Post by Sha-Le Unique on Apr 22, 2015 16:34:18 GMT -5
Now that we have already surpassed the first decade in HOFFBL history, let's see how much the top 10 hitters ranks have changed in the past 5 seasons!
Of course, only stats during sim seasons were taken into consideration (thanks CATO for all the data!) and 1963 stats are not included because this is our 11th season.
First, some honorable mentions!
- Joe Adcock
- Richie Ashburn
- Gus Bell
- Yogi Berra
- Norm Cash
- Roberto Clemente
- Rocky Colavito
- Del Ennis
- Carl Furillo
- Jim Gentile
- Jim Gilliam
- Gil Hodges
- Ralph Kiner
- Ted Kluszewski
- Harvey Kuenn
- Stan Musial
- Wally Post
- Jackie Robinson
- Red Schoendienst
- Norm Siebern
- Roy Sievers
- Frank J. Thomas
- Ted Williams
- Gus Zernial
And now the top 10!
10. SS Ernie Banks
Career Stats: .279/.342/.482, 1602 H, 325 2B, 246 HR, 916 RBI, 529 BB, 860 R, 8x All-Star
Best Season: 1955 (.293/.355/.542, 170 H, 30 2B, 33 HR, 108 RBI, 54 BB, 91 R)
In HOFFBL's first decade, the Cubs only had one winning season in 1959, but despite the lack of on-field success, Ernie Banks has been a consistent bright spot for many years. His single season numbers have never really stood out from everyone else, but it's his long-term consistency that got him into the top 10 over all the honorable mentions. Banks is tied for 11th in league history in home runs, 11th in RBI, 7th in doubles and 9th in total bases. I'm not sure how much longer Banks will remain among the top 10, but there is no doubt he is the best player the Cubs have ever had in their history thus far.
9. CF Larry Doby
Career Stats: .309/.422/.488, 1658 H, 194 2B, 223 HR, 893 RBI, 1018 BB, 1100 R, 9x All-Star
Best Season: 1960 (.333/.420/.540, 183 H, 23 2B, 27 HR, 122 RBI, 80 BB, 123 R)
One of the staples of the Tigers' high powered offense for so many years has been Larry Doby, who was an All-Star in each of the first 10 seasons except 1955. From 1953-1962, Doby ranks 4th in OBP, 8th in runs, 10th in hits, and 2nd in walks. He's hit over .300 in 6 of those seasons and led the AL in home runs in 1956. Doby is nearing the end of his career now, but the first African-American player in the AL has had quite a career and will be an easy call for the Hall of Fame when the time comes.
8. 3B Al Rosen
Career Stats: .311/.397/.531, 1626 H, 251 2B, 246 HR, 942 RBI, 745 BB, 942 R, 1954 and 1957 AL MVP, 8x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove Award
Best Season: 1954 (.366/.459/.627, 204 H, 40 2B, 14 3B, 26 HR, 115 RBI, 99 BB, 125 R)
Arguably the best third baseman we have seen in the AL, Al Rosen stayed in the top 10 mostly thanks to his 1953-1957 numbers being as strong as they were. The 2-time AL MVP is 9th in career RBI, 10th in walks, 8th in total bases and just shy of the top 10 in average, OBP, slugging percentage, OPS, hits and home runs.
The recently retired Rosen will be a no-doubt 1st ballot Hall of Fame inductee when the time comes.
7. LF Frank Robinson
Career Stats: .308/.403/.557, 1551 H, 324 2B, 270 HR, 792 RBI, 618 BB, 964 R, 6x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove Awards
Best Season: 1962 (.308/.425/.608, 171 H, 32 2B, 41 HR, 105 RBI, 95 BB, 119 R)
One of the best younger hitters in this league has to be Frank Robinson who has already played in 9 seasons through the age of 26. Robinson was one of the few bright spots for the Reds until his trade to the Pirates in 1962. Robinson has been as consistent as anyone and is already among the career leaders in quite a few categories. He is 7th in OBP, 8th in slugging percentage, 9th in OPS, 10th in runs, 8th in doubles, 6th in home runs and 7th in total bases. Now one of the offensive leaders for the Pirates, Robinson will look to lead the Pirates to a championship in the future, while continuing to put up beastly numbers from one season to the next.
