Best Baseball Player From Every State

The greats have to start somewhere.

Best Baseball Player From Every State

Before Mickey Mantle hit 536 home runs with the New York Yankees, he was an all-around star athlete in Oklahoma known as "The Commerce Comet."

It’s not where you start. It's where you finish. But even the greats in baseball have to start somewhere. In the United States, that's one of the 50 states.

While some of the game's greatest ballplayers were not raised where they were born, their birthplace remains an indelible part of their story.

Meet the best baseball player ever from every state, according to where they were born.

Alabama: Willie Mays

Born: May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama

High school: Fairfield Industrial High (Fairfield, Ala.)

Pros: New York/San Francisco Giants (1951-52, 1954-72), New York Mets (1972-73)

Position: Center field

Bottom Line: Willie Mays

Some people consider Willie Mays the greatest baseball player of all time. For good reason.

He was playing professional baseball in the Negro Leagues by the time he was 16 years old, broke into the majors in 1951 with the New York Giants at age 20 and was the National League Rookie of the Year. When he called it a career at 42 in 1973, he was a 24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove winner and two-time NL Most Valuable Player and one-time World Series winner (1954).

Mays was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 in his first year of eligibility.

Alaska: Curt Schilling

Born: Nov. 14, 1966, in Anchorage, Alaska

High school: Shadow Mountain High (Phoenix, Arizona)

College: Yavapai College

Pros: Baltimore Orioles (1988-90), Houston Astros (1991), Philadelphia Phillies (1992-2000), Arizona Diamondbacks (2001-03), Boston Red Sox (2004-07)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Curt Schilling

Curt Schilling was born in Alaska but grew up in Arizona. That might explain why he was such a fiery competitor with ice water in his veins.

A six-time All-Star, Schilling led the majors in wins twice and led the National League in strikeouts twice. He was at his best in the postseason, going 11-2 for a major league-record .846 winning percentage.

He won his first World Series with the Diamondbacks in 2001 (and was the Series MVP) and closed out his career by winning two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.

He's still waiting for a call from Cooperstown.

Arizona: Ian Kinsler

Born: June 22, 1982, in Tucson, Arizona

High school: Canyon del Oro High (Oro Valley, Ariz.)

College: Central Arizona College, Arizona State University, University of Missouri

Pros: Texas Rangers (2006-13), Detroit Tigers (2014-17), Los Angeles Angels (2018), Boston Red Sox (2018), San Diego Padres (2019)

Position: Second base

Bottom Line: Ian Kinsler

The son of a prison warden, Ian Kinsler is one of the few players who's been selected three times in the MLB draft.

The Arizona Diamondbacks took Kinsler in the 29th round out of high school in 2000. Then he bounced around three colleges and was drafted twice more: by the Diamondbacks again in the 26th round in 2001 from Central Arizona College and by the Texas Rangers in the 17th round in 2003 from the University of Missouri.

In 2004, Baseball America named Kinsler the top prospect in the minor leagues. After breaking into the majors in 2006, he played with an edge, was a four-time All-Star, earned two Gold Gloves and won a World Series ring with the Red Sox in 2018.

Arkansas: Brooks Robinson

Born: May 18, 1937, in Little Rock, Arkansas

High school: Little Rock High (Little Rock)

Pros: Baltimore Orioles (1955-77)

Position: Third base

Bottom Line: Brooks Robinson

Brooks Robinson was playing in the majors by the time he was 18 years old.

He spent his entire 23-year career with the Orioles and is considered one of the greatest defensive infielders of all time.

The 18-time All-Star won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves and two World Series titles and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983.

California: Ted Williams

Born: Aug. 30, 1918, in San Diego, California

Died: July 5, 2002, in Inverness, Florida (83 years old)

High school: Herbert Hoover High (San Diego)

Pros: Boston Red Sox (1939-42, 1946-60)

Position: Left field

Bottom Line: Ted Williams

Ted Williams wanted to be known as the greatest hitter who ever lived. And he may have been.

Williams started playing professional baseball in the Pacific Coast League as a junior in high school, and after making his major league debut at the age of 20, "Teddy Ballgame" played 20 seasons in the majors, won the Triple Crown twice, made 19 All-Star appearances and is the last player to hit over .400, batting .406 in 1941.

