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Who are the top MLB players of the 1960s? Here is our top 10 countdown:
10. Brooks Robinson: the greatest defensive third baseman ever, Robinson was an All-Star and Gold Glover every year of the decade, and also won the 1964 AL MVP and the 1966 World Series title with the Baltimore Orioles while accumulating 53.9 WAR in the 1960s.
9. Carl Yastrzemski: perhaps best known for his legendary 1967 AL MVP and Triple Crown season, Yastrzemski was a superb all-around player with six All-Star selections, three batting titles, and five Gold Gloves for the decade (53.3 WAR).
8. Mickey Mantle: though injuries and alcohol would plague him throughout his career, Mantle nevertheless made 11 All-Star teams and compiled 42.3 WAR during the 1960s (there were two All-Star Games annually from 1959-1962) on the strength of the 1962 AL MVP plus three runner-up finishes and back-to-back World Series titles with the New York Yankees.
7. Juan Marichal: despite leading the decade in wins (with six 20-win seasons and 55.3 WAR), Marichal did not receive a single Cy Young vote in the 1960s; additional accomplishments include nine All-Star selections and three top-five MVP finishes.
6. Bob Gibson: perhaps the most feared pitcher of his era, Gibson was a 7x All-Star selection and won 20+ games 4x for a total of 54.4 WAR for the decade, most notably winning both NL Cy Young and MVP honors in 1968 while setting a modern-day record for lowest single-season ERA (1.12); he also led the St. Louis Cardinals to World Series titles in 1964 and 1967, and was named World Series MVP both times.
5. Sandy Koufax: though his career was cut short by injury, Koufax was sensational at his peak – from 1961-1966, he led the league in ERA five straight years, pitched four no-hitters, won three Cy Youngs and Pitching Triple Crowns, won two World Series titles with the Los Angeles Dodgers (earning World Series MVP both times), and took home the 1963 NL MVP award.
4. Frank Robinson: the only player to ever win MVP in both the NL (1961 with the Cincinnati Reds) and the AL (1966 with the Orioles), Robinson was a 7x All-Star in the 1960s who produced 64.6 WAR for the decade, capped off by both the AL Triple Crown and a World Series title in 1966.
3. Roberto Clemente: the decade’s leader in hits, Clemente batted .300+ and was an All-Star and Gold Glover every season but one in the 1960s; the 1966 NL MVP also won four batting titles and had 66.4 WAR for the decade with one World Series title for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
2. Hank Aaron: best remembered for breaking Babe Ruth’s career home run record, Aaron was a model of consistency throughout the 1960s: an All-Star every season with seven top-10 MVP finishes (though never won), he led the league in home runs 3x, runs batted in 3x, and runs 2x while finishing tops for the decade in runs batted in, and second in hits, home runs, runs, and WAR (81.0).
1. Willie Mays: the best all-around player in baseball history and the leader in total WAR for the 1960s (84.1), Mays could do it all – an All-Star every season and a 9x Gold Glove winner for the decade, the 1965 NL MVP led the league in home runs 3x and finished top-five overall in home runs, runs batted in, and runs.
Agree/Disagree? As always, debate/discuss, and leave your thoughts and comments below.
Note: All statistics as of time of publication.
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Countdown 80: Top 10 NFL Players of the 1960s