Throughout the history of the MLB the left Fielders have seen some of the greatest players of all time from Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron to Frank Robinson and . This list will rank the top five center fielders of all time and give the reason they rank where they rank.
5. Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn might have been one of the best pure hitters to ever play the game. Gwynn was the closest person to hit .400 in a season since Ted Williams when he hit .394 in 1994. Gwynn led the league in hits five times during his career.
Gwynn was also very fast during the beginning of his career stealing over 30 bases four times during his career. Gwynn also led the league in batting average eight times during his career.
Gwynn was also a tremendous defensive player who won a gold glove five times during his career. Gwynn would hit .415 against Greg Maddux during his career, which is saying something, when Maddux might be the greatest pitcher of all time.
4. Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente is one of the greatest and most tragic stories in the history of the MLB. Ending his career with 3,000 career hits exactly after he tragically died in a plane crash.
Clemente was arguably the greatest defensive right fielder of all time winning 12 gold gloves. He also had the strongest arm, maybe ever, in the history of the MLB.
Clemente could also hit, leading the league in hits twice, and winning four batting titles during his 18 year career. The legend will never be forgotten and ranks four on this list.
3. Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson is the only player to win an MVP in both leagues. Arguable the most underrated player in the history of the MLB, Robinson will get his recognition on this list here.
Robinson won a World Series MVP, All Star game MVP, a Batting title, a gold glove, two MVPs, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, and a Triple Crown. That is absolutely an absurd list of accolades.
Robinson hit 586 career home runs which is top 10 all time. He also led the league in slugging percentage four times during his career.
2. Hank Aaron
The original home run king, and to some, he still is, Hank Aaron was the absolute model of consistency for power hitters. Aaron hit 755 career home runs and led the league in homers four times, doubles four times, and RBIs four times as well.
Hank Aaron has 2,297 career RBIs which is the most ever in the history of the MLB. Aaron also led the league in hits twice, batting average twice, and slugging four times.
Aaron will always be remembered for his most iconic moment in which he broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record when he hit his 715 career home run.
1. Babe Ruth
Arguably the greatest player of all time, Babe Ruth changed baseball more than any player ever did. Ruth was the home run king for longer than any other player in the history of the MLB and when you see his number it doesn’t even make sense.
Babe Ruth is the MLB’s all time leader in slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+. He led the league in home runs 12 times, slugging percentage 13 times, and walks 11 times.
There isn’t enough room in this article to fully put what Ruth did into perspective, but just know that his place at number one is justified.
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