1. Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Perry made a name for himself in baseball, winning the Cy Young Award, and appeared in five all-star games during his 22 years in the game. The famous pitcher is known for his curve and fastball in his pitches, and the player was inducted into the hall of fame in 1991.
Perry and his brother made it into the history books when they came second in total brother winnings after the Nierkos siblings. While he is long retired, Gaylord is still a massive influence in the sport, with several young players looking up to him for guidance.
2. Eddie Robinson
The oldest living baseball player at 100 years, Eddie Robinson, enjoyed a massively successful career during his active sporting days. The first baseman played for seven teams in his 13 years, winning the World Series with the Cleveland Indians.
After he retired from playing, Robinson didn't quit the game entirely; he worked as a scout, a coach, and a player development consultant for a couple of teams. Still, because of his old age, Eddie hung his boots and is now working on his podcast The Golden Age of Baseball through which he intends to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Foundation.
3. Tony Perez
From leaving a job in his native Cuba working in a sugarcane factory to becoming one of the most feared players by opponents in the MLB, Tony Perez's rise to the top was nothing but sensational. The first baseman played over 2000 games, spending his most successful stint with the Cincinnati Reds.
With three World Series championships and seven all-star appearances under his belt, Perez is undoubtedly among the greatest players ever to play the sport. After calling time on his playing career, the star tried his hand in management, coaching his former team Cincinnati Reds. For his work, Tony was honored with a bronze statue outside the stadium.
4. Billy Williams
You know you're a legend of the sport when a club decides to retire your jersey number. No one knows this better than Billy Williams, whose number 26 jersey was retired by the Chicago Cubs after withdrawing from active baseball.
Despite not winning a World Series title, Williams was incredibly talented and prolific that he was included in the MLB All-Century Team. That is a significant achievement by any standards, and it's not surprising that he was inducted into the hall of fame. Billy currently enjoys a quiet life away from the limelight, making full use of his retirement.
5. Carl Yastrzemski
When Carl Yastrzemski made his debut for the Boston Red Sox in 1961, we doubt he knew it would be the beginning of an illustrious career. Replacing a veteran player and living up to the expectations is no easy feat, but Carl transcended all beliefs and for 23 years became a mainstay figure in the team.
Carl led the Reds to the American League pennant in 1967 while earning the Triple Crown in the process. With seven Gold Glove awards and 18 appearances in the All-Star team, 'Yaz' made a name for himself in the sport, cementing his legendary status.
6. Fergie Jenkins
For some, Fergie Jenkins is among the best if not the best pitcher baseball has ever seen, and it's difficult to disagree with them. Still, the Canadian endured a somewhat rough stint when he signed his first contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. It wasn't until he joined the Chicago Cubs that he established himself as one of the world's top players.
Known for his resilience, Fergie made history on numerous occasions, when he became the first baseball player to win the Lou Marsh Trophy and the first Canadian to take home the Cy Young award. Jenkins tried his hand in politics after retiring and now enjoys a quiet life in Canada.
7. Steve Carlton
Like any other sport, baseball requires high levels of fitness, and while some athletes go for cardio to ensure they're in top shape, Steve Carlton used martial arts and weight lifting. While it might sound a tad unorthodox, the regimen helped him become one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game.
Carlton led his team Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series while also winning four Cy Young Awards with his undeniable talent and hard work. A legend in the game, it's interesting that he doesn't follow the sport anymore, nor does he own a television!
8. Rod Carew
Rod Carew is a former baseball player who struck fear in the opponents' pitchers whenever he took to the field. The contact hitter plied his trade for two teams in his career, the California Angels and Minnesota Twins, raking up 18 All-Star appearances and winning seven batting titles.
Those are pretty impressive records by any standards, and with his extensive experience, it isn't surprising that he would join the management team and try his hand in coaching with stints at Milwaukee Brewers and the Angels. While still in his seventies, it remains to be seen whether he will coach another team or hang his boots for good.