6. RF Al Kaline
Career Stats: .322/.401/.539, 1850 H, 307 2B, 264 HR, 1082 RBI, 734 BB, 1183 R, 1956 AL MVP, 10x All-Star
Best Season: 1961 (.337/.407/.596, 199 H, 33 2B, 38 HR, 133 RBI, 67 BB, 130 R)
The biggest piece to the Tiger's offense though has been their franchise player, Al Kaline. Kaline was a big part of the Tigers' 1960 World Series run and has hit over .300 in every season since his rookie year in 1953. He won the 1956 AL MVP and then had an even better season in 1961. By his 28th birthday last December, Kaline ranked 5th in career average, 10th in OBP, 10th in slugging percentage, 10th in OPS, 4th in hits, 7th in home runs, 6th in RBI, 11th in walks, and 5th in total bases. It's sorta scary to think what Kaline's numbers will look like 5 seasons from now. Being that he's now in his prime, look for Kaline to continue to be a consistent AL MVP candidate for at least the next 5-6 seasons.
5. 3B Eddie Mathews
Career Stats: .293/.400/.572, 1568 H, 237 2B, 376 HR, 1105 RBI, 960 BB, 1101 R, 1956 NL MVP Award, 8x All-Star
Best Season: 1956 (.332/.434/.630, 175 H, 22 2B, 41 HR, 124 RBI, 93 BB, 112 R)
The best third baseman we have seen, Eddie Mathews has long been the most feared left-handed hitter in the game. The 1956 NL MVP currently ranks 7th in slugging percentage, 7th in OPS, 7th in runs scored, 2nd in home runs, 4th in RBI, 3rd in walks, and 6th in total bases. Mathews has clearly been of the best at both hitting home runs and drawing walks with that amazing eye of his. He has led the NL twice in each category and has consistently been a top 10 presence.
To this disappointment of Braves fans down south, Mathews ended up getting traded to the White Sox and then the Pirates in 1963, where he will look to help Frank Robinson and everyone else in the Steel City make a World Series run soon. Mathews hasn't been to the playoffs since the 1953 Braves lost to the Yankees in the World Series. He is as due as anyone to get back to the Fall Classic. Either way, Mathews has already padded his resume more than enough to be a first ballot, if not unanimously selected Hall of Fame member.
4. CF Hank Aaron
Career Stats: .339/.389/.603, 2033 H, 411 2B, 336 HR, 1165 RBI, 516 BB, 1204 R, 174 SB, 1959 & 1961 NL MVP, 8x All-Star
Best Season: 1959 (.357/.388/.663, 232 H, 50 2B, 10 3B, 43 HR, 114 RBI, 34 BB, 134 R, 17 SB)
It pains me to even put Hank Aaron only at #4, but to be honest, he and the top 5 players here could really go in any order because they have clearly been the top 5 hitters in league history. Anyway, Aaron has been arguably the most consistent hitter we have seen thus far. The 2-time NL MVP and 5-time NL batting champion is the career leader in batting average and hits. He's also 4th in slugging percentage, 4th in OPS, 4th in runs, 2nd in doubles, 5th in home runs, 3rd in RBI, and 2nd in total bases. He has the single season record in batting average (.377 in 1955) and hits (232 in 1959).
It remains to be seen if Aaron can lead the Braves back to the playoffs, which hasn't happened for them since 1953. Pretty much the only thing missing on Aaron's resume is a World Series ring. Aaron will go down as one of the greatest hitters in HOFFBL history and should remain in the top 10, if not the top 5 for many years to come.
3. CF Willie Mays
Career Stats: .322/.388/.590, 1879 H, 281 2B, 115 3B, 353 HR, 1095 RBI, 613 BB, 1172 R, 477 SB, 1962 NL MVP, 7x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove Award
Best Season: 1962 (.356/.429/.734, 217 H, 27 2B, 12 3B, 60 HR, 154 RBI, 74 BB, 161 R, 61 SB)
As great of a CF that Aaron has been in the NL, Willie Mays has been even better. The reigning NL MVP had the best single season in league history in 1962 and set single season records in home runs and runs scored. He is the only player to ever go 60/60 with 60+ home runs and 60+ stolen bases in a season...a stat that many would have thought they'd never see. But speaking of stealing bases, it's this stat that ultimately puts Mays above Aaron. That and 17 more home runs pretty much. It was that close.
Mays currently ranks 6th in career batting average, 5th in slugging percentage, 5th in OPS, 6th in runs scored, 3rd in hits, 2nd in triples, 4th in home runs, 5th in RBI, 4th in stolen bases and 3rd in total bases.
Mays is very likely to remain a Giant for the rest of his career and time will tell whether he'll ever be able to participate in the postseason.
