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Best All-Time Left Fielders in MLB history

By Bobby Mueller

(Original Caption) Oakland, Calif.: Oakland A's Ricky Henderson races toward the all-time Major League stolen base record, 118 in one season, held by Lou Brock. Notching his 109th against the California Angels, he leads off 1st base (Rod Carew 1b); (B) sprints away (pitcher Ken Forsch turns); (C) dives toward 2nd (Tim Foli waits to throw with Bobby Grich back up); (D) slides under Foli; (E) beats Foli's tag; and (F) gets the safe sign.
(Original Caption) Oakland, Calif.: Oakland A's Ricky Henderson races toward the all-time Major League stolen base record, 118 in one season, held by Lou Brock. Notching his 109th against the California Angels, he leads off 1st base (Rod Carew 1b); (B) sprints away (pitcher Ken Forsch turns); (C) dives toward 2nd (Tim Foli waits to throw with Bobby Grich back up); (D) slides under Foli; (E) beats Foli's tag; and (F) gets the safe sign. /
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Best All-Time Left Fielders
(Original Caption) Oakland, Calif.: Oakland A’s Ricky Henderson races toward the all-time Major League stolen base record, 118 in one season, held by Lou Brock. Notching his 109th against the California Angels, he leads off 1st base (Rod Carew 1b); (B) sprints away (pitcher Ken Forsch turns); (C) dives toward 2nd (Tim Foli waits to throw with Bobby Grich back up); (D) slides under Foli; (E) beats Foli’s tag; and (F) gets the safe sign. /

Continuing our series on MLB History, today we look at the Best All-Time Left Fielders in the history of baseball.

Continuing our series on MLB History, today we look at the Best All-Time Left Fielders in the history of baseball.

Our series with the top players at each position in MLB history continues today with left fielders. Recently, we examined the top left-handed pitchers. We’ve also revealed the top right-handed pitchers, catchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen and shortstops in baseball

Unlike some of the more defense-oriented positions, like catcher and shortstop, to be one of the all-time greats in left field, you have to be able to hit. Every left fielder on this list was at least 19 percent better than average on offense after league and ballpark effects were considered (119 wRC+ or better).

They aren’t all home run hitters, though. The greatest base stealer in the history of the game is on this list, as is the second greatest base stealer in history. That’s not to say power hitters are neglected. Five of these guys hit 400 or more home runs, and seven had 1500 or more RBI.

Many of these left fielders are in the Hall of Fame. That’s where the greatest belong, of course, but there are a few who would be in the Hall based on their on-field performance, but off-field issues have kept them out so far. There are also a few who have support for the Hall of Fame but are still on the outside looking in.

Unlike the top third basemen list, there are no active left fielders here. The best active left fielders are Ryan Braun, Justin Upton, and Brett Gardner. They might be in the conversation for top 50 left fielders of all-time but didn’t make the top 20.

For this list, two versions of Wins Above Replacement (WAR) were used, those from and Baseball-Reference, along with Wins Above Average (WAA). Wins Above Average gives more credit to outstanding seasons. I believe it’s an excellent metric to use when looking at all-time greats. Jay Jaffe’s JAWS list was also part of the discussion.

In the end, 20 men made the cut and their careers span more than a century of baseball. Let’s look at the 20 best All-Time Left Fielders in MLB history.

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