The Top 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years- Right Field

Continuing my list of 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years, today I am looking at right field. For players who played multiple positions, I am only including them at 1 position. Usually, it will be for the position they played the most games. However, I may use judgement and select a player at the position where he had most success.  Since this is based on the last 50 years, the player must have played in MLB for at least 5 years since the 1973 season. Note players who began their career prior to 73 can be considered. However only their performance and accomplishments since the 1973 season will be counted for. For example, Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, who played through 1983. But all his great accomplishments were prior to 1973 (3 batting titles, the triple crown and MVP). So, he did not make the cut for the left fielders. The top accomplishments for each player will be noted.

Here is my list of the top 10 greatest right fielders in the last 50 years.

10. Mookie Betts (2014-active)- MVP, Batting champion, 6X gold glove.

9.  Sammy Sosa (1989-2007)- MVP, 2X HR champion.

8.  Dave Parker (1973-1991)- MVP, 2x Batting champion, 3X Gold Glove winner.  

7.  Dave Winfield (1973-1995)- HOF, 5X Gold Glove winner.  

6. Vladimir Guerrero (1996-2011)- HOF, MVP.

5. Andre Dawson (1976-1996)- HOF, MVP, 4X Gold Glove winner playing RF.

4. Ichiro Suzuki (2001-2019)- MVP, 2X Batting champion, 10X Gold Glove winner.

3. Larry Walker (1989-2005)- HOF, MVP, 3X Batting champion, 7X Gold Glove winner.

2. Reggie Jackson (1973-1987)- HOF, MVP, 4x HR champion, 2X WS MVP.

1. Tony Gwynn (1982-2001)- HOF, 8X Batting champion, 5X Gold Glove winner.

Notes. #10 was a tough decision. There were many to choose from, but I selected Betts because his first 8 full seasons are so impressive. MVP, batting title, 6 gold gloves, and 2 WS championships. Will probably move up on this list in the next few years.  Sosa reluctantly makes the list.  He hit over 60 HRs (3) times. Steroids or not, still quite an accomplishment. Parker should be considered for the HOF. He had a better career than many already inducted. Besides winning MVP, Parker finished in the top 5 voting (4) times.  Hall of Famer Winfield was a very consistent player. He had 11 seasons of having over 90 RBI, including 7 in a row. Hall of Famer Guerrero batted over .300 for 12 straight seasons (1997 to 2008). Dawson started his career in CF, but successfully transitioned to RF. He is one of only eight players in major league history to record over 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases in his career. Ichiro is one of only two players to win both the Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. He should be a first ballot HOF when eligible. Walker hit .350 or higher in 4 seasons, including hitting .379, which is the fourth-highest single season average since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. I went back and forth between 1 and 2. Both legendary HOF players. Considered Reggie based on his amazing post season numbers. He is one of only (3) players in history to win 2 World Series MVP awards. But I gave the nod to Gwynn. His 8 batting titles put him tied for 2^nd for most ever. Only Ty Cobb had more (12).

Next up is the 10 greatest Designated Hitters in the last 50 years.

The Top 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years- Centerfield

Continuing my list 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years, today I am looking at centerfield. For players who played multiple positions, I am only including them at 1 position. Usually, it will be for the position they played the most games. However, I may use judgement and select a player at the position where he had most success.  Since this is based on the last 50 years, the player must have played in MLB for at least 5 years since the 1973 season. Note players who began their career prior to 73 can be considered. However only their performance and accomplishments since the 1973 season will be counted for. For example, Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, who played through 1983. But all his great accomplishments were prior to 1973 (3 batting titles, the triple crown and MVP). So, he did not make the cut for the left fielders. The top accomplishments for each player will be noted.

Here is my list of the top 10 greatest centerfielders in the last 50 years.

10. Carlos Beltran (1998-2017)- 3X Gold glove winner.

9.  Jim Edmonds (1993-2010)- 8x Gold glove winner.

8.  Kenny Lofton (1991-2007)- 5X stolen base leader, 4X Gold Glove winner.

7.  Andruw Jones (1996-2012)- 10x Gold glove winner.  HR champion.

6. Bernie Williams (1991-2006)- Batting title, ALCS MVP, 4X Gold Glove winner.

5. Fred Lynn (1974-1990)- MVP, Batting title, ALCS MVP, 4X Gold Glove winner.  

4. Dale Murphy (1976-1993)- 2X MVP, 2X HR champion, 5X Gold Glove winner.

3. Kirby Puckett (1984-1995)- HOF, Batting title, ALCS MVP, 6X Gold Glove winner.

2. Ken Griffey Jr (1989-2010)- HOF, MVP, 4X HR champion. 10X Gold Glove winner.

1. Mike Trout (2011-active)- 3X MVP, finished 2^nd in MVP voting 4x.  

Notes.  Beltran makes it based on his outstanding post season numbers (in postseason games, he batted .307 (66-for-215) with 45 runs, 15 doubles, 16 home runs, 42 RBI, and 11 stolen bases). Edmonds makes it for his terrific defense and his 8 gold gloves. Lofton was instrumental in contributing to leading teams to the post season for 8 straight seasons. Jones was a terrific fielder and power hitter leading the league in HR and winning multiple gold gloves. Williams hit over .300 for (8) straight seasons. Lynn is only 1 of (2) players to win both rookie of the year and MVP in the same season. If you look at Murphy’s career, there is no question he should be a Hall of Famer. Puckett led the league in hits in (4) seasons as well as winning the batting title. Besides winning the MVP, Griffey Jr finished in the top 5 voting (4) times. Trout is one of only 10 players to win the at least 3 MVPs.

Next up is the 10 greatest right fielders in the last 50 years.