Top 10 Greatest First Basemen of All-Time
Next in the series, here is my top 10 first basemen of all time. There are a lot of great players to choose from so feel free to let me know if you think I omitted someone.
10. Frank Thomas (CWS, TOR, OAK) – .301 / 521 HR / 1667 RBIs / 2 MVPs / 5 All-Star Games
Nicknamed ‘The Big Hurt’, Frank Thomas was just that, hitting 521 home run and driving in 1667 runs during his career. From 1991 until 1997, Thomas hit at least .300 with 20 home runs, 100 runs batted in and had on base percentage higher than .400 While he was not known as a great defensive first basemen – he was eventually shifted to DH – he did have a lifetime .991 fielding percentage. Thomas is one of only three first basemen all-time to win consecutive MVP awards (1993, 1994) joined by Jimmy Foxx and Albert Pujols. While he is not eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame until 2014, Thomas had his # 35 retired by the Chicago White Sox in 2010.
9. Willie McCovey (SFG, SDP, OAK) .270 / 521 HR / 1555 RBIs / ROY / 1 MVP / 6 All-Star Games/ HOF, 1986
Once referred to as “the scariest hitter in baseball” by fellow Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, Willie McCovey comes in at #9 on our list. One of the premiere home run hitters of the 1960s, when he retired in 1980 McCovey was 9th on the all-time list (currently 18th). McCovey won the 1969 National League MVP award when he hit .320 with 45 home runs and 126 RBIs. Not known for his defense, McCovey finished with a career fielding percentage of .987. McCovey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986, his first year of eligibility.
8. Jeff Bagwell (HOU) .297 / 449 HR / 1529 RBIs / ROY / 1 MVP / 4 All-Star Games / 1 Gold Glove
One of the ‘Killer B’s”, Jeff Bagwell comes in at #8 on our list. One of the greatest all-around first basemen of the early 1990s and early 2000s, Jeff Bagwell slugged 469 home runs and drove in 1528 RBIs in his 15-year career which was plagued by an arthritic shoulder. Teaming with Craig Biggio, Derek Bell and later on – Lance Berkman, Bagwell helped form the “Killer B’s” which helped lead the Astros to the playoffs in 1997-1999, 2001 and the 2005. During the strike shortened 1994 season, Bagwell was named the National League MVP when he hit .368 with 39 home runs and 116 RBIs. Eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame since 2010, Bagwell had his # 5 retired by the Astros in 2007.
7. George Sisler (SLB, WSH, BSN) .340 / 102 HR / 1175 RBIs / 1 MVP / HOF, 1939
‘Gentleman George’ comes in at #7 on our list of greatest all-time first basemen. Playing for the lowly St. Louis Browns, Sisler was considered to be one of the greatest players of his era. A lifetime .340 hitter who hit over .400 twice in his career, Sisler set the Major League record for hits in a season with 257 (in a 154 game season) which has since been broken by Ichiro Suzuki (in a 162 game season). During his 15-year career, Sisler had 200 or more hits, 6 times and was named the 1922 American League MVP when he hit a career high .420. That same year, Sisler set a Major League record with a 41-game hitting streak which stood until Joe DiMaggio’s record 56 game hitting streak in 1941. Sister was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.
