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Every MLB Team's Greatest Center Fielder of All Time - All 30 Franchises. Read Every MLB Team's Greatest Center Fielder of All Time - All 30 Franchises
Every MLB Team's Greatest Center Fielder of All Time - All 30 Franchises
The center field position has been occupied by some of the sport’s greatest players. Read ahead as we highlight the greatest center fielder of all time for all 30 MLB teams. Will you agree with our selections?
Arizona Diamondbacks
Steve Finley
Steve Finley only spent six years of his 19-year MLB career in the desert, but made a significant impact. During these six seasons, Finley won two Gold Gloves and was named to one All-Star team. In 2001, he won the World Series with the Diamondbacks. Throughout his time in Arizona, he held an overall .278/.351/.500 line while averaging 27 doubles, 26 home runs, and 12 stolen bases per season.
Athletics
Dwayne Murphy
Dwyane Murphy spent the first 10 seasons of his 12-year career with the Oakland Athletics. During his time there, Murphy was renowned for his exceptional defensive skills in center field. From 1980 through 1985, Murphy was awarded six straight Gold Gloves in center field. In addition, during the 1981 campaign, he received his only MVP votes and finished with the 11th-most. He hit at least 20 home runs in three seasons and swiped at least 10 bases in four.
Atlanta Braves
Andruw Jones
The longtime Atlanta Brave will hold the next spot on this list. Andruw Jones spent all but five seasons of his 17-year MLB career in Atlanta. During his time as a Brave, Jones would be named to five All-Star teams and be awarded a remarkable 10 Gold Gloves in center field. Jones also captured a Silver Slugger during the 2005 season when he led the sport in home runs and RBI with 51 and 128. He then went on to finish his career with brief stints with the White Sox, Yankees, Rangers, and Dodgers.
Baltimore Orioles
Paul Blair
While Adam Jones makes a strong case to be on this list, Paul Blair narrowly takes the next spot. Blair was one of the best center fielders in the league during his prime. Through 13 seasons with the Orioles, Blair would win eight Gold Gloves. He would also be named to two All-Star teams and finish within the top 16 in MVP voting three times. Lastly, he would also win two World Series Championships with the Orioles.
Boston Red Sox
Dom DiMaggio
Although DiMaggio was unable to play in three seasons due to military service, he remains one of the most dominant players in franchise history and is represented on this list. Through 11 seasons in Boston, the center fielder would be named to seven All-Star teams. He led the sport in runs twice and held a career batting average of .298. DiMaggio finished his career with 33.6 WAR.
Chicago Cubs
Hack Wilson
Hack Wilson was one of the greatest players in franchise history. During his six seasons in Chicago, Wilson would be one of the most productive power hitters in the game. He led the sport in home runs four times and RBI twice. During the 1930 season, Wilson had one of the best seasons in professional baseball history, launching 56 home runs and driving in 191 runs. He was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Chicago White Sox
Jim Landis
While Jim Landis was not the most productive hitter, especially from a power perspective, his glove earned him a spot on this list. Through his eight seasons in Chicago (11 total seasons in the MLB), Landis was awarded five Gold Gloves. Landis was also named to two All-Star teams. He finished his time in Chicago, accumulating 19.8 WAR.
Cincinnati Reds
Vada Pinson
While Eric Davis has a compelling resume, Vada Pinson will be the one representing the Reds on this list. Pinson spent the first 11 of his 18 MLB seasons with the Reds. During his time in Cincinnati, Pinson was one of the top hitters in the sport, being named to four All-Star teams and leading the league in doubles and total hits on two occasions. In center field, Pinson was also awarded a Gold Glove during the 1961 campaign.
Cleveland Guardians
Tris Speaker
Tris Speaker is regarded as one of the greatest center fielders in league history. Speaker began his Hall of Fame career in Boston before moving to Cleveland, where he would play nine seasons. During his time in Cleveland, Speaker would lead the sport in doubles six times and hits once. During this stretch, he held a cumulative .354/.444/.520 slash line and accumulated an impressive 74.9 total WAR.
Colorado Rockies
Charlie Blackmon
Even though Charlie Blackmon was shifted to right field during the final seasons of his career, he still spent the majority of his career in center field, which is why he holds a spot on this list. Blackmon was a franchise icon in Colorado, spending his entire 14-season career in Denver. He would be named to four All-Star teams and win two Silver Sluggers. He enjoyed his best campaign in 2017 when he won the NL batting title (with a .331 AVG) and finished with the fifth-most votes for NL MVP.
