Across all 50 states, children play Little League baseball and practice the game in hopes of one day making it to the majors. While the odds of actually becoming a big leaguer are slim, there have been nearly 20,000 total players in MLB history — representing all 50 states. Fans are always proud of the players that their state produces, but only one can be the most highly touted in that state’s history.
24/7 Tempo reviewed data from Baseball Reference to determine the best baseball player from every state. We took into account statistics such as WAR, as well as accolades like MVPs and All-Star selections, for MLB players. As many of these players moved from state to state growing up, we considered players to be from the state in which they were born. Players whose careers began before the World Series Era, which started in 1903, were not considered.
Each state has produced a dozen or more major leaguers. Alaska has produced the fewest pro baseball players among states, with 12. That should come as no surprise since the MLB predates the state by more than 50 years, not to mention the fact that it has a small population and fewer days where it is warm enough to go outside and play baseball compared with other states. California has by far the highest total, with over 2,300.
This list could look very differently soon. Some young players are already well on their way to becoming their state’s best. For instance, Cody Bellinger has played six seasons and has already made two All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove, and was named 2019 NL MVP. A different Arizonan was named the state’s best player, largely because his major league career is longer than Bellinger’s, and he racked up four All-Star nods and helped his team win a World Series. Bellinger seems poised for long-term success, but he will need more time to establish himself as Arizona’s best-ever baseball player. At just 26 years old, however, he has plenty of time to do so. These are the youngest athletes to dominate their sport.
“Greatness” is difficult to quantify, so we took into account not just statistics, but accolades, Hall of Fame status, and legacy too. There were several players who certainly had the statistics to make a claim as the greatest in their state’s history, but for a variety of reasons, were kept out of the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose received a lifetime ban from baseball for gambling on the MLB, while several others have had their reputations tarnished for their links to steroid use. These are the scandals that rocked the sports world.
Click here to see the best baseball player in every state
Alabama: Willie Mays
> Team(s): San Francisco Giants, New York Mets
> Position: Centerfielder
> Career: 1951-1973
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 20x All-Star, 12x Gold Glove, World Series
> Also considered: Hank Aaron, Ozzie Smith
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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Alaska: Curt Schilling
> Team(s): Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, 3 others
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1988-2007
> Accolades: 6x All-Star, 3x World Series
> Also considered: Shawn Chacon
See all stories featuring: Alaska
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Arizona: Ian Kinsler
> Team(s): Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, 3 others
> Position: Second baseman
> Career: 2006-2019
> Accolades: 4x All-star, 2x Gold Glove, World Series
> Also considered: Cody Bellinger
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Arkansas: Brooks Robinson
> Team(s): Baltimore Orioles
> Position: Third baseman
> Career: 1955-1977
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 15x All-Star, 16x Gold Glove
> Also considered: Dizzy Dean, Lou Brock
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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California: Barry Bonds
> Team(s): San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates
> Position: Left fielder
> Career: 1986-2007
> Accolades: 7x MVP, 14x All-Star, 8x Gold Glove
> Also considered: Ted Williams, Tom Seaver
See all stories featuring: California
Colorado: Roy Halladay
> Team(s): Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1998-2013
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2x Cy Young, 8x All-Star
> Also considered: Goose Gossage
See all stories featuring: Colorado
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Connecticut: Mo Vaughn
> Team(s): Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Anaheim Angels
> Position: First baseman
> Career: 1991-2003
> Accolades: MVP, 3x All-Star, Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Dick McAuliffe, Jim Piersall
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Delaware: Paul Goldschmidt
> Team(s): Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals
> Position: First baseman
> Career: 2011-present
> Accolades: MVP, 7x All-Star, 4x Gold Glove, 5x Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Chris Short
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Florida: Steve Carlton
> Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, 4 others
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1965-1988
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 4x Cy Young, 10x All-Star, Gold Glove, ERA Title, 2x World Series
> Also considered: Chipper Jones
See all stories featuring: Florida
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Georgia: Ty Cobb
> Team(s): Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia A’s
> Position: Centerfielder
> Career: 1905-1928
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x Batting Title, MVP
> Also considered: Frank Thomas, Jackie Robinson
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Hawaii: Shane Victorino
> Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, 3 others
> Position: Outfield
> Career: 2003-2015
> Accolades: 2x All Star, 2x World Series, 4x Gold Glove
> Also considered: Charlie Hough, Sid Fernandez
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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Idaho: Harmon Killebrew
