Which MLB players have the most career WAR?

Babe Ruth is commonly the first title that involves thoughts when discussing traditionally nice baseball players — and for good cause. The left-handed slugger performed in the main leagues for 22 seasons, and in a lot of them was far and away the greatest hitter in the sport. Ruth led the league in dwelling runs 12 totally different occasions on his method to 714 career huge flies, he helped the Yankees win seven World Series titles, and to today owns the greatest SLG%, OPS, and OPS+ in MLB historical past. He completed with a career slash line of .342/.474/.690, and oh, by the method, he additionally pitched in 163 big-league contests. Ruth was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936, and even now, 88 years after final showing in an expert sport, his 182.6 WAR are the most of all-time.

The query of who’s the greatest pitcher in main league historical past is an advanced and subjective one, and there actually may not be an accurate reply. But you could possibly actually not be questioned for suggesting that righty Walter Johnson deserves as a lot consideration as anybody. The Humboldt, KS-born hurler pitched all 21 of his big-league seasons in Washington D.C. with the Senators and put collectively a resume that will get extra spectacular each time you have a look at it. Johnson compiled 417 wins, earned 5 ERA titles, and led the league in strikeouts 12 occasions. He constantly tossed greater than 300 innings, accomplished 531 of his 666 begins, and holds the all-time file with 110 shutouts. He helped Washington win the World Series in 1924, twice was named league MVP, and was a shoe in to Cooperstown in 1936. His 165.1 lifetime WAR is the highest complete ever for a pitcher. 

As you seemingly might have surmised by yourself, the man whom the award given to the greatest pitcher in every league is called after, Cy Young, was tremendously prolific on the mound throughout his career. The right-hander spent 22 years in the Major Leagues and remains to be baseball’s all-time chief in begins, wins, full video games and innings pitched. He gained a World Series ring with the Boston Americans in 1903, earned two ERA titles, and was the pitching Triple Crown winner in 1901. Young retired following the 1911 season after compiling a ridiculously lofty WAR of 163.6, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937. 

Longtime big-league outfielder Barry Bonds’ legacy is prone to ceaselessly be tarnished resulting from his utilization of performance-enhancing medicine, however he was removed from the solely responsible get together throughout the sport’s notorious steroid period. Putting apart your private emotions on what was occurring in the sport throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, it is onerous to argue in opposition to the indisputable fact that at his peak, Bonds was merely astonishing to look at. In 22 seasons he blasted an astounding 762 dwelling runs, whereas slashing .298/.444/.607. He was named the MVP of the National League seven occasions, earned two batting titles, was invited to take part in 14 All-Star Games, gained eight Gold Gloves, and took dwelling a dozen Silver Slugger awards. Bonds retired following the 2007 season however not earlier than compiling a formidable 162.8 WAR — second to solely Babe Ruth amongst offensive players. 

From one historic Giants’ outfielder to a different, let’s speak about the nice Willie Mays. The ‘Say Hey Kid’ starred for the Giants for 21 years, each in New York and San Francisco, earlier than coming again to the Big Apple to complete his career with the Mets. In simply over 3,000 career video games, Mays slashed .304/.385/.564 with 660 dwelling runs,1,909 RBI, 525 doubles, 141 triples, and 339 stolen bases. He gained a pair of MVP awards, 12 Gold Gloves, participated in 24 All-Star Games, earned a batting title, was the 1951 NL Rookie of the Year, and helped the Giants win the World Series in 1954. Most related to this gallery, Mays completed his career with a WAR of 156.1 — good for the fifth most all-time. 

Left-handed swinging Ty Cobb performed practically two and a half a long time in the main leagues, and even now, arising on 100 years since he final performed, the Narrows, GA native remains to be remembered as one in all the greatest pure hitters in the sport’s illustrious historical past. Cobb completed his lengthy career with a outstanding .366 batting common — the highest mark in historical past amongst certified hitters. He gained an outstanding 12 batting crowns, was named American League MVP in 1911, and led the league in hits in eight totally different campaigns. Cobb was inducted into the Hall of Fame practically unanimously in 1936, and completed his career with a 151.5 WAR. 

