On this week’s episode of MLB Network’s Play Ball, Athletics slugger Brent Rooker revealed his all-time top five MLB players. One of the greatest St. Louis Cardinals sluggers of all time, Albert Pujols, finds his name in there.
Rooker named Barry Bonds, followed by Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Pujols and Ken Griffey Jr. Among all this, Pujols is likely the name fans born in the 21st century will be able to relate to.
“The Machine” spent 11 of his 22 MLB seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. During this tenure, he won several accolades, including three National League MVP Awards (2005, 2008, 2009), two World Series titles with the Cardinals (2006, 2011), 11 All-Star selections, six Silver Slugger Awards and NL Rookie of the Year (2001).
He retired with 703 home runs, 3,384 hits, and 2,218 RBIs. He is second all-time in RBIs, behind only Hank Aaron.
The other players mentioned on Rooker’s list, too, had decorated careers that could put them on anyone’s Mount Rushmore.
Barry Bonds, the home run king (762 career HRs), holds the single-season HR record (73 in 2001) and won seven MVP Awards. Hank Aaron is the MLB’s all-time RBI leader (2,297) and a 25-time All-Star. Willie Mays, one of the most complete players in baseball, hit 660 home runs and won 12 Gold Gloves. Last but not least, Ken Griffey Jr. was a 13-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner.
It seems like Rooker nailed the all-time baseball great list.
