My two most recent lists were compilations of the top left-handed and right-handed batters in baseball history. The list that follows are the best switch-hitters in history. I did not include currently active players such as Lance Berkman, Mark Teixeira, Jose Reyes or Carlos Beltran, nor did I include pre-20th century players.
English: New York Yankees centerfielder and Hall of Famer . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
1) Mickey Mantle
2) Eddie Murray
3) Chipper Jones
4) Tim Raines
5) Pete Rose
6) Roberto Alomar
7) Reggie Smith
8) Ted Simmons
9) Frankie Frisch
10) Bernie Williams
Raines and Simmons belong in the Hall of Fame. Reggie Smith was very underrated. Williams was a fine player, but was overrated defensively. Frisch was actually better than Alomar with the glove, but I’ll take Alomar’s speed and (relative) power.
Jorge Posada and Mickey Tettleton are my backup catchers.
There is no shortstop among my top ten, so Maury Wills and Gary Templeton will share this position.
Backing up Chipper Jones at third base will be a pair of former Mets, Howard Johnson and Bobby Bonilla.
Red Schoendienst and Jim Gilliam will back up Alomar and Frisch at second base.
Ripper Collins, Wes Parker and Lu Blue are my backup first basemen.
In the outfield, in addition to Mantle, Rose, Raines, and R. Smith, I will add Max Carey, Willie Wilson, Ken Singleton, Roy White, and Willie McGee.
My D.H. will be Chili Davis.
Ignoring that I just named a D.H., I will also include Ted Lyons, Early Wynn and Vida Blue as my switch-hitting pitchers.
So there you have 30 names to match the same number of players I ultimately chose to include on each of my prior two lists. Did I leave anyone out? Which group do you think is strongest?
Related articles
- Top Ten Right-Handed Batters in Baseball History (billstoptenlists.wordpress.com)
- Top Ten Left-Handed Batters in Baseball History (billstoptenlists.wordpress.com)
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