Future Legends: Ken Griffey, Jr. (Mariners 1989-1999, Reds 2000-2008, White Sox 2008-present)

“If I’m compared to Babe Ruth or Willie Mays, that’s great. But I’m just going to go out there and be myself.” ~ Ken Griffey, Jr.

Ken Griffey, Jr. is one of the most charismatic baseball players ever to put on a major league uniform. Beginning his career in Seattle in 1989 as a 19-year old phenom, “The Kid” was immediately a national superstar. He finished his rookie season with 16 home runs and a .264 average in 127 games, then followed that with three straight seasons of 20+ home runs and a .300+ average. In 1993, Junior really took off, smacking 45 balls out of the park, just one less than Juan Gonzalez. In the strike-shortened 1994 season, he led the American League with 40 home runs, and two years later came up one short of 50 in 1996.

Baseball Legends: Willie McCovey (Giants 1959-1973, 1977-1980, Padres 1974-1976, A’s 1976)

He may not be the most famous Giant, but Willie McCovey deserves a great deal of consideration when talking about the greatest players in baseball history. Overshadowed throughout most of his career by the other Willie on his team, McCovey was a true team player and rose above any petty bickering or bitter jealousy that may have eaten away at a lesser man.

Baseball Legends: Nolan Ryan (Mets 1966, 1968-1971, Angels 1972-1979, Astros 1980-1988, Rangers 1989-1993)

“One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something.” ~ Nolan Ryan

Prove something is what Nolan Ryan did with his entire career. It’s difficult to decide what is most impressive: his seven career no-hitters (three more than any other pitcher), or his 5714 strikeouts (over 1000 more than the runner-up). Or perhaps the power with which he pitched, even after reaching the age of 40. The longevity of Ryan’s career–a major-league record 27 years–is also astounding. In fact, there isn’t much about the pitcher that one could say was not impressive.

Forgotten Legends: Vincent Edward ‘Bo’ Jackson (Royals 1986-1990, White Sox 1991,1993, Angels 1994)

“First of all, I really never imagined myself being a professional athlete.” – Bo Jackson

Looking at the man to the left that is hard to believe. Bo Jackson was one of the best athletes that I have ever seen. Jackson played in the Major Leagues less than ten years, but his mark will forever be on the sport. His promising career was cut short by a hip injury suffered while playing his “hobby” sport of professional football. If not for that injury who knows what could have happened?

Baseball Legends: Gaylord Perry (Giants 1962-1971, Indians 1972-1975, Rangers 1975-1977, 1980, Padres 1978-1979, Yankees 1980, Braves 1981, Mariners 1982-1983, Royals 1983)

“He should be in the Hall of Fame with a tube of KY Jelly attached to his plaque.” ~ Gene Mauch

Bob Gibson will forever be remembered for his 1968 season. Nolan Ryan for his seven no-hitters and 5000 strikeouts. Don Larsen for his perfect game in the World Series. And Gaylord Perry for his spitball.

The stories about Perry’s doctored pitch abound, even from former teammates. Catcher Gene Tenace said, “I can remember a couple of occasions when I couldn’t throw the ball back to him because it was so greasy that it slipped out of my hands. I just walked out to the mound and flipped the ball back to him.” Despite the anecdotal evidence, he was not ejected from a game for doctoring the ball until 1982, near the end of his career. For that incident, he was suspended for ten games.

Baseball Legends: Ferguson Jenkins (Phillies 1965-1966, Cubs 1966-1973, 1982-1983, Rangers 1974-1975, 1978-1981, Red Sox 1976-1977)

“The game is easy. Life is hard — No guarantees.” ~ Ferguson Jenkins

Known as “Jenks” to his teammates, he was better known as “Fergie” to the baseball fans of the time. The day Jenkins was traded to the Chicago Cubs, one newspaper headline read “Ferguson Who?” In 1966 Jenkins pitched in relief and won 6 games. On August 25, 1966 Leo Durocher made him a starting pitcher. Jenkins pitched every fourth day for the next six years accumulating more than 20 wins each year. From 1967 to 1980, Jenkins led Major League Baseball with the most wins (251) in that 14-season span while often pitching at home in hitter’s ballparks.

Baseball Legends: George Brett (Royals 1973-1993)

“I could have played another year, but I would have been playing for the money, and baseball deserves better than that.” – George Brett

The above quote was given by George upon his retirement. It showed what he thought of the game along with everything that he put into it. George Brett was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the 29th pick in the 1971 draft. The next pick in the draft was fellow Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. He was a good third basemen, but in 1974 he became a great hitter. He worked with legendary hitting coach Charlie Lau during the All-Star break on his swing. His average showed that he listened to Lau. In 1975 he hit over .300 for the first time, and won the batting title in 1976 with a .333 average. He finished out the decade by tearing the cover off of the ball, and leading the Royals to the AL West title three times (1976, 1977, 1978).

Baseball Legends: Steve Carlton (Cardinals 1965-71, Phillies 1972-86, Giants 1986, White Sox 1986, Indians 1987, Twins 1987-88)

“Lefty was a craftsman, an artist. He was a perfectionist. He painted a ballgame. Stroke, stroke, stroke, and when he got through (pitching a game) it was a masterpiece.” – Richie Ashburn

Steve Carlton broke into the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. He saw action in the World Series in both 1967 ad 1968. In 1968 Carlton received his first of 10 All-Star selections. It was in the off season following that year that Steve started experimenting with the slider. The pitch would elevate him to another level. That next year his ERA went down by 0.82 and his strikeouts increased by 48. The highlight of the 1969 season was his 19 strikeout performance against the Mets. He won 17 games in 1969, then lost 19 in 1970, but turned around and won 20 in 1971. The end of his career with the Cardinals was clouded by his disagreements with management.

Baseball Legends: Tony Perez (Reds 1964-1976, 1984-1986, Expos 1977-1979, Red Sox 1980-1982, Phillies 1983)

“When there’s a runner in scoring position, I can’t think of any batter I’d rather have at the plate than Perez.” ~ Sparky Anderson

Impressive words about Tony Perez, considering Anderson could have chosen Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, or George Foster, some of the most prolific hitters of the era. Perez was overshadowed by these players on the Big Red Machine, but he was a consistent producer, driving in over 100 runs seven times in his career. He ranks 24th on the all-time RBI list with 1652 ribbies.

Though some argue that Perez does not belong among the Baseball Legends because he was not the dominant player at his position or even on his own team, his consistency and the respect he was given by opposing pitchers attest to his right to be included.

Baseball Legends: Wade Boggs (Red Sox 1982-1992, Yankees 1993-1997, Devil Rays 1998-1999)

The 1980s were a special time in baseball history. Pete Rose, nearing the end of his career, broke Ty Cobb’s record for most hits in 1985. Just a few years prior, in 1982, two other players started careers that would see them reach the 3000-hit milestone: Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs.

Like Rose, Boggs faced off-field problems during his career (though of a different nature than Rose). However, his play was apparently never affected by those difficulties. Only three times in 18 seasons did Boggs bat lower than .300, contrasted with five seasons over .350 between 1983 and 1988. His career batting average was .328, good for 36th on the all-time list. His 3000th hit was a home run, coming in his final season with the Rays.