Joe DiMaggio, who was born in Martinez, California, in 1914, would not be happy his friend, Williams, got the nod over him in the Golden State. Then again, Williams didn't win nine World Series like "Joltin' Joe" did. The closest Williams came to winning a ring was losing the 1946 World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

Colorado: Rich Gossage

Born: July 5, 1951, in Colorado Springs, Colorado

High school: Wasson High (Colorado Springs)

Pros: Chicago White Sox (1972-76), Pittsburg Pirates (1977), New York Yankees (1977-83, 1989), San Diego Padres (1984-87), Chicago Cubs (1988), San Francisco Giants (1989), Texas Rangers (1991), Oakland Athletics (1992-93), Seattle Mariners (1994)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Rich Gossage

"Goose" began as "Hoops." Rich Gossage was a star basketball player in high school before going pro in baseball and playing 22 seasons in The Show.

An intimidating presence on the mound, Gossage pioneered the closer role. He led the majors in saves three times and was runner-up two more times.

He won his only World Series title with the Yankees in 1978 and got inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Connecticut: Jim O’Rourke

Born: Sept. 1, 1850, in East Bridgeport, Connecticut

Died: Jan. 8, 1919, in Bridgeport, Conn. (68 years old)

Pros: Boston Red Stockings/Red Caps (1873-78), Providence Grays (1879), Boston Red Caps (1880), Buffalo Bison (1881-84), New York Giants (1885-89, 1891-92), Washington Senators (1893), New York Giants (1904)

Position: Outfield, catcher and first base

Bottom Line: Jim O'Rourke

Jim O’Rourke was not allowed to sign his first pro contract until someone could take over his chores on the family farm, delaying his entry into baseball.

Once got to the majors at age of 21 in 1873, he excelled. He registered the first hit in National League history in 1876 and finished his 23-year career with 2,639 hits.

Along with his baseball skills, "Orator Jim" was well-known for his intellect and earned a law degree from Yale. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1945.

Delaware: Delino DeShields

Born: Jan. 15, 1969, in Seaford, Delaware

High school: Seaford High (Seaford)

Pros: Montreal Expos (1990-93), Los Angeles Dodgers (1994-96), St. Louis Cardinals (1997-98), Baltimore Orioles (1999-01), Chicago Cubs (2001-02)

Position: Second base

Bottom Line: Delino DeShields

Delino DeShields was a high school All-American in baseball and basketball and originally signed a scholarship to play basketball at Villanova University. But the Montreal Expos selected him with the No. 12 overall pick in 1987.

DeShields finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 1990, led the NL in triples in 1997 and finished top 10 in stolen bases nine times.

Although he had a respectable 13-year career, playing in 1,615 games, DeShields might be most famous for being traded straight up from the Expos to the Dodgers for a 22-year-old Pedro Martinez in 1993.

Florida: Andre Dawson

Born: July 10, 1954, in Miami, Florida

High school: Southwest Miami High (Miami)

College: Florida A&M University

Pros: Montreal Expos (1976-86), Chicago Cubs (1987-92), Boston Red Sox (1993-94), Florida Marlins (1995-96)

Position: Outfield

Bottom Line: Andre Dawson

Nicknamed "The Hawk" by an uncle because of how fearless he attacked ground balls at a young age, Andre Dawson was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1977 and the NL Most Valuable Player in 1987.

Although 12 knee surgeries hampered his career numbers, Dawson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Georgia: Ty Cobb

Born: Dec. 18, 1886, in Narrows, Georgia

Died: July 17, 1961, Atlanta, Ga. (74 years old)

Pros: Detroit Tigers (1905-26), Philadelphia Athletics (1927-28)

Position: Center field

Bottom Line: Ty Cobb

Ty Cobb made his debut in the majors at 18 years old — just three weeks after his mother murdered his father.

Despite the tragedy, Cobb went on to have one of the most legendary careers in baseball history.

"The Georgia Peach" still is the game's career leader in batting average (.366), second in runs scored (2,243) and ninth in runs batted in (1,944).

Hawaii: Shane Victorino

Born: Nov. 30, 1980, in Wailuku, Hawaii

High school: St. Anthony High (Wailuku)

Pros: San Diego Padres (2003), Philadelphia Phillies (2005-12), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012), Boston Red Sox (2013-15), Los Angeles Angels (2015)

Position: Outfield

Bottom Line: Shane Victorino

Have wheels, will travel.

Shane Victorino swept the 100, 200 and 400-meter state titles as a senior in high school and had an offer to play baseball and football for the University of Hawaii before the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the sixth round of the 1999 draft.