Detroit Tigers
Ty Cobb
One of the greatest players on this list will take the next spot. The legendary Ty Cobb spent 22 of his 24 seasons of his Hall of Fame career in Detroit before moving to Philadelphia for his final two. Through over two decades in Detroit, Cobb accumulated a remarkable 151.4 total WAR, while maintaining a .366/.433/.512 slash line. Cobb won the batting title 12 times and took home the MVP award during the 1911 season. During this campaign, he posted a career-best .419 batting average. His overall .366 AVG is the highest mark in league history.
Houston Astros
Cesar Cedeno
Without a doubt, Caesar Cedeno will represent the Houston Astros on this list. Cedeno is the only primarily center fielder in franchise history to tally over 1,000 career hits with the club. Cedeno spent 12 seasons in Houston and was productive on both sides of the game. In center field, he would win four Gold Gloves. In the batter’s box, he would hold a .289/.351/.454 line during his time as an Astro with a career-high .921 OPS during the 1972 season. He would also be named to four All-Star teams.
Kansas City Royals
Amos Otis
Amos Otis will represent the Kansas City Royals on this list. While Otis is just one of two center fielders in team history to tally over 1,000 hits (Willie Wilson being the other), Otis had a much more productive career. Otis spent 14 of his 17 seasons in Kansas City. As a Royal, Otis was named to five All-Star teams and made the team in four consecutive seasons from 1970 to 1973. He was awarded three Gold Gloves and finished within the top 10 in MVP voting three times. He was also very productive on the basepaths, averaging 24 steals per season as a Royal.
Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout
Mike Trout will be one of the few modern-day players who will hold a spot on this list. While Trout has been shifted to the corner outfield this season, he spent the vast majority of his legendary career in center field. The future Hall of Famer has taken home three AL MVPs, nine Silver Sluggers, and has been named to 11 All-Star teams. Trout was named Rookie of the Year in 2012 and has also been named the MVP of the All-Star Game twice. In addition, Trout led the sport in WAR in five straight seasons (2012-2016).
Los Angeles Dodgers
Duke Snider
While Willie Davis makes a strong case, the Hall of Famer Duke Snider will represent the Los Angeles Dodgers on this list. Snider spent 16 of his 18 seasons of professional baseball with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. During his time as a Dodger, Snider was named to eight All-Star teams and won two World Series. While he was never named MVP, Snider came quite close, finishing within the top four in voting in three consecutive seasons.
Miami Marlins
Juan Pierre
The Marlins do not have the most extensive history at center field, unlike most clubs on this list. However, Juan Pierre made a pretty significant impact during his time in Florida. As a Marlin, Pierre would lead the majors in stolen bases once and tally an impressive 190 over this stretch. In 2003 and 2004, Pierre finished within the top 16 in NL MVP voting. He would also be a part of the 2003 World Series team, posting an elite .305 AVG and 65 stolen bases.
Milwaukee Brwers
Carlos Gomez
While Robin Yount made a strong case to be on this list, he spent the majority of his career at shortstop and was not a center fielder until the back half of his career. As a result, Carlos Gomez will represent the Brewers. Gomez enjoyed two very productive campaigns in Milwaukee. In 2013 and 2014, Gomez was named to the NL All-Star team in each season and earned top-16 MVP votes in each season. He would also win a Gold Glove in 2013.
Minnesota Twins
Kirby Puckett
The next Hall of Famer that holds a spot on this list is Kirby Puckett. Puckett spent all 12 seasons of his career with the Twins. During his professional career, Puckett was named to 10 All-Star teams, awarded six Gold Gloves, and was awarded six Silver Sluggers. Puckett led the sport in hits four times and claimed the AL Batting Title during the 1989 campaign. He was also a two-time World Series Champion. While he never won an MVP, he finished within the top three in voting three times.
New York Mets
Carlos Beltran
Even though Carlos Beltran tallied the second-most hits among center fielders in franchise history, he will still hold the spot on this list due to much higher power production. Beltran spent seven of his 20 MLB seasons in Queens. As a Met, Beltran would be named to five All-Star teams. He won A Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger in three straight seasons from 2006 through 2008. As a Met, he averaged 22 long balls and 14 stolen bases per season.
New York Yankees
Mickey Mantle
This was the toughest call to make on this list. The New York Yankees have an illustrious history of center fielders, including Bernie Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle. However, when looking at production in the batter’s box, Mantle takes the crown. Among primary center fielders in team history, Mantle hit the most long balls. Through 18 seasons in the Bronx, the Hall of Famer was named to the All-Star team in all but one season and won the MVP award three times. He was a seven-time World Champion and was awarded a Gold Glove during the 1962 season.
