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Some of the greatest players in the history of Major League Baseball patrolled the outfield. From Ruth to Griffey Jr. to Bonds to Trout — the outfield grass has been home to some true icons of the game. It was difficult to narrow our list down to 30 players — who do you think is deserving of the No. 1 spot?
30. Aaron Judge
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In 2022, Aaron Judge went from being an All-Star level player to a man whose name will never be forgotten. New York’s star attraction set an American League record with 62 home runs and led baseball in a slew of categories. Judge paced baseball in runs (133), RBI (131), OBP (.425), SLG (.686), and OPS (1.111). Judge nearly captured the Triple Crown, as well. Turning 32 during the ’24 season, Judge has 257 HR through eight seasons (two of which he played in under 30 games) and is averaging 50 HR per year. If he stays healthy, Judge will move up this list before his career comes to an end.
29. Vladimir Guerrero
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When Guerrero went up to bat, it was a spectacle. It was the signal for everybody to tune in because you never knew what you were going to get. No pitch was considered out of the strike zone for Vlad. He could barely skim a ball that was placed low and away and send it over the right field fence. Vlad played the game how everybody wanted to play it. He swung at virtually everything and found a way to be productive while doing it. After an illustrious career in Montreal, Guerrero signed with the Angels before the 2004 season. In his first year in Anaheim, Vlad took home MVP honors by recording 39 home runs, 126 runs batted in and helped lead the team to a 92-70 record. His aggressiveness and power endeared him to more than just Expos and Angels fans — but all fans of baseball.
28. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson
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Shoeless Joe etched himself into Cleveland lore by being one of the best hitters the game has ever seen. In the heart of the dead ball era, Jackson consistently hit in the high-.300s while recording three consecutive seasons with at least a 1.000 OPS. He could spray the ball all over the field and was quick enough to leg out a healthy amount of extra-base hits.
Unfortunately, Jackson’s career will be forever tainted for his involvement in the 1919 “Black Sox” scandal. As a member of the Chicago White Sox, Jackson and his team fell to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1919 World Series. After the series was over, Jackson, along with a handful of his teammates, were accused of throwing the games. It should be noted that Jackson actually led all teams in batting average in that series, and committed no errors over all eight games.
27. Ichiro Suzuki
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Ichiro wasted no time getting assimilated into American baseball upon joining the MLB at 27 years old. In his rookie year, Ichiro recorded 242 hits, stole 56 bags and had a .350 batting average. He also won MVP — as a rookie. Little did the baseball world know, the Japanese standout was just getting started. Ichiro has cemented himself as one of the best all-around players the game has seen. His unique slap-hitting style led him to over 4,300 professional hits (that includes his time in Japan), and his cannon arm in right produced countless highlight plays.
26. Duke Snider
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A list of all-time greats wouldn’t be complete without some Dodger representation, and Snider is arguably the best outfielder in the franchise’s history. The Los Angeles native was with the franchise for 16 seasons, making regular trips to the All-Star Game and helping transition the team to the West Coast in 1958. His best season came in Brooklyn when Snider smacked 42 home runs and slugged .628. Snider would finish second in MVP voting that year to his teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Roy Campanella. He would go on to have five consecutive seasons with 40-plus home runs and helped the franchise to two World Series victories.
25. Dave Winfield
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The 6’6″ Winfield was an imposing figure on the field. For as big as he was, Winfield was never really a major home run hitter. He maintained high averages throughout his career because he was a skilled player who didn’t completely rely on his size. That was never more apparent than in 1992 when Winfield managed to finish in the top-5 in MVP voting — at 40 years old. Overall, Winfield was a 12-time All-Star, a seven-time Gold Glove winner, and a six-time Silver Slugger.
24. Tim Raines
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After discussing the mammoth Winfield, now we move to the other side of the size spectrum and look at the diminutive Raines. The current Hall of Famer was 5’8″ on a good day and weighed in at 160 pounds soaking wet. What he lacked in size, he made up for in smarts and explosive speed. After becoming a full-time starter, Raines kicked off his career with six consecutive seasons of at least 70 stolen bases. Perhaps most impressively, he managed this feat in just 88 games in 1981. Two years later, Raines set a career-high and led the Majors with 90 stolen bases.