> Team(s): Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals
> Position: First baseman / Third baseman
> Career: 1954-1975
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 11x All-Star
> Also considered: Larry Jackson
See all stories featuring: Idaho
Illinois: Rickey Henderson
> Team(s): Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, 7 others
> Position: Left fielder
> Career: 1979-2003
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 10x All-Star, 2x World Series, Gold Glove
> Also considered: Robin Roberts, Robin Yount
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Indiana: Scott Rolen
> Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, 2 others
> Position: Third baseman
> Career: 1996-2012
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 7x All-Star, 8x Gold Glove, World Series
> Also considered: Don Mattingly, Kenny Lofton
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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Iowa: Bob Feller
> Team(s): Cleveland Indians
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1936-1956
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 8x All-Star, World Series, ERA Title
> Also considered: Red Faber, Dazzy Vance
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Kansas: Walter Johnson
> Team(s): Washington Senators
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1907-1927
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 5x ERA Title, World Series
> Also considered: Johnny Damon, Joe Tinker
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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Kentucky: Pee Wee Reese
> Team(s): Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers
> Position: Shortstop
> Career: 1940-1958
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x All-Star, World Series
> Also considered: Jim Bunning
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
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Louisiana: Mel Ott
> Team(s): New York Giants
> Position: Right fielder
> Career: 1926-1947
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 11x All-Star, World Series
> Also considered: Ted Lyons, Bill Dickey
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Maine: Bob Stanley
> Team(s): Boston Red Sox
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1977-1989
> Accolades: 2x All-Star
> Also considered: Bill Swift
See all stories featuring: Maine
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Maryland: Babe Ruth
> Team(s): New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Boston Braves
> Position: Outfielder / pitcher
> Career: 1914-1935
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 7x World Series, Batting Title, ERA Title
> Also considered: Lefty Grove, Cal Ripken Jr.
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Massachusetts: Tom Glavine
> Team(s): Atlanta Braves, New York Mets
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1987-2008
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2x Cy Young, 10x All-Star, World Series, 4x Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Jeff Bagwell
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
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Michigan: Charlie Gehringer
> Team(s): Detroit Tigers
> Position: Second baseman
> Career: 1924-1942
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 6x All-Star, World Series, Batting Title
> Also considered: John Smoltz, Hal Newhouser
See all stories featuring: Michigan
Minnesota: Dave Winfield
> Team(s): New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, 4 others
> Position: Right fielder
> Career: 1973-1995
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x All-Star, 7x Gold Glove, 6x Silver Slugger, World Series
> Also considered: Paul Molitor
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Mississippi: Dave Parker
> Team(s): Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, 4 others
> Position: Right fielder
> Career: 1973-1991
> Accolades: MVP, 7x All-Star, 2x World Series, 3x Gold Glove, 2x Batting Title
> Also considered: Roy Oswalt
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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Missouri: Yogi Berra
> Team(s): New York Yankees, New York Mets
> Position: Catcher
> Career: 1946-1965
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 15x All-Star, 10x World Series
> Also considered: Carl Hubbell, Ken Boyer
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Montana: Dave McNally
> Team(s): Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1962-1975
> Accolades: 3x All-Star, 2x World Series
> Also considered: John Lowenstein
See all stories featuring: Montana
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Nebraska: Bob Gibson
> Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1959-1975
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 2x Cy Young, 9x All-Star, 9x Gold Glove, 2x World Series MVP
> Also considered: Wade Boggs, Pete Alexander
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
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Nevada: Bryce Harper
> Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals
> Position: Outfielder
> Career: 2012-present
> Accolades: MVP, 7x All-Star, Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Barry Zito, Kris Bryant
See all stories featuring: Nevada
New Hampshire: Chris Carpenter
> Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1997-2012
> Accolades: Cy Young, 2x World Series, 3x All-Star, ERA Title
> Also considered: Red Rolfe
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
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New Jersey: Derek Jeter
> Team(s): New York Yankees
> Position: Shortstop
> Career: 1995-2014
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 14x All-Star, 5x World Series, 5x Gold Glove
> Also considered: Mike Trout, Goose Goslin
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
New Mexico: Ralph Kiner
> Team(s): Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians
> Position: Left fielder
> Career: 1946-1955
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 6x All-Star
> Also considered: Vern Stephens
