Best MLB players by state (all time)

Although Hank Aaron was also born in the state, it’s hard to make an argument that Willie Mays isn’t the best baseball player to be born in Alabama. Widely considered one of the 10 best MLB players ever, Mays was a two-time NL MVP for the New York and San Francisco Giants. Along with hitting 660 home runs, Mays was a 24-time All-Star and 12-time Gold Glove winner over the course of his Hall of Fame career.

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, former Phillies, Diamondbacks and Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling won 216 games in the majors. The 2001 World Series MVP with Arizona, most baseball fans remember Schilling best for his “bloody sock game,” in which he pitched Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS with an ankle injury. A two-time World Series champ, Schilling was recently fired from his position as an MLB analyst for ESPN after he made some controversial remarks regarding LGBTQ individuals.

Detroit Tigers second basemen Ian Kinsler is currently one of the best all-around infielders in the majors. A four-time All-Star, he is currently hitting over .300 on the year for the Tigers. Kinsler was born in Tucson, Ariz.

Playing his entire 23-year MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, Brooks Robinson is considered one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history. An 18-time All-Star and 16-time Gold Glove winner, Robinson led the Orioles to two World Series championships in 1966 and 1970, respectively. He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1983.

“The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived” is a pretty accurate way to describe Ted Williams.  A baseball legend in the truest sense of the word, Williams hit 519 home runs, appeared in 19 All-Star games, won six batting titles and took home the Triple Crown twice. The last player to hit over .400 in a season, Williams, who missed out on four prime years of his career to serve for the Military in WWII, is perhaps the greatest athlete never to win a championship. He was born in San Diego.

One of just 23 MLB pitchers ever to throw a perfect game, former Blue Jays and Phillies great Roy Halladay was born in Denver. A two-time Cy Young award winner, “Doc” also pitched a no-hitter against the Reds in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS. Halladay won 203 games before retiring after the 2013 season.

For a few years in the 1990s, first baseman Mo Vaughn was one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball. The 1995 AL MVP with the Red Sox, Vaughn hit over 40 home runs twice for Boston and constantly hit well over .300. A three-time All-Star, his career declined due to injuries after he signed with the Angels in 1999.

One of the best players in the NL, Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is the best ball player to come out of the state of Delaware. Already a three-time All-Star at the age of 28, he is a lock to hit over 30 home runs and 100 RBI out in the desert every season. Goldschmidt has also won two Gold Glove awards.

Of all the MLB players born in Florida, none have been better than Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton. Playing his best years for the Phillies, Carlton won four Cy Young awards, 329 games and is fourth all time on the MLB strikeout list with 4,136 total. A two-time World Series champion, “Lefty” finished his 20-plus-year career in the majors with a career ERA of 3.22.

Nicknamed “The Georgia Peach,” Ty Cobb is one of baseball’s greatest hitters, and one of its greatest villains. A 12-time batting champion with the Detroit Tigers, Cobb finished his career with an incredible 4,191 hits and hit over .400 three times. He is also remembered as one baseball’s most vicious players, as he would routinely slide into bases with his spikes as high as possible. Temperament aside, Cobb is widely considered to be the greatest dead ball era baseball player.

Aptly nicknamed “The Flyin’ Hawaiian,” former Phillies, Dodgers, Red Sox and Angels outfielder Shane Victorino was a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner during his time in the majors. Victorino also was a part of two World Series-winning teams in Philadelphia and Boston in 2008 and 2013, respectively.

“Hammerin” Harmon Killebrew was born in the tiny town of Payette, Idaho. A 13-time All-Star for the Minnesota Twins, Killebrew hit 573 home runs and 1,584 RBI over the course of his 20-plus years in the majors. He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1984.

The all-time leader in stolen bases, outfielder Rickey Henderson was born in Chicago. Widely considered the greatest leadoff hitter ever, Henderson played Major League Baseball in four different decades, with his best years coming with the Oakland Athletics. The 1990 AL MVP, Henderson was a two-time World Series champ.

Former Phillies and Cubs outfielder Chuck Klein batted over .320 for his career and was named NL MVP in 1932. Nicknamed the “Hoosier Hammer,” Klein is one only 16 players ever to hit four home runs in a single game.

One of the first true stars of Major League Baseball, first baseman Cap Anson played for a record 27 consecutive seasons in the majors. A two-time NL batting champion for the Philadelphia Athletics, Anson finished his career with an average of .334 at the plate. He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1939.

In his 20 years as a pitcher for the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson won 417 games, recorded 3,508 strikeouts and finished with a career ERA of 2.17. A two-time AL MVP, Johnson threw a record 110 shutouts his MLB career and was named to Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team. He was born in Humboldt, Kan.

A 10-time All-Star, Pee Wee Reese played 18 seasons at second base for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. Born in Ekron, Ky., Reese was also a man of great character off the field, a trait made apparent by his unwavering support of teammate Jackie Robinson. Reese helped lead the Dodgers to two World Series titles in the 1950s.

