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Lists about America's pastime, including rankings of MLB players by every position. 

Hank Aaron

This greatest baseball players list represents the combined lists of baseball fans everywhere. Anyone can make their own list of the best ballplayers ever to play the game, making this crowdranking a true consensus on who&#39;s the best baseball player of all time.

So who is the greatest baseball player of all time? There are plenty of amazing <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">top MLB players</a>&nbsp;to choose from. Are you a New York Yankees fan? Then you&#39;ll really like this list with Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and more repping your team. The same goes for fans of Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson, Stan Musial, Barry Bonds and everyone else who should be considered among the greatest baseball players of all time.&nbsp;

Clayton Kershaw

Who are the greatest pitchers of all time? Trying to decide who is the absolute greatest MLB pitcher ever is challenging&nbsp;to say the least, but it can be done -&nbsp;right here. This list includes some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best Major League Baseball players of all time</a>, but it is by no means complete. Add anyone you think is missing, vote for your favorites, and&nbsp;re-rank this list in any order you choose. Featuring starting pitchers, players known for throwing the fastest pitches and cool curveballs, Black pitchers, left handed pitchers, and more, our rankings include&nbsp;old baseball legends and the new players currently pitching today. Who are the most famous pitchers in the world? Are your favorites in the top 25? Get your votes in, and let&#39;s see who&#39;s the best of the best.

Each of the excellent baseball pitchers on this list can&nbsp;arguably&nbsp;be called the &quot;best,&quot; but they&#39;re all names every baseball fan should know. Some were known for their incredible fastballs; others, including Sandy Koufax and Bert Blyleven, are known for being some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-curveball-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest curveball pitchers of all time</a>. These are the famous pitchers who managed, with sheer skill, to outwit and beat some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too.

If you&#39;re interested in some modern-era baseball phenoms, check out this list of the <a href="/list/best-current-mlb-pitchers/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">best current MLB pitchers</a>, and vote for the current players you think deserve the top spots.

Best Athletes

Gabby Hartnett

After Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra (obvious greats), it's all opinion as to who the best catchers of all time are! A catcher has to have insane defensive prowess and focus to be considered great. Not surprisingly, several of the famous baseball catchers listed here are also among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players ever</a>&nbsp;in the MLB. The best baseball catchers on this list are from different teams, but all have impressive stats that back up their legacy.&nbsp;Who are the greatest catchers of all time? This list includes some of the most talented, legendary catchers in Major League Baseball history. From Yogi Berra to Thurman Munson, the players listed here were exemplary in their abilities. Vote for the MLB catchers you think are the best, vote down any you don't think deserve a spot and certainly, if any great catchers are missing, add them. You can also rerank this list your way.What makes a great catcher? It's more than just defensive prowess. A catcher's responsibilities are many. They've got to be able to work well with any and all <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-famous-baseball-starting-pitchers-who-play-professionally/reference" target="_blank">starting pitchers</a>, calling a good game for them so they can concentrate on getting batters out. Offensively, the greatest catchers of all time were able to contribute to their team's wins with the bat: They could hit. Typically, the MLB's best catchers might not have the speed that some of the outfielders do, but they've often got the power.Need proof? Just look at some of the names listed here. Yes, Bench, Fisk and certainly Mike Piazza all qualify, having had hundreds of home runs during their esteemed MLB careers.

Baseball

Jack Morris

The best baseball players not in the hall of fame are here on this list, though the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/2020-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">2020 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot</a> has&nbsp;room for some of these stars.&nbsp;In order to be considered as slighted by the baseball hall of fame, a player must be non-active and have had the ability to appear on the hall of fame ballot at least once. Some of these men are considered to be among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, yet remain off of the &quot;official&quot; list of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best MLB players</a> ever at the baseball hall of fame in Cooperstown.

What keeps a player out of the baseball hall of fame? Some of these players- like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire- have been involved in PED (performance enhancing drug) scandals, others broke the cardinal rule of not betting on the sport (Pete Rose), and still others were involved in a baseball player scandal, like Shoeless Joe Jackson who is said to have contributed to his team throwing the World Series. Some of the best baseball players are simply not on the list because they haven&#39;t yet acquired the 75% vote necessary for induction.

Who should be in the baseball hall of fame? What top baseball players are not in the hall of fame? Who are the best players not in the baseball hall of fame? These are the questions addressed here in the list of the greatest baseball players not in the hall of fame. If your favorite player isn&#39;t on the list, make sure to add them so others can agree or disagree.

If you&#39;re keeping track of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players">best current baseball players</a> make sure to check on that list and vote for your favorite baseball all-star.

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Trevor Hoffman

Who are the best closers in baseball history? The players on this list shut down late innings with both class and style. Many of them are/were considered the best in the bullpen -- and among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, for that matter. Some are still playing, but others have officially retired from Major League Baseball. Enjoy this list of the top closing pitchers, vote for the closers you think are the greatest to ever hit the mound, and feel free to re-rank this list in any order you see fit.