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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New York: Lou Gehrig
> Team(s): New York Yankees
> Position: First baseman
> Career: 1923-1939
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 7x All-Star, 6x World Series, Batting Title
> Also considered: Carl Yastrzemski, Alex Rodriguez
See all stories featuring: New York
North Carolina: Gaylord Perry
> Team(s): San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, 6 others
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1962-1983
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2x Cy Young, 5x All-Star
> Also considered: Luke Appling, Enos Slaughter
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
North Dakota: Darin Erstad
> Team(s): Anaheim Angels, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros
> Position: Outfielder / first baseman
> Career: 1996-2009
> Accolades: 2x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove, World Series, Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Travis Hafner
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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Ohio: Mike Schmidt
> Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies
> Position: Third baseman
> Career: 1972-1989
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 12x All-Star, World Series, 10x Gold Glove
> Also considered: Roger Clemens, Barry Larkin
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Oklahoma: Mickey Mantle
> Team(s): New York Yankees
> Position: Centerfielder
> Career: 1951-1968
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 16x All-Star, 7x World Series, Gold Glove, Batting Title
> Also considered: Johnny Bench, Willie Stargell
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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Oregon: Dale Murphy
> Team(s): Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies
> Position: Outfielder
> Career: 1976-1993
> Accolades: 2x MVP, 7x All-Star, 5x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Mickey Lolich
See all stories featuring: Oregon
Pennsylvania: Stan Musial
> Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals
> Position: Outfielder / first baseman
> Career: 1941-1963
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3x MVP, 20x All-Star, 3x World Series, 7x Batting Title
> Also considered: Ken Griffey Jr.
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Rhode Island: Gabby Hartnett
> Team(s): Chicago Cubs, New York Giants
> Position: Catcher
> Career: 1922-1941
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 6x All-Star
> Also considered: Paul Konerko, Davey Lopes
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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South Carolina: Jim Rice
> Team(s): Boston Red Sox
> Position: Left Fielder
> Career: 1974-1989
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 8x All-Star, 2x Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Willie Randolph
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
South Dakota: Floyd Bannister
> Team(s): Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, 4 others
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1977-1992
> Accolades: 1x All-Star
> Also considered: Mark Ellis, Sean Doolittle
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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Tennessee: Todd Helton
> Team(s): Colorado Rockies
> Position: First baseman
> Career: 1997-2013
> Accolades: 5x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger, Batting Title
> Also considered: Mookie Betts, Tommy Bridges
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Texas: Rogers Hornsby
> Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, 3 others
> Position: Second baseman
> Career: 1915-1937
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2x MVP, 7x Batting Title, World Series
> Also considered: Tris Speaker, Nolan Ryan
See all stories featuring: Texas
Utah: Bruce Hurst
> Team(s): Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, 2 others
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1980-1994
> Accolades: 1x All-Star
> Also considered: Duke Sims
See all stories featuring: Utah
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Vermont: Carlton Fisk
> Team(s): Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox
> Position: Catcher
> Career: 1969-1993
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 11x All-Star, Gold Glove, 3x Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Larry Gardner
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Virginia: Justin Verlander
> Team(s): Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 2005-present
> Accolades: MVP, 3x Cy Young, 9x All-Star, World Series, ERA Title
> Also considered: Eppa Rixey
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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Washington: Ryne Sandberg
> Team(s): Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies
> Position: Second baseman
> Career: 1981-1997
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 10x All-Star, 9x Gold Glove, 7x Silver Slugger
> Also considered: Ron Santo
See all stories featuring: Washington
West Virginia: George Brett
> Team(s): Kansas City Royals
> Position: Third baseman
> Career: 1973-1993
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 13x All-Star, World Series, Gold Glove, 3x Batting Title
> Also considered: Bill Mazeroski
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Wisconsin: Al Simmons
> Team(s): Philadelphia A’s, Chicago White Sox, 5 others
> Position: Outfielder
> Career: 1924-1944
> Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3x All-Star, 2x World Series, 2x Batting Title
> Also considered: Burleigh Grimes
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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Wyoming: Tom Browning
> Team(s): Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals
> Position: Pitcher
> Career: 1984-1995
> Accolades: 1x All-Star, World Series
> Also considered: Dick Ellsworth
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
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