George Herman 'Babe' Ruth is widely regarded as the greatest baseball player of all time and the sport's first true superstar. Known as the 'Sultan of Swat,' Ruth established numerous records during his illustrious 22-year career, many of which still stand today.
Ruth began his professional baseball career as a left-handed pitcher with the Boston Red Sox in 1914. However, it was his prolific home run hitting that would ultimately cement his legacy. Over the course of his career, Ruth hit a then-unprecedented 714 home runs, a record that stood for 39 years until Hank Aaron broke it in 1974.
Beyond his home run prowess, Ruth was also a formidable force on the mound. As a pitcher, he compiled a 94-46 record with a 2.28 ERA and 1,336 strikeouts. His extraordinary talent and larger-than-life personality transformed the game of baseball and endeared him to fans around the world.
Henry 'Hank' Aaron, also known as 'Hammerin' Hank,' is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. During his 23-year career, Aaron broke numerous records, including Babe Ruth's all-time home run record, a feat that solidified his place as one of the sport's all-time greats.
Aaron spent the majority of his career with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, as well as a brief stint with the Milwaukee Brewers. Over the course of his career, he hit 755 home runs, a record that stood for 33 years until Barry Bonds broke it in 2007.
In addition to his home run records, Aaron was also a prolific hitter, finishing his career with a .305 batting average, 2,297 RBIs, and a staggering 3,771 hits. His remarkable consistency and longevity earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Barry Bonds is arguably the most polarizing figure in the annals of baseball history. Despite his controversial use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), there is no denying that Bonds was one of the most dominant hitters the game has ever seen.
Bonds spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. Over the course of his 22-year career, he hit a record-breaking 762 home runs, surpassing Hank Aaron's previous mark in 2007.
Despite his home run heroics, Bonds' use of PEDs has tainted his legacy and sparked intense debate about his place in baseball history. Regardless, his numbers speak for themselves, and Bonds is unquestionably one of the most talented hitters the sport has ever seen.
Mickey Mantle, affectionately known as 'The Mick,' was one of the most beloved baseball players of all time. During his 18-year career with the New York Yankees, Mantle established himself as one of the greatest switch hitters in the history of the game
Mantle was a 20-time All-Star, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a member of seven World Series championship teams. Over the course of his career, he hit 536 home runs, 1,509 RBIs, and maintained a .298 batting average.
Mantle's charisma and talent captivated fans and teammates alike. Despite being plagued by injuries throughout his career, Mantle remained a force to be reckoned with at the plate, earning him a well-deserved spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.
Today's game features a new generation of sluggers who are poised to become the next legends of the game. Among them are Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, and Ronald Acuña Jr.
Aaron Judge, the towering right fielder for the New York Yankees, has already established himself as one of the most feared hitters in the game. In just his second season, Judge set the American League (AL) rookie record for home runs with 52, surpassing Mark McGwire's previous mark of 49 set in 1987.
Mike Trout, the perennial MVP candidate and center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels, is widely regarded as the best player in baseball today. Trout's combination of power, speed, and stellar defense make him a formidable force at the plate and a threat to break numerous records in the coming years.
Finally, Ronald Acuña Jr., the young phenom outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, has already made a significant impact in his brief career. In 2019, at the age of just 21, Acuña hit 41 home runs, stole 37 bases, and was named the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year. With his prodigious talent and youth on his side, Acuña is well on his way to becoming one of the greats.
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