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Every MLB Team's Greatest Left Fielder of All Time - All 30 Franchises. Read Every MLB Team's Greatest Left Fielder of All Time - All 30 Franchises
Every MLB Team's Greatest Left Fielder of All Time - All 30 Franchises
The left field position has been occupied by some of the sport’s greatest players. Read ahead as we highlight the greatest left fielder of all time for all 30 MLB teams. Will you agree with our selections?
Arizona Diamondbacks
Luis Gonzalez
Without a doubt, Luis Gonzalez holds the first spot on the left. Gonzalez spent eight of his 19 MLB seasons in the desert. During this stretch, Gonzalez was named to five All-Star teams and won a Silver Slugger during the 2001 campaign. He also finished third in MVP voting during the 2001 campaign. His iconic moment with the club was hitting the walk-off hit in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.
Athletics
Rickey Henderson
The Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson will hold the next spot on the list. The Athletics legend spent 14 of his 25 MLB campaigns with the club. As an Athletic, Henderson would hold an overall .288/.409/.430 line with an .839 OPS. From 1980 through 1948, Henderson led the sport in stolen bases every season and even tallied over 100 swiped bags in three of those seasons. Henderson was also a 10-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger, and a one-time Gold Glove winner.
Atlanta Braves
Rico Carty
While Hugh Duffy made a strong case to be on this list, he typically split time between center and left field, which will give Rico Carty the nod. Carty missed time in his career due to injuries, but was very effective when at the plate. Through eight seasons with the Braves (split between Milwaukee and Atlanta), Carty tallied 23.2 WAR and held a .317/.388/.496 line. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting during his debut campaign and also finished within the top 13 in MVP voting twice. He received a nod to the All-Star game in 1970 when he led the sport with a .366 AVG.
Baltimore Orioles
Don Buford
While long-time Oriole Brady Anderson has a more impressive resume with the club, he spent most of his time in center field during his final seasons, which is why Don Buford will represent the O’s on this list. Buford only spent five of his 10 MLB seasons in Baltimore, but made a significant impact. He won the 1970 World Series with the Orioles and was named to the All-Star team the following season. He also finished within the top 20 in MVP voting twice as an Oriole.
Boston Red Sox
Ted Williams
While Carl Yastrzemski would hold this spot for most teams, the all-time great will represent the Boston Red Sox on this list. Williams spent his entire 19-year MLB career with the Red Sox and even lost three seasons due to military service. As a Red Sox, Williams was named to 19 All-Star teams, won six Batting Titles, and captured two MVPs. He led the sport in OPS 10 times and WAR six times.
Chicago Cubs
Billy Williams
We have yet another Hall of Famer holding a spot on this list. Billy Williams spent 16 of his 18 MLB seasons with the Chicago Cubs. As a Cub, Williams would be engraved in their franchise history as he was named Rookie of the Year and claimed the 1972 Batting Title. He was named to the All-Star team six times and was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Chicago White Sox
Minnie Minoso
Chicago White Sox legend Minnie Minoso will hold the next spot on this list. Minoso spent 12 of his 20 seasons of his Hall of Fame career on the South Side of Chicago. During his tenure with the club, Minoso would accumulate an impressive 41.4 WAR. He was elite in both aspects of the game, earning a spot on the 13 All-Star teams and winning three Gold Gloves. While he never won the MVP, he finished within the top four in voting in three seasons.
Cincinnati Reds
George Foster
While Pete Rose spent time in left field, he was also typically deployed in the infield, which is why he will not have a spot on the list. Instead, primary left fielder George Foster will represent the Cincinnati Reds. Foster was a long-time Red, spending 11 of his 18 MLB campaigns in Cincinnati. As a Red, Foster would lead the sport in RBI three times and take home the MVP during the 1977 season. He was also a two-time World Series Champion.
Cleveland Guardians
Albert Belle
While Michael Brantley racked up more hits during his time in Cleveland, Albert Belle’s power output will earn him a spot on this list. Belle would spend the first eight seasons of his MLB career in Cleveland. He led the sport in RBI three times while in Cleveland and earned four-straight nods to the All-Star Game. During these five seasons, he also finished within the top eight in MVP voting.