The best relief pitchers ever in baseball have one thing in common: They get the job done. When a closer takes the mound, it's crunch time. Often, the closer has the awesome responsibility of helping his team hold a narrow lead. One run could change the outcome, and the relief pitcher has to make sure no one hits him. There is a reason why closers are the highest paid relief players on the team, after all.

Looking for more great baseball-related lists? Cast your votes for the <a href="/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players" target="_blank">top current baseball players</a>, the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-designated-hitters-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest designated hitters of all time</a> and the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>.

Mike Schmidt

The best hitters in baseball history are those who hold the all-time hitting records in Major League Baseball, change the game as we know it, and are amongst the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>. These sluggers dominated during their respective eras and captivated audiences at the same time. If you were to pick a top hitter for your all-time top baseball fantasy team, you'd be silly not to select these best baseball hitters as soon as possible.Pete Rose, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron and Stan Musial all hold the top spots among the MLB all time hits, with Rose leading the pack at 4,256 over his career. Rose finished his career in 1986 and his record has withstood&nbsp;the time since.But the best hitters cannot be defined by the number of career hits alone. On that stat,&nbsp;Babe Ruth, arguably the best baseball hitter of all time, would rank in the 40s. Ruth&nbsp;holds top numbers for his home runs, slugging percentage, runs batted in and on-base&nbsp;percentage&nbsp;stats. Lou Gehrig is another who'd fall into that category with his major league records for the most grand slams -&nbsp;a figure since topped by a great modern slugger, Alex Rodriguez.So we're left with a conundrum. Do we deem those great players from yesteryear, like Willie Mays, Ted Williams and Shoeless Joe Jackson&nbsp;the best baseball hitters of all time? Do we give some love to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-baseball-players/alecdom" target="_blank">current top baseball players</a>&nbsp;like Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter? Tell us how you feel by voting for the best hitters in baseball history below!

Jeff Bagwell

Who are the greatest first basemen of all time? From the incomparable talents of Lou Gehrig to the stunning abilities of modern-era players like Albert Pujols, this list includes some of the best Major League Baseball first basemen, and really, some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> to ever play the game. Who is your top choice? Be sure to vote, and you can also rerank this list in any order you want. 

The outstanding first basemen listed here all have similar abilties: They are versatile, incredibly quick and, quite often these days, the first baseman is also a wicked power hitter. Not surprisingly, several of the players on this list could easily be considered among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too. This list is full of excellent, talented first bag guys with great power numbers.

If you're a huge baseball fanatic, you might enjoy these lists of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-third-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest third basemen of all time</a>, the <a href="/crowdranked-list/all-time-best-shortstops" target="_blank">all-time best shortstops</a> and the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest pitchers of all time</a>, too.

Bobby Grich

The greatest 2nd basemen of all time include some of the most iconic names in MLB history. Many of the names on this list are famous players who dominated during the pre-1950s era of Major League Baseball, like Rogers Hornsby and Jackie Robinson, but a few modern-era players like Joe Morgan and Ryne Sandberg are also considered among the best. These guys are the best second basemen in the league and make some of the toughest plays look so incredibly easy, with excellent fielding skills. Who do you think deserves the honor of the best 2nd baseman of all time? Vote for your favorite second baseman and rerank this list any way you like. The greatest second basemen of all time were slap hitters that got on base and set the table for their team. In recent years, the trend has shifted towards power, and that's changing the face of the 2-bagger dramatically. Like some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-first-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest first basemen ever</a>, these 2nd base players were true leaders on their respective teams. From Joe Morgan and Jackie Robinson (arguably two of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> ever) to modern players like Cano and Pedroia, every player listed here played (or plays) a key role for their team and many are <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">power hitters</a>.

Who do you think should make the list of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-current-nba-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best current players</a> in baseball? Ranked by fans, critics, and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-famous-sports-analysts/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">sports analysts</a>, this list includes the best current MLB players in all positions, from rookies to veteran&nbsp;pros. Vote for those you believe to be the best current baseball players in order to move them up the list, or click &quot;rerank&quot; to customize an order of your own.The best MLB players are those who have consistently proven their talent on the field. From expert pitchers to top <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-shortstops-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">short stops</a>, these great athletes have made a name for themselves by being better than the rest. Who is the best player in baseball? There's sure to be plenty of debate. But the only way to get your voice heard (and make sure your choice for the best player in MLB makes it to the top of the list) is to vote! Remember, the guys on this list have be current players&nbsp;who play in the league today. Though they may soon be considered some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best baseball players</a> of all time, for now, we're ranking who is best on the field right now!

John Franco

The greatest relief pitchers of all time include some of the <a href="/list/best-current-mlb-pitchers/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">best current MLB players</a>, as well as some legends who are already in the baseball hall of fame. What do you think: Is Mariano Rivera the best relief pitcher in baseball history? Vote for the players you think deserve the top honor, and vote down any that you don't think are worthy. Also, rerank this list in any order you want.