Hank Aaron remains to be generally known as MLB’s true dwelling run king, as a plethora of baseball purists refuse to acknowledge Barry Bonds’ steroid boosted accomplishments. While the right-handed slugger from Mobile, AL by no means hit greater than 47 lengthy balls in a single season, consistency and longevity helped him deposit 755 balls over the fence in his 23-year career. Aaron remains to be the sport’s all-time chief in each RBI and complete bases, and his full resume merely speaks for itself. He gained the National League MVP award in 1957, earned a pair of batting titles, was chosen to 25 all-star groups, earned three Gold Gloves and helped the Braves win the World Series in 1957. Aaron was ushered into Cooperstown in 1982, and completed his career with a WAR of 143.0. 

Like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens has discovered that his title does not maintain practically as a lot weight immediately as it could have had he not concerned himself with performance-enhancing medicine. And the unhappy half is, he actually did not want the additional increase. Clemens was electrical in Boston early in his career, profitable three consecutive ERA titles from ’90-’92. After a two-year stint in Toronto in ’97 and ’98 — throughout which he gained the Cy Young award each seasons — he moved on to the Bronx, the place he dominated for a 3rd AL East staff. In complete, Clemens gained seven Cy Young awards and an MVP, whereas incomes seven ERA titles and taking part in 11 all-star contests. He’s a two-time World Series winner, notched 354 main league victories, and completed his 24-year career with an unbelievable 3.12 lifetime ERA. Yet, he is not in the Hall of Fame due solely to the indisputable fact that by the lens of many baseball pundits, he is a cheater. 

Tris Speaker started his career all the method again in 1907, and the scrappy middle fielder carved out a pleasant career for himself in the 22 years that adopted. In 2,789 main league video games, Speaker slashed .345/.428/.500 with 1,131 extra-base hits, 1,531 RBI, and 436 stolen bases. He was the American League MVP in 1912, the batting champion in 1916, and a three-time World Series champion. Speaker’s 792 career doubles are nonetheless the main league file, and he was a straightforward choice to the Hall of Fame in 1937. He completed his career with a WAR of 134.9, becoming him firmly in the high 10 all-time. 

Honus Wagner’s title might not generate practically as a lot consideration as Roberto Clemente’s, however the scrappy shortstop was arguably simply as impactful throughout his time with the Pirates. In 21 career seasons (18 of which have been spent in Pittsburgh), Wagner slashed .328/.391/.467 with 996 extra-base hits and 723 stolen bases. Wagner was not a lot of an influence hitter, however only a few offensive players might match his bat-to-ball abilities, as evidenced by the eight batting titles he earned. Wagner helped the Pirates win the World Series in 1909 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936. Fans immediately might affiliate him with having one in all the rarest and most useful buying and selling playing cards, however it’s necessary for the youthful technology to additionally respect simply how dominant he was between the traces throughout his prime. The 131.0 WAR he collected throughout his career is extremely spectacular — and good for Tenth-most all-time. 

The St. Louis Cardinals are a company wealthy with historical past, however a dialogue about the franchise’s all-time greats merely cannot begin with anybody apart from left-handed slugger Stan Musial. The Donora, PA-born Musial performed all 3,026 of his main league video games in a Redbirds uniform, and for most of his career was amongst the greatest players in the National League. Musial slashed a lifetime .331/.417/.559 with 475 dwelling runs, 1,951 RBI, and 725 doubles. He led the league in hits six occasions, gained three MVP awards, earned seven batting titles, and most importantly helped the Cardinals win three World Series championships. Musial was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969, and completed his career with an excellent 128.6 WAR. 

Long earlier than Stan Musial starred in St. Louis, the Cardinals’ premier attraction was Rogers Hornsby, who grew to become the face of the group for greater than a decade. During his 23-year career — most of which was spent in St. Louis — Hornsby slashed a superb .358/.434/.577 with 301 dwelling runs, 1,584 RBI, 541 doubles, 169 triples, and 135 steals. He was named the MVP of the National League in each 1925 and 1929, gained two Triple Crowns, seven batting titles, and earned a World Series ring with the St. Louis Browns in 1926. Hornsby was ushered into Cooperstown in 1942 after compiling a career WAR of 127.1. 

Speedy second baseman Eddie Collins was a menace for opposing groups to take care of as a member of each the Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago White Sox. In over 2,800 career main league video games he slashed .333/.424/.429 with 672 extra-base hits, 1,299 RBI, and 741 stolen bases. Collins was named the MVP of the American League in 1914 and earned an enviable six World Series rings throughout his 25-year career. He’s nonetheless MLB’s all-time chief in sacrifice bunts, and the Millerton, NY native earned entry into Cooperstown in 1939. 