2. CF Mickey Mantle
Career Stats: .312/.426/.611, 1661 H, 290 2B, 368 HR, 1167 RBI, 1087 BB, 1225 R, 442 SB, 1953, 1961 & 1962 AL MVP, 9x All-Star, 8x AL Gold Glove Awards
Best Season: 1962 (.289/.411/.665, 163 H, 25 2B, 59 HR, 149 RBI, 117 BB, 143 R, 44 SB)
Mickey Mantle has pretty much been the Mays of the AL, aka the center fielder that can do it all. The 3-time AL MVP and 4-time World Series champion is arguably the best hitter in AL history thus far. He currently ranks 2nd in career OBP, 2nd in slugging percentage, 3rd in OPS, 3rd in runs scored, 9th in hits, 5th in triples (98), 3rd in home runs, 2nd in RBI, 1st in walks, 5th in stolen bases, and 4th in total bases.
Defensively, Mantle has been the very best, with 8 AL Gold Glove Awards under his belt. At 31 right now, Mantle still has quite a few years left of great production and one can only imagine what the future Hall of Fame player's career will look like when it's all said and done. Maybe the Mick will even move up to #1? Time will tell.
1. CF Duke Snider
Career Stats: .323/.402/.651, 1892 H, 438 2B, 102 3B, 427 HR, 1351 RBI, 765 BB, 1261 R, 1953-1955 and 1957-1958 NL MVP Awards, 10x All-Star
Best Season: 1954 (.341/.439/.741, 204 H, 49 2B, 11 3B, 56 HR, 173 RBI, 105 BB, 155 R)
But alas, Duke Snider still remains the #1 hitter in HOFFBL history, even despite declining more recently with age. He is still the career leader in slugging percentage, runs scored, doubles, home runs (by a long shot), RBI (also by a long shot), and total bases (again, by a long shot). He is also 4th in batting average, 8th in OBP, 2nd in OPS, 2nd in hits, 3rd in triples, and 7th in walks. In addition, he holds single season records in slugging percentage (.741 in 1954), OPS (1.180 in 1954), doubles (60 in 1958) and RBI (173 in 1954).
Snider led the Dodgers to a pair of World Series championships in 1958 and 1961. He has won more MVP Awards than anyone and is already a no-brainer unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame when his career comes to an end within 1 or 2 seasons from now more than likely.
I'll do this again after our 15th season. Top 10 pitching ranks coming soon!
Of course, only stats during sim seasons were taken into consideration (thanks CATO for all the data!) and 1963 stats are not included because this is our 11th season.
First, some honorable mentions!
- Joe Adcock
- Richie Ashburn
- Gus Bell
- Yogi Berra
- Norm Cash
- Roberto Clemente
- Rocky Colavito
- Del Ennis
- Carl Furillo
- Jim Gentile
- Jim Gilliam
- Gil Hodges
- Ralph Kiner
- Ted Kluszewski
- Harvey Kuenn
- Stan Musial
- Wally Post
- Jackie Robinson
- Red Schoendienst
- Norm Siebern
- Roy Sievers
- Frank J. Thomas
- Ted Williams
- Gus Zernial
And now the top 10!
10. SS Ernie Banks
Career Stats: .279/.342/.482, 1602 H, 325 2B, 246 HR, 916 RBI, 529 BB, 860 R, 8x All-Star
Best Season: 1955 (.293/.355/.542, 170 H, 30 2B, 33 HR, 108 RBI, 54 BB, 91 R)
In HOFFBL's first decade, the Cubs only had one winning season in 1959, but despite the lack of on-field success, Ernie Banks has been a consistent bright spot for many years. His single season numbers have never really stood out from everyone else, but it's his long-term consistency that got him into the top 10 over all the honorable mentions. Banks is tied for 11th in league history in home runs, 11th in RBI, 7th in doubles and 9th in total bases. I'm not sure how much longer Banks will remain among the top 10, but there is no doubt he is the best player the Cubs have ever had in their history thus far.
9. CF Larry Doby
Career Stats: .309/.422/.488, 1658 H, 194 2B, 223 HR, 893 RBI, 1018 BB, 1100 R, 9x All-Star
Best Season: 1960 (.333/.420/.540, 183 H, 23 2B, 27 HR, 122 RBI, 80 BB, 123 R)
One of the staples of the Tigers' high powered offense for so many years has been Larry Doby, who was an All-Star in each of the first 10 seasons except 1955. From 1953-1962, Doby ranks 4th in OBP, 8th in runs, 10th in hits, and 2nd in walks. He's hit over .300 in 6 of those seasons and led the AL in home runs in 1956. Doby is nearing the end of his career now, but the first African-American player in the AL has had quite a career and will be an easy call for the Hall of Fame when the time comes.