9. Willie Mays
This list wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of Willie Mays. The center fielder won countless Gold glove titles, and he was undoubtedly one of the most prolific defensive players in the MLB. His successful stint in the game led to him being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats.
Still, Mays wasn’t only impressive in his defensive game; he was equally skilled with his bat, and his throwing ability made him an all-around player. In addition, his 100RBI points in eight consecutive seasons etched his name among the only five players to achieve the record in history!
10. Jim Palmer
How often do you hear someone nicknamed after food they love? This is what happened to Jim Palmer, whose love for eating pancakes before a game led to him being called Cakes. Apart from that strange but cute tag, the player was as competent as he could be during his playing days.
The pitcher won several titles during his 19-year career with the Baltimore Orioles and he is the only player in history to win a World Series game in three different decades. While now retired, Palmer is still active in the sport, working as a commentator for numerous networks.
11. Pete Rose
Pete Rose may not have his name in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but he did everything right during his career. He is now enjoying a peaceful retirement, but back in the day, the athlete was the star player of the Cincinnati Reds, especially during their glorious peak in the '70s when the team won three championships in six years.
The nickname "Charlie Hustle" indeed suited the sportsman due to his unmatched offensive prowess, which Baseball fans still discuss to this day! It's safe to say, Pete is one of the greatest to bless the game and certainly an inspiration to many who want to get into the sport.
12. Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan has gone down in history books as a supreme pitcher who was instrumental in the success of all the teams he has played for, which includes the likes of the New York Mets and the California Angels.
The star's career statistics speak volumes about his talents. No wonder players used to feel nervous when they saw Nolan on the opposite end. His record seven no-hitters are still discussed! This is apart from his other milestones, which only a few have come close to challenging. Even after retiring, the sensation has kept baseball close to his heart as a sporting business owner.
13. Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax was unlucky due to his health problems and had to retire early, but he made sure that the years in which he played were the ones to remember. The sportsman was known for his unreal flair as a pitcher, which earned him countless fans, despite a relatively short run in baseball.
Interestingly, he has the highest career-winning percentage after throwing 2000 innings than any other National League pitcher. Had it not been for the premature retirement, these numbers would have been even higher, but Sandy nonetheless had a memorable career.
14. Cal Ripken Jr.
Since hanging up the boots, Cal Ripken Jr. has ventured into business. He had a surprisingly long and flourishing career in baseball, one that is still very much talked about. In fact, the athlete revolutionized the nature of the position he was best at and was pretty consistent when it came to playing the matches.
From this, it's easy to understand why the player was nicknamed "The Iron Man." His long run with the Baltimore Orioles made him a legend of sorts. Cal has also won an assortment of honors to boast of, which included two Gold Glove Awards.
15. Chipper Jones
You may now know Larry Wayne Jones Jr., a.k.a. Chipper Jones, as the color analyst of the sporting channel ESPN, but it was as a player in Major League Baseball that he made a name for himself. In 2012, by the time he retired, the athlete was able to boast unbelievable career statistics, which practically made him a legend!
Larry also had various playing records to his name and was inducted into his team’s Hall of Fame. It’s safe to say, the Atlanta Braves struck a goldmine when they drafted the player all those years ago!
16. Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson isn’t named Man of Steal for nothing. With a record-breaking number of 1,406 stolen bases, Henderson’s dedication to baseball astonished the sport’s patrons.
The legendary athlete last appeared in the major leagues in 2003 and officially retired in 2007. Henderson was not forgotten, though, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame two years later. For players and fans, Henderson’s speed and power remain unmatched. Now well in his 60s, he still watches the game, and when things aren’t going right, Henderson says it makes him want to put his uniform on and run to the field!
17. Barry Bonds
One of baseball’s greatest players of all times and San Fransisco Giants’ Barry Bonds chased more than balls and bases during his career. He aimed to break Babe Ruth’s home run records, and his ambition drove him to be the tough guy on the field.
