Baseball Reference Blog
The 10 Greatest Center Fielders
Posted by Darin Hayes on April 3, 2023
Some tremendous Major League center fielders have dominated the game throughout baseball history. This position requires speed, agility, and an excellent eye for the ball off of the bat. If they have the wheels in the field, they will likely have them on the baselines as well, so add in a solid bat, and you’ll have a great all-around player. Here are ten of the strongest candidates for the title of the greatest center fielders of all time.
The Greatest Defensive Center Fielders of All Time
Let us first note some of the top defensive players at the position. The criteria we will measure will be the number of Gold and Platinum Gloves these center fielders received throughout their careers. This is a solid indicator of making outs and keeping the ball in front of them.
Paul Blair“>
Paul Blair
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-0, 168lb (183cm, 76kg)
Born: February 1, 1944 in Cushing, OK us
Died:
December 26, 2013
Buried: Cremated
High School: Manual Arts HS (Los Angeles, CA)
Debut:
September 9, 1964
(Age 20-221d,
12,291st in major league history)
vs. WSA 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
June 20, 1980
(Age 36-140d)
vs. OAK 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1965 season
Full Name: Paul L. D. Blair
Nicknames: Motormouth
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
37.7
6042
1513
134
.250
776
620
171
.302
.382
.684
96
This legendary center fielder was an asset in the field in any line-up. Blair won eight Gold Glove Awards for his stingy defense on four World Series-winning teams. Two as a Baltimore Oriole (1966, 1970) and two in New York Yankee pinstripes (1977, 1978).
Ken Griffey Jr.“>
Ken Griffey Jr.
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-3,195lb (190cm, 88kg)
Born:
November 21, 1969
Draft: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 1st round (1st) of the 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft from Archbishop Moeller HS (Cincinnati, OH).
High School: Archbishop Moeller HS (Cincinnati, OH)
Debut:
April 3, 1989
(Age 19-133d,
15,576th in major league history)
vs. OAK 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
May 31, 2010
(Age 40-191d)
vs. MIN 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2016.
(Voted by BBWAA on 437/440 ballots)
View Ken Griffey Jr.’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1989 season
Agents: Brian Goldberg • Previously: Eric Goldschmidt
National Team: us USA (WBC)
Full Name: George Kenneth Griffey
Nicknames: Junior, The Kid or The Natural
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Son of Ken Griffey
Career
83.8
9801
2781
630
.284
1662
1836
184
.370
.538
.907
136
Griffey Jr.’s bloodline speaks for itself, but Junior put together an awe-inspiring MLB career himself, in addition to the legacy of his father’s accomplishments. Ken Jr. might be most remembered for his solid bat in any lineup he was placed in; League MVP, seven-time Silver Slugger, Player of Year, and even a three-time Home Run Derby Champ! He held a .538 career slugging percentage, knocked in over 1800 runs, and sent the ball over the wall 630 times. With all the hitting success, it may be easy to overlook the younger Griffey’s ten Gold Gloves earned over his career in the center field.
Torii Hunter“>
Torii Hunter
Position: Outfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2,220lb (188cm, 99kg)
Born:
July 18, 1975
Draft: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (20th) of the 1993 MLB June Amateur Draft from Pine Bluff HS (Pine Bluff, AR).
High School: Pine Bluff HS (Pine Bluff, AR)
Debut:
August 22, 1997
(Age 22-035d,
17,133rd in major league history)
vs. BAL 0 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 3, 2015
(Age 40-077d)
vs. KCR 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1999 season
Agents: Reynolds Sports Management
Full Name: Torii Kedar Hunter
Nicknames: Spider-Man
Pronunciation: TORE-ee
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Relatives: Cousin of Choo Freeman
Career
50.7
8857
2452
353
.277
1296
1391
195
.331
.461
.793
110
Mr. Hunter played center field for much of his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins. This five-time All-Star took home nine Gold Gloves, all from the center field position. A career .277 hitter who was just shy of 1300 RBIs, gave Torri value with the bat in his hand as well as the glove.