Here's the thing about a really great relief pitcher: They are golden. They really are, because if you find a great team that's performing extremely well, during the regular or the post-season, the chances are very good that they've got an ace relief pitcher at the end of the rotation. All that work, all those runs accrued, mean absolutely nothing if things fall apart in the ninth inning. A great closer seals the deal, period.

If you want to vote some more, why not head over and decide who you think is the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-curveball-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest curveball pitcher</a> or the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hittters in baseball history</a>, too?

Ted Williams

Who is the best left handed baseball player ever? This list includes players in the Hall of Fame as well as those who have not yet been inducted but are truly great. It also includes players from all eras of baseball. They are great hitters and great position players in all facets of the game. This list has been ranked by baseball fans with the best major league <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/left-handed-baseball-players/left-handed?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">left handed baseball players</a> of all time.Major League Baseball is America’s pastime and from its pastoral beginnings, through to its professional urban setting today, it has always captured our imagination and our hearts. Baseball is a game many Americans played as kids, and for that reason it always holds a special place in the American zeitgeist. Opening day each spring is something many baseball fans count down to all year long. The best left handed baseball players of all time on this list include players such as Ichiro, Ken Griffey Junior, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams. The best left handers ever in Major League Baseball are all supremely talented at hitting to get on base, hitting for home runs, and at their positions as well. Through their careers, these best left handed players helped their teams jockey for post-season position and win games. Vote up the best left handed players of all time or add a south paw you thought was the greatest if he isn't already on the list.

John Smoltz

The best starting pitchers in baseball history have one vital quality in common: their ability to win. There are so many different ways to define a great pitcher: pitch velocity, outstanding command of their pitch locations and can have ridiculous movement on their breaking stuff. The best starting pitchers have a special quality that makes them more dominant than their contemporaries. They have the rare ability to reach back and get a key out when it's absolutely necessary. Many baseball fans love a starting pitcher who can throw in the high-90s and even low-100s. Throughout his 27-year career, Nolan Ryan hit those high-water marks. The pitcher nicknamed the Ryan Express is widely considered one of the best power pitchers of all time alongside Bob Gibson, Pedro Martinez and a few others. On the opposite side sits pitchers like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine from the successful Atlanta Braves teams from the '90s. These pitchers were able to make up for their lack of pitch power by having arguably the best pitch placement in baseball history.Here is your opportunity to vote on which starting pitcher can be considered the best in baseball history.This Ultimate List will determine by your vote who can be considered the best starting pitcher of all time.

Pee Wee Reese

This list of the greatest shortstops of all time includes some of the most iconic, <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best baseball players</a> in Major League Baseball history. These MLB shortstops gave everything they had on the field and with their bats, to help their respective teams win games. Who do you believe is the greatest shortstop to ever play the game? Vote for the players you like the most, vote down any you don't think deserve the honor. Also, feel free to rerank this list - your order can affect the overall player order.Any list of the greatest shortstops to ever play the game should include the late, great Honus Wagner. The Flying Dutchman is one of the best to ever take the field, and his speed and hitting abilities are legendary. With a record eight batting titles, Wagner is not only one of the best shortstops, he's also one of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">greatest hitters</a> in baseball history. In terms of modern-era shortstops, names like Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken, Jr. come to mind almost instantly. Who gets a top 10 spot? That's for you to decide with your votes. And while you're at it, you might want to cast your vote for the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest throwing arms of all time</a>!

Baseball is a game full of rules that the majority of people who follow the game know. It's three strikes and you're out, a home run has to go over the fence (except if it's an inside the park home run, or it's one of those ballparks with the yellow dividing line for home runs on the fence, &nbsp;or it's Tropicana Field), and there are nine innings, and if it's tied you just keep playing. Actually, baseball is pretty confusing. And just to make it more confusing, baseball has a long list of unwritten rules. Unwritten rules are basically rules that are supposed to be followed by players, but they are not in any sort of rule book and your team will not be penalized if they are not followed, yet they have somehow developed over time. Many of the rules are centered around respect. You are not supposed run up the score, admire a home run, or steal a base when already ahead by a wide margin. While other unwritten rules are centered around revenge or not to jinx your own team. Most of these rules are ridiculous and outdated, but baseball is a sport rich in tradition and the consequences can be tough if these unwritten rules aren't followed. Vote up this list for which unwritten rules you think are the most ridiculous.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

George Foster

Who are the greatest left-fielders of all time? Baseball's best left field players include some amazing legends of the game, with names like Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Carl Yastrzemski. They are without question among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, contributing to their respective teams while carving out their own Major League Baseball legacy. The mixture of power and average sets the left fielder apart from the other positions.

Which left-field players do you think deserve the top spots on this list? Vote them up, and be sure to re-rank this list as well (your rankings to affect the overall order of the CrowdRanked list).