23. Mookie Betts
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Mookie Betts is destined for the Hall of Fame. The generational star may be small in stature, but his presence is felt on a dramatic scale. With his mix of power, speed on the basepaths and elite fielding, Betts is one of baseball’s most gifted talents. Betts began his career in Boston where he won the 2018 AL MVP and World Series. The star was traded to the Dodgers ahead of the 2020 season and promptly led Los Angeles to a World Series triumph. Through the 2023 season, Betts owns seven All-Star selections, six Gold Gloves, six Silver Sluggers, one Batting Title and has three MVP runner-up finishes in addition to his win in ’18.
22. Manny Ramirez
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Whether he was mashing dingers over the Green Monster, or taking a break inside of it, Manny never failed to entertain. Ramirez burst onto the scene as a rookie with the Cleveland Indians. He quickly rose the ranks as one of the top hitters of his generation. As it currently stands, Ramirez ranks in the top-12 in both career slugging percentage and career OPS. His career truly took off when he signed with Boston in 2001. Ramirez ingratiated himself with the rabid fan base with his smooth swing and infectious personality. In 2004, he helped break the Curse of the Bambino by leading the Red Sox to a World Series victory and securing MVP honors.
21. Pete Rose
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It’s sometimes easy to forget just how good Rose really was. A multiple-time batting champion, Rose set the bar for hitting during the late 1960s into the 70s. He was a professional hitter in every sense of the phrase. Rose exhibited inhuman control from either side of the plate and could spray the ball to any spot on the field. He didn’t steal a whole lot of bases (198 career stolen bases) but had good enough speed to leg out a few infield hits here and there.
In the field, he could virtually play anywhere. His career began at first base, and he made an All-Star team at that position in 1965. Once he settled in, Rose moved to the outfield and proceeded to play all three spots there. He earned Gold Gloves for his efforts in right field in ’69 and ’70. He’s since been disqualified from Hall of Fame induction after betting on games while managing a team, but that doesn’t diminish his impact and skill level as a player.
20. Al Kaline
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The slick-fielding Kaline was a cornerstone for the Detroit Tigers for over two decades. Anything in right field was in play for Kaline, as he patrolled that area of grass like he was a free safety in the NFL. Kaline also got it done in the box, notching nine seasons of at least 20 home runs and winning the AL batting title with a .340 average in 1955. He rarely struck out and consistently kept his averages up throughout his 22-year career. He’s considered to be one of the very best players who has never won an MVP, but Kaline was in the discussion for the award year in and year out. Kaline is probably content without winning the award knowing he has a 1968 World Series ring instead.
19. Stan Musial
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It’s a bit difficult ranking Musial, as he spent the latter part of his career playing first base. However, even if Musial retired before he ever made the switch, the first half of his career is still worthy of high praise. In his first six full seasons in the Major Leagues, Musial earned three MVP trophies. Now, imagine what he could have done had he not had to join the military in 1945. Musial was a hitting machine, securing seven batting titles from 1943 to 1957.
He routinely hit in the high .300s and achieved an OPS of 1.000 or better in six of his seasons. He wasn’t just notching singles, Musial racked up extra bases with ease ranking third all-time in total bases (6,143) and fourth in extra-base hits (1,377). He did it all for St. Louis, helping the team to three World Series victories and earning All-Star recognition every year he played following his rookie season.
18. Tris Speaker
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A Boston legend, Speaker was winning World Series rings with the Sox long before any ‘curse’ existed. He actually was teammates with the Bambino for one season, before Speaker left Boston to join Cleveland and win another ring there as well. History is a bit unkind to him because of the other players that were littered through that great generation, but Speaker earned his place among the elite talents. He still holds the record for the most doubles in a career (792), and he won the AL MVP in 1912 by beating out a slew of Hall of Famers including Walter Johnson, Ty Cobb, and Ed Walsh.
Most players are supposed to regress by the end of their careers, but Speaker never received that memo. Even at 37 years old, he was hitting .390 with an OPS of 1.057. Speaker was a magnificent overall talent that produced at a high level his entire career.
