Each MLB Franchise’s Mt. Rushmore of Hitters Since 1980

The Mount Rushmore debate in sports activities is all the time a enjoyable one, limiting a big area of gamers to the 4 better of the very best primarily based on some predetermined standards to type a hypothetical mountainside monument.

Whereas a basic Mount Rushmore for every MLB group is a dialog that has been had numerous instances, we’re narrowing the parameters a bit right here and focusing solely on hitters and on the timeframe from the beginning of the 1980 season as much as current day.

By “hitters” we merely imply non-pitchers, so a participant’s offensive and defensive contributions have been up for consideration. For instance, Ozzie Smith wouldn’t seem on an inventory of the very best offensive gamers in St. Louis Cardinals historical past, however his defensive wizardry earns him a spot on this dialogue.

The one requirement for inclusion is {that a} participant needed to tally a minimum of 2,000 plate appearances with a group to be thought-about for a spot on their Mount Rushmore. Solely stats from 1980 ahead have been thought-about, and solely stats accrued with the group they’re representing have been thought-about.

Let’s get to it.

OF Steve Finley
1B Paul Goldschmidt
OF Luis Gonzalez
OF Justin Upton

With a historical past that solely stretches again to the 1998 season, the D-backs are pretty quick on viable choices to be carved into their Mount Rushmore. Paul Goldschmidt and Luis Gonzalez are each no-brainers, leaving the ultimate two spots up for grabs.

Steve Finley received three Gold Gloves and had a pair of 30-homer seasons throughout his six-year run in Arizona whereas enjoying a key function on the 2001 World Collection winners, whereas Justin Upton made good on being the No. 1 general decide within the 2005 draft by posting a 118 OPS+ with 108 residence runs and 13.7 WAR in six seasons with the group.

Honorable Mentions: 2B/OF Ketel Marte, OF David Peralta

1B Freddie Freeman
OF Andruw Jones
3B Chipper Jones
OF Dale Murphy

It is solely a matter of time earlier than Ronald Acuña Jr. crashes the occasion right here, at which level will probably be a tricky resolution as to who will get faraway from the mountainside. Chipper Jones is a straightforward selection as the one Corridor of Famer within the group, and Andruw Jones might quickly be part of him in Cooperstown if current voting traits proceed.

Freddie Freeman constructed the inspiration of a famous person profession over his 12 seasons in Atlanta with a 138 OPS+, 271 residence runs, 941 RBI and 43.3 WAR, whereas Dale Murphy was a two-time MVP and one of many faces of baseball in the course of the Eighties.

Honorable Mentions: OF Ronald Acuña Jr., OF David Justice, C Brian McCann, 1B Fred McGriff

OF Adam Jones
3B Manny Machado
1B Eddie Murray
SS Cal Ripken Jr.

Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray performed 34 mixed seasons in Baltimore and racked up 774 residence runs and 152.4 WAR throughout their time with the group. They have been teammates from 1981-88 and once more briefly in 1996, serving to to steer the O’s to a World Collection title in 1983.

Manny Machado and Adam Jones have been extra constant All-Star caliber performers than guys like Brady Anderson, Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts who had lengthy, productive runs with the group in their very own proper.

How lengthy earlier than Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson enter the dialog?

Honorable Mentions: OF Brady Anderson, OF Nick Markakis, 1B Rafael Palmeiro, 2B Brian Roberts

OF Mookie Betts
3B Wade Boggs
DH David Ortiz
OF Manny Ramirez

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez have been the driving pressure behind the Purple Sox breaking the Curse of the Bambino, and so they stand as one of the crucial productive one-two punches in baseball historical past.

Wade Boggs hit .338 and received 5 batting titles over 11 years in Boston, and Mookie Betts averaged 8.6 WAR per 162 video games in six memorable seasons.

Dustin Pedroia was an especially robust omission, whereas Corridor of Famer Jim Rice was at his greatest in the course of the Seventies when he hit 172 of his 382 profession residence runs and received 1978 AL MVP honors.