Many of the left field players listed here have some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest throwing arms of all time</a> (they have to, given the position), and without a doubt most are also included on any distinguished list of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too (Ted Williams? Stan Musial? Enough said).

Playing left field can be tricky. First of all, you absolutely must assume that ever single ball hit to the third baseman and the shortstop is going to be missed. You have got to be ready at all times to back up your teammates in the event they make an error. All of these players did (or do) that and more.

Miller Huggins

List of the best MLB Managers of all time, ranked by baseball fans according to number of career regular-season wins, leadership, charisma and that intangible x factor. Professional baseball managers&nbsp;have a lot of responsibility in the game of pro-baseball. Managers choose the batting order and starting pitcher before each game and make substitutions throughout the game. Most significantly, great MLB managers know just the right time to bring in a relief pitcher.How much strategic control do managers have in baseball? It differs from manager to manager and game to game. Some managers control pitch selection, defensive positioning, decisions to bunt, steal, pitch out, etc., while others designate an assistant coach or a player (often the catcher) to make some or all of these decisions. Some notable Major League Baseball managers choose to act as their team's first base or third base coach while their team is batting in order to more closely communicate with baserunners, but most managers delegate this responsibility to an assistant. Managers are typically assisted by two or more coaches. In many cases, top professional baseball managers are former professional, semi-professional or college players.

Ken Griffey, Jr.

Who are the greatest centerfielders of all time? Looking at this list, which includes some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> ever to play the game, it's hard not to be awe struck by the incredible defensive talent. On top of that, nearly all of the outstanding centerfielders here are also among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in MLB history</a>. Vote for the players that you believe were the best center fielders ever, and add any that might be missing. Also, you can re-rank this list to your liking.

A great center fielder is without a doubt one of the premiere defensive players on any baseball team. They must be incredibly alert and athletic, because they've got a lot of territory to protect. In short, the centerfielder gets a lot of action. It's not just speed, though: The best center fielders also possess great arm strength and accuracy. 

Many of the best centerfielders in Major League Baseball history (past and present) have some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">strongest throwing arms in baseball</a>, ever. Sure, they make the routine plays that get outs for their teams, but they also astound occasionally with incredible, spectacular catches.

Nap Lajoie

As a baseball player, it&#39;s always a dream to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, whether you&#39;re a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">big-time hitter</a> or one of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest pitchers</a> to play the game. The best professional players both past and present all have the chance to prove themselves and achieve a plaque in Cooperstown. But of all the players who do make it there, who are the very best?&nbsp;

The members of the Baseball Hall of Fame are some of the greatest players of all time and some of the true legends of the game. The Hall of Fame opened in 1939 in Cooperstown, New York, the site of the first ever baseball game. Since then, many icons have been enshrined into the HOF. Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Lou Gehrig, Tom Seaver, Willie Mays and Bob Gibson are just a few of the numerous legends who have been inducted and with good reason: they&#39;re the among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time">greatest baseball players ever</a>. Even those who didn&#39;t achieve great team success still made a huge impact on the game with their individual skills.&nbsp;

In order to get inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, a finalist needs to receive at least 75 percent of the votes by the baseball writers. If they don&#39;t, they are eligible for up to 15 years, depending on if they receive the minimum amount of votes to stay on the ballot. If they don&#39;t make the Hall because of the writers, then the Veterans Committee can induct the players later on.

This is the list of the greatest baseball players in the Hall of Fame. Vote or re-rank this list according to who you think is the best player in Cooperstown. Then head over and check out the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/2020-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">2020 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot</a>, and help decide who should be added to this list.

Montgomery Brewster

Ever wonder who are the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best baseball player</a> characters in film history? Plenty of people have their own opinions on who are the best fictional baseball players. Some characters in films are newcomers looking to make the team, while others are old veterans that come out of retirement for one final chance at the big leagues. More than a few of them are based on real-life ball players.Who do you think are some of the best baseball player characters in film? Dottie Hinson from A League of Their Own had movie-goers wishing that they could throw like a girl. Geena Davis and Tom Hanks led a talented cast in this 1992 feel-good film. Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn from the Major League series is almost as unpredictable as the actor who portrayed him – Charlie Sheen. George “Buck” Weaver (John Cusack) from Eight Men Out is another good ball player character.Kevin Costner played Crash Davis in Bull Durham to perfection, but he also gets a gold star for appearing in the baseball classic, Field of Dreams. Other roles that are featured on this top baseball player characters in film list include Willie Mays Hayes, Lou Gehrig, and Jack Elliot from Mr. Baseball.Which movie ballplayer do you think deserves the No. 1 spot? Give the best baseball player characters a vote and please add any not already on the list.

