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15 best right fielders in MLB history

By Benjamin Chase

NEW YORK, NY - 1953: Brooklyn Dodger catcher Roy Campanella poses for a photograph in 1953 in the Polo Grounds in New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - 1953: Brooklyn Dodger catcher Roy Campanella poses for a photograph in 1953 in the Polo Grounds in New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) /
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Harry Heilmann, Detroit Tigers
Harry Heilmann, Detroit Tigers (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /

Best right fielders in MLB history No. 6: Harry Heilmann

Stats: .342/.410/.520, 183 HR, 113 SB, 856/550 BB/K, 8,965 PA, 72.2 bWAR

Earning his nickname for his lack of footspeed, Harry Heilmann was a master with the bat in his hand, the backbone of the Detroit Tigers teams of the 1920s with his right-handed swing, continuing the tremendous superstar legacy in Detroit, taking the lead between the stardom of Ty Cobb and Charlie Gehringer

Heilmann had been a good hitter before 1921, but he took his game to another level in his age-26 season, hitting .394 to lead the major leagues in hitting, leading the league with 237 hits as well. He tallied 43 doubles, 14 triples, and 19 home runs along with 114 runs and 139 RBI.

He would go on to lead the league in hitting 4 times, topping out at .403 in 1923. He led the league with 45 doubles in 1924 and in RBI in 1925 with 134.

Unfortunately, his best season in 1921 was the season before the beginning of the MVP award, and he never won one, finishing 2nd in 1927 and receiving votes in 7 seasons. He finished in the top 5 in MVP voting four times. Unfortunately, his Tigers were not a very good club around him, with their best team during his tenure finishing 4th in the 1919 season to the eventual Black Sox team.

Heilmann never knew of himself as a Hall of Fame player. He passed away in 1951 at age 56 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1952.

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