Colorado Rockies
Matt Holliday
While Dante Bichette enjoyed a productive career with the Rockies, Matt Holliday will narrowly take the spot on this list. Holliday began his 15-year MLB career with the Rockies. He spent his first five seasons with the Rockies before returning to Colorado for his final campaign in 2018. Through his first stint, Holliday was named to three All-Star teams, awarded three Silver Sluggers, and even claimed the 2007 Batting Title.
Detroit Tigers
Bobby Veach
While Bobby Veach played alongside franchise icons like Ty Cobb, Veach was a very effective hitter and is often overshadowed in baseball history. Through 12 seasons in Detroit, Veach would tally 1,859 hits, which are nearly 600 more than the No. 2 left fielder in franchise history, Willie Horton. Veach led the sport in RBI three times and hits once.
Houston Astros
Jose Cruz
Without a doubt, Jose Cruz will represent the Houston Astros on this list. Cruz did occasionally see time in right field, but occupied left field in most of his seasons. Through 13 seasons in Houston, Cruz would tally 1,937 hits and 138 long balls, both of which stand alone on the franchise leaderboards among left fielders. Cruz was also named to two All-Star teams and finished within the top eight in MVP voting in two seasons.
Kansas City Royals
Alex Gordon
While Willie Wilson has a more illustrious career with the Royals, he shifted to center field during the back-half of his career and finished with nearly double the starts in center than left, which will allow Gordon to hold the spot on this list. Gordon spent all 14 seasons of his MLB career with the Royals. He was an elite defender, winning two Platinum Gloves and eight Gold Gloves. He also won the 2015 World Series and was named to three All-Star teams.
Los Angeles Angels
Garret Anderson
Garrett Anderson stands alone when looking at left fielders in Los Angeles Angels history. Anderson is the only left fielder in club history to eclipse the 1,000-hit mark. Through 15 seasons with the Angels (out of his 17 MLB seasons), Anderson was named to three All-Star teams and claimed two Silver Sluggers. He won the 2002 World Series with the Angels and even won a HR Derby.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Zack Wheat
While Dusty Baker made a strong case to earn a spot on this list, Brooklyn Dodgers all-time great Zack Wheat will claim the next spot on this list. The Hall of Famer spent 18 of his 19 MLB seasons with the Dodgers. During this stretch, Wheat held a .317/.367/.452 slash line and claimed the Batting Title in 1918 when he led the sport with a .335 AVG. While the left fielder never won an MVP, he did finish within the top 15 in voting three times.
Miami Marlins
Cliff Floyd
While Jeff Conine and even Christian Yelich made a strong case to hold the spot on this list, Cliff Floyd will narrowly hold the spot. Floyd spent six of his 15-year MLB seasons with the Marlins. During this stretch of his career, Floyd was very productive, posting a .294/.374/.523 slash line with an .898 OPS. He was named to one All-Star team and won the 1997 World Series with the then-Florida Marlins.
Milwaukee Brewers
Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun spent all 14 seasons of his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers. Braun flashed high power production in the batter’s box throughout most of his tenure. In his debut campaign, Braun was named NL Rookie of the Year. From 2008 through 2012, Braun was named to the All-Star team in each campaign and even took home the 2011 NL MVP. During his MVP season, Braun led the sport in SLG and OPS.
Minnesota Twins
Goose Goslin
Playing for the then-Washington Nationals, who eventually became the Minnesota Twins, Goose Goslin established himself as the most outstanding left fielder in Minnesota club history. Goslin spent 12 of his 18 Hall of Fame seasons in Washington. During this stretch, Goslin tallied over 1,600 hits, which is the highest mark in franchise history. He also finished within the top nine in MVP voting three times.
New York Mets
Cleon Jones
The longtime New York Met will hold the next spot on the list. Cleon Jones played for the Mets in all but one of his 13 MLB seasons. During this stretch of his career, Jones would tally 1,188 hits, which is the highest mark among left fielders in franchise history. Jones was named to the All-Star team in 1969 and finished seventh in MVP voting that season.