8. 3B Al Rosen
Career Stats: .311/.397/.531, 1626 H, 251 2B, 246 HR, 942 RBI, 745 BB, 942 R, 1954 and 1957 AL MVP, 8x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove Award
Best Season: 1954 (.366/.459/.627, 204 H, 40 2B, 14 3B, 26 HR, 115 RBI, 99 BB, 125 R)
Arguably the best third baseman we have seen in the AL, Al Rosen stayed in the top 10 mostly thanks to his 1953-1957 numbers being as strong as they were. The 2-time AL MVP is 9th in career RBI, 10th in walks, 8th in total bases and just shy of the top 10 in average, OBP, slugging percentage, OPS, hits and home runs.
The recently retired Rosen will be a no-doubt 1st ballot Hall of Fame inductee when the time comes.
7. LF Frank Robinson
Career Stats: .308/.403/.557, 1551 H, 324 2B, 270 HR, 792 RBI, 618 BB, 964 R, 6x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove Awards
Best Season: 1962 (.308/.425/.608, 171 H, 32 2B, 41 HR, 105 RBI, 95 BB, 119 R)
One of the best younger hitters in this league has to be Frank Robinson who has already played in 9 seasons through the age of 26. Robinson was one of the few bright spots for the Reds until his trade to the Pirates in 1962. Robinson has been as consistent as anyone and is already among the career leaders in quite a few categories. He is 7th in OBP, 8th in slugging percentage, 9th in OPS, 10th in runs, 8th in doubles, 6th in home runs and 7th in total bases. Now one of the offensive leaders for the Pirates, Robinson will look to lead the Pirates to a championship in the future, while continuing to put up beastly numbers from one season to the next.
6. RF Al Kaline
Career Stats: .322/.401/.539, 1850 H, 307 2B, 264 HR, 1082 RBI, 734 BB, 1183 R, 1956 AL MVP, 10x All-Star
Best Season: 1961 (.337/.407/.596, 199 H, 33 2B, 38 HR, 133 RBI, 67 BB, 130 R)
The biggest piece to the Tiger's offense though has been their franchise player, Al Kaline. Kaline was a big part of the Tigers' 1960 World Series run and has hit over .300 in every season since his rookie year in 1953. He won the 1956 AL MVP and then had an even better season in 1961. By his 28th birthday last December, Kaline ranked 5th in career average, 10th in OBP, 10th in slugging percentage, 10th in OPS, 4th in hits, 7th in home runs, 6th in RBI, 11th in walks, and 5th in total bases. It's sorta scary to think what Kaline's numbers will look like 5 seasons from now. Being that he's now in his prime, look for Kaline to continue to be a consistent AL MVP candidate for at least the next 5-6 seasons.
5. 3B Eddie Mathews
Career Stats: .293/.400/.572, 1568 H, 237 2B, 376 HR, 1105 RBI, 960 BB, 1101 R, 1956 NL MVP Award, 8x All-Star
Best Season: 1956 (.332/.434/.630, 175 H, 22 2B, 41 HR, 124 RBI, 93 BB, 112 R)
The best third baseman we have seen, Eddie Mathews has long been the most feared left-handed hitter in the game. The 1956 NL MVP currently ranks 7th in slugging percentage, 7th in OPS, 7th in runs scored, 2nd in home runs, 4th in RBI, 3rd in walks, and 6th in total bases. Mathews has clearly been of the best at both hitting home runs and drawing walks with that amazing eye of his. He has led the NL twice in each category and has consistently been a top 10 presence.
To this disappointment of Braves fans down south, Mathews ended up getting traded to the White Sox and then the Pirates in 1963, where he will look to help Frank Robinson and everyone else in the Steel City make a World Series run soon. Mathews hasn't been to the playoffs since the 1953 Braves lost to the Yankees in the World Series. He is as due as anyone to get back to the Fall Classic. Either way, Mathews has already padded his resume more than enough to be a first ballot, if not unanimously selected Hall of Fame member.
