Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (born February 5, 1934 in Mobile, Alabama), nicknamed "Hammer","Hammerin' Hank", or "Bad Henry", is a retired American baseball player whose Major League Baseball (MLB) career spanned the 1950s through the 1970s. After playing with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League and in the minor leagues, Aaron started his Major League Baseball career in 1954. He played 21 seasons with the Milwaukee Braves and the Atlanta Braves, …

Wade Anthony Boggs (born June 15 1958 in Omaha, Nebraska) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Boston Red Sox, whose hitting in the 1980s and 1990s dominated the American League in much the same way as his National League contemporary Tony Gwynn. Boggs was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. With 12 straight All-Star appearances, Boggs is second only to Brooks Robinson in number of consecutive appearances as a third baseman.

So analyzing one season of the San Diego Padre is foolish. Gwynn's one of the few athletes to never have an off year. Never. Nothing even close. His string of dominance is almost unparalleled in baseball or any sport. That's why Gwynn's largely considered one of the greatest hitters of all-time, perhaps even the greatest living one.

Peter Edward "Pete" Rose, Sr. (born April 14, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio), nicknamed Charlie Hustle, is a former player and manager in Major League Baseball. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, best known for his many years with the Cincinnati Reds. Rose, a switch hitter, is the all-time major-league leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at bats (14,053), and outs (10,328). He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, …

Stanley Frank Musial, original Stanisław Franciszek Musiał ; nicknamed Stan The Man, Stash, and The Donora Greyhound (born November 21, 1920 in Donora, Pennsylvania), is an American former player in Major League Baseball who played 22 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1963.

George Howard Brett (born May 15, 1953 in Glen Dale, West Virginia) is a former Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals. He is considered one of the greatest third basemen in Major League Baseball history.

Eddie Clarence Murray (born February 24, 1956 in Los Angeles, California) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who was known as one of the most reliable and productive hitters of his era, earning the nickname "Steady Eddie". Murray is regarded as one of the best switch hitters ever to play the game. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

On January 8, 1991, Rod Carew became only 22nd player in history to be voted into the Baseball Hall Fame on the first ballot. Rod Carew is one of the most talented players to ever don a major league uniform. During his illustrious nineteen-year career, he was selected to eighteen All-Star teams. He is the all-time All-Star vote leader with thirty-three million votes - six million more than the runner-up.

Willie Howard Mays, Jr., (born May 6, 1931 in Westfield, Alabama outside Birmingham) is a retired American baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mays, nicknamed "The Say Hey Kid", was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. During his playing days, Mays won two MVP awards and tied a record with twenty-four appearances in the All-Star Game. He ended his career with 660 career home runs, 4th all-time.

Louis Clark "Lou" Brock (born June 18, 1939, El Dorado, Arkansas) is an American former player in Major League Baseball. Brock was a left fielder who played his career with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. He batted and threw left-handed.

Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr. (born August 24 1960 in Havre de Grace, Maryland), commonly known as Cal or Cal Jr., less frequently Junior or Rip, is a former shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles from 1981 to 2001. A 19-time MLB All-Star, Ripken is considered one of the best shortstops to ever play the game.

Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb, nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was a Hall of Fame baseball player. Most baseball historians and journalists consider Cobb to be one of the greatest players ever, and Cobb received the most votes of any player on the 1936 inaugural Hall of Fame Ballot. Cobb is widely credited with setting 90 baseball records during his career. He still holds several records as of 2007, …

Paul Leo Molitor (nicknamed Molly or The Ignitor) (born August 22, 1956 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, elected in 2004, his first year of eligibility. He played for 21 seasons, with the Milwaukee Brewers (1978-1992), Toronto Blue Jays (1993-1995) and Minnesota Twins (1996-1998). Molitor played several positions during his career.

Robin R. Yount (born September 16, 1955 in Danville, Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers (1974-1993). A first-round draft pick in 1973, Yount debuted the following year, and on September 14, 1975, he broke Mel Ott's 47-year-old record for most games played in the major leagues as a teenager.

