Top 5 MLB Stars of All Time: Babe Ruth to Jackie Robinson, who is the greatest ever in history of the game?

oi-Aditya K Halder

Top 5 MLB Stars of All Time: Ranking the top 5 Major League Baseball (MLB) stars of all time is always subjective given the rich history and wide variety of legendary players.

However, these five players often appear in such discussions due to their dominance, records, and overall influence on the game.

5. Jackie Robinson (1947–1956)

Team: Brooklyn Dodgers

Position: Second Baseman

Key Achievements:

• Rookie of the Year (1947)
• MVP (1949)
• 6x All-Star
• World Series champion (1955)
• .311 career batting average
• Broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947

Legacy: Beyond his excellent stats and performance on the field, Robinson’s courage and grace in breaking MLB’s racial barrier make him one of the most important figures in baseball and civil rights history.

4. Ted Williams (1939–1960)

Team: Boston Red Sox

Position: Left Fielder

Key Achievements:

• 2x MVP
• 19x All-Star
• 6x AL batting champion
• .344 career batting average (8th all-time)
• The last player to hit over .400 in a season (.406 in 1941)

Legacy: Williams is arguably the greatest pure hitter in MLB history. He missed three prime years serving in World War II, but his knowledge of the strike zone and hitting mechanics remains legendary.

3. Hank Aaron (1954–1976)

Teams: Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers

Position: Right Fielder

Key Achievements:

• 755 home runs (2nd all-time)
• 25x All-Star
• 1x MVP
• World Series champion (1957)
• MLB’s all-time leader in RBIs (2297)

Legacy: Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s long-standing home run record, facing intense racial hostility in the process. Beyond his incredible power, Aaron was a consistent hitter with 3,771 hits.

2. Willie Mays (1951–1973)

Teams: New York/San Francisco Giants, New York Mets

Position: Center Fielder

Key Achievements:

• 660 home runs (6th all-time)
• 24x All-Star
• 2x MVP
• 12x Gold Glove winner
• World Series champion (1954)

Legacy: Mays is widely regarded as one of the most complete players, excelling in hitting, fielding, and base-running. His famous “basket catch” and power at the plate make him an all-time great.

1. Babe Ruth (1914–1935)

Teams: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Boston Braves

Position: Outfielder/Pitcher

Key Achievements:

• 714 home runs (3rd all-time)
• 2x All-Star
• 7x World Series champion
• 12x AL home run leader

Legacy: Ruth was not only a prodigious hitter but also an elite pitcher early in his career. His ability to dominate both as a batter and pitcher is unmatched, making him a larger-than-life figure in baseball history. His power revolutionized the game.

These players represent the best combination of talent, influence, and legacy in MLB history. Many other greats like Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Ty Cobb also warrant consideration, but the top 5 listed here made an indelible mark on baseball.

Story first published: Thursday, October 10, 2024, 8:21 [IST]