Feb 10

Feb 10 Top 5 Center Fielders of All-Time

The Greatest Center Fielders MLB History

There is no doubt that in most ballparks, center fielder is one of the most demanding jobs from a physical standpoint.

Iconic center fielder Ken Griffey Junior

Center fielders are often the best athlete on the field. In most parks, they are the ones who will have the most ground to cover in the outfield.

They are usually either the fastest of the 3 outfielders or they have the best arm, as they often have to make long throws, too.

As one of the better athletes, they are also often a team’s leading power hitter or speed demon.

In this article, we will cover 5 of the best center fielders to have ever played the position in the Major Leagues.

1. Mike Trout

Played: 2011-present

The 6’2, 235-pound center fielder is a menace for anyone looking to get him out.

Coming into the 2023 season, in his first 11 years he has 40 home runs on a 162-game average.

Over his career, he has won Rookie of the Year, he was the American League Most Valuable Player 3 times and he also won the All-Star game MVP twice.

All of this as a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

2. Ken Griffey Junior

Played: 1989-2010

Ken Griffey Junior is famous for also playing with his Dad, Ken Griffey Senior.

Ken Griffey Senior is remembered as having one of the sweetest swings in baseball, as it was often a straight line or a loop, depending on where the ball was thrown and where he was trying to hit it.

For his accolades, the 6’3 195 pound center fielder recorded MVP and he was a 3-time home run derby champion.

He also won 10 gold gloves, a 7-time silver slugger and an All-Star game MVP.

He threatened Roger Maris’ record of 62 home runs during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. This was the record at the time, and Griffey managed to hit 56 home in his attempt to chase down Maris’ record.

And yes, 1998 was the year when Maris went from first to third in all-time single-season home runs.

In addition to a picture-perfect swing, Griffey was also famous for making electrifying diving catches in the outfield.

Besides the Mariners, Griffey also played for the Reds and White Sox.

3. Mickey Mantle

Played: 1951-1968

Just like many of the New York Yankees during the 1950s and 1960s, Mickey Mantle was a terrifying threat to any opposing pitcher who had to pitch against him.

Over the course of his career, Mantle went to 20 All-Star games, won a gold glove and he also won the triple crown in 1956.

It should be noted that the triple crown is a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in almost 60 years.

The last player to do it was Carl Yastremski during the Red Sox 1967 Impossible Dream year.

4. Willie Mays

Played: 1948-1973

There is no doubt that Willie Mays’ 23-year career was one of the most impressive in baseball history!

Mays skipped the 1953 season due to serving in the military, and his first year as a pro was in the Negro Leagues.

For accolades, he won 2 MVPs and he went to 24 All-Star games. This is the second most All-Star games in league history, behind Hank Aaron who had 25.

He also made what some call “the greatest catch” in history during game 1 of the Giants-Indians World Series in 1954.

5. Andruw Jones

Played: 1996-2012

While Andruw Jones is most known for playing for the Atlanta Braves, he also spent some time with the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox.

He is remembered for his power and defensive prowess, as he won 10 gold gloves over the course of his career- and with good reason.

During 5 of those seasons, he finished in the top 2 in the league in assists, from 1998-2002 and also in 2007.

Offensively, he hit more than 30 homers in 7 separate seasons, hitting his personal best in 2005, when he hit 51 home runs to go with 128 runs batted in.

There is no doubt that Jones will go down as one of the best all-round players in history.