National Photo Company, publisher on Wikimedia

Picking the five best players in MLB history is like trying to rank your favorite foods: sure, you can do it, but somebody’s going to argue with you. Though the sport’s been around for decades, a handful of names keep showing up because they didn’t just dominate their era—they changed what greatness looked like. So, without further ado, here are our picks for the biggest names in the league. 

Babe Ruth

Ruth turned home runs into the sport’s main event, and he did it like no other. His combination of outrageous power, star presence, and record-setting production made baseball feel bigger than the ballpark itself. Even today, when you watch a modern slugger go on a tear, you’re seeing echoes of the standard Ruth invented.

Willie Mays

New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer, William C. Greene on Wikimedia

Mays was the rare superstar who could beat you in every chapter of the game. He did it all: hitting, fielding, running, and instinct. (Not to mention his famous over-the-shoulder catch.) If you value an all-around player who made hard things look effortless, Mays is your gold standard.

Hank Aaron

Aaron’s greatness is built on relentless excellence rather than flashy mythology, and that’s exactly why it feels so sturdy. He paired huge power with durability and consistency, piling up totals that stayed historic for decades. When you think about a hitter who gave you elite production year after year, Aaron’s the blueprint.

Ted Williams

Unknown author on Wikimedia

Williams was hitting obsession made human, and pitchers paid the price. His approach combined patience with jaw-dropping command of the strike zone, which is why his numbers still read like something from a video game. When you think of a pure hitter, you think of this guy.

Walter Johnson

Before radar guns and highlight packages, Johnson was already terrifying hitters with pace, movement, and sheer competitive force. He dominated as a starter in a way that made excellence feel routine, piling up wins and shutouts with a workhorse’s workload.