All Around

This past week Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates hit his 300th home run. He became the 13th player in MLB history to have 2,000 hits, 400 doubles, 45 triples, 300 home runs, and 200 stolen bases. He also received a Gold Glove for his defensive prowess in 2012. Bottom line, Andrew has been an “all around” great baseball player. In recognition of his achievements, I thought I would provide my list of the top eight all around MLB players of all-time:

Willie Mays.  The list has to begin with the “Say Hey Kid”.  Mays could do it all -- power, hit for average, speed, and defense.  The numbers tell the story – 660 HRs, lifetime batting average of .302, led the NL in stolen bases four times, and 12 Gold Gloves! His over the shoulder catch of a fly ball hit to deep centerfield in the 1954 World Series remains one of the most exciting plays in MLB history. No one has ever played every aspect of the game better than Willie.

Ken Griffey Jr. Junior comes pretty close. In his first ten years with Seattle, he became must watch baseball whether the Mariners were at the plate or on the field. His streaks as a hitter resounded throughout baseball. “The Kid” is tied for the most consecutive games with a home run (8), and left the game with a total of 630.  Junior gracefully played his centerfield position, robbing many hitters of HRs with leaping catches at the wall and garnering 10 career Gold Gloves.

Barry Bonds. It’s difficult to sort out the real Barry Bonds, the athletic outfielder of the Pirates in his early years or the powerful slugger with the Giants. Both versions were pretty dynamic. You know his power numbers – single season record of HRs (73) and most career in a career (762). He also maintained a career batting average of .298. What the casual baseball observer might not know is that he stole 514 bases in his career. Barry is the only 500 + HRs and 500 + SBs in MLB history.

Roberto Clemente. There’s so much to talk about in the “Great One’s” career. He maintained a career .317 batting average, was a four-time NL batting champion, won twelve Gold Gloves, and got his 3,000 hit on the last day of the 1972 regular season. Who knows what his career numbers might have been if he hadn’t lost his life tragically on Christmas Eve 1972. For me though, one play stands out. His fielding a hit down the right field line in the 1971 World Series, pirouetting, and rifling a throw to third base nailing an Oriole runner.

Mickey Mantle. In the summer of 1963 the Yankees were in Cleveland playing the Indians, and I got to tag along with my dad, uncle, and brother. All I remember about that night as a four-year old was everyone saying “Mickey Mantle is here”.  His accomplishments were also remarkable across the board – 536 career HRs while batting over .300 ten times in his career.  He is the only player in MLB history to hit 150 + HRs from both sides of the plate. Early in his career he was also a prolific base stealer and defensive centerfielder.  His career was cut short too due to knee injuries.

Ernie Banks. You need to smile broadly when you think of “Mr. Cub”.  Remarkably, he was the NL MVP in 1958 and 1959 on last place teams. Many think of Banks as a slugging first baseman with 512 career HRs. What you might not know is that Ernie was one of the best defensive shortstops in the game for the first eight years of his career. He gave his beloved Friendly Confines and other NL ballparks some wonderful moments. Let’s Play Two!

Rickey Henderson.  Rickey could do it all.  He is highly regarded as the best leadoff hitter and baserunner in MLB history.  Yes, he holds the single season (130 in 1982) and career (1,406) records for stolen bases. Henderson also attained 3,055 hits along the way. The stat that really stands out is 297 home runs for a player one doesn’t think of as having power.  Rickey was also a skillful outfielder, setting the all time record for outfield putouts and total chances.

Ty Cobb.  You could place Cobb in any of the 1-8 spots here, but legend only goes so far. His career spanned 24 years from 1905 to 1928. During his career he set 90 MLB records, a couple of which stand today (4,065 runs scored and 1,944 RBIs). Cobb’s batting statistics are overwhelming -- .366 batting average, 4,189 hits, and 897 stolen bases. Telling of the era he played in he actually stole home 54 times!

So readers, now it is your turn.  What do you think about the list? Who did I miss?  I want your “all around” feedback.

Until next Monday,

 your Baseball Bench Coach