Russ Cohen and I are embarking on a project to put together a list of the 10 best players at each position, with him doing the top National Leaguers and me taking on the best in the junior circuit.
The list comprises of the 10 best who played the majority of or all of their career in the American League:
Note: Any player who was entangled in performance-enhancing drugs or is suspected of taking them were not under consideration. They should never be enshrined in Cooperstown and thus do not belong on this list.
1. Mickey Mantle
“The Mick” possessed power from both sides of the plate that drove the championship Yankees teams of the ’50s and ’60s. Constantly dogged by injuries and not doing himself any favors with off-the-field extra-curricular activities, Mantle won seven championships in the Bronx, won three MVPs, a Triple Crown in 1956, and finished with 536 home runs.
2. Tris Speaker
Speaker played 22 seasons in the American League with Boston, Cleveland, Washington, and Philadelphia, compiled 3,514 hits, a .345 career average, three World Championships (two with the Red Sox, one with the Indians as a player/manager), and an MVP in 1912. While he only best Cobb for an AL batting title once in 1916, “The Grey Eagle” is widely considered the best defensive center fielder in baseball history,
3. Ty Cobb
“The Georgia Peach” was not only a spectacular talent and the greatest hitter of the dead-ball era but used cunning, fear, and intimidation to terrorize his opponents. He played 24 major league seasons, won the American League batting title 12 times (including nine straight from 1907 to 1915), a Triple Crown in 1909. Cobb holds the highest career batting average in history (.366) and is second to Pete Rose in career hits (4189), but also leads AL outfielders all-time in errors (271).
4. Joe DiMaggio
“Joltin Joe” is known for being married to Marilyn Monroe and the incredible feat of hitting in 56 straight games in 1941, but there are many who consider Dimaggio the greatest center fielder in Major League history. The “Yankee Clipper” lost three prime years serving in the US Army during World War II, but still won nine World Championships with New York, earned three Most Valuable Player awards, and finished with 361 home runs and a .325 career batting average in 13 seasons.
“The Kid” was simply the best player in baseball in his prime years, winning 10 straight Gold Gloves and hitting 40 or more home runs six times in a span of seven years. Griffey Jr. won an MVP in 1997, and in spite of struggling with injuries in the second half of his career, finished seventh all-time with 630 homers and a .284 average.
-
Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primer
by Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
6. Mike Trout
It is unknown how long he will play, but the individual accomplishments of Trout after 11 seasons may already be Hall-of-Fame worthy. The 30-year-old has 310 career home runs, a .305 average, an AL Rookie of the Year, three MVPs. In 2021, he missed nearly all of the season with a torn calf muscle. If he plays until his late 30’s, Trout could eclipse 600 homers. The only tarnish on his career is playing just three postseason games, but that does not diminish his quality.
A member of the New York’s “Core Four” along with Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte, Williams was the glue in the middle of the batting order that led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five seasons. In his 16 seasons in the Bronx, the switch-hitter compiled 2,336 career hits, a .297 average, and four Gold Gloves.
Around FPC
NFL: Marvin Lewis on Brian Flores’ Charges: “No Question, It’s Alarming”
NFL: Aaron Donald Is Noncommittal On Future
NFL: Unhitch The Wagon: Chiefs Must Release Anthony Hitchens
Super Bowl: Climb The Ranks: Joe Burrow Continues To Ascend
NHL: NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 33: Super Bowl LVI Reaction; Rams Clinch Second Title
A career shortened by glaucoma, Puckett was a two-way threat in the field and at the plate. The diminutive center fielder played a dozen years with Minnesota, winning World Championships in 1987 and 1991, an AL batting title in 1989, 10 straight All-Star appearances, six Gold Gloves, and finished with a .318 career batting average.
9. Fred Lynn
Lynn’s career began with a meteoric rise, winning Rookie of the Year and an AL Most Valuable Player in 1975 and leading the Red Sox to the World Series. He also won a batting title and slammed a career-high 39 homers in 1979, earned four Gold Gloves, and made the All-Star team his first nine seasons, but he remained productive in the second half of his career, hitting over 20 home runs seven straight years after the age of 30.
10. Torii Hunter
A superb defensive center fielder, Hunter won nine consecutive Gold Gloves from 2001 to 2009, but was also a consistent offensive performer for the majority of his 19-year career, with 2,452 hits and 20 or more home runs 11 times.
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines heading into Super Bowl 57 […]
-
2/6 - Kyrie Irving Traded, Sean Payton To Broncos, Early Super Bowl Oddsby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyrie Irving trade, Sean Payton heading to […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Suns at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, February 6thby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Ep. 93: Vanderbilt Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbinby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 11:03 pm
-
Bucks at Trail Blazersby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Thunder at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Mavericks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Kings at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 8:30 pm
-
Spurs at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm
Not a bad list, but some problems. Larry Doby, Earl Averill and Kenny Lofton and Chet Lemon are all better than Puckett, Bernie Williams and Fred Lynn and Hunter. Check the JAWS Ratings.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_CF.shtml
How could you leave out Willy Mays. That catch in 1954 alone was enough to major your CF list. I was 8 years old, still remember, even that Vic Wertz got all of that ball.
How could Willie Mays not be on the list?