6. Harmon Killebrew (WSH, MIN, KCR) .256 / 573 HR / 1584 / 1 MVP / 11 All-Star Games / HOF, 1984
‘Killer’ comes in at #6 on our list. One of the biggest icons of the Minnesota Twins franchise, Harmon Kilebrew hit 573 home runs which was 6th on the all-time list when he retired in 1971. Prior to Alex Rodriguez, Killebrew set the record for most home runs by a right-handed hitter in American League history. Known for tape-measure shot home runs, Killebrew set the record for farthest home run hit in Minnesota’s Metropolitan Stadium at 520 feet. Killebrew led the American league in home runs (six times), RBIs (three times), slugging percentage (once), base on balls (four times) and on base percentage (once) during his 22-year career. Harmon Killebrew was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
5. Eddie Murray (BAL,LAD,NYM,CLE,ANA) .287 / 504 HR / 1917 RBIs/ ROY / 8 All-Star Games / HOF, 2003
Eddie Murray comes in at #5 on our list. Murray, one of the most durable and consistent hitters in history, is one of only four people in history have 3,000 hits and 500 home runs (Hank Aaron, Willie Mays & Rafael Palmeiro). Playing the majority of career with the Baltimore Orioles, Murray was the 1977 Rookie of the Year and was selected to eight All-Star Games. One of the most prolific switch hitters in history, Murray is second to only Mickey Mantle in home runs by a switch hitter (504)and has the record for most RBIs by a switch hitter (1917). Murray was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.
4. Hank Greenberg (DET, PIT) .313 / 331 HR / 1276 RBIs / 2 MVPs / 4 All-Star Games/ HOF, 1956
Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg comes in at #4 on our all-time list. On paper, Greenberg’s stats are not nearly as impressive as some other players on our list but unlike the others, Greenberg did not play baseball for three years while he served in the Army during World War II. Because of this, Greenberg only played 13 seasons. During those 13 seasons, Greenberg averaged 38 home runs and 148 RBI’s. A two-time American League MVP, Greenberg’s 58 home runs in 1938 were the most hit in baseball between Babe Ruth’s 60 in 1927 and Roger Maris’ 61 in 1961. Greenberg retired when he was only 36 years old in 1947 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956.
3. Albert Pujols (STL, ANA) .325 / 460 HR / 1382 RBIs / ROY / 3 MVPs / 9 All-Star Games
Albert Pujols comes in at #3 and is the only active Major Leaguer on our list. Pujols is the only player in history to hit at least 30 home runs, drive in 100 runs and hit over .300 in each of his first 10 seasons. A three-time National League MVP, Pujols led the St. Louis Cardinals to World Series Championships in 2006 and 2011. Known as perhaps the best hitter in baseball and one of the best of all time, Pujols is also a solid defensive first basemen, having won two Gold Glove Awards. Assuming he stays healthy, Pujols is a lock to join the Hall of Fame after he retires.
2. Jimmy Foxx (PHA, BOS, CHC, PHI) .325 / 534 HR / 1922 RBIs / 3 MVPs / 9 All-Star Games / HOF, 1951
‘Double X’ is our second greatest first baseman of all-time. Splitting his career primarily between the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox, Foxx was the youngest player to reach 500 career home runs which was surpassed by Alex Rodriguez in 2007. Finishing his career with 534 home runs, Foxx was second only to Babe Ruth on the all-time home runs list when he retired. Known as one of the greatest run producers in history, Foxx is still 9th all time with 1,922 RBIs. Foxx was also one of the best defensive first baseman of his day, finishing his career with a .992 fielding percentage. Foxx retired after the 1945 season and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951.
1. Lou Gehrig (NYY) .340 / 493 HR / 1995 RBIs / 2 MVPs / 7 All-Star Games / HOF, 1939
‘The Iron Horse’ is our greatest first baseman of all time. Playing his entire career teamed with Babe Ruth and the Murderers Row Yankees, Lou Gehrig was one of the greatest power hitters and run producers in history. Hitting clean-up behind Babe Ruth, Gehrig would go on to lead the league in home runs four times and RBIs five times. Gehrig set the American League for runs batted in 1931 with 184, only 7 fewer than Hack Wilson’s Major League record of 191. Unfortunately, Gehrig was forced to retire from baseball in 1939 when he was only 36 years because he became sick with what was later called ALS or ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease’. Gehrig passed away in 1941 but was elected to the Hall of Fame in in 1939 after the 5-year waiting period after retirement was rescinded.
There you have it, the top 10 first basemen of all-time. Feel free to share your thoughts and let me know if you feel someone else should have been selected. Next up, the second basemen!
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