This list is composed of the fastest MLB&nbsp;players of all time, ranked by overall speed and talent level. The MLB&nbsp;measures straight-line speed with modern day analytics, as well as quickness, lateral agility, and many other athletic traits. However, speed in the MLB isn't as focused on the numbers, and is instead simply quantified by the jaw-dropping speed-related feats these MLB players perform on a nightly basis. Due to top-level speed, many of the fastest MLB players are also among the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest MLB players of all time</a>.This list is a collection of which players displayed the most amazing, game-changing speed in NBA&nbsp;history. Typically, the fastest MLB&nbsp;players are center-fielders&nbsp;such as Kenny Lofton, Billy Hamilton,&nbsp;and Mike Trout, since they are often the smallest and have to cover the most ground, although certain anomalies like Alex Rodriguez&nbsp;and Wil Myers find themselves among the fastest MLB players despite being bigger and stronger.Go ahead and rank the fastest MLB players of all time, and when you're done, head on over to rank the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fastest-nba-players-of-all-time/ranker-sports" target="_blank">fastest NBA&nbsp;players of all time</a>.&nbsp;

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Lists of famous and notable people who naturally favor the more sinister side of their bodies. 

Lefty Loosey

Who is the best MLB left handed pitcher ever? This list includes pitchers in the Hall of Fame as well as those who have not yet been inducted, but are truly great. It also includes players from all eras of baseball. They are responsible for coming in during crucial situations and preventing runs. This list has been ranked by baseball fans with the best Major League left handed pitchers of all time.Major League Baseball is America’s pastime and from its pastoral beginnings, through to its professional urban setting today, it has always captured the imaginations and hearts of fans. Baseball is a game many Americans played as kids, and for that reason it always holds a special place in the American zeitgeist. Opening day each spring is something many baseball fans count down to all year long.The best left handed pitchers of all time on this list include players such as Lefty Grove, Warren Spahn, and Sandy Koufax. The best left handers ever in Major League Baseball are all supremely talented at getting batters out in all situations. Through their careers these <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-starting-pitchers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best starting pitchers</a> helped their teams jockey for post-season position and win games.Vote up the best left handed pitchers of all time or add the lefty pitcher you think is the best to have ever played if he isn't already on the list.

The Greatest Left Handed Pitchers of All Time

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Clayton Edward Kershaw  (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed starting pitcher, Kershaw has played in the major leagues since 2008, and his career earned run average (ERA) and walks and hits per innings pitched average (WHIP) are the lowest among starters in the live-ball era with a minimum of 1,000 innings pitched. Kershaw has a career hits allowed per nine innings pitched average of 6.61—the second-lowest in MLB history—along with three Cy Young Awards and the 2014 National League Most Valuable Player Award. He has been described throughout the majority of his career as the best pitcher in baseball.Kershaw was drafted seventh overall in the 2006 MLB draft.

Dave Righetti

David Allan Righetti (born November 28, 1958) is an American professional baseball coach and former player. A left-handed pitcher, Righetti played in Major League Baseball from 1979 through 1995 for the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox. He served as the pitching coach for the Giants from 2000-2017. His nickname is "Rags".
Righetti began his career as a starting pitcher, but the Yankees converted him into a relief pitcher, using him as their closer, in 1984. He won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award in 1981. As a starter, he threw a no-hitter on July 4, 1983. As a closer, he was twice named the AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year and pitched in two MLB All-Star Games. He was the first player in history to both pitch a no-hitter and also lead the league in saves in his career. Dennis Eckersley later duplicated the feat, as did Derek Lowe.

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Dave McNally

David Arthur McNally (October 31, 1942 – December 1, 2002) was a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher from 1962 until 1975. He was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and played with them every season except for his final season with the Montreal Expos.

Jim Abbott

James Anthony Abbott (born September 19, 1967) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played ten seasons in MLB for the California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.
He graduated from Flint Central High School and grew up in the East Village area of Flint, Michigan. While with the University of Michigan, Abbott won the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's best amateur athlete in 1987 and won a gold medal in the demonstration event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He was drafted in the first round of the 1988 MLB draft and reached the major leagues the next year. As a member of the Yankees, he threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians in 1993. Abbott retired with a career record of 87 wins and 108 losses, along with a 4.25 earned run average.
He currently works as a motivational speaker.

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Jesse Tannehill

Jesse Niles Tannehill (July 14, 1874 – September 22, 1956) was  a dead-ball era left-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Highlanders, Boston Red Sox, and the Washington Senators. Tannehill was among the best pitchers of his era and was one of the best-hitting pitchers of all time. In fact, Tannehill was such a good hitter that he was used in the outfield 87 times in his career.

John Anthony Franco (born September 17, 1960) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career spanning 1984–2005, he pitched for three different National League teams, the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and Houston Astros. His 1,119 career games pitched is a National League record, and ranks fourth in major league history. His 424 career saves ranks fifth all-time in major league history (ranking second when he retired), and remains the most by a left-hander. For 15 of his 22 seasons, he played for the New York Mets, serving as team captain in his final years with the team.

