All-Time
Greatest
Baseball
Chosen by AI
It’s a never-ending discussion among seamheads: Who is the all-time greatest player? ChatGPT has opinions …
CATCHER
Johnny Bench
Bench played for the Reds from 1967 to 1983. Known for defensive skills, power-hitting, and ability to handle pitching staffs, he won two MVP awards, 10 Gold Gloves, and was a 14-time All-Star.
- Yogi Berra
- Roy Campanella
- Carlton Fisk
- Ivan Rodriguez
FIRST BASE
Lou Gehrig
Gehrig played for the Yankees from 1923 to 1939. He had incredible consistency and durability; his consecutive games streak of 2,130 stood for over 50 years. Gehrig won two MVP awards and six World Series titles.
- Albert Pujols
- Jimmie Foxx
- Frank Thomas
- Stan Musial
SECOND BASE
Rogers Hornsby
Hornsby played from 1915 to 1937. He was known for his exceptional hitting ability, winning seven batting titles and posting a career .358 average. Hornsby won two Triple Crowns and had a career OBP of .434.
- Jackie Robinson
- Joe Morgan
- Nap Lajoie
- Roberto Alomar
THIRD BASE
Mike Schmidt
Schmidt played for the Phillies from 1972 to 1989. Known for his exceptional power hitting – he clubbed over 500 home runs – Schmidt was a three-time MVP and garnered 10 Gold Gloves.
- George Brett
- Brooks Robinson
- Eddie Mathews
- Chipper Jones
SHORTSTOP
Honus Wagner
Wagner played from 1897 to 1917. He was known for his exceptional hitting, baserunning, and defensive skills. Wagner won eight batting titles and had a .328 career average.
- Cal Ripken Jr.
- Derek Jeter
- Ozzie Smith
- Alex Rodriguez
LEFT FIELD
Ted Williams
Williams played for the Red Sox from 1939 to 1960. “The Splendid Splinter” had exceptional power and plate discipline. He won two Triple Crowns and finished with a .344 average and 521 home runs.
- Barry Bonds
- Rickey Henderson
- Carl Yastrzemski
- Stan Musial
CENTER FIELD
Willie Mays
Mays played from 1951 to 1973. He combined power, speed, and exceptional defensive skills. He won two MVP awards, hit over 600 home runs, and made “The Catch” in the 1954 World Series.
- Ty Cobb
- Mickey Mantle
- Ken Griffey Jr.
- Joe DiMaggio
RIGHT FIELD
Babe Ruth
Ruth played from 1914 to 1935. He revolutionized the game with his power hitting and is one of the greatest sluggers ever. He set the single-season home run record and finished with 714 HRs.
- Hank Aaron
- Roberto Clemente
- Frank Robinson
- Ichiro Suzuki
STARTING PITCHER
Cy Young
Young played from 1890 to 1911. He holds the record for the career wins (511) and the most complete games (749). The Cy Young Award, given annually to the best pitcher in each league, is named in his honor.
- Walter Johnson
- Tom Seaver
- Greg Maddux
- Pedro Martinez
RELIEF PITCHER
Mariano Rivera
Rivera played for the Yankees from 1995 to 2013. He recorded 652 saves. Rivera won five titles and was the 1999 World Series MVP. He was the first player unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame (2019).
- Trevor Hoffman
- Rollie Fingers
- Goose Gossage
- Billy Wagner
DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz
“Big Papi” played from 1997 to 2002. He was known for his clutch hitting and hit over 500 home runs during his career. Ortiz was a key contributor to the Red Sox winning three World Series championships.
- Edgar Martinez
- Frank Thomas
- Harold Baines
- Paul Molitor
ALL-TIME GREATEST
Babe Ruth
Ruth is the game’s most iconic player. His exceptional power hitting revolutionized the game. Ruth’s charismatic personality and impact on the game make him the most significant figure in baseball lore.
- Willie Mays
- Hank Aaron
- Barry Bonds
- Ted Williams
MANAGER
Connie Mack
Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901 to 1950 and holds the record for the most wins (3,731). He won five World Series championships and led the Athletics to nine American League pennants.
- Casey Stengel
- Joe McCarthy
- John McGraw
- Tony La Russa
Random Thoughts
- Campanella’s what-if story: 10 seasons in MLB, three MVP awards in five years (1951-55) – then on Jan. 28, 1958, driving to his home in Glen Cove, N.Y., he fell asleep at the wheel. His rental car slammed into a telephone pole and turned over on its right side. The accident left Campy, 35, a quadriplegic who would never walk again.
- Stan Musial is among the top five at two positions: first base and left field. He finished with 3,630 hits – 1,815 at home and 1,815 on the road. (That’s my all-time favorite sports stat.)
- Ken Griffey Jr. was a household name throughout his Hall of Fame career, but he’s not the most well-known player from Donora, Pa., also Musial’s hometown. Junior’s grandfather, Joseph “Buddy” Griffey, was Stan’s teammate on the Donora High School baseball team.
- ChatGPT is a chick; loves the long ball, obviously. I would not have Bonds on the list of top left fielders, but his ‘roid-tainted home run total moved the needle. Gimme Al Simmons.
- Rings matter – otherwise, Edgar > Ortiz.
- I also ran the questions through Google’s Bard AI. Mike Piazza was No. 3 among catchers. Miguel Cabrera was No. 4 at first base. Nos. 3-5 in center field: Kirby Puckett, Duke Snider, and Andruw Jones. In right field, Reggie Jackson was No. 4 followed by Larry Walker. At DH, Jim Thome was fifth. Christy Mathewson and Sandy Koufax were Nos. 3-4 among starting pitchers. For closers, Dennis Eckersley, Bruce Sutter, and Lee Smith were Nos. 3-5. … Definitely some yikes! in the Bard lists.
- Neither list included Ryne Sandberg at second base. That’s criminal. I’ll take the Cubs Hall of Famer over Roberto Alomar every day of the week and twice on Sundays.