Philadelphia Phillies
Richie Ashburn
The Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn will represent the Phillies on this list. Ashburn spent the first 12 seasons of his 15 seasons in Philadelphia. During this stretch of his legendary career, Ashburn won the batting title twice (1955, 1958) and led the sport in hits three times. Ashburn was named to five All-Star teams (made his sixth as a Met) and earned top-7 MVP votes twice. He finished his time in Philadelphia, holding a .311/.394/.388 slash line.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Andrew McCutchen
The Pittsburgh legend will hold the next spot on this list. While McCutchen has shifted to a corner outfielder/designated hitter role, he spent his prime covering center field for the Pirates. During his first nine seasons in Pittsburgh, McCutchen held a .291/.379/.487 slash line. From 2011 through 2015, he was named to the All-Star team in each season. In 2013, he was named NL MVP, leading the sport in WAR and hitting 27 home runs, stealing 21 bases, and posting a .911 OPS. The following season in 2014, McCutchen led the sport in OBP and OPS.
San Diego Padres
Steve Finley
While Jackson Merrill could find himself on this list in a decade, for now, Steve Finley will hold the title of the greatest center fielder in franchise history. Finley spent most of his time in the desert, but he also spent four of his 19 MLB seasons in San Diego. As a Padre, Finley won one Gold Glove in center field and was named to the 1997 All-Star team. Overall, he averaged 21 long balls and 21 stolen bases per season in San Diego.
San Francisco Giants
Willie Mays
One of the greatest players in baseball history will hold the next spot on the list. The great Willie Mays spent 21 of his 23 MLB seasons as a Giant (split between New York and San Francisco). Through these 21 seasons, Mays was named to the All-Star team in all but two seasons. Mays was awarded a remarkable 12 Gold Gloves and was a two-time MVP. He led the sport in WAR 10 of these seasons and was on the 1954 World Series roster.
Seattle Mariners
Ken Griffey Jr.
Another all-time great holds the next spot on the list. Ken Griffey Jr. spent 13 of his 22 Hall of Fame seasons with the Mariners. “The Kid” made the All-Star team in every season following his rookie year as a Mariner. He was awarded 10 Gold Gloves and added seven Silver Sluggers. In addition, Griffey was no stranger to the spotlight as he won the Home Run Derby three times.
St. Louis Cardinals
Jim Edmonds
While Jim Edmonds may not have tallied as many hits as the long-time center fielders in Cardinals history, such as Curt Flood and Willie McGee, Edmonds made a much larger impact during his time in St. Louis. Edmonds was a Cardinal for eight of his 17 seasons. During this stretch of his career, Edmonds was named to the NL All-Star team three times and was consistently regarded as an elite defender, winning a Gold Glove award five times. He also won a Silver Slugger during the 2004 season and won a World Series during the 2006 campaign.
Tampa Bay Rays
Kevin Kiermaier
While Kevin Kiermaier was not the most productive hitter during his time in Tampa Bay, his elite defensive play earned him a spot on this list. Through 10 seasons in Tampa Bay, Kiermaier was awarded three Gold Gloves (and a fourth in Toronto). In addition, Kiermaier earned the Platinum Glove during the 2015 season when he posted a career-high 6.9 WAR.
Texas Rangers
Josh Hamilton
Josh Hamilton’s tenure in Texas was brief, but he made a significant impact, which earned him a spot on this list. Through six seasons with the Rangers, Hamilton made the All-Star team five times and took home three Silver Sluggers. During the 2010 season, Hamilton won the AL MVP when he led the sport in WAR (8.7), AVG (.359), and OPS (1.044). He would also lead the sport in RBI (130) during the 2008 campaign.
Toronto Blue Jays
Vernon Wells
Vernon Wells played for the Blue Jays in 12 of his 15 MLB seasons. As a Blue Jay, Wells was productive on both sides of the ball, earning three Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger award. During the 2003 season, Wells enjoyed a career season, leading the sport in hits and doubles. He was also named to the All-Star team three times and is the only primary center fielder in franchise history to hit at least 150 long balls with the club.
Washington Nationals
Andre Dawson
While Andre Dawson eventually shifted to right field during the back-half of his career with the Chicago Cubs, with the Montreal Expos, he was an everyday center fielder. With the then-Montreal Expos, Dawson was named to three All-Star teams and won six Gold Gloves. In the batter’s box, Dawson was awarded three Silver Sluggers and finished within the top seven in MVP voting twice. He would go on to finally take home the MVP award with the Cubs in 1987.