Andruw Jones“>
Andruw Jones
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-1, 225lb (185cm, 102kg)
Born:
April 23, 1977
High School: St. Paulus (Willemstad, Curacao)
Debut:
August 15, 1996
(Age 19-114d,
16,946th in major league history)
vs. PHI 5 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 3, 2012
(Age 35-163d)
vs. BOS 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1997 season
Agents: Boras Corporation
Full Name: Andruw Rudolf Jones
Nicknames: The Curaçao Kid
Pronunciation: Andrew
Instagram: @therealandruwjones
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Career
62.7
7599
1933
434
.254
1204
1289
152
.337
.486
.823
111
Jones was a long-time Atlanta Braves player that helped them reach numerous postseasons in Hot-Lanta. During his seventeen-year career, Andruw took home ten Gold Gloves, five All-Star appearances, and was even a Major League Player of the Year! These facts and figures alone place him as one of the all-time greatest center fielders in MLB history.
Willie Mays“>
Willie Mays
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-10, 170lb (178cm, 77kg)
Born:
May 6, 1931
High School: Fairfield Industrial HS (Fairfield, AL)
Debut: 1948 (10,377th in major league history)
AL/NL Debut:
May 25, 1951
(Age 20-019d)
vs. PHI 5 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 9, 1973
(Age 42-126d)
vs. MON 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1979.
(Voted by BBWAA on 409/432 ballots)
View Willie Mays’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1951 season
Full Name: Willie Howard Mays
Nicknames: Say Hey Kid
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
- Hall of Fame
- 2x MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- 24x All-Star
- 1954 World Series
- 12x Gold Glove
- Batting Title
- 2x AS MVP
- ML PoY
Career
156.1
10924
3293
660
.301
2068
1909
339
.384
.557
.940
155
The “Say Hey Kid” was an exceptional fielder, as testified by his dozen Gold Gloves for playing center field. This long-time San Francisco Giant had great range to cover and track most balls hit the middle of the outfield. Mays also played in an impressive 24 All-Star games over his 24 years baseball career. A solid glove and a great bat sent him easily on a trip to Cooperstown.
The Top Home Run-Powered Center Fielders
The glamour stat in baseball is the long-ball over the fence. We have already talked about a couple of the CFs with the most base-clearing swings of the the bat, in Ken Griffey Jr. and Willie Mays, but here are a few others that could drive the ball out of the park.
Carlos Beltrán“>
Carlos Beltrán
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
6-1, 215lb (185cm, 97kg)
Born:
April 24, 1977
Draft: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 2nd round of the 1995 MLB June Amateur Draft from Fernando Callejo HS (Manati, Puerto Rico).
High School: Fernando Callejo HS (Manati, Puerto Rico)
Debut:
September 14, 1998
(Age 21-143d,
17,370th in major league history)
vs. OAK 1 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 1, 2017
(Age 40-160d)
vs. BOS 2 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1999 season
Agents: Dan Lozano • Previously: Scott Boras
Full Name: Carlos Ivan Beltrán
Nicknames: Ivan
Pronunciation: bel-TRAHN
Instagram: @cbeltran15
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
Relatives: Cousin of Rey Fuentes
Career
70.1
9768
2725
435
.279
1582
1587
312
.350
.486
.837
119
Betran is a contender for the list with his 435 HRs, three Gold Gloves, almost 1600 RBIs, and nine All-Star seasons. Carlos also was a World Series winner, a two-time Silver Slugger, and a Rookie Of the Year winner.
Mickey Mantle“>
Mickey Mantle
Positions: Centerfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
5-11, 195lb (180cm, 88kg)
Born: October 20, 1931 in Spavinaw, OK us
Died:
August 13, 1995
Buried: Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park, Dallas, TX
High School: Commerce HS (Commerce, OK)
Debut:
April 17, 1951
(Age 19-179d,
10,769th in major league history)
vs. BOS 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 28, 1968
(Age 36-344d)
vs. BOS 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1974.
