5 Unforgettable MLB Stars
5 Men who changed the MLB forever
If you’re a fan of baseball then the MLB is a must-watch.
The MLB is the biggest and oldest baseball league in the world – it features 30 teams from across the US and Canada. The MLB can trace its roots back to mature tournaments that took place in the 1870s. In fact, two of the teams currently playing in the MLB were formed in these first tournaments.
Over the last 150 years, hundreds of talented players have graced the stadiums across North America. And narrowing them down to 5 was a hard task – but these men truly are the best of the best. Their influence over the sport was so powerful that it changed the MLB forever.
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#5 – Jackie Robinson
Becomes the first black MLB Player
Before Robinson was hired by the Brooklyn Dodgers black and white men had been forced to play in different baseball leagues.
Not only was Robinson’s hiring the start of race relations changing in the MLB but Robinson also brought a huge black audience with him. Many sports historians have noted that their patronage and ticket sales helped keep the MLB afloat during tough years.
When other teams saw Jackie Robinson’s talent, they began to hire a large number of black men. By the time Robinson retired, men of color playing baseball were seen as completely normal.
#4 – Babe Ruth
The first darling of the MLB
Babe Ruth was a fantastic player whose career spanned over 22 seasons – despite Ruth taking very little interest in living a healthy lifestyle. Ruth was so good that he spent the majority of one season in hospital and still managed to hit 25 home runs.
What is most notable about Ruth, was the way the fans adored him. He was the first MLB player to truly become a superstar – unlike players like Ty Cobb, he embraced his popularity.
#3 – Ted Willams
War hero and Red Sox batter
Ted Willams still remains one of the most decorated baseball players of all time. Williams played a total of 19 seasons, during which he was a 19-time All Star, 6-time AL batting champion, 2-time AL MVP, and 2-time Triple Crown winner. Willams still has the all-time highest on-base percentage. Willans played his entire career with the Red Sox
Willams served as a Navy Officer and was called up to war twice during his baseball career. He served in both WW2 and the Korean War. Just think what Willams could have done if he hadn’t had to take so much time out of the MLB.
#2 – Cal Ripken Jr
Opens the door for tall shortstops
One of the most notable things about Cal Ripken Jr is his height – a towering 6″4.
Before Ripken Jr, tall shortstops were nothing more than a ludicrous idea. By the time Ripken Jr retired, they were the norm.
Ripken Jr played his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles and is widely considered the best 3rd baseman and best shortstop of all time. Ripken Jr was the recipient of 2 Golden Glove awards and a 19-time All Star. He also holds an MLB record for 2,632 consecutive games played.
#1 – Alex Rodriguez
Greatest MLB player of all time?
Alex Rodriguez spent his career showing people that he could achieve the impossible. Rodriguez is the only player that was able to do all of the following in one career: hit over 600 home runs, hit over 2000 runs, over 2000 runs batted in, over 3000 hits, and 300 bases stolen.
Looking at those stats is easy to see why many people consider Rodriguez the greatest player of all time.
Rodriguez was also a World Series champion, 14-time All Star, 3 time AL MVP, and two-time Golden Glove winner.
