All-time lists: Greatest 25-man roster in MLB history

MLB — COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 22: Hall of Famer Willie Mays is introduced at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 22, 2012 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

3. CF – Willie Mays

Any all-time lineup in MLB history would be incomplete without the greatest player in the history of the game. There were very few flaws in his game. Mays is the only player in major league baseball history to hit at least .300, hit 500 or more home runs, steal 300 bases, and have at least a fielding percentage of .980. Having Mays on the team makes up for the limitation in the corner outfielders.

MLB — circa 1935: Babe Ruth (George Herman Ruth, 1895 – 1948) American professional baseball player signs a new two-year contract with the ‘New York Yankees.’ (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

4. RF – Babe Ruth

Frankly, despite his limitations on defense, a lineup can’t be compiled without the “Sultan of Swat.” His .965 fielding percentage and 2.05 range factor will be the lowest on the team. However, what can’t be ignored is 714 home runs, 2214 RBI, .690 slugging percentage, 1.164 OPS, and 206 OPS+ (the latter three MLB records). On top of all that, he also hit .342, which ranks him 10th all-time. So, he among the best hitters the game has ever seen.

5. 1B – Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig may have been the luckiest man on the face of the earth, but he was also a heck of a baseball player. He’s the all-time leader in WAR for first basemen at 112.4, and he was a top 20 in average, slugging, OBP, and OPS. His .991 fielding percentage was also substantial.

MLB — 14 Mar 1999: Infielder Alex Rodriguez #3 of the Seattle Mariners throws the ball during the Spring Training game against the Chicago Cubs at the HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona. The Mariners defeated the Cubs 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

6. SS – Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod is only hitting fifth because of his career batting average is under .300. He was just, .005 hitting and .003 fielding away from joining Mays in the .300/500/300/.980 club. He was the best shortstop all-time before he made the unselfish switch to third base when he joined the Yankees. Rodriguez adds another element of speed to the bottom of the lineup, giving this team four guys who can steal bases, and the up the middle tandem of Morgan and Rodriguez would help keep a lot of balls in the infield.