Honorable Mentions: SS Xander Bogaerts, OF Dwight Evans, SS Nomar Garciaparra, 2B Dustin Pedroia, OF Jim Rice, 1B Mo Vaughn

1B Mark Grace
1B Anthony Rizzo
2B Ryne Sandberg
OF Sammy Sosa

Prolific slugger Sammy Sosa was electrifying whereas chasing the single-season residence run document in 1998, and he launched 545 residence runs in a Cubs uniform.

Corridor of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg and title group cornerstone Anthony Rizzo have been additionally simple selections for a spot on the hillside.

The large resolution right here was Mark Grace vs. Kris Bryant, with the Nineteen Nineties hit chief and franchise staple getting the nod over the 2015 NL Rookie of the Yr and 2016 NL MVP who exploded onto the scene earlier than battling accidents later in his Cubs profession.

Honorable Mentions: 3B Kris Bryant, OF Andre Dawson, 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez

1B José Abreu
1B Paul Konerko
OF Magglio Ordóñez
1B Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas is the best White Sox participant of the trendy period by a large margin, whereas Paul Konerko in some way quietly hit 432 residence runs in 16 seasons with the South Siders, so they’re each simple selections.

Magglio Ordóñez was among the best younger gamers within the sport when he burst onto the scene, hitting .312/.373/.546 whereas averaging 40 doubles, 32 residence runs, 118 RBI throughout a formidable five-year peak with the White Sox.

The ultimate spot was a toss-up between José Abreu, Robin Ventura and Corridor of Famer Carlton Fisk who had his greatest seasons in Boston.

Honorable Mentions: DH Harold Baines, OF Jermaine Dye, C Carlton Fisk, 3B Robin Ventura

OF Eric Davis
SS Barry Larkin
2B Brandon Phillips
1B Joey Votto

Corridor of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin and on-base machine Joey Votto are the very best gamers to put on a Reds uniform this facet of the Huge Purple Machine period, making them simple selections to fill the primary two spots.

Accidents saved Eric Davis from reaching his full potential, however his 27-homer, 80-steal season in 1986 speaks to simply how dynamic he was when wholesome.

Fan favourite Sean Casey and slugger Adam Dunn each obtained severe consideration for the ultimate spot, which went to three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner Brandon Phillips.

Honorable Mentions: OF Jay Bruce, 1B Sean Casey, OF Adam Dunn, OF Ken Griffey Jr., OF Reggie Sanders

OF Kenny Lofton
3B José Ramírez
OF Manny Ramirez
1B Jim Thome

Leaving Albert Belle off this Mount Rushmore was one of the crucial troublesome selections of the whole train, and it was tempting to simply go together with 4 members of the vaunted 1995 Cleveland group that stands as among the best offensive golf equipment in MLB historical past.

Ultimately, José Ramírez has clearly earned his place with 44.4 WAR in 11 seasons and a long-term deal that would enable him to proceed including to his Cleveland legacy by means of the 2028 season.

What might have been with Grady Sizemore…

Honorable Mentions: OF Albert Belle, OF Michael Brantley, DH Travis Hafner, SS Francisco Lindor, C Victor Martínez, OF Grady Sizemore

3B Nolan Arenado
1B Todd Helton
SS Troy Tulowitzki
OF Larry Walker

It feels improper solely having one participant from the Blake Road Bombers on this Mount Rushmore, and there is a case to be made for Andrés Galarraga getting the nod over the oft-injured Troy Tulowitzki because of his standing because the franchise’s first true star.

The primary three spots are locks with Larry Walker within the Corridor of Fame, Todd Helton on his solution to becoming a member of him, and Nolan Arenado placing collectively a stellar eight-year run in Colorado earlier than the entrance workplace’s ill-advised resolution to commerce him.

Honorable Mentions: OF Dante Bichette, OF Charlie Blackmon, OF Ellis Burks, 3B Vinny Castilla, 1B Andrés Galarraga, OF Carlos González, OF Matt Holliday, SS Trevor Story

1B Miguel Cabrera
1B Cecil Fielder
SS Alan Trammell
2B Lou Whitaker

The legendary double play mixture of Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell is an apparent place to start out in Detroit, and future Corridor of Famer Miguel Cabrera had the very best seasons of his profession in a Tigers uniform. That leaves one remaining spot up for grabs.