For nearly twenty years Red Sox legend Ted Williams was arguably the best offensive power in baseball, and it is astonishing to think about the numbers he might have put up had he not taken a three-year army hiatus early in his career. In the 2,292 video games Williams performed with Boston he was practically unstoppable, slashing .344/.482/.634. The .482 OBP in the center of that continues to be the highest complete in historical past. He crushed 521 homers, drove in 1,839 runs, doubled 525 occasions, and even added 71 triples. Williams was awarded American League MVP honors twice, earned six batting crowns, and took dwelling the offensive Triple Crown in each 1942 and 1947. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1966 after compiling a lifetime 121.8 WAR.

Right-hander Grover Alexander pitched for 3 totally different main league groups throughout his career, and was splendid for each one in all them. Alexander took the mound 696 occasions throughout his twenty years in the huge leagues, and as a rule baffled opposing hitters. He earned 373 victories in the majors whereas pitching to a dominant 2.56 ERA throughout 5,190 innings. Alexander earned 5 ERA titles, led the league in wins six occasions, and tossed extra innings than anybody else in seven totally different seasons. He led the league in WHIP twice and strikeouts six occasions, and was an enormous cause the Cardinals gained the World Series in 1926. Alexander was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1938, eight years after retiring with a career 119.3 WAR. 

Alex Rodriguez was undeniably one in all the most polarizing players to ever play Major League Baseball, and his career got here with extra twists and turns than anybody else in latest reminiscence. When he debuted with the Mariners in the mid-’90s, Rodriguez was clearly a particular expertise on his method to stardom, and it did not take lengthy for him to blossom into one in all, if not the absolute best, participant in the sport. Unfortunately for followers in the Pacific Northwest, he selected their division-rival Rangers as a free agent in 2001, and would finally transfer on to the Bronx. In 22 complete seasons at the sport’s highest stage, A-Rod slashed .295/.380/.550 with 696 homers, 2,086 RBI, 548 doubles, and 329 stolen bases. He was a three-time AL MVP, two time Gold Glove winner, gained the batting title in 1996, earned 10 Silver Sluggers, and performed in 14 All-Star Games. He was additionally a high-profile admitted PED person, which has saved him out of the Hall of Fame, and dramatically skewed the method many pundits of the sport view his legacy. 

Righty Kid Nichols pitched in the huge leagues lengthy earlier than anybody studying this was even born, however you do not have to look too lengthy at his statistics to understand simply how good he was. In 15 main league seasons, Nichols earned 362 victories and pitched to a stellar 2.96 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP throughout 5,067.1 innings. He led the league in wins three years in a row from 1896-1898, threw greater than 300 innings twelve occasions, and accomplished 532 of his 562 begins. Nichols completed his career with 116.3 WAR, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Old-Timers Committee in 1949. 

First baseman Lou Gehrig performed all 17 of his main league seasons in the Bronx, and was merely one in all the best offensive players of his period. In 2,164 career video games, Gehrig slashed an unbelievable .340/.447/.632 with 493 dwelling runs, 1,995 RBI, 534 doubles, 163 triples, and even 102 stolen bases. He was named the MVP of the American League in 1927 and 1936, gained the batting title in 1934, and was chosen to symbolize the Yankees in seven All-Star Games. Gehrig drove in additional than 100 runs in an unbelievable 13 consecutive seasons, and led the league in RBI 5 occasions. Most importantly, he helped the Yankees win seven World Series titles earlier than his story took a tragic flip when a battle with ALS took his life in 1941. Gehrig was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1939 through a particular election, and completed his career with 113.8 WAR. 

Outfielder Rickey Henderson is the best stolen base artist in baseball historical past, and it is not significantly shut. During his unbelievable two and a half a long time in the Major Leagues, Henderson swiped 1,406 bases — simply the most all-time. He led the league in steals 12 occasions, which helped permit him to attain 2,295 runs in the huge leagues — additionally the all-time mark. But Henderson was removed from a one-trick pony. He slashed a lifetime .279/.401/.419 with 297 dwelling runs, 1,115 RBI, and 510 doubles. He gained the AL MVP award in 1990, was chosen to 10 all-star groups, earned three Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove, and is the proprietor of a pair of World Series rings. Henderson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, and completed his career with a lifetime 111.2 WAR. 