Slugger Mel Ott played over 20 years for the New York Giants, hitting 511 home runs for the club. A 12-time All-Star, Ott was the first player in the NL to surpass the 500 home run mark, an accomplishment made all the more impressive by the fact that he was only five-foot-nine and weighed just 170 pounds.

Born in Portland, Maine, pitcher Bob Stanley stayed in the New England area for his entire MLB career. In 13 years for the Red Sox, Stanley won 115 games, posted a 3.68 ERA, and was an All-Star in 1979 and 1983.

On Feb. 6, 1895, a boy named George Herman Ruth was born in Baltimore. You might know him best as “The Babe.” One of the most iconic sports figures ever to walk the Earth, Ruth is considered by most to be the greatest baseball player ever. Along with hitting 714 home runs and having multiple 20-win seasons on the mound, Ruth has the highest wins above replacement (WAR) ever in MLB history. A career .342 hitter, Ruth’s life and career have taken on mythic proportions.

Given the innings limits and pitch counts levied on pitchers nowadays, Tom Glavine might be the last 300 game winner we see in a long time. A 10-time All-Star, Glavine pitched his best years for the Atlanta Braves, winning two Cy Young awards and one World Series. The Hall of Fame lefty was born in Concord, Mass.

A teammate of Tom Glavine’s, John Smoltz was every bit as good on the mound as his Hall of Fame counterpart. Whether it was locking down hitters from the first pitch of the game or coming in the ninth to save a game, Smoltz was as talented as he was versatile. The right-handed pitcher won 214 games and posted a career ERA of 3.24. The 1996 NL Cy Young award winner, Smoltz was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

When it comes to baseball and the state of Minnesota, Paul Molitor is everything. Born in St. Paul, he played more than 20 years in the majors for the Brewers, Blue Jays and Twins. A career .306 hitter, Molitor made his arrival in Cooperstown in 2004. The 1993 World Series MVP, he is looking to reproduce his winning ways as a player now as manager of the Twins.

Among the many problems with the steroid era is the fact that it has undermined the career of a player like Dave Parker. A tremendous power hitter, Parker’s prowess at the plate helped lead the Pirates and A’s to World Series championships a full decade apart. The 1978 NL MVP, Parker finished his career with 338 home runs. The outfielder was also a three-time Gold Glove winner.

In the 1934 MLB All-Star Game, Giants pitcher Carl Hubbell took the mound and struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin — in a row! The Hall of Fame lefty was a nine-time All-Star, two-time NL MVP and World Series champion in 1933. “King Carl” also owns the record for most consecutive wins by a pitcher with 24.

Born In Billings, Mont., former Orioles pitcher Dave McNally won 184 game for Baltimore in 13 seasons with the club. A three-time All-Star, McNally was a key member of the Orioles' championship-winning teams in 1966 and 1970.

Along with allegedly drinking 64 beers on a flight from New York to Seattle, Wade Boggs was also a pretty darn good baseball player. A 12-time All-Star, he was never an easy out at the plate, evident by the fact he was a five-time AL batting champion with the Red Sox. Boggs finished his career with 3,010 total hits and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

With all due respect to Barry Zito, we’re going to go with Bryce Harper as the greatest baseball player Nevada has given us. The Washington Nationals outfielder is universally considered either the best or second best overall player in baseball at the moment, and he is still just 23 years old. The 2015 NL MVP, a spot in Cooperstown is already being saved for Harper.

Born in Exeter, N.H., former Blue Jays and Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter would likely be remembered as one of the best pitchers of his generation had it not been for injuries. In 2005, Carpenter won 21 games for the Cards on his way to winning the NL Cy Young award. A three-time All-Star, Carpenter also was the 2009 NL Comeback Player of the Year.

One of the most beloved players to put on a glove, former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will be inducted into Cooperstown the second he is eligible to do so. He played his entire 20-year career with the Yankees, leading the team to five World Series championships. A 14-time All-Star, Jeter ended his career with 3,465 hits and a batting average of .310. It’s going to be a long time until Yankees fans stop missing the presence of “Mr. November” on their team.

Hall of Fame Pirates outfielder Ralph Kiner led the NL in home runs for seven consecutive seasons from 1946-1952. A six-time All-Star, Kiner was born in Santa Rita, N.M.

A six-time World Series champion with the Yankees, Hall of Fame first baseman Lou Gehrig was revered for his prowess as a hitter, toughness and durability. “The Iron Horse” played in a longtime record 2,130 straight MLB games, was a Triple Crown winner in 1934 and won two AL MVPs. However, it’s the manner in which Gehrig ended his career that baseball fans truly remember him for. Diagnosed with ALS, Gehrig was forced to step away from baseball in 1939, and the beloved Yankee said goodbye to his fans in an emotional speech at Yankee Stadium in July of that year. Gehrig died just two years later.