With a playoff drought that stretched from 1988 by means of 2005, there have been some lean years for the Tigers, and slugger Cecil Fielder was one of many few brilliant spots as he had a 51-homer season in 1990 and tallied 245 lengthy balls in seven seasons.

Honorable Mentions: 3B Travis Fryman, OF Kirk Gibson, OF Magglio Ordóñez, C Lance Parrish

2B Jose Altuve
1B Jeff Bagwell
1B/OF Lance Berkman
2B Craig Biggio

It feels unusual solely together with Jose Altuve from the core of homegrown expertise that helped the Astros climb from the worst group in baseball to perennial contenders, nevertheless it’s additionally extraordinarily troublesome to discover a spot for anybody else.

Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio are Corridor of Famers and franchise icons who spent their whole careers in Houston, whereas Lance Berkman is among the most underrated gamers of his period. The switch-hitting slugger batted .296/.410/.549 for a 146 OPS+ with 326 residence runs, 1,090 RBI and 48.1 WAR in 12 seasons in Houston.

Honorable Mentions: 3B Alex Bregman, SS Carlos Correa, OF George Springer

OF Carlos Beltrán
3B George Brett
OF Alex Gordon
C Salvador Perez

No franchise in baseball has an even bigger hole between its greatest participant in franchise historical past and everybody else than the Kansas Metropolis Royals, so George Brett may be the simplest selection of any participant on this whole article.

Longtime catcher Salvador Perez and Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon are probably the most achieved gamers from the 2015 World Collection group by way of their general physique of labor.

The primary seven seasons of Carlos Beltrán’s storied profession are sufficient for him to earn the ultimate spot over Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, who additionally starred for the 2015 title winner.

Honorable Mentions: OF Lorenzo Cain, 1B Eric Hosmer, 3B Mike Moustakas, 1B Mike Sweeney, OF Willie Wilson

OF Garret Anderson
DH Shohei Ohtani
OF Tim Salmon
OF Mike Trout

Is it too quickly to incorporate Shohei Ohtani on this checklist, particularly contemplating we’re solely trying on the offensive facet of his sport on this train?

In 2,818 plate appearances and counting, the 29-year-old has a 147 OPS+ with 170 residence runs and 19.1 WAR, and he’s properly on his solution to a 50-homer season this yr.

Mike Trout is a lay-up, leaving Tim Salmon and Garret Anderson as the ultimate two choices, with their general numbers trumping extra spectacular peak performances from 2004 AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero and slugger Troy Glaus.

Honorable Mentions: OF Brian Downing, 1B/OF Darin Erstad, 3B Troy Glaus, OF Vladimir Guerrero

IF/OF Pedro Guerrero
OF Matt Kemp
C Mike Piazza
3B Justin Turner

The Dodgers have been probably the most troublesome group on this whole train to whittle right down to 4 gamers. Outdoors of Corridor of Fame catcher Mike Piazza being locked into one of many spots, there are a selection of various mixtures of gamers with a respectable case.

Pedro Guerrero hit .309/.381/.512 for a 149 OPS+ with 171 residence runs and 32.7 WAR in 11 seasons and was the face of the franchise in the course of the Eighties, Matt Kemp practically had a 40-40 season in 2011 and racked up 22.9 WAR in 10 years in LA, and Justin Turner fills the ultimate spot because of his regular manufacturing and stellar postseason monitor document.

Honorable Mentions: 3B Adrián Beltré, OF Andre Ethier, OF Shawn Inexperienced, 1B Eric Karros, OF Raúl Mondesi, SS Corey Seager

3B Miguel Cabrera
SS Hanley Ramirez
OF Gary Sheffield
OF Giancarlo Stanton

Gary Sheffield was the primary true famous person to put on a Marlins uniform, Miguel Cabrera started his Corridor of Fame profession with some large seasons in Miami, and Hanley Ramirez was a dynamic power-speed risk early in his MLB profession with a 30-30 season in 2008 and an NL batting title in 2009.