4. CF Hank Aaron
Career Stats: .339/.389/.603, 2033 H, 411 2B, 336 HR, 1165 RBI, 516 BB, 1204 R, 174 SB, 1959 & 1961 NL MVP, 8x All-Star
Best Season: 1959 (.357/.388/.663, 232 H, 50 2B, 10 3B, 43 HR, 114 RBI, 34 BB, 134 R, 17 SB)
It pains me to even put Hank Aaron only at #4, but to be honest, he and the top 5 players here could really go in any order because they have clearly been the top 5 hitters in league history. Anyway, Aaron has been arguably the most consistent hitter we have seen thus far. The 2-time NL MVP and 5-time NL batting champion is the career leader in batting average and hits. He's also 4th in slugging percentage, 4th in OPS, 4th in runs, 2nd in doubles, 5th in home runs, 3rd in RBI, and 2nd in total bases. He has the single season record in batting average (.377 in 1955) and hits (232 in 1959).
It remains to be seen if Aaron can lead the Braves back to the playoffs, which hasn't happened for them since 1953. Pretty much the only thing missing on Aaron's resume is a World Series ring. Aaron will go down as one of the greatest hitters in HOFFBL history and should remain in the top 10, if not the top 5 for many years to come.
3. CF Willie Mays
Career Stats: .322/.388/.590, 1879 H, 281 2B, 115 3B, 353 HR, 1095 RBI, 613 BB, 1172 R, 477 SB, 1962 NL MVP, 7x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove Award
Best Season: 1962 (.356/.429/.734, 217 H, 27 2B, 12 3B, 60 HR, 154 RBI, 74 BB, 161 R, 61 SB)
As great of a CF that Aaron has been in the NL, Willie Mays has been even better. The reigning NL MVP had the best single season in league history in 1962 and set single season records in home runs and runs scored. He is the only player to ever go 60/60 with 60+ home runs and 60+ stolen bases in a season...a stat that many would have thought they'd never see. But speaking of stealing bases, it's this stat that ultimately puts Mays above Aaron. That and 17 more home runs pretty much. It was that close.
Mays currently ranks 6th in career batting average, 5th in slugging percentage, 5th in OPS, 6th in runs scored, 3rd in hits, 2nd in triples, 4th in home runs, 5th in RBI, 4th in stolen bases and 3rd in total bases.
Mays is very likely to remain a Giant for the rest of his career and time will tell whether he'll ever be able to participate in the postseason.
2. CF Mickey Mantle
Career Stats: .312/.426/.611, 1661 H, 290 2B, 368 HR, 1167 RBI, 1087 BB, 1225 R, 442 SB, 1953, 1961 & 1962 AL MVP, 9x All-Star, 8x AL Gold Glove Awards
Best Season: 1962 (.289/.411/.665, 163 H, 25 2B, 59 HR, 149 RBI, 117 BB, 143 R, 44 SB)
Mickey Mantle has pretty much been the Mays of the AL, aka the center fielder that can do it all. The 3-time AL MVP and 4-time World Series champion is arguably the best hitter in AL history thus far. He currently ranks 2nd in career OBP, 2nd in slugging percentage, 3rd in OPS, 3rd in runs scored, 9th in hits, 5th in triples (98), 3rd in home runs, 2nd in RBI, 1st in walks, 5th in stolen bases, and 4th in total bases.
Defensively, Mantle has been the very best, with 8 AL Gold Glove Awards under his belt. At 31 right now, Mantle still has quite a few years left of great production and one can only imagine what the future Hall of Fame player's career will look like when it's all said and done. Maybe the Mick will even move up to #1? Time will tell.
1. CF Duke Snider
Career Stats: .323/.402/.651, 1892 H, 438 2B, 102 3B, 427 HR, 1351 RBI, 765 BB, 1261 R, 1953-1955 and 1957-1958 NL MVP Awards, 10x All-Star
Best Season: 1954 (.341/.439/.741, 204 H, 49 2B, 11 3B, 56 HR, 173 RBI, 105 BB, 155 R)
But alas, Duke Snider still remains the #1 hitter in HOFFBL history, even despite declining more recently with age. He is still the career leader in slugging percentage, runs scored, doubles, home runs (by a long shot), RBI (also by a long shot), and total bases (again, by a long shot). He is also 4th in batting average, 8th in OBP, 2nd in OPS, 2nd in hits, 3rd in triples, and 7th in walks. In addition, he holds single season records in slugging percentage (.741 in 1954), OPS (1.180 in 1954), doubles (60 in 1958) and RBI (173 in 1954).
Snider led the Dodgers to a pair of World Series championships in 1958 and 1961. He has won more MVP Awards than anyone and is already a no-brainer unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame when his career comes to an end within 1 or 2 seasons from now more than likely.
I'll do this again after our 15th season. Top 10 pitching ranks coming soon!