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Billy Pierce

Walter William Pierce (April 2, 1927 – July 31, 2015) was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball between 1945 and 1964 who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher in the decade from 1952 to 1961, when they posted the third best record in the major leagues, and received the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award for the American League (AL) in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953 and 1955. A seven-time All-Star, he led the American League (AL) in complete games three times despite his slight build, and in wins, earned run average (ERA) and strikeouts once each. He pitched four one-hitters and seven two-hitters in his career, and on June 27, 1958 came within one batter of becoming the first left-hander in 78 years to throw a perfect game.
He was one of the principal figures in Chicago's fierce rivalry with the New York Yankees; particularly notable were his matchups with Whitey Ford, with the two left-handers opposing one another as starters 14 times from 1955 to 1960. Pierce's record suffered from pitching so much against New York – who he faced more often than any other team – when the Yankees dynasty was at its peak; but although his career record against New York was only 25–37, that was still slightly better than the 27–41 mark compiled by National League (NL) championship teams over 11 World Series against the Yankees during the same period.
After joining the San Francisco Giants in 1962, Pierce played a pivotal role in helping them win the NL pennant, going 12–0 in home games and getting a three-hit shutout and a save in a three-game playoff against the Los Angeles Dodgers to clinch the title. His 1,999 career strikeouts were the fifth most by a left-hander when he retired, and his AL total of 1,842 ranked ninth in league history. He also ranked tenth among left-handers in career wins (211), sixth in games started (432) and games pitched (585), eighth in shutouts (38) and ninth in innings pitched (3,306⅔). He holds the White Sox franchise record for career strikeouts (1,796), and his club marks of 186 wins, 2,931 innings and 390 starts are team records for a left-hander. The White Sox retired his number 19 in 1987, and unveiled a statue in his honor at U.S. Cellular Field in 2007; he was selected to the White Sox All-Century Team in 2000.

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Frank Tanana

Frank Daryl Tanana (born July 3, 1953) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He was the California Angels' first-round draft pick in 1971.  From 1973 to 1993, he pitched for six teams: the Angels, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees.
In his prime, Tanana was known for a 100+ MPH fastball, which he abruptly lost when he injured his arm.  However, he was able to develop an assortment of off-speed pitches (including an excellent curveball) and continue his career. Throughout his career, he accumulated 34 shutouts, 4,000 innings pitched, and nearly 2,800 strikeouts. He is one of only 23 major league pitchers to have struck out at least 2,700 batters in his career.

Fernando Valenzuela

Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea (Spanish pronunciation: [feɾˈnando βalenˈswela], born November 1, 1960) is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher. Valenzuela played 17 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons, from 1980 to 1991 and 1993 to 1997. While he played for six MLB teams, he is best remembered for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Valenzuela batted and threw left-handed. His career highlights include a win-loss record of 173–153, with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.54.  Valenzuela was notable for his unorthodox windup and for being one of a small number of pitchers who threw a screwball regularly. Never a particularly hard thrower, the Dodgers felt he needed another pitch; he was taught the screwball in 1979 by teammate Bobby Castillo.Valenzuela was signed by the Dodgers on July 6, 1979, and he made his debut late in the 1980 season. In 1981, in what came to be called "Fernandomania," Valenzuela rose from relative obscurity to achieve super-stardom. He won his first eight starts (five of them shutouts). Valenzuela finished with a record of 13–7 and had a 2.48 ERA; the season was shortened by a player’s strike. He became the first, and to date, the only player to win both Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.Valenzuela had the best period of his career from 1981 to 1986. He was named a National League (NL) All-Star in each season and won a major league-leading 21 games in 1986, although Mike Scott of the Houston Astros narrowly beat him out in the Cy Young Award voting. Valenzuela was also known as one of the better hitting pitchers of his era. He had ten career home runs and was occasionally used by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda as a pinch-hitter. However, for the remainder of Valenzuela’s Dodgers career, his pitching efforts were rendered less effective, largely due to nagging shoulder problems. He was on the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship team, but he did not play in the postseason because of his ailing shoulder. On June 29, 1990, Valenzuela threw his only MLB no-hitter, pitching at Dodger Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals, a 6–0 victory. The no-hitter was notable for being the second one pitched that day; former-Dodgers right-hander Dave “Smoke” Stewart of the Oakland Athletics had just no-hit the Toronto Blue Jays a few hours earlier. Despite having recently shown flashes of his former self, he was unceremoniously released by the Dodgers just prior to the 1991 season. The remainder of his big league career was spent with the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Valenzuela retired from baseball after the 1997 season. In 2003, he returned to the Dodgers as a broadcaster. In 2015, he became a naturalized American citizen.

