 home runs and 702 RBI.
I remember when he first emerged, and watching him gun down base runners from deep right field. When I was working, I would talk to other major leaguers and randomly ask various ones who else they enjoyed watching in their down time.
Majority of them? They said Vlad.
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