Whos The Best Baseball Player Ever?
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Many people have argued over who the best baseball player of all time is. Some say it’s Babe Ruth, while others argue for players like Willie Mays or Hank Aaron. However, the answer may not be as clear cut as you think.
The Best Baseball Player Ever
Babe Ruth
Born George Herman Ruth Jr. in 1895, Babe Ruth is widely considered to be one of the greatest baseball players of all time. A right-handed pitcher and outfielder, Ruth began his career with the Boston Red Sox, helping the team win three World Series titles. He was then sold to the New York Yankees in 1920, where he enjoyed even greater success, setting numerous batting records and leading the team to seven World Series championships. Ruth retired from baseball in 1935 and died two years later from cancer.
Willie Mays
Willie Mays, nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid”, is a retired American professional baseball player. He spent almost all of his 22-season Major League Baseball (MLB) career playing for the New York/San Francisco Giants, before finishing with the New York Mets. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility.
Mays won two National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, ended his career with 660 home runs—third at the time of his retirement, behind only Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron—and won a record-tying 12 Gold Glove Awards for excellence in defense during his career. He had a batting average over .300 in 15 of his 22 seasons, including 10 seasons above .320. Mays hit 50 or more home runs four times and is one of only five MLB players to have at least four seasons with 46 or more home runs. He had 20 or more stolen bases eight times and ended his career with 338 stolen bases, which ranked fifth all-time when he retired but is no longer among the top base stealers in MLB history because base stealing has considerably declined since Mays’ career. Considered an excellent all-around ballplayer, Mays posted both high batting and high stolen base percentages throughout his career.
Mays led the NL five times in home runs(1955–56, 1959–60), twice in batting average (1954), once each in stolen bases(1958) and walks (1960). In assists(1953–58), putouts(1957), range factor per nine innings played(1960)and fielding percentage (1954), particularly as an outfielder during his prime years with the Giants when he teamed up with fellow outfielders Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente—the trio was colloquially known as “The Say Hey Kids”—to form what has been considered one of the best outfields ever assembled
Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron is widely regarded as one of the best baseball players of all time. In his 21-year career, he hit 755 home runs, which is a record that has since been broken. He also had a batting average of .305 and was a member of the 3,000 hit club. He was a 14-time All-Star and won two World Series titles with the Milwaukee Braves.
Why They’re the Best
They’re the best baseball player because of their skill, their drive, and their love for the game. They have a natural ability to hit the ball, they’re always working to improve their batting average, and they have a deep passion for the sport. All of these factors come together to make them the best baseball player ever.
Babe Ruth
Born George Herman Ruth Jr. in February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland, Babe Ruth began his Major League career with the Boston Red Sox in 1914. He was traded to the New York Yankees in 1920 and quickly became one of baseball’s first superstars. Ruth led the Yankees to seven American League (AL) championships and four World Series titles. His slugging percentage of .772 is the second highest in major league history for a single season, and his career total of 714 home runs remained a record until 1974 when Hank Aaron hit his 715th. Often called the “Sultan of Swat” or “the Bambino,” Ruth was one of the most prolific hitters baseball has ever seen and is considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of all time. He died on August 16, 1948, in New York City.
Willie Mays
Willie Mays was born in 1931 in Westfield, Ala., and grew up to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. From his early days playing in the Negro Leagues to his storied career with the San Francisco Giants, Mays was a five-tool player who could do it all on the diamond. He could hit for average and power, he was a superb fielder and an outstanding baserunner. In his 22-year Major League career, Mays won two National League MVP awards, appeared in 24 All-Star Games and helped the Giants win the World Series in 1954. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron is the best baseball player ever. Some people may think that Babe Ruth is the best player ever, but the numbers don’t back that up. Hank Aaron played in more games, had more hits, and more home runs than Babe Ruth. He was also a better fielder than Ruth was. Hank Aaron is the true best baseball player ever.
Why They’re Still the Best
Baseball is a game of statistics. The best player is the one with the most home runs, the most RBIs, the most hits. But, there is more to the game than just numbers. The best player is the one who makes the game more exciting, the one who everyone wants to see play. That player is Babe Ruth.
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth is often considered the greatest baseball player of all time. He was a dominant pitcher and hitter, and his larger-than-life personality made him one of the most popular athletes in America. Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, and his exploits helped turn both teams into national powers.
Ruth was an excellent pitcher, but he is best remembered for his hitting. He was one of the first power hitters in baseball, and he regularly hit home runs at a time when most players were lucky to hit a handful per season. In 1927, Ruth hit 60 home runs, which was a record that would stand for 34 years. He also helped the Yankees win seven World Series titles.
Ruth’s legend has only grown in the decades since his retirement. He remains one of the most iconic figures in American sports, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of baseball players.
Willie Mays
willie-maysWillie Mays is often considered the best all-around baseball player ever to play the game. A 12-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 in his first year of eligibility.
Mays began his Major League career with the New York Giants in 1951, and he quickly established himself as one of the game’s brightest young stars. He won Rookie of the Year honors that season after hitting .301 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs. Two years later, he was named National League MVP after batting .345 with 24 home runs, 104 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
Mays really hit his stride in 1954, when he helped lead the Giants to their first World Series title since moving from New York to San Francisco. That year, he had a league-leading .345 batting average along with 41 home runs and 103 RBIs. He was named MVP for a second time after hitting .727 with four homers and eight RBIs in the World Series.
Mays continued to be one of baseball’s most feared hitters throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He twice won NL home run titles (in 1955 and 1965) and also led the league in slugging percentage three times (1954, 1955, 1965). He was elected to baseball’s All-Century team in 1999.
Hank Aaron
Although there have been many great baseball players over the years, Hank Aaron remains one of the best. He was an excellent hitter and fielder, and played for several great teams. He also holds numerous records, including the most home runs in a career. Hank Aaron is a true baseball legend.