It was robust to depart off “Mr. Marlin” Jeff Conine, however who will get bumped to make room for him on the mountain?

Honorable Mentions: 2B Luis Castillo, OF Jeff Conine, OF Cliff Floyd, 3B Mike Lowell

OF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
3B Paul Molitor
OF Robin Yount

Robin Yount and Paul Molitor have been already established MLB stars when the 1980 season rolled round, however that they had loads of productive seasons in a Brewers uniform after our deadline.

Yount received AL MVP in 1982 and 1989, whereas Molitor hit .304 and tallied 1,951 hits from 1980 by means of 1992 when he departed in free company.

The center-of-the-order tandem of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun spent 5 seasons as teammates and 21 whole seasons in a Brewers uniform. They mixed for 582 residence runs, 9 All-Star choices and 63.9 WAR throughout their time in Milwaukee.

Honorable Mentions: OF Jeromy Burnitz, 3B Jeff Cirillo, 1B Cecil Cooper, OF Geoff Jenkins, OF Christian Yelich

1B Kent Hrbek
OF Torii Hunter
C Joe Mauer
OF Kirby Puckett

Kirby Puckett and Joe Mauer are each simple selections, whereas Torii Hunter received seven straight Gold Gloves in middle area throughout his time in Minnesota whereas additionally serving as a constant middle-of-the-order run producer.

The Kent Hrbek (128 OPS+, 1,749 H, 293 HR, 1,086 RBI, 38.6 WAR) vs. Justin Morneau (121 OPS+, 1,318 H, 221 HR, 860 RBI, 22.9 WAR) debate is an efficient one for the ultimate spot.

Barely higher profession numbers and two World Collection rings have been sufficient for Hrbek to get the nod over the 2006 AL MVP.

Honorable Mentions: 2B Brian Dozier, 3B Gary Gaetti, 1B Justin Morneau

OF Carlos Beltrán
C Mike Piazza
OF Darryl Strawberry
3B David Wright

Mike Piazza is the one offensive participant within the Corridor of Fame with a Mets emblem on his plaque, whereas Darryl Strawberry and David Wright occupy the highest two spots on the franchise’s leaderboard for each residence runs and RBI.

Carlos Beltrán had 149 residence runs, 100 steals and 31.1 WAR over the course of a profitable seven-year, $119 million deal, and that was sufficient for him to safe the ultimate spot over Keith Hernandez and underrated slugger Howard Johnson.

Honorable Mentions: IF Edgardo Alfonzo, 1B Pete Alonso, 1B Keith Hernandez, 3B Howard Johnson, SS José Reyes

SS Derek Jeter
OF Aaron Choose
1B Don Mattingly
OF Bernie Williams

Even narrowing the sector of gamers to everybody since 1980, it is nonetheless extraordinarily troublesome to decide on simply 4 Yankees to occupy this Mount Rushmore. Derek Jeter is a shoo-in for one of many spots, and Don Mattingly deserves a nod in addition to one of many faces of baseball in the course of the Eighties.

Regardless of his harm points, Aaron Choose has nonetheless compiled 39.9 WAR in eight seasons whereas turning into the sixteenth captain in Yankees historical past and first since Jeter.

The ultimate spot goes to Bernie Williams, who’s baseball’s all-time chief in postseason RBI (80) and was a key member of 4 World Collection winners whereas hitting .297/.381/.477 with 2,336 hits over 16 seasons.

Honorable Mentions: 2B Robinson Canó, C Jorge Posada, 1B Jason Giambi, 1B Tino Martinez, OF Hideki Matsui, OF Paul O’Neill, 2B Willie Randolph, 3B Alex Rodriguez, OF Dave Winfield

OF Jose Canseco
1B Jason Giambi
OF Rickey Henderson
1B Mark McGwire

The Bash Brothers may be controversial, nevertheless it’s exhausting to image Oakland’s Mount Rushmore with out them, and each Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire are nonetheless extensively beloved by the Athletics’ fanbase.

Rickey Henderson is a no brainer, as the best leadoff hitter in baseball historical past spent 14 seasons with the Athletics, together with his 130-steal season in 1983 and his AL MVP marketing campaign in 1990.

