Who Has the Highest OPS in Baseball History?
OPS, or On-Base Plus Slugging, is a statistic used in baseball to measure a player’s offensive performance. It is calculated by adding a player’s on-base percentage and their slugging percentage. This statistic is often used to compare players and determine who is the most successful hitter.
All-Time Leaders in OPS
There have been many great hitters throughout the history of baseball, but only a few have managed to stay on top of the all-time OPS leaderboard. Here is a list of the top 10 players (as of May 2021) with the highest career OPS:
- Barry Bonds – 1.051
- Ted Williams – 1.044
- Lou Gehrig – 1.008
- Babe Ruth – 0.982
- Hank Aaron – 0.957
- Stan Musial – 0.976
- Tris Speaker – 0.944
- Ty Cobb – 0.941
- Rogers Hornsby – 0.936
- Willie Mays – 0.928
As you can see, the all-time leader in OPS is Barry Bonds, with an impressive 1.051 OPS. Bonds has held this position since his retirement in 2007, and it looks like he will remain at the top of the leaderboard for a long time.
Barry Bonds’ Career
Barry Bonds is one of the most prolific hitters in the history of baseball. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986–1992) and San Francisco Giants (1993–2007), and finished his career with a .298 batting average, 762 home runs, and 2,935 RBIs.
Bonds also holds the record for most walks in a career (2,558), and is third all-time in runs scored (2,227). He was a 14-time All-Star, 8-time Gold Glove Award winner, and 7-time National League MVP.
Bonds’ success can be attributed to his ability to get on base and hit for power. He was an exceptional hitter, and his OPS of 1.051 is a testament to his greatness.
Ted Williams’ Career
Ted Williams is second on the all-time OPS leaderboard with a 1.044 OPS. He played his entire career with the Boston Red Sox and finished with a .344 batting average, 521 home runs, and 1,839 RBIs. He was a 19-time All-Star, 2-time AL MVP, and 6-time AL batting champion.
Williams is considered one of the greatest hitters of all time, and is the last player to hit over .400 in a season. He was known for his exceptional plate discipline, and his ability to get on base and hit for power.
Lou Gehrig’s Career
Lou Gehrig is third on the all-time OPS leaderboard with a 1.008 OPS. He played his entire career with the New York Yankees and finished with a .340 batting average, 493 home runs, and 1,995 RBIs. He was a 7-time All-Star, 6-time AL MVP, and 3-time AL batting champion.
Gehrig is considered one of the greatest hitters of all time, and is known for his incredible power and plate discipline. He was also an excellent fielder, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.
Babe Ruth’s Career
Babe Ruth is fourth on the all-time OPS leaderboard with a 0.982 OPS. He played for the Boston Red Sox (1914–1919) and New York Yankees (1920–1934), and finished his career with a .342 batting average, 714 home runs, and 2,213 RBIs. He was a 7-time AL MVP and 12-time AL home run leader.
Ruth is considered one of the greatest hitters of all time, and is known for his incredible power and plate discipline. He revolutionized the game of baseball, and his legacy continues to live on today.
The Other Greats
The other players on the all-time OPS leaderboard are all-time greats in their own right. Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, and Willie Mays are all Hall of Famers and have had remarkable careers.
What Makes a Great Hitter?
A great hitter is able to consistently get on base, hit for power, and make solid contact. They also have good plate discipline and are able to recognize pitches and make adjustments.
Who Is the Greatest Hitter of All Time?
That is a tough question, and the answer will depend on who you ask. Some people might say Barry Bonds is the greatest hitter of all time, while others might argue for Ted Williams or Lou Gehrig. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide who you think is the greatest hitter of all time.
Conclusion
Barry Bonds has the highest OPS in baseball history, with a 1.051 mark that is unlikely to ever be surpassed. He is joined on the all-time leaderboard by Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, and the other greats of the game. All of these hitters have had remarkable careers and have helped to shape the game of baseball.
Sources
- Baseball Reference – Career OPS Leaders
- FanGraphs – OPS Leaders 2021
- Wikipedia – OPS