As the son of a former major league player, Bonds was well aware of the joys and pressure of sports at an early age. As expected, he reaped awards during his over a 20-year run, including seven MVP awards, eight Golden Gloves, and fourteen All-Star selections. Finally, Bonds played his last game in 2007 and retired, ranking second in career Wins Above Replacement, just behind Ruth.
18. Ichiro Suzuki
Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki trained for baseball at age 7. While it started fun, his passion, along with his father’s iron-fist teachings, turned it into a career. Ichiro played for two nations and five teams throughout his run, bringing in many records and awards.
He became the first Japanese-born position player to be transferred to a US major league club and the first MLB player in Japan’s Golden Players Club. Ichiro retired in 2019, but he wants to remain on the field. So, he rejoined the Seattle Mariners as a special assistant to the chairman, which means he is still very much in the game.
19. Jack Morris
As someone trained to have a voracious work ethic in baseball, Jack Morris does more than deliver a great pitch. His refusal to leave the mound in a game made him World Series MVP in 1991 and one of two players to receive the Babe Ruth Award twice. Morris has more awards on his cap, the length of which will not fit in this description!
After his 17-year career, his legacy was sealed in 2018 when he was finally inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He remains in touch with the games as a color commentator for his former teams: the Blue Jays, Twins, and Tigers.
20. Greg Maddux
Being well trained at a young age certainly paid off for pitcher Greg Maddux who became a National Baseball Hall of Famer in 2014. With his accuracy and ability to read players, the celebrated athlete had an astounding pitching career.
Greg was given the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years —a first during his time. He then ended his run by having the second-highest number of wins for a player in his position. The love for the sport remains in Greg as even after his retirement in 2008, the man stayed active in the field as the general manager’s special assistant for his former team, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers.
21. Alex Rodriguez
It’s impossible to exhaust Alex Rodriguez’s accomplishments as a sportsman. With 14 All-star wins and having the title of the youngest player to have made 500 home runs, the athlete’s contribution to the game remains unmatched. So big was the Yankees’ star that he had the top two most rewarding contracts in history ever awarded to a baseball player.
He might have hung up his boots as a professional competitor, but Rodriguez’s love for the sport remains. The former baseman is currently in negotiations to purchase the National Basketball Association. It seems like athletics will be all that the ex-Seattle Mariners celebrity will ever involve himself in!
22. Derek Jeter
For a man who spent his entire 20-year career as a part of the New York Yankees, you can tell that besides Derek Jeter’s love for the game, he is one loyal player. Not that the baseball shortstop did not have offers to be drafted into other teams, the sportsman was just not interested.
If anything, the star is said to be the most marketable athlete of his generation, with more than ten brand endorsement deals signed by the celebrity. The retired player, who is now a businessman and sports executive, was inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame in 2020.
23. Roberto Alomar
Roberto Alomar is a great source of pride for Puerto Rico after securing a spot for himself as one of the greatest basemen to have ever lived. Alomar's father, a former athlete, is one proud dad, as his son not only followed in his footsteps but also achieved a feat that was previously thought to be impossible.
With 12 wins at the All-Stars and being the first Blue Jays player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the celebrity is a ceiling breaker for those from minority groups. Indeed, like the star's ex-manager said, Alomar writes his own script and makes it worth reading.
24. Mike Schmidt
It's easy to find a baseball player who gives a good hit and another with strong defense, but to find an athlete capable of doing both excellently, like Mike Schmidt, is rare, if not impossible. Argued to be the third greatest baseman of all time, the former Philadelphia Phillies star even had couches from competitor teams praising the celebrity for his exceptional skills.
It would take us an entire day listing the awards and titles earned by Schmidt, but his 10-time recognition at the Golden Glove remains most memorable. The sportsman's discipline and passion remain to be significant discussion subjects to date, more than thirty years after the celebrity's retirement.
25. Dave Winfield
Twenty-five years after his retirement from baseball, Dave Winfield is still in the thick of things in MLB as a special assistant to the Executive Director of its Players Association. The game becomes an intrinsic part of their lives for some players, and its call becomes too strong for them to ignore.