Three large peak seasons and 2000 AL MVP honors are sufficient for Jason Giambi to safe the ultimate spot over the longer-tenured Eric Chavez.

Honorable Mentions: 3B Eric Chavez, 3B Carney Lansford, SS Miguel Tejada

OF Bobby Abreu
SS Jimmy Rollins
3B Mike Schmidt
2B Chase Utley

Mike Schmidt made his MLB debut in 1972, however he was at his greatest in the course of the Eighties, successful three NL MVP awards and main all hitters with 313 residence runs in the course of the decade.

The homegrown double-play tandem of Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins helped the group go from afterthought to bona fide title contenders, whereas Bobby Abreu is among the most underrated gamers of his period and a perennial risk for 30 residence runs and a .400 on-base proportion throughout his 9 seasons in Philadelphia.

Honorable Mentions: C Darren Daulton, OF Lenny Dykstra, 1B Ryan Howard, 1B John Kruk, 3B Scott Rolen

OF Barry Bonds
OF Brian Giles
C Jason Kendall
OF Andrew McCutchen

Barry Bonds spent the primary seven seasons of his profession in Pittsburgh, successful a pair of NL MVP awards and piling up 176 residence runs, 251 steals and 50.3 WAR earlier than he departed in free company.

Andrew McCutchen helped drive the group again to competition after a 20-year playoff drought as a younger face of the franchise, whereas Brian Giles hit .309/.426/.604 and averaged 37 residence runs, 109 RBI and 6.0 WAR in his 4 full seasons with the group.

Jason Kendall hit .306/.387/.418 with 1,409 hits and 140 steals as a uncommon leadoff-hitting catcher, incomes three All-Star choices in 9 seasons in Pittsburgh. He will get the ultimate spot, although there are instances to be made for Bobby Bonilla, Andy Van Slyke and Jason Bay.

Honorable Mentions: OF Jason Bay, SS Jay Bell, 3B/OF Bobby Bonilla, OF Andy Van Slyke

1B Adrian Gonzalez
OF Tony Gwynn
3B Manny Machado
3B Phil Nevin

The Padres primarily solely have three spots that must be determined, as Tony Gwynn is as a lot of a lock for a spot as any participant with any franchise.

Dave Winfield would even be a lock, however his time with the group was nearly solely earlier than the 1980 cut-off, as he performed with the membership from 1973 by means of the 1980 season.

Adrian Gonzalez (161 HR) and Phil Nevin (156 HR) rank second and third on the membership’s all-time residence run leaderboard, behind Nate Colbert who did the majority of his harm within the Seventies previous to our reduce line.

That leaves the ultimate spot for Manny Machado, who already sits fourth amongst place gamers with 20.0 WAR in 5 seasons, and his new 11-year, $350 million extension will preserve him in San Diego by means of 2033.

Honorable Mentions: 3B Ken Caminiti, OF Brian Giles, 3B Chase Headley, 1B/OF Ryan Klesko, C Benito Santiago

OF Barry Bonds
1B Will Clark
2B Jeff Kent
C Buster Posey

With 586 residence runs, 112.5 WAR and 5 NL MVP awards in 15 seasons, it would not be the Giants’ Mount Rushmore with out Barry Bonds.

Will Clark was the face of the franchise within the late-80s and early-90s earlier than Bonds arrived, whereas Jeff Kent served as his co-star and received NL MVP honors himself in 2000.

The foursome is rounded out by Buster Posey, who crammed up his resume with 2010 NL Rookie of the Yr, 2012 NL MVP, three World Collection rings, seven All-Star choices and 5 Silver Sluggers.

Kevin Mitchell received NL MVP in 1989, and Matt Williams was arguably the very best third baseman of the Nineteen Nineties, however the prime 4 right here is fairly robust to argue.

Honorable Mentions: SS Brandon Crawford, OF Kevin Mitchell, 3B Pablo Sandoval, 2B Robby Thompson, 3B Matt Williams

OF Ken Griffey Jr.
DH Edgar Martinez
SS Alex Rodriguez
OF Ichiro Suzuki

This might need been the simplest foursome to pick out.