Eppa Rixey

Eppa Rixey Jr. (May 3, 1891 – February 28, 1963), nicknamed "Jephtha", was an American left-handed pitcher who played 21 seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds in Major League Baseball from 1912 to 1933. Rixey was best known as the National League's leader in career victories for a left-hander with 266 wins until Warren Spahn surpassed his total in 1959.
Rixey attended the University of Virginia where he was a star pitcher. He was discovered by umpire Cy Rigler, who convinced him to sign directly with the Phillies, bypassing minor league baseball entirely. His time with the Phillies was marked by inconsistency. He won 22 games in 1916, but also led the league in losses twice. In 1915, the Phillies played in the World Series, and Rixey lost in his only appearance.  After being traded to the Reds prior to the 1921  season, he won 20 or more games in a season three times, including a league-leading 25 in 1922, and posted eight consecutive winning seasons. His skills were declining by the 1929 season, when his record was 10–13 with a 4.16 earned run average. He pitched another four seasons before retiring after the 1933 season.
An intellectual who taught high school Latin during the off-season,  earning the nickname "Jephtha" for his southern drawl, Rixey was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963.

Frank Viola

Frank John Viola Jr. (born April 19, 1960) is an American former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Minnesota Twins (1982–1989), New York Mets (1989–1991), Boston Red Sox (1992–1994), Cincinnati Reds (1995), and Toronto Blue Jays (1996). A three-time All-Star, he was named World Series MVP with the Twins in 1987 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 1988. Long-time Tigers manager Sparky Anderson said of Viola,  "...He's an artist; I love watching him work..." He is the pitching coach of the High Point Rockers.
He batted and threw left-handed, and he was nicknamed "Sweet Music" – a nickname he picked up after a Minnesota sports writer declared that when Viola pitched, there was "Sweet Music" in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The nickname was a play on the fact that his last name is also a name of a musical instrument, although pronounced differently. A fan began displaying a banner bearing the phrase in the outfield's upper deck whenever Viola pitched. Twins fans considered the banner to be a good luck charm.  The banner is now the property of the Minnesota Historical Society. It was again displayed when Viola was inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame. Frank was honored as a member of the Twins' "All Dome" team in 2009.

Jon Lester

Jonathan Tyler Lester (born January 7, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox from 2006 to 2014 and the Oakland Athletics in 2014. Less than two years after being diagnosed with lymphoma, Lester started and won the final game of the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox, and in May 2008, pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. He helped lead the Red Sox to another championship in 2013, and he won the 2016 World Series with the Cubs.

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Cole Hamels

Colbert Michael Hamels (born December 27, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2015), Texas Rangers (2015–2018), and Chicago Cubs (2018–19). Originally from San Diego, California, Hamels excelled at Rancho Bernardo High School both academically and athletically. The Phillies drafted Hamels out of high school, in the first round (17th overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft, and he began playing in the Phillies’ minor league system. Numerous issues, including an injury sustained in a bar fight, among other injuries, occurred during Hamels’ first few minor league seasons. Having reached the Triple-A level, he was the top pitcher in the Phillies' minor league system in 2006.

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Ken Holtzman

Kenneth Dale Holtzman (born November 3, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees who pitched from 1965 to 1979. He was a two-time All Star and a three-time World Series champion, all while with Oakland.
Holtzman was the only pitcher in the live-ball era to throw two no-hitters for the Cubs, until that feat was equaled by Jake Arrieta. Holtzman was also one of the principal pitchers on Oakland's championship teams from 1972 to 1974.
In 2007, Holtzman managed the Petach Tikva Pioneers in the Israel Baseball League.

Preacher Roe

Elwin Charles Roe (February 26, 1916 – November 9, 2008), known as Preacher Roe, was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals (1938), Pittsburgh Pirates (1944–47), and Brooklyn Dodgers (1948–54).

Curt Simmons

Curtis Thomas Simmons (born May 19, 1929) is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1947 to 1950 and 1952 to 1967. Along with right-hander Robin Roberts (a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame), Simmons was one of the twin anchors of the starting rotation of the "Whiz Kids", the Philadelphia Phillies' 1950 National League (NL) championship team. He is the youngest surviving player from the team. Simmons is also the oldest living former member of the Los Angeles Angels organization. He also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs

Mark Buehrle

Mark Alan Buehrle (; born March 23, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Chicago White Sox and started the opening game every season from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011. He also pitched for the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays. Buehrle pitched 200 innings in 14 consecutive seasons (2001–2014), tying Hall-of-Famers Greg Maddux, Phil Niekro, and Christy Mathewson. He recorded at least ten wins in 15 straight seasons.Buehrle pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on April 18, 2007, surrendering just one walk to Sammy Sosa who was then picked off at first base. Two seasons later, Buehrle pitched the 18th perfect game in baseball history against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23, 2009.
In White Sox pitching history, Buehrle is fifth all-time in strikeouts, sixth in games started, and eighth in wins and innings pitched.

