Every MLB team has at least one great player and we are back to discuss the best players from the National League East Division.
The five teams in the NL East are the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Atlanta Braves: Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron moved with the Braves from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966 and played with the franchise until 1975. Aaron started in the Negro League and quickly became a star.
Aaron holds the league record for the most RBIs and most base hits. While Aaron’s home run record was broken by Barry Bonds in the 90s he is known as the man who broke Babe Ruth’s seemingly unbreakable home run record.
During his career Aaron hit 755 home runs which puts him the top 50 all time. Finally, Aaron won a World Series in 1957, in that same season he won the league MVP award.
Miami Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton
While the Marlins have won two World Series titles in their 31 year existence, the best Marlins player comes after both of the World Series wins.
In just eight seasons with the Marlins Giancarlo Stanton became the Marlins all time leading hitter. Stanton leads the Marlins in home runs and RBIs. Even after leaving the Marlins in 2017 Stanton’s WAR of 34.6 is still the highest in Marlins history.
New York Mets: Tom Seaver
The New York Mets pitcher Tom Seaver was a unanimous Hall of Famer. Seaver played for the Mets from 1967-1977. During his time with the Mets Seaver established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league.
Seaver is still the Mets all time leader in strikeouts, ERA, wins, complete games, shutouts, innings and WAR. Seaver was a two time Cy Young award winner in 1969 and 1975.
Seaver also won the 1967 Rookie of The Year award and received votes for the NL MVP award 10 separate times. Seaver led the league in strikeouts five separate times and the most he had in one year was 289 in 1971.
Seaver is not just the greatest Met of all time he also might be one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
Washington Nationals: Vladimir Guerrero
To get the greatest Nationals player of all time we have to go back to when they were known as the Montreal Expos. Outfielder Vladimir Guerrero played with the Expos/Nationals from 1996-2003 and set and broke many records while there.
To this day Guerrero still leads the team all time in batting average, OPS and at-bats per home run. Guerrero ranks second in home runs with 234. Guerrero was an All Star four years straight and won the Silver Slugger award three times while in Montreal.
Guerrero retired in 2011 but his son Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a star on the Toronto Blue Jays.
Philadelphia Phillies: Mike Schmidt
Like Tom Seaver, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt might be the best ever at his position. Schmidt still leads all third basemen in home runs at 548. Schmidt played his entire 18 year career with the Phillies.
Schmidt won the NL MVP award three times, in 1980,1981 and 1986. Schmidt also won the Golden Glove award 10 separate times and he won the Silver Slugger award seven times.
In his MVP season in 1980 Schmidt helped the Phillies win their first World Series in franchise history.