Gretna, LA-born Mel Ott was one in all the most dynamic players to ever swimsuit up for the New York Giants, and his legacy has stood the check of time. The left-handed slugger performed all 22 of his seasons in New York, slashing an amazing .304/.414/.533. He blasted 511 homers, drove in 1,860 runs, and added 488 doubles and 72 triples. Ott led the league in dwelling runs six occasions, paced the senior circuit in RBI in 1934, and helped lead the Giants to a World Series title in 1933. He was chosen to look in a dozen All-Star Games, and was simply elected to affix the Hall of Fame in 1951. 

Legendary Yankees middle fielder Mickey Mantle is somebody whose title nonetheless resonates with children immediately, although it is onerous to even comprehend simply how dominant he was utilizing immediately’s requirements. Mantle spent his total career in New York, slashing an amazing .298/.421/.557 in 2,401 main league video games. He linked on 536 dwelling runs, compiled 1,509 RBI, whereas including 344 doubles, 72 triples and 153 stolen bases. Mantle gained the American League MVP award 3 times, gained a batting title, a Triple Crown, a Gold Glove, and was chosen to an unbelievable 20 all-star contests. He additionally helped the Yankees win an unfathomable seven World Series championships, and was a shoo-in to Cooperstown in 1974. 

Right-hander Tom Seaver is the most iconic participant to ever finished a New York Mets uniform, and the Fresno, CA-born hurler is definitely one in all the best beginning pitchers in baseball historical past. In 656 big-league outings, Seaver gained 311 video games and pitched to a crisp 2.86 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP, whereas punching out 3,640 hitters in 4,783 innings. He earned three ERA titles in a four-year interval from ’70-’73, led the league in wins 3 times, and impressively accomplished 231 of his 647 begins. Seaver paced the league in strikeouts 5 occasions, gained the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1967, earned three Cy Youngs, and led the Mets to their first World Series championship in 1969. He was ushered into Cooperstown in 1992, and completed his career with 109.9 WAR. 

Right-handed slugger Frank Robinson suited up for 5 totally different main league groups throughout his career, however he’ll at all times be most remembered for his time in Cincinnati with the Reds. To be truthful, although, Robinson was extremely productive in each metropolis he known as dwelling. In 2,808 complete video games spanning 21 seasons, he slashed an eye-opening 294/.389/.537 with 586 homers, 1,812 RBI, 528 doubles, 72 triples and 204 stolen bases. He gained the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1956, gained two MVP’s, a batting title, a Triple Crown, and a Gold Glove. Robinson participated in 14 All-Star Games, is the proprietor of a pair of World Series rings, and was named the MVP of the Fall Classic in 1966. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1982 after a career that noticed him accumulate an outstanding 107.3 WAR. 

Infielder Nap Lajoie cut up his career between Philadelphia and Cleveland, and was so beloved in Ohio that for a quick time the Cleveland group’s official title was the Cleveland Naps. Wherever he known as dwelling, Lajoie might merely hit. In 2,480 career video games he slashed .338/.380/.466 with 902 extra-base hits and 380 stolen bases. He gained 4 batting titles throughout his career, and at totally different factors in his career led the league in hits, runs, doubles, dwelling runs and RBI. He was voted into Cooperstown in 1937 and completed his career with an amazing 106.9 WAR. 

Southpaw Lefty Grove was one in all baseball’s premier beginning pitchers each with the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox. Grove took the mound in the big-leagues 616 occasions and earned precisely 300 victories whereas pitching to a 3.06 ERA in 3,940.2 innings. He gained a sensational 9 ERA titles, accomplished the pitching Triple Crown twice, was named the MVP of the American League in 1931, and led the league in strikeouts in every of his first seven seasons. Grove threw 298 full video games — together with 35 shutouts — and was simply voted into Cooperstown in 1947. 

Dayton, OH native Mike Schmidt just isn’t solely the best participant in Philadelphia Phillies historical past, he is additionally in the dialog to be the greatest third baseman of all-time. In 18 main league seasons — all of them spent in the City of Brotherly Love — Schmidt slashed .267/.380/.527 with 548 dwelling runs, 1,595 RBI, 408 doubles, 59 triples and 174 stolen bases. He gained three National League MVP awards, earned six Silver Sluggers, took dwelling 10 Gold Gloves, and represented the Phillies in a dozen All-Star Games. Schmidt led the league in homers a formidable eight totally different occasions, and paced the league in OBP in three consecutive seasons from ’81-’83. Most importantly to followers in Philly, he led the staff to a World Series title in 1980 — and was named the MVP of the sequence besides. Schmidt was practically unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995 and completed his glorious career with 106.8 WAR. 