Ken Griffey Jr. was the face of baseball all through his profession, Alex Rodriguez was a younger phenom on a Corridor of Fame trajectory throughout his time in Seattle, Edgar Martinez established himself as among the best pure hitters of his period over an 18-year profession spent solely in Seattle, and Ichiro Suzuki is destined to affix Griffey within the Corridor of Fame.

Jay Buhner was one of the crucial feared sluggers of the Nineteen Nineties, and Alvin Davis was the group’s first true star, however there’s merely no place for both participant on this star-studded Mount Rushmore.

Honorable Mentions: OF Jay Buhner, 1B Alvin Davis, 3B Kyle Seager

1B Mark McGwire
C Yadier Molina
1B Albert Pujols
SS Ozzie Smith

Ozzie Smith and Albert Pujols are no-doubt choices right here, whereas the impression that Yadier Molina had on the Cardinals group in 19 seasons with the group stretches far past the numbers on the again of his baseball card.

That leaves one remaining spot, and Mark McGwire will get the nod for his memorable 1998 residence run barrage, regardless of the 4 guys beneath all placing collectively extra productive general careers in a St. Louis uniform. There is a convincing case to be made for every of them.

Honorable Mentions: OF Jim Edmonds, OF Matt Holliday, OF Ray Lankford, 3B Scott Rolen

OF Carl Crawford
OF Kevin Kiermaier
3B Evan Longoria
2B Ben Zobrist

Solely 14 players in Rays historical past have met the two,000-plate-appearance minimal requirement, so it was simple to navigate the checklist of eligible candidates.

Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist and Carl Crawford have been all simple selections, leaving the ultimate spot as a battle between defensive standout Kevin Kiermaier (31.7 WAR) and slugger Carlos Peña (18.1 WAR) who slugged 163 residence runs in 5 seasons with the group. That sizable hole in WAR was sufficient to make it a reasonably simple resolution.

Honorable Mentions: 1B Fred McGriff, 1B Carlos Peña

3B Adrián Beltré
OF Juan González
C Iván Rodríguez
IF Michael Younger

Catcher Iván Rodríguez is within the Corridor of Fame sporting a Rangers hat, whereas Adrián Beltré is a lock to affix him as soon as he turns into eligible, so go forward and pencil these two guys into spots on the mountain.

Slugger Juan González received AL MVP honors in 1996 and 1998 to earn his spot, whereas Michael Younger is the franchise’s all-time chief in hits (2,230), doubles (415), triples (55), whole bases (3,286), which helped him edge out 2010 AL MVP Josh Hamilton.

Honorable Mentions: SS Elvis Andrus, OF Nelson Cruz, OF Josh Hamilton, 2B Ian Kinsler, 1B Rafael Palmeiro

OF José Bautista
OF Joe Carter
1B Carlos Delgado
3B Josh Donaldson

Slugger Carlos Delgado is Toronto’s all-time chief in residence runs (336) and RBI (1,058), and the simplest selection for a spot on the Blue Jays’ Mount Rushmore.

Late-bloomer José Bautista can be a no brainer choice with 288 residence runs and 38.3 WAR in his decade with the membership.

Josh Donaldson will get a spot because of his 2015 AL MVP marketing campaign, whereas it would not appear proper to snub the groups that received back-to-back World Collection titles in 1992 and 1993, so outfielder Joe Carter will get the nod as a perennial 30-homer slugger who delivered the most important hit in franchise historical past.

Honorable Mentions: DH Edwin Encarnacion, SS Tony Fernandez, 1B Fred McGriff, OF Vernon Wells

OF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
OF Juan Soto
1B/3B Ryan Zimmermann

We’re going solely with Nationals gamers right here and ignoring the Montreal Expos ties to the group for the sake of this train, which makes the alternatives fairly straight ahead except you like Trea Turner over Juan Soto.

For what it is price, the Expos’ Mount Rushmore would characteristic Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Vladimir Guerrero and Tim Raines, with honorable mentions for Tim Wallach and Larry Walker.

Honorable Mentions: SS Trea Turner