17. Reggie Jackson
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“Mr. October” was a phenomenal postseason player. A two-time World Series MVP, Jackson always came up big in the clutch when called upon. He was also an excellent player during the regular season — as he smacked 563 home runs over the course of his 21-year career. Though his batting average and collective metrics might not stack up with others on the list, there’s no denying Jackson’s impact in terms of fostering a winning culture. There’s something to be said about excelling at the highest level.
16. Carl Yastrzemski
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Yastrzemski’s career should be applauded for the level at which he played over a long period of time. The left fielder played 23 years with the Boston Red Sox. He was an 18-time All-Star during this period — including one MVP trophy and seven Gold Glove awards. It comes as no surprise to see “Yaz” command a first-place standing for the vast majority of the franchise’s offensive categories. This feat is immensely impressive when factoring in the illustrious history of Boston.
15. Joe DiMaggio
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“Joltin’ Joe” DiMaggio is a pure winner in every sense of the word. Aside from developing into one of the best outfielders of All-Time, DiMaggio was instrumental in the Yankees winning nine World Series titles between 1936-1951. During this time, DiMaggio collected three MVP awards and became a 13-time All-Star in the process. To this day, DiMaggio still holds the record for most consecutive games (56) with a base hit.
14. Tony Gwynn
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Gwynn was regarded as the best pure hitter throughout his career which spanned 20 seasons. Eight batting titles will earn you that sort of notoriety. His .394 average in 1994 is closer than anybody has gotten to the .400 mark in the modern era.
The lifetime San Diego Padre just had a knack for getting on base. Especially during his later years, Gwynn was never the fleetest of foot. However, he exhibited an extraordinary ability to spray the ball anywhere in the park and earned 543 career doubles for his ability to fire hits into the gap. Along with his magical ability to swing a bat, Gwynn also played a terrific right field. His five Gold Gloves are the most for any Padre in the franchise’s history.
13. Mel Ott
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Before Dustin Pedroia, there was Mel Ott. The 5’9″ athlete played both in the outfield and in the infield during his 22-year career with the New York (baseball) Giants. During this time, he led the National League in home runs on six separate occasions and also made 11 All-Star teams. Ott was superb as a contact hitter. His compact yet unorthodox swing enabled him to get the requisite loft on his shots over the fences. Considering his stature and slight build, Ott’s career totals of 511 home runs and 1,860 RBIs are even more impressive.
12. Mike Trout
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Mike Trout still has plenty of time to ascend the rankings as he is still in his early 30s. He has been the gold standard for outfielders since entering the league in 2011. Built more like an NFL linebacker than a baseball player, the hyper-athletic Trout utilizes his dense frame to explode on pitches in the zone and patrol the center of LA’s outfield. While Trout has been slowed by injuries in recent years, he still has three MVP trophies in his collection and is undoubtedly an all-time great.
11. Frank Robinson
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Robinson holds the distinction of being the only player in Major League History with at least one MVP Award from each league. Starring for both the Reds and Orioles, Robinson was an incredibly well-rounded player. After winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 1956, Robinson won a gold glove and made 14 All-Star appearances. Completing the ultimate trifecta for a hitter, Robinson also won the Triple Crown in 1966. Once his career ended, Robinson was a longtime manager for four MLB clubs (Indians, Giants, Orioles, Expos/Nationals).
10. Rickey Henderson
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For years, Henderson terrorized pitchers and catchers alike. There was a 15-year span in which Henderson owned the base paths. On three separate occasions, Henderson swiped more than 100 bags. A patient eye coupled with strong plate discipline enabled Henderson to accrue a career .401 on-base percentage (over 25 years). The 10-time All-Star helped Oakland win two World Series titles.
9. Roberto Clemente
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Clemente remains a highly popular player (despite his passing in 1972). His emergence as a 15-time All-Star with the Pittsburgh Pirates was nothing short of spectacular. For his career, the two-time World Series champion batted .317 with 3,000 hits and 12 Gold Glove awards. Clemente was a spectacular player. However, his profound impact as a human was felt on multiple levels. For one, he became the first Latin American player to garner entry into the Hall of Fame. Hailing from Puerto Rico, he opened the door for many in the Caribbean idolizing his brilliance on the field. Duly, his efforts in a multitude of charities have helped thousands of people throughout the region.
