The Players History Won’t Let Go

Baseball is a game of legends and letdowns. Some players carved their names into history with records that will never be forgotten, while others became unforgettable for the wrong reasons. This list brings together both sides of that unique spectrum — the icons who defined an era and the players remembered mostly for their struggles, all with stories that capture why baseball continues to fascinate generation after generation. Let’s begin with those on the wrong side of baseball history.

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1. Bill Bergen

Bergen finished his career with a .170 batting average, the lowest in Major League history for players with at least 2,500 plate appearances. Despite playing 11 seasons, he hit only two home runs. But he was so respected defensively that teams kept him.

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2. John Gochnaur

Committing 146 errors across only two seasons made Gochnaur one of the most error-prone players in baseball history. In his entire Major League career, he failed to hit a single home run, and his defensive struggles became legendary cautionary tales for young shortstops.

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3. Mario Mendoza

Some players become legends for greatness; Mario Mendoza became immortal for failure. His .215 average gave rise to the famous “Mendoza Line,” shorthand for offensive ineptitude. Teammates joked about dipping below it, and announcers still use the phrase today.

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4. Bob Uecker

Uecker had a .200 batting average and constant struggles behind the plate. Ironically, he turned his poor playing career into a wildly successful comedy and broadcasting one, and starring in commercials even made him more famous than his baseball days did.

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5. Juan Castro

Longevity doesn’t always equal greatness, and Castro proved it. Across 17 seasons, the utility infielder batted just .229 with only 36 home runs. He even played for five teams but never excelled. After retirement, he became a coach and manager.

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6. Tommy Thevenow

In Thevenow’s 15-year career, he hit only two home runs, and both of them were inside-the-park. Twelve straight seasons saw him without a single homer, and he never recorded one after 1926. His lifetime batting average stayed at a middling .247.

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7. Tuck Stainback

With a .259 average and only 17 home runs in 13 years, Stainback’s production was minimal. His career errors surpassed his home runs and stolen bases, and his 1935 World Series ejection — after heckling an umpire — remains memorable.

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8. Dan Meyer

Splitting time at first base, third, left field, and DH, Meyer ended with a .253 average and no standout role. His lone bright spot was a 20-home-run season. After his underwhelming MLB career, he became a coach in the minor leagues.

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9. Ray Oyler

Few regular players have ever hit worse than Ray Oyler. He owned a .175 career average and slumped to .135 in 1968. Despite his poor bat, fans embraced him, even forming a “Ray Oyler Fan Club” in Seattle.

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10. Al Chambers

Draft expectations crushed Al Chambers. Taken first overall in 1979, he played just 57 games for the Seattle Mariners, hitting .208 with two home runs. Peers from his draft class had far better offensive output than he did.

First Overall Friday: 1979 #1 Pick Al Chambers from the Seattle Mariners. by Hoover and Sons Sports Cards

Now that the worst of them all are out of the way, let’s check out the legends of the game.

1. Babe Ruth

With 714 career homers, Ruth set a record that stood for decades and transformed baseball into a power-hitter’s game. Also, winning 94 games as a pitcher proved he was an elite two-way player before becoming a full-time slugger.

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2. Ty Cobb

Cobb finished his career with a record .366 batting average. Until 2024, this was the highest in Major League history. Four thousand one hundred eighty-nine hits and 12 batting titles set him apart as the most dominant hitter of his era.

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3. Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig embodied endurance. Nicknamed “The Iron Horse,” he played 2,130 straight games, batted .340, and blasted 493 home runs. Gehrig was also one of just 20 players to hit four homers in a game, and he pioneered uniform number retirement in MLB.

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4. Willie Mays

The first right-handed hitter to reach 600 home runs, Mays also collected 12 Gold Gloves. His Rookie of the Year debut in 1951 fueled a Giants pennant, while his iconic 1954 over-the-shoulder catch remains one of baseball’s most enduring highlights.

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5. Hank Aaron

Having 3,771 hits and 24 or more homers every year from 1955 to 1973 wasn’t enough. Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record and got 755 career home runs. Though he received threats during the chase of Ruth’s record, he still crushed it.

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6. Honus Wagner

Honus Wagner captured eight National League batting titles, retiring with a .328 average. His rare T206 card remains iconic, and, among all major league players, he still ranks among the top 10 in hits, doubles, triples, stolen bases, and wins above replacement.

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7. Ted Williams

Here comes the last man to hit over .400 in an MLB season. .344 career average, 521 homers, and a 1.116 OPS percentage show baseball perfection. Even after missing three prime years serving in World War II, Williams’ batting genius remained unmatched.

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8. Jackie Robinson

As the modern Major Leagues’ first black player, Jackie Robinson shattered baseball’s color barrier. A Rookie of the Year and MVP, he stole home plate 19 times. This four-sport UCLA star has his number 42 retired forever across every Major League team.

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9. Sandy Koufax

Before arthritis ended his career at just 30, Sandy Koufax dominated. The first pitcher to claim three Cy Young Awards, he strung together five consecutive ERA titles, a Major League record. Even with early retirement, he left behind one of baseball’s greatest pitching legacies.

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10. Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak in 1941 remains one of sports’ most unbreakable records. A three-time MVP, he powered the Yankees to nine World Series titles. His baseball journey began with his brother Vince’s team in San Francisco.

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