The MLB has six divisions and today we are continuing the MLB GOAT series with the AL Central. The AL Central consists of five teams, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and the Kansas City Royals.
In part two of this series, we will look at each AL Central team’s best player and see what makes them the best.
Chicago White Sox: Frank Thomas
Some could argue that the greatest White Sox player of all time is “Shoeless” Joe Jackson or even Paul Konerko. However, neither of these players come close to the impact that Frank “The Big Hurt” Thomas had on the White Sox.
Thomas played for the White Sox in 15 of his 19 years in the league. In 2005 Thomas won a ring with the White Sox.
From 1990-2005 Thomas dominated with the White Sox. He hit 448 home runs, over 1300 runs scored and over 1400 RBI’s. It’s no question that Thomas had an illustrious career with the White Sox and it was enough to get him into the Hall Of Fame in 2014.
Cleveland Guardians: Bob Feller
For the Guardians best player you have to go way back to the 30s when they were still the Indians. Bob Feller played for the Guardians from 1936-1956. However from 1942-1944 he did not play because he was serving his country in World War Two.
Despite the three season gap in his career Feller was still able to carve out 18 great seasons. Feller became the first pitcher in MLB history to win 24 games in a single season. Feller got his ring in 1948 when the Indians won an American League record 111 games.
Feller is the franchise leader in wins, strikeouts and starts. No other Guardians player comes close to what Bob Feller did for Cleveland.
Minnesota Twins: Kirby Puckett
In 12 seasons with the Twins from 1984-1995 Kirby Puckett did amazing things. Puckett won two World Series in his career in 1987 and 1991. Puckett received votes for the AL MVP award nine times during his career.
Puckett was a 10-time All-Star, six time Silver Slugger award winner and a six time Gold Glove winner. Puckett has over 200 career home runs and over 1000 RBI.
Some might argue for Harmon Killebrew but he just doesn’t have the hardware that Puckett does.
Detroit Tigers: Ty Cobb
Another old-timer player that gets the GOAT status for the Tigers just like the Guardians. Ty Cobb played for the Tigers from 1905-1925. Needless to say, he played in a very different era of baseball than what we are accustomed to.
However, Cobb’s stats are still amazing to look at today in 2022. Cobb’s .366 batting average, 892 stolen bases and his 4189 career hits are nothing to scoff at even by today’s standards.
Kansas City Royals: George Brett
George Brett played all 21 of his career seasons with the Royals from 1973-1993. Brett leads the Royals all-time in many categories. Brett leads the Royals in batting average, home runs, RBI’s and pretty much every other batting stat.
Brett did it all for the Royals for 21 great seasons and he got his ring in 1985. A 13-time All-Star, 1980 AL MVP and a one-time Gold Glove winner. At this rate Brett might remain the Royals GOAT for many seasons to come.