Victorino collected four Gold Gloves, was a two-time All-Star and won two World Series titles, one with the Phillies (2008) and another with the Red Sox (2013).

Idaho: Harmon Killebrew

Born: June 29, 1936, in Payette, Idaho

Died: May 17, 2011, in Scottsdale, Arizona (74 years old)

High school: Payette High (Payette)

Pros: Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins (1954-74), Kansas City Royals (1975)

Position: First base, third base and left field

Bottom Line: Harmon Killebrew

Harmon Killebrew was a high school All-American quarterback at Payette High and turned down a football scholarship at the University of Oregon to sign with the Washington Senators.

Killebrew made his debut in the majors six days before he turned 18 years old and then played for 23 seasons.

"Killer" was a 13-time All-Star and led the American League in home runs six times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Illinois: Robin Yount

Born: Sept. 16, 1955, in Danville, Illinois

High school: William Howard Taft High (Woodland Hills, California)

Pros: Milwaukee Brewers (1974-93)

Position: Shortstop and center field

Bottom Line: Robin Yount

Robin Yount’s family moved from Illinois to California when he was a child, and he was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1973 MLB draft, one pick ahead of fellow Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.

Yount lived up to the hype. He was a two-time American League Most Valuable Player and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility.

Indiana: Mordecai Brown

Born: Oct. 19, 1876, in Nyesville, Indiana

Died: Feb. 14, 1948, in Terre Haute, Indiana (71 years old)

Pros: St. Louis Cardinals (1903), Chicago Cubs (1904-12, 1916), Cincinnati Reds (1913),

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Mordecai Brown

Mordecai Brown mangled his right hand in a farm machine accident when he was 12 years old, leaving him with just three usable fingers on that hand.

The accident forced "Three Finger" to grip a baseball in a way that let him put an unusual amount of spin on the ball. The rest is history.

He led the majors in ERA in 1906, led the National League in wins in 1909 and finished his 239 career victories. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1949.

Iowa: Bob Feller

Born: Nov. 3, 1918, in Van Meter, Iowa

Died: Dec. 15, 2010, in Cleveland, Ohio (92 years old)

High school: Van Meter High (Van Meter)

Pros: Cleveland Indians (1936-41, 1945-56)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Bob Feller

Bob Feller’s catcher in American Legion baseball was future Heisman Trophy winner and fellow Iowan Nile Kinnick. The Indians signed Feller at 16 years old, and he made his debut in the majors at 17.

Perhaps the greatest pitcher of his era, "The Heater From Van Meter" led the Indians to a World Series title in 1948, threw three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962 on his first ballot with 93.8 percent of the vote.

Kansas: Walter Johnson

Born: Nov. 6, 1887, in Humboldt, Kansas

Died: Dec. 10, 1946, in Washington, D.C. (59 years old)

High school: Fullerton Union High (Fullerton, California)

Pros: Washington Senators (1907-27)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Walter Johnson

Walter Johnson’s legend took hold after his family moved to California when he was 14 years old. Soon, he struck out 27 batters in a 15-inning game against Santa Ana High.

One of the game's first true power pitchers, Johnson was a two-time American League MVP, led the AL in strikeouts 12 times, still holds the major league record with 110 shutouts and finished his career with 417 wins.

Ty Cobb summed up his greatness after facing the flamethrower for the first time: "Something went past me that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger. We couldn't touch him. ... Every one of us knew we'd met the most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ballpark."

Kentucky: Pee Wee Reese

Born: July 23, 1918, in Ekron, Kentucky

Died: Aug. 14, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky (81 years old)

High school: duPont Manual High (Louisville)

Pros: Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1940-42, 1946-58)

Position: Shortstop

Bottom Line: Pee Wee Reese

Harold Reese earned his lifelong nickname of "Pee Wee" because he was a childhood marbles champion, and small marbles are called pee wees. But on the diamond, the 5-foot-10 Reese played big.

A 10-time All-Star, he helped the Dodgers win two World Series titles. He also became famous for supporting teammate Jackie Robinson, the first African-American player in the majors, during Robinson’s difficult first years.

