Tony Gwynn (Major Leagues: 1982-2001)
All throughout the Expansion Era of the MLB (post-1961), the career batting average of “Mr. Padre” Tony Gwynn has been the best. His .3382 career average is the 19th-best of all time and you get even more impressed when you realize that he sustained it for a total of 20 seasons during an era when pitching is getting more and more difficult. Because of Gwynn’s consistency, he won eight batting titles, the second-most in history. With an average that high, Gwynn ranks 20th all-time in hits.
Tony Gwynn (Major Leagues: 1982-2001)
Mel Ott (Major Leagues: 1926-1947)
In spite of only being 5 feet 9 inches tall, Mel Ott had so much power when he swung the bat and he became the first player in the National League to rack up 500 career home runs. In that stat category, the New York Giants legend currently ranks 25th all-time, with 511 homers when he finished his career. While his.304 career batting average isn’t going to blow people away, his .414 career on-base percentage will surely thrill analytics geeks. Ott’s career OPS and total bases are 21st-best in history.
Mel Ott (Major Leagues: 1926-1947)