8. Mickey Mantle
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Mantle ushered in the next wave of Hall of Fame talent to grace those living in the Bronx. A native of Oklahoma, Mantle’s combination of power and patience at the plate enabled him to be a perennial All-Star. One of Mantle’s three MVP seasons included 52 home runs, 130 RBIs, a .353 batting average, a .464 on-base percentage, and an OPS of 1.169. While his laundry list of personal achievements is ridiculously impressive, Mantle’s value to those in New York came via his championship pedigree. Mantle was a seven-time World Series Champion.
7. Ken Griffey Jr.
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If not for a multitude of injuries, Griffey Jr. may have found himself within the top five of this list. There was a smoothness about Griffey Jr.’s game which resulted in him being a fan favorite. Baseball just looked easy for him. Junior was equally as likely to hit the ball 450 feet as he was to leap over the center field wall to rob an opposing player of a home run. Though Griffey Jr.’s career was undoubtedly fantastic, we’ll always be left with the ‘what if he stayed healthy’ question.
6. Ted Williams
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Williams epitomized the phrase ‘student of the game.’ He was highly meticulous when it came to hitting the baseball. Not only did he constantly experiment with different bat weights, but Williams also had immense pitch recognition. His intuitiveness at the plate enabled him to possess a career batting average of .344. Without question, Williams’ ability as a ‘professional hitter’ ranks him among the best pure hitters of all-time.
5. Ty Cobb
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When looking up ‘prolific base stealers’ in the dictionary, a picture of Cobb would be prominently displayed. The fiery competitor was supremely dynamic — both as a hitter and as a base runner. Cobb swiped 897 bags over his entire career, including a career-high of 96 in 1915. During his one and only MVP season, Cobb batted .420 with a .467 on-base percentage. No… that wasn’t a typo. On 12 separate occasions, Cobb was the American League batting champion. To this day, Cobb still holds the MLB record for the highest career batting average (.366).
4. Hank Aaron
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Though he had a somewhat slender frame, Aaron was as good a power hitter as the game had ever seen. The Alabama native managed to club 755 home runs in 23 seasons. His hand-eye coordination was legendary — as was Aaron’s ability to get the barrel of the bat on the ball with relative ease. Statistically speaking, Aaron’s numbers are jaw-dropping across the board. Very few players have ever been able to produce on both sides of the ball like Aaron.
3. Babe Ruth
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“The Sultan of Swat” registers as one of the best outfielders to have ever played the game. We all know about Ruth’s exploits as a power hitter. Relative to his era, baseball has arguably seen one player (Barry Bonds) be more feared at the plate. Even more impressively, Ruth pitched in 10 seasons. Ruth won at least 20 games on two separate occasions — including a year in which he went 23-12 with a 1.75 ERA and nine shutouts. 100 years before Shohei Ohtani turned the baseball world on its head by pitching and hitting at an elite level, Ruth made this fantasy an actual possibility. He became a trailblazer not only as a player but also as the first iconic superstar in the history of Major League Baseball.
2. Willie Mays
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“The Say Hey Kid” played the game in a graceful way. Patrolling center field for 22 years, Mays redefined the position with his athleticism and defensive ability. At the plate, Mays wasn’t too shabby either — as he was a rare combination of a power hitter with legitimate base-stealing skills. A career .941 OPS is spectacular for any player, let alone an outfielder. Two MVPs, 24 All-Star nods, and 12 Gold Gloves. Simply put, Mays revolutionized how the center field position is played in today’s era.
1. Barry Bonds
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Bonds was simply a phenomenal player. Regardless of wherever one falls on the PED argument, no one can question Bonds’ hand-eye coordination. Earlier in his career, Bonds was a premier outfielder — possessing great speed, arm strength, and instincts. As his body kept maturing, Bonds’ collective power increased. He shattered multiple records throughout his career. In 2001, Bonds batted .328 with 73 home runs, 137 RBI, an OBP of .515, and a mind-boggling OPS of 1.379. This was the first of four-straight MVP seasons. Perhaps most impressive, a 39-year-old Bonds finished the 2004 season with 45 home runs, 101 RBIs, 232 walks, a .362 batting average, a .609 on-base percentage, and a 1.422 OPS. Let those numbers sink in for a minute. Oh, and he also finished his career with 762 HR, 514 stolen bases, seven MVPs and eight Gold Gloves.