A career spanning twenty-two years playing for six different teams and winning numerous titles has made Winfield a legend fans still look up to and adore. His World Series title-winning hit in 1992 is something baseball fanatics still talk about with awe. Quite rightfully, ESPN named Winfield the third-best all-rounder in the history of the sport.
26. Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench’s impressive list of achievements during his seventeen-year career as a baseball player is a mile long. It includes fourteen All-Star picks, two National League MVPs, and two consecutive World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. That’s not all; he even won ten Gold Gloves which isn’t surprising, considering his skill as a catcher.
Since his retirement in 1983, Bench has been busier than before, guest-starring in TV shows, playing professional golf, and co-authoring and publishing his autobiography Catch You Later. At seventy-three, he settled into domesticity as a single parent raising four kids in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
27. George Brett
Baseball has produced legends whose legacies remain well after they’ve stopped playing. One of the greats is George Brett, who started in 1973 as a shortstop but was moved to third base due to his powerful arm. He played in this position for nearly twenty years with impressive career hits and home runs that made him rank high above his peers.
As a famous player, Brett’s No.5 was retired by Kansas City Royals, the only team he’s played for his entire career. Over two decades after retirement, he appeared as himself in Modern Family as a treat for his fans.
28. Randy Johnson
Rarely do we ever come across a champion of one sport diving headlong into a completely unrelated career right after retirement from the previous one. Then again, baseball legend Randy Johnson is made of different mettle. Once he said his final goodbyes to MLB in 2010, he followed his passion for photography, turning it into an equally successful second profession.
During his twenty-two league seasons playing for six teams, Johnson has won numerous awards and accolades that have earned him the praise of being the most outstanding pitcher the game has ever seen. His sliders that troubled both the right-handed and left-handed hitters was his signature pitching style!
29. Whitey Herzog
Pushing ninety, Whitey Herzog remains passionate about the sport he has lived and breathed for more than half his life. He’s been spending his retirement keeping a close watch on the Cardinals. Even though it’s been a good thirty years since he’s been the team’s manager, his precious insights into the current players’ strategy will make you wonder if he’s ever been away.
Herzog has held every position in the MLB ranging from a scout, coach, big-league manager, and farm system director. So, when the baseball legend who knows the ins & outs of the sport in great depth speaks, you quietly listen.
30. Luis Aparicio
Luis Aparicio has the distinction of being the first Venezuelan player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame twenty-eight years after the Chicago White Sox signed him in 1956. He quickly became the best shortstop in the history of the American League complementing his team’s strong defense and speed.
In a career spanning eighteen major league seasons, Aparicio, with 506 stolen bases, had perfected the art of thieving; fifty-seven of those came in 1964 alone. As he was fondly named, Little Louie was so famous during the heydays that a bronze statue of him has been built in Chicago in honor of the legend.
31. Bill Mazeroski
After retirement, the legendary player Bill Mazeroski is settled in Florida and works as a special field trainer. It seems he is determined to be a part of the baseball field for as long as possible. Understandably so, the sport has made his career, earned him a massive fortune, and made Bill the superstar he is today!
The sportsman represented Pittsburgh Pirates in Major League Baseball (MLB) for seventeen seasons and made his team proud each time. More than his batting skills, Mazeroski was popular for his spectacular defense techniques, which also won him 8 Gold Glove Awards!
32. Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Cepeda had to take a backseat in 1965 because of a knee injury. Due to this gap, baseball fans had their doubts whether he will be able to charge again as before or not. Fortunately, by 1967, everyone got their answer when the athlete took the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series and won the tournaments.
Orlando appeared in 14 seasons, over 100 games, and was honored with the Hall of Fame title too. Coming from a mediocre family and getting at the peak of the sports world must be an incredible achievement for the legend!
33. Juan Marichal
Juan Marichal started playing major leagues in the '60s, and even though injuries affected his career for a while at an early stage, he still won 13 games. The player showed that he's meant for bigger things in life, and over the years, he achieved them as well.
