In the sport of baseball fans tend to become enamored with the players that possess the ability to hit the long ball, and certainly, some of the best outfielders of all-time had that ability. To a purist of the game however, a list comprising the best outfielders of all-time would absolutely begin and end with the ability a given player had with the glove, legs and arm. Very few aspects of baseball are as exciting as a diving or leaping catch, a great throw that ends in a runner being tagged out, or an outfielder that successfully battles a fan at the railing for a fly ball. The best outfielders of all-time are not one-trick-ponies known for their hitting acumen only, in fact, some of the greatest outfielders of all-time were only average at the plate but extraordinary in making their presence and impact felt by the opposition in the defensive aspect of the game.
Other that merit consideration as the best outfielders of all-time are Ken Griffey Jr, Jim Edmonds, Dave Winfield, Dwight Evans, and Carl Yastrzemski. Griffey Jr has won 10 gold glove awards in an injury plagued career and has probably stolen as many home runs from hitters at the outfield wall as anyone. Jim Edmonds had 8 glove gloves and was a tremendous center fielder. Dwight Evans won 8 gold gloves, Winfield won 7, and Yastrzemski also won 7 gold gloves.
Some of the old-time players like Joe DiMaggio had great defensive outfield skills before there were awards for fielding. One little thought of candidate as a great outfielder was Babe Ruth - given his size and lifestyle he was an outstanding outfielder with a terrific arm. Although Mickey Mantle only won one gold glove award, one should wonder what might have been had he not had serious problems with his knees and mobility.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