Righty Greg Maddux started his career in Chicago with the Cubs, however he is undoubtedly most remembered now as one in all the faces behind the Braves dominance over the remainder of the NL East in the ’90s. In 23 complete Major League seasons, Maddux earned a watch opening 355 victories whereas pitching to a 3.16 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP. He struck out 3,371 hitters in simply over 5,000 innings, and fired a formidable 109 full video games — together with 35 shutouts. Maddux earned 4 Cy Young awards and gained 4 ERA titles, whereas additionally turning into the customary for defending place primary as he took dwelling a file 18 Gold Glove awards. He pitched in eight All-Star Games, helped the Braves win the 1995 World Series, and was simply voted into Cooperstown in 2014. 

Righty Christy Mathewson pitched all however one in all his 636 Major League video games in a New York Giants uniform, and is unanimously thought-about the best pitcher in the franchise’s historical past. The Factoryville, PA native earned 373 wins throughout his career whereas pitching to a unbelievable 2.13 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP, and hanging out 2,507 hitters in 4,788.2 innings. He earned 5 ERA titles, captured two pitching Triple Crowns, and earned a World Series ring with the Giants in 1905. Mathewson led the league in strikeouts 5 totally different occasions, and tossed over 300 innings in 11 totally different campaigns. He completed his career with a formidable 106.5 WAR, and was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1936. 

First baseman Albert Pujols is the most just lately retired participant on this record, and somebody whose greatness modern-day followers have been in a position to witness on a near-nightly foundation. The huge right-handed slugger performed elements of twenty-two seasons in the huge leagues, slashing .296/.374/.544 with 703 dwelling runs, 2,218 RBI and 686 doubles. He was named the MVP of the National League 3 times in a five-year span from ’05-’09, was the Rookie of the Year recipient in 2001, and his full record of accomplishments merely bounce off the web page. Pujols gained six Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves, a batting title, was chosen to 11 All-Star Games and helped the Cardinals win two World Series titles. He led the league in complete bases 4 occasions, drove in additional than 100 runs in 14 totally different seasons, and has a spot in the Hall of Fame ready for him as quickly as he is eligible. 

During his prime, left-hander Randy Johnson was the most intimidating beginning pitcher in the sport, and somebody opposing hitters had nightmares about going through. Johnson bounced round the league greater than you’ll suppose somebody of his caliber would, pitching for six totally different golf equipment in his 22-year career, however he was principally unbelievable in each one in all his stops. In 618 lifetime outings, ‘The Big Unit’ went 303-166 with a 3.29 ERA in 4,135.1 innings. He punched out an eye-opening 4,875 hitters, fired 100 full video games, and authored a formidable 37 shutouts. Johnson gained 5 Cy Young awards, 4 ERA titles, earned a pitching Triple Crown, and led the Diamondbacks to a World Series championship in 2001 —and was named MVP of the Fall Classic in the course of. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 after ending his career with 101.1 WAR. 

Left-handed swinging Joe Morgan is taken into account one in all the greatest second baseman to ever play the sport, and he was an enormous a part of a Reds staff that loved large success throughout the 1970’s. Morgan performed 2,649 video games in the Major Leagues, and slashed .271/.392/.427 with 268 dwelling runs, 1,133 RBI, 449 doubles, 96 triples, and 689 stolen bases. He led the league in OBP 4 occasions in 5 years from ’72-’76, was named the MVP of the National League in each 1975 and 1976, earned a Silver Slugger, 5 Gold Gloves, and was chosen to go to 10 all-star video games. Morgan gained two World Series titles with Cincinnati, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990, and completed his career with a formidable 100.4 WAR. 

Southpaw Warren Spahn pitched in the Major Leagues till he was 44-years-old, and his longevity helped him attain some fairly spectacular career statistics. In 750 big-league outings, the Buffalo, NY born hurler gained 363 video games and pitched to a superb 3.09 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He threw an unfathomable 382 full video games, tossed greater than 250 innings 16 occasions, and led the league in strikeouts 4 years in a row from 1949-1952. Spahn earned three ERA titles, gained the Cy Young award in 1957–the identical season he earned a World Series ring—and appeared in 17 all-star video games. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1973 and is one in all simply 32 players to build up a WAR of at the least 100.