The baseball GOAT debate has been ongoing for quite some time. People almost always bring up Babe Ruth when discussing the greatest baseball player of all time. However, there are some other players throughout baseball and MLB history who deserve consideration, too. Without further ado, here is our analysis of the debate about the greatest baseball player of all time and our pick for the greatest baseball player ever.
Babe Ruth’s Case for Baseball GOAT Status
It is important to start this discussion with Babe Ruth. Quite a few people consider Babe Ruth the greatest baseball player of all time. Ruth won seven World Series championships, two MVP awards, and led the American League in home runs 12 times. Additionally, Ruth played Major League Baseball for 22 seasons from 1914-1935. Even now, more than 75 years after Ruth’s death in 1948, he remains one of the most popular baseball players of all time.
He began his career with the Boston Red Sox and was their star pitcher from 1914-1919. However, he is perhaps best known for his time with the New York Yankees from 1920-1934. With the Yankees, Ruth was a slugging outfielder. Ten of Ruth’s 12 seasons where he led the MLB in home runs came with the Yankees.
Babe Ruth has an extremely strong case as the greatest baseball player ever. However, he is far from the only player in this discussion.
Willie Mays’ Case as the Greatest Baseball Player Ever
Willie Mays also deserves a mention when discussing the greatest baseball player ever. Mays played in the MLB from 1951-1973. In that time, he was a 24-time All-Star and won the World Series in 1954. Additionally, Mays won the Gold Glove award 12 consecutive times from 1957-1968.
Another important attribute of Mays is his versatility. In addition to his pitching prowess, Mays led the National League in home runs four times and in stolen bases four times. He won National League MVP in 1954 and 1965.
Many rank Willie Mays as the second greatest baseball player of time only behind Babe Ruth. That is fair, given Mays’ incredible accomplishments in baseball.
Hank Aaron’s Case as the Greatest Baseball Player Ever
Any discussion of the greatest baseball player ever would be incomplete without Hank Aaron. Aaron was a 25-time All-Star and won the 1957 World Series with the Milwaukee Braves. Hank Aaron had seven RBIs and three homers in the 1957 World Series against the New York Yankees. Aaron was a major reason why the Milwaukee Braves dethroned the defending champions, the Yankees, in seven games.
Additionally, it is important to mention that Hank Aaron led the National League in home runs four times and in RBIs four times. He also won the National League MVP award in 1957. Hank Aaron is one of the two players in MLB history to hit 30 home runs or more in a season a minimum of 15 times. He holds MLB records for career total bases, extra base hits, and runs batted in aka RBIs.
Naturally, Hank Aaron is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He was truly an awe-inspiring baseball player.
Who Has the Strongest Baseball GOAT Case?
All three of the baseball players mentioned in this article are all-time great baseball players who are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It is difficult to split them. However, Babe Ruth has the strongest case as the greatest baseball player of all time. Even other all-time great baseball players can’t quite match Babe Ruth’s impeccable baseball resume.
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Babe Ruth is a sensible choice as the greatest baseball player ever. Let us know in the comments what you think. Check back for more content about the greatest athletes in various sports’ histories, which is coming soon.