New York Yankees
Babe Ruth
One of the greatest professional athletes of all time will represent the Yankees on this list. After being traded from the Red Sox, Ruth would enjoy an incredible career with the Yankees. Through 15 seasons, Ruth would lead the sport in OBP 10 times, OPS 12 times, and WAR an impressive 11 times. Ruth was named the 1923 league MVP when he launched 41 home runs with a 1.309 OPS, both of which led all of the major leagues.
Philadelphia Phillies
Greg Luzinski
While Pat Burrell produced more in the power department during his time in Philadelphia, Greg Luzinski was the better all-around hitter while with the Phillies. Luzinski spent 11 of his 15 seasons with the Phillies. After a slow start to his career, Luzinski quickly found his footing. From 1975 through 1978, Luzinski made the All-Star team in each season and finished within the top eight in MVP voting in each campaign. He would also win the 1980 World Series with the Phillies.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Willie Stargell
Without a doubt, the Hall of Famer Willie Stargell will represent the Pirates on this list. While Stargell eventually shifted to first base later in his career, he spent the majority of his time playing left field. Stargell spent all 21 of his Hall of Fame seasons in the Steel City. He won two World Series with the Pirates and was named to seven All-Star teams. He would also claim the 1979 MVP when he launched 32 long balls with a .904 OPS.
San Diego Padres
Carmelo Martinez
While the San Diego Padres have a rich history of right fielders, including Tony Gwynn and Dave Winfield, their history in left field is not as illustrious. However, when it comes to power production, Carmelo Martinez stands out. Martinez launched 82 home runs during his time in San Diego, most among left fielders. He spent six seasons with the Padres and held an overall .248/.341/.408 line.
San Francisco Giants
Barry Bonds
The legend, Barry Bonds, will represent the Giants on this list. During his time in the Bay Area, Bonds established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball history, launching 586 home runs and holding a .312/.477/.666 line. Across 15 seasons with the Giants, the slugger led the sport in WAR eight times and OPS six times. He also claimed five MVPs while in San Francisco, including four straight from 2001 through 2004.
Seattle Mariners
Raul Ibanez
Raul Ibanez spent 11 of his 19 seasons with the Seattle Mariners. While in Seattle, Ibanez would establish himself as the greatest power hitter among left fielders in franchise hitters. He is the only primary left fielder in franchise history to hit over 100 home runs with the club and tally over 700 hits. In 2006, he enjoyed a career season, hitting 33 home runs and finishing 21st in AL MVP voting.
St. Louis Cardinals
Lou Brock
The Hall of Famer Lou Brock will represent the St. Louis Cardinals on this list. Brock spent 16 of his MLB seasons with the Cardinals. As a Cardinal, Brock was a six-time All-Star and earned top-seven MVP voting five times. He consistently led the sport in stolen bases eight times. During the 1974 campaign, Brock stole an eye-catching 118 bases.
Tampa Bay Rays
Carl Crawford
While Randy Arozarena did make a strong case to represent the Tampa Bay Rays on this list, Carl Crawford will hold the spot given his extended history with the Tampa Bay Rays. Crawford spent the first nine seasons of his MLB career with the Rays. During this stretch, he was named to four All-Star teams and captured a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. He also possesses high speed potential, as he sold at least 50 bags in four seasons.
Texas Rangers
Frank Howard
Frank Howard spent his time with the then-Washington Senators, who would eventually relocate to Texas in 1972. As a Senator, Howward would tally over 1,000 hits and would become the only primary left fielder in franchise history who reached the century mark. During the 1968 and 1970 seasons, Howard led the sport in home runs and was named to four All-Star teams.
Toronto Blue Jays
George Bell
Without a doubt, George Bell will hold the next spot on the list. Bell spent nine of his 12 MLB seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. He finished his tenure in Toronto with 1,294 hits, which are the most among primary left fielders in franchise history. During the 1987 season, Bell was named MVP after leading the sport with 136 RBI. He was also named to three All-Star teams and claimed three Silver Sluggers.
Washington Nationals
Tim Raines
While Juan Soto made a strong case, Montreal Expos legend Tim Raines will take the final spot on our list. Raines spent 13 of his 23 Hall of Fame seasons with the Expos, who eventually became the Washington Nationals. As an Expo, Raines would be named to seven All-Star teams and lead the sport in stolen bases. He also led the sport in runs twice and doubles once.