Sparky Lyle

Albert Walter "Sparky" Lyle (born July 22, 1944) is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1967 through 1982. He was a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox.
A three-time All-Star, he won the American League (AL) Cy Young Award in 1977. He led the American League (AL) in saves in 1972 and 1976. With the Yankees, Lyle was a member of the World Series champions in 1977 and 1978, both over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lyle co-authored, with Peter Golenbock, The Bronx Zoo, a 1979 tell-all book which chronicled the dissension within the Yankees in its World Series Championship seasons of 1977 and 1978. From 1998–2012, Lyle served as manager of the Somerset Patriots, a minor league baseball team of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Tom Glavine

Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966) is an American retired professional baseball player. A pitcher, Glavine played in Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves (1987–2002, 2008), and New York Mets (2003–2007). He was the MVP of the 1995 World Series as the Braves beat the Cleveland Indians.
With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine earned the second highest number of wins as a pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176. He was a five-time 20-game winner and two-time Cy Young Award winner, and one of only 24 pitchers (and just 6 left-handers) in major league history to earn 300 career wins.
On January 8, 2014, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, in his first year of eligibility receiving 91.9% of the votes cast.Glavine also played hockey. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, after scoring 47 goals and 47 assists in 23 high school games.

Wilbur Wood

Wilbur Forrester Wood, Jr. (born October 22, 1941) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for seventeen years, most notably with the Chicago White Sox where he earned 163 of his 164 wins. A knuckleball specialist, he threw left-handed, and batted right-handed.

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Al Leiter

Alois Terry Leiter (; born October 23, 1965) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) left-handed starting pitcher.  Leiter pitched 19 seasons in the Major Leagues for New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets.  He is now a studio analyst for MLB Network, and formerly a color commentator for the YES Network and 2016 Marlins Fox Sports Florida game analyst.

Mark Langston

Mark Edward Langston (born August 20, 1960) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners (1984–1989), Montreal Expos (1989), California and Anaheim Angels (1990–1997), San Diego Padres (1998), and Cleveland Indians (1999). During a 16-year baseball career, Langston compiled 179 wins, 2,464 strikeouts, and a 3.97 earned run average.

Rube Walberg

George Elvin Walberg (July 27, 1896 – October 27, 1978) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1923 through 1937 for the New York Giants (1923), Philadelphia Athletics (1923–1933) and Boston Red Sox (1934–1937). Walberg batted and threw left-handed. He was born in Pine City, Minnesota. 
In a 15-season career, Walberg posted a 155–141 record with 1085 strikeouts and a 4.16 ERA in 2644 innings, including 15 shutouts and 140 complete games.
A consistent and durable pitcher, Walberg averaged 16 wins for the Philadelphia Athletics of Connie Mack from 1926 to 1932, with career-highs of 20 wins in 1931 and 18 in 1929. He also had a 1–1 mark with a 1.93 ERA for the Athletics in five World Series appearances. A good-hitting pitcher, Walberg collected a .179 batting average with four home runs and 84 runs batted in. When Mack dismantled the Athletics in 1933, he was sent along with Lefty Grove and Max Bishop to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for two players and $150.000. He was a spot starter and reliever with Boston during three seasons and pitched his last game at the age of forty-one. 
Walberg surrendered 17 home runs to Babe Ruth, more than did any other pitcher.
Walberg died in Tempe, Arizona at age 82. In 2002, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.

Andy Pettitte

Andrew Eugene Pettitte (; born June 15, 1972) is an American former baseball starting pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the Houston Astros. Pettitte won five World Series championships with the Yankees and was a three-time All-Star. He ranks as MLB's all-time postseason wins leader with 19.Pettitte was drafted by the Yankees organization in 1990, and he signed with them roughly a year later. After debuting in the major leagues in 1995, Pettitte finished third in voting for the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award. In 1996, he led the AL with 21 wins and was runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award, and two years later, he was named the Yankees' Opening Day starter. Pettitte established himself as one of the "Core Four" players who contributed to the Yankees' late-1990s dynasty that produced four championships. Pettitte won the 2001 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in helping his team win the pennant. After spending nine seasons with the Yankees—a stint in which he won at least 12 games each season—Pettitte signed with the Astros in 2004. He rejoined the Yankees in 2007 and later that season admitted to using human growth hormone to recover from an elbow injury in 2002. Pettitte's second tenure with the team lasted six seasons, interrupted by a one-year retirement in 2011, and also produced a fifth World Series championship.
Pettitte's pitching repertoire included a four-seam and cut fastball and several off-speed pitches such as a slider, curveball, and changeup. A left-handed pitcher, he had an exceptional pickoff move to first base, which allowed him to record 98 career pickoffs. Among Yankees pitchers, Pettitte ranks first in strikeouts (2,020), third in wins (219), and tied for first in games started (438). He won the most games of any pitcher in the 2000s.
His number 46 was retired by the Yankees on August 23, 2015.

John Tudor

John Thomas Tudor (born February 2, 1954) is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Who is the best MLB left handed pitcher ever? This list includes pitchers in the Hall of Fame as well as those who have not yet been inducted, but are truly ... (Page 2)