Pitcher Gaylord Perry played for nine teams over the course of 21 seasons in the majors. Over that time, he garnered 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.11. A two-time Cy Young award winner, Perry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Born in Jamestown, N.D., former Angels outfielder and first baseman Darin Erstad came tantalizingly close to becoming the first player since Ted Williams to hit over .400 in 2000. Although Erstad fell short of the mark, he did help lead Anaheim to its first World Series title in 2002 in seven games over the Giants. The two-time All-Star even caught the final out.

Ever wonder the why the Cy Young award is called just that? It’s in honor of Major League Baseball’s all-time wins leader, Cy Young. Over the course of 22 seasons, Young racked up an incredible 511 wins, 94 more than the next closest pitcher. Young was also the third pitcher ever to throw a perfect game and pitched a MLB record 7,356 innings. Now that’s a record that will surely never be broken.

Mickey Mantle is considered by some to be the best center fielder in baseball history and with good reason. “The Mick” was a 20-time All-Star, seven-time World Series champ, three-time AL MVP and even won the 1956 Triple Crown. The former Yankees great is easily the greatest switch hitter ever to step into a batter's box. Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Okla.

A two-time NL MVP with the Braves, Dale Murphy hit 398 home runs in his 18 years in the majors. A seven-time All-Star, Murphy was born in Portland, Ore.

Along with being the player whose baseball card is the most valuable and sought over in the world, former Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner is one of the best all-around MLB players ever. An eight-time batting champ, Wagner led the NL in stolen bases five times and was one of the best defensive players of his era. A career .329 hitter, he finished his playing days with 3,430 hits and was one of the first five players ever inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The third player ever to record 3,000 hits, second baseman Napoleon “Nap” Lajoie was Ty Cobb’s biggest rival during his time. A career .339 hitter, Lajoie was also the player-manager of the Cleveland Naps from 1905-09, a team that changed its name from the “Broncos” to the “Naps” in honor of Lajoie. He was born in Woonsocket, R.I.

Born in Camden, S.C., Hall of Fame Indians outfielder Larry Doby was the second African-American ever to play in the majors after Jackie Robinson. A seven-time All-Star, he led the Indians to a Series championship in just his second year in the majors in 1948. The Indians have not won a World Series since then.

Born in Bell Fourche, S.D., Jason Kubel is just one of a few MLB players born in the Mount Rushmore State. Kubel played the best years of 10-year career with the Twins, with his most accomplished season coming in 2009, when he hit .300 with 28 home runs and 103 RBI.

First baseman Todd Helton played his entire 17-year career in the majors with the Colorado Rockies. A five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, he finished the 2000 season with an amazing .372 batting average. Helton was born in Knoxville, Tenn.

One of baseball’s greatest hitters of the early 20th century, Hall of Fame center fielder Tris Speaker currently sits in fifth place all time on MLB’s hit list with 3,515. A three-time World Series champ, Speaker also holds the MLB records for doubles (792) and outfield assists (449).

Former Red Sox, Padres, Rockies and Rangers pitcher Bruce Hurst won 145 games in 15 years in the majors. An All-Star in 1987, Hurst was born in St. George, Utah.

In the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk hit a high fly ball down the left field line. Fisk proceeded to waive his hands violently, pleading with the ball to stay fair. It did, and the Red Sox won, making it one of the most dramatic moments in MLB postseason history. One of the greatest offensive catchers ever, Fisk was an 11-time All-Star and hit 376 home runs in his Hall of Fame career.

Although his abilities on the mound have regressed over the last few years, during his prime, Justin Verlander was as good a starting pitcher as you’ll ever see. Both the AL Cy Young award winner and AL MVP in 2011, Verlander has led the Tigers to two World Series appearances. He was also name AL rookie of the Year in 2006.

One of the most beloved players in Cubs history, Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star in Chicago. The 1984 NL MVP, Sandberg ended his career with .284 batting average and nine Gold Gloves. He also the managed the Phillies from 2013-2015.

Despite recording 3,154 hits over a 21-year Hall of Fame career with the Kansas City Royals, George Brett will likely always be remembered best for the infamous “Pine Tar Incident.” In a 1983 game against the Yankees, Brett was called out after hitting a home run for using too much pine tar on his bat. Upon being called out, Brett leaped from the Royals dugout and threw one of sports' greatest ever tirades.

Hall of Fame outfielder Al Simmons batted .334 and tallied a total of 2,927 hits in the majors over his 20-year career. With his best years coming with the Philadelphia Athletics, Simmons helped lead the club to back-to-back World Series titles in 1929 and 1930. Simmons was born in Milwaukee.

Born in Casper, Wyo., former Reds pitcher Tom Browning became the 12th pitcher in MLB history to throw a perfect game on Sept. 16, 1988, against the Dodgers. An All-Star in 1991, Browning won 123 games in the majors and was a key part of Cincinnati’s 1990 World Series-winning team.