(Voted by BBWAA on 322/365 ballots)
View Mickey Mantle’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1951 season
Full Name: Mickey Charles Mantle
Nicknames: The Mick, The Commerce Comet or Muscles
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
110.2
8102
2415
536
.298
1676
1509
153
.421
.557
.977
172
Mantle was a mainstay in the Yankee outfield as the middleman. His 530 career dingers, 20 All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove, a Major League Player of the Year, a Batting Title, and seven World Series Championships is a resume for one of the greatest players in MLB history to play center field.
Getting on Base
Our next look is at the center fielders in MLB history who had the best On Base Percentage over their careers.
Oscar Charleston“>
Oscar Charleston
Positions: Centerfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
5-8, 185lb (173cm, 83kg)
Born: October 14, 1896 in Indianapolis, IN us
Died:
October 5, 1954
Buried: Floral Park Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN
Debut: 1920 (4,834th in major league history)
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1976.
(Voted by Negro League Committee)
View Oscar Charleston’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1920 season
Full Name: Oscar McKinley Charleston
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Brother of Bennie Charleston
Career
48.1
3317
1210
143
.365
854
853
210
.449
.615
1.064
184
This Negro League Legend was one of the best to ever play, consistently finding a way to safely reach base. A stellar .449 OBP, three Triple Crowns, Three All-Star selections, and three Batting Titles make Oscar a strong candidate.
Ty Cobb“>
Ty Cobb
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
6-1, 175lb (185cm, 79kg)
Born: December 18, 1886 in Narrows, GA us
Died:
July 17, 1961
Buried: Rose Hill Cemetery, Royston, GA
High School: Franklin County HS (Royston, GA)
Debut:
August 30, 1905
(Age 18-255d,
2,755th in major league history)
vs. NYY 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 11, 1928
(Age 41-268d)
vs. NYY 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1936.
(Voted by BBWAA on 222/226 ballots)
Induction ceremony in Cooperstown held in 1939.
View Ty Cobb’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1905 season
Full Name: Tyrus Raymond Cobb
Nicknames: The Georgia Peach
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
151.5
11440
4189
117
.366
2245
1944
897
.433
.512
.944
168
The Georgia Peach would not be denied mention on this prestigious list of candidates. Cobb’s amazing dozen batting Titles, League MVP accolade, a Triple Crown, and lofty On Base Percentage of .433 easily help obtain the right to be called one of the 10 greatest center fielders of all time.
Billy Hamilton“>
Billy Hamilton
Position: Outfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
5-6, 165lb (168cm, 74kg)
Born: February 15, 1866 in Newark, NJ us
Died:
December 15, 1940
Buried: Eastwood Cemetery, Lancaster, MA
Debut: 1888 (1,243rd in major league history)
Last Game: September 16, 1901 (Age 35-213d)
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1961.
(Voted by Veteran’s Committee)
View Billy Hamilton’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1888 season
Full Name: William Robert Hamilton
Nicknames: Sliding Billy
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
63.2
6283
2164
40
.344
1697
742
914
.455
.432
.888
141
This early baseball pioneer held a .455 OBP during his MLB tenure and even captured a Batting Title during his Hall of Fame career.
How is this list of high-caliber candidates for the top center fielders in baseball history? We looked at the stats from multiple angles, and some of the greatest names in baseball history rose to the top of the research. Some honorable mentions to the list would be the legendary Tris Speaker, Mike Trout, and Earle Combs
This answer could be any number of players that we mentioned. Mickey Mantle, Ken Griffey Jr., and Willie Mays are the front runners using the statistics, but you cannot deny the intangible items that players such as Joe Dimaggio, Paul Blair, and Ty Cobb brought to their teams.
We had no current players break into this legendary list of center fielders. However, Stahead and the Baseball-Reference pages will point you to these names: Byron Buxton, Brandon Nimmo, and Mike Trout
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