David Mark Winfield (born October 3, 1951, in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a former Major League Baseball player. He played for 22 seasons and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame. He played for the San Diego Padres, the New York Yankees, the California Angels, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Minnesota Twins, and the Cleveland Indians.

Albert William Kaline (born December 19, 1934 in Baltimore, Maryland) is a former Major League Baseball player. Kaline was active from 1953 to 1974 and spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers (hence the nickname "Mr. Tiger"), bypassing the minor league system and joining the team directly from high school as a "bonus baby" signee. For most of his career, Kaline played in the outfield, mainly right field, where he was known for his strong throwing arm.

Roberto Clemente Walker (August 18, 1934 - December 31, 1972) was a Major League Baseball right fielder and right-handed batter. He was elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously in 1973 as the first Hispanic American to be selected, and the only exception to the mandatory five-year post-retirement waiting period since it was instituted in 1954. Clemente was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of four children. He played 18 seasons in the majors from 1955 to 1972, …

Carl Michael "Yaz" Yastrzemski (pronounced), i.e. with the "z" silent, (born August 22, 1939) is a former American Major League Baseball player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year career with the Boston Red Sox, primarily as a left fielder, with part of his later career played at first base and as a designated hitter. "Yaz" is an 18-time all-star, the possessor of seven gold gloves, a member of the 3000 hit club, …

Rafael Palmeiro Corrales (born September 24, 1964 in Havana, Cuba) is a Major League Baseball player with a career spanning 20 years, 1986 to 2005. Though technically not retired, Palmeiro has not played since 2005. Palmeiro was an All-American at Mississippi State University before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1985. His major league debut came on September 8, 1986 with the Cubs. He played three seasons with the Cubs (1986-1988), …

Johannes Peter "Honus" Wagner (February 24, 1874 - December 6, 1955), nicknamed "The Flying Dutchman", was an American baseball player who played during the 1890s until the 1910s. In 1936, the Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Wagner as one of the first five members. Although Ty Cobb is frequently cited as the greatest player of the dead-ball era, some contemporaries regarded Wagner as the better all-around player, …

Tristram E. Speaker, nicknamed “Spoke” (a play on his last name) and “Grey Eagle” (for his prematurely graying hair), was an American baseball player known as one of the best offensive and defensive center fielders in history. Speaker was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame during the second year of voting, 1937.

Adrian Constantine Anson (April 17 1852 - April 14 1922), known by the nicknames "Cap" (for "Captain") and "Pop", was a professional baseball player in the National Association and Major League Baseball. He played in a record twenty-seven consecutive seasons. He was regarded as one of the greatest players of his era.

Paul Glee Waner (April 16, 1903 - August 29, 1965) was an American player in professional baseball who, along with his brother Lloyd, starred in the Pittsburgh Pirates' outfield in the 1920s and 1930s. Born in Harrah, Oklahoma and nicknamed "Big Poison," he led the National League in batting on three occasions and accumulated over 3,000 hits in his career from 1926 to 1945. He collected 200 or more hits on eight occasions, was voted the NL's Most Valuable Player in 1927, …

Edward Trowbridge "Eddie" Collins, Sr. (May 2, 1887 - March 25, 1951), nicknamed "Cocky", was a Major League Baseball player from 1906 to 1930. Under the win shares statistical rating system created by baseball historian and analyst Bill James, Collins was the best second baseman of all time. He is also ninth on the all-time hit list. A native of Millerton, New York, Collins was known for his steady bat and speed.

Napoleon "Nap" Lajoie [la-ZHOWAY] (September 5, 1874 – February 7, 1959), also known as Larry Lajoie, was an American professional athlete of French Canadian descent. In his career as a second baseman in Major League Baseball, he was considered one of the greatest players of the fledgling American League in the early 20th century and the most serious of Ty Cobb's challengers.

James A. Joyce III (born October 3 1955 in Toledo, Ohio) is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League (AL) from 1987 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 66. His strike call is extremely loud and enthusiastic, similar to that of fellow umpire Bruce Froemming. Joyce has umpired in the All-Star Game (1994 and 2001), the Division Series (1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2003), …