Praised for his distinctive techniques like high leg kicks, Juan won NL twice and 20-win campaigns four times with the help of such skills and relentless dedication to baseball tournaments. He is undoubtedly a top hurler! Marichal also became the first Dominican to get inducted into the Hall of Fame.
34. Reggie Jackson
Being self-aware is one of the greatest skills a person can possess, and Reggie Jackson was always confident about himself and his goals in life. Perhaps that's why the outspoken, talented, and charismatic professional delivered what he promised and achieved what he envisioned.
Jackson was also never afraid to speak his mind because of which and, of course, his remarkable sportsmanship, the Standard Brands company named a candy bar to honor the Yankees home opener's wish. Besides such small victories, Reggie appeared in 21 seasons of the big league and totaled 563 home runs, 2,548 hits, and 1,702 RBI.
35. Rollie Fingers
It's said that whenever Rollie Fingers walked into the field, fans and teammates took a breath of relief. He always had everything in control, and not to forget, his uniques mustache also made female fans skip a heartbeat! The handsome hunk was equally good at his game too.
Rollie played 17 seasons in pitcher's position for the Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Diego Padres between the late '60s to '80s. The champion won the World Series thrice, is a seven-time All-Star winner, and got honored with Rolaids Relief Man of the Year four times. Rollie retired with pride in his eyes and multiple victories to his name.
36. Carlton Fisk
He was a chubby kid, but that didn't stop Carlton Fisk or otherwise known as "Pudge" from actively playing sports during his school days, including soccer, basketball, and baseball. Destiny had a plan for the superstar, and apparently, he was on the right path since the beginning.
Even though in 1964, Fisk joined the American Legion baseball league, he mastered the sport during his time at the University of New Hampshire. Within a few years, he started playing professionally and signed millions of dollars worth of contracts with big names like the White Sox. The retired professional secured his present, future, and retirement phase through the sport brilliantly!
37. Ted Simmons
The 1960s-70s was a great era as it gave the world so many incredibly talented baseball players, including the iconic Ted Simmons. Back in the days, he'd cast his charm with his good looks and unmatchable moves as a catcher. He won four All-Star titles, has been honored with Silver Slugger Award and was inducted to St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.
The former athlete now enjoys a retired life, training young baseball enthusiasts, and spends the rest of his time in the company of his wife, whom he married almost five decades ago. It's only fair to say that be it sports or relationships - Ted is a committed man!
38. Jim Rice
Some people are born with a silver spoon in hand, whereas others create their own luck. Take Jim Rice, for instance. He entered the sports world in 1975 with the Boston Red Sox and gave 16 years to the team. Usually, professionals switch teams for a better career graph, but the left fielder proved that's not a necessity to establish a name in the industry.
1978 happened to be the best season for Rice as he got honored as the AL's Most Valuable Player. Before retiring, he not only earned multiple titles and trophies, but his fans even built a recreation center in his hometown that's named after Jim. What an honor!
39. Andre Dawson
Andre Dawson is an eight-time All-Star winner and former right fielder whose total career scores were 300 stolen bases and 400 home runs, but analysts say that if he hadn't had those knee injuries, he would have done even better than this.
Unfortunately, the iconic player had 12 surgeries, and that was bound to finish his career as a baseball champion. We can only imagine how hard it must have been for Dawson to accept his fate! He still misses being on the field. Regardless, the star accomplished a lot before bidding adieu to the sport.
40. Bruce Sutter
Professionals would tell you that the pitcher is one of the most important positions in the baseball game. If the team did not have a player as swift and incredible as Bruce Sutter, the opponents would easily win the battles.
What made the performer shine out was his pitching speed and a signature technique that he adopted - the split-fingered fastball. He used his magical fingers in tournaments and made 300 saves. He also won a World Series championship, a Cy Young Award, and ultimately made it to the Hall of Fame. Sadly, Bruce had to retire due to some injuries!