Reese was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Louisiana: Will Clark

Born: March 13, 1964, in New Orleans, Louisiana

High school: Jesuit High (New Orleans)

College: Mississippi State University

Pros: San Francisco Giants (1986-93), Texas Rangers (1994-98), Baltimore Orioles (1999-00), St. Louis Cardinals (2000)

Position: First base

Bottom Line: Will Clark

Will Clark was an All-American at Mississippi State and inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 1985 MLB draft, he homered off future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan in his first at-bat in the majors in 1986.

A six-time All-Star, Clark also was the 1989 NLCS Most Valuable Player and finished his career with 2,176 hits, 286 home runs and a lifetime .303 batting average.

Maine: Bill Swift

Born: Oct. 27, 1961, in Portland, Maine

High school: South Portland High (Portland)

College: University of Maine

Pros: Seattle Mariners (1985-86, 1988-91), San Francisco Giants (1992-94), Colorado Rockies (1995-97), Seattle Mariners (1998)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: BIll Swift

Bill Swift was part of four consecutive College World Series teams at the University of Maine.

The Mariners kept Swift in the bullpen for six seasons, but after he was traded to the Giants, they immediately moved him into the starting rotation, and he led the National League in ERA in 1992.

He retired in 1998 with 94 career wins and a 3.95 ERA.

Maryland: Babe Ruth

Born: Feb. 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland

Died: Aug. 16, 1948, in Manhattan, New York (53 years old)

High school: St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys (Baltimore)

Pros: Boston Red Sox (1914-19), New York Yankees (1920-34), Boston Braves (1935)

Position: Outfield and right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Babe Ruth

One of the greatest sports heroes in American history had a tough childhood. George Herman Ruth Jr.'s family sent him to a reform school for boys when he was just 7 years old, and he was labeled as “incorrigible" in the school’s records.

Ruth got his pro baseball start with the minor-league Baltimore Orioles in 1914 and became the "Babe." Then, he became a star for the Boston Red Sox and a legend with the New York Yankees.

He retired with career records for home runs (714) and runs batted in (2,214) and was immortalized in 1936 as part of the game's first Hall of Fame class.

Massachusetts: Tom Glavine

Born: March 25, 1966, in Concord, Massachusetts

High school: Billerica Memorial High (Billerica, Mass.)

Pros: Atlanta Braves (1987-2002, 2008), New York Mets (2003-07)

Position: Left-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Tom Glavine

Tom Glavine was drafted out of high school in both the NHL and MLB drafts, with the Los Angeles King selecting him ahead of future Hall of Famers Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille.

Glavine chose the right sport. The southpaw won 305 games in his career, captured the Cy Young Award twice, was a 10-time All-Star and won one World Series ring.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014, his first year of eligibility.

Michigan: John Smoltz

Born: May 15, 1967, in Warren, Michigan

High school: Waverly High (Lansing, Mich.)

Pros: Atlanta Braves (1988-99, 2001-08), Boston Red Sox (2009), St. Louis Cardinals (2009)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: John Smoltz

John Smoltz was an all-state football and baseball player in high school, then went straight to the minors after being drafted by the Detroit Tigers.

Traded to the Braves for aging veteran Doyle Alexander, Smoltz won the National League Cy Young Award in 1996 and led the NL in wins twice and saves once.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015 in his first year of eligibility.

Minnesota: Dave Winfield

Born: Oct. 3, 1951, in Saint Paul, Minnesota

High school: Central High (Saint Paul)

College: University of Minnesota

Pros: San Diego Padres (1973-80), New York Yankees (1981-88, 1990), California Angels (1990-91), Toronto Blue Jays (1992), Minnesota Twins (1993-94), Cleveland Indians (1995)

Position: Right field

Bottom Line: Dave Winfield

Dave Winfield led his home state Minnesota Gophers to the 1972 Big Ten title in basketball and also was named the 1973 College World Series Most Valuable Player.

Drafted by four leagues in three sports, Winfield played in the majors for 22 seasons. He was a 12-time All-Star, won seven Gold Gloves, six Silver Sluggers and was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001.

Mississippi: Cool Papa Bell

Born: May 17, 1903, in Starkville, Mississippi

Died: March 7, 1991, in St. Louis, Missouri (87 years old)

Pros: Played for seven Negro League teams from 1922 to 1946

Position: Outfield

Bottom Line: Cool Papa Bell

James Thomas "Cool Papa" Bell was sent to St. Louis when he was a teenager to attend high school, but instead, he found work at $20 per week playing for local semi-pro teams.

He made the leap to the Negro League in 1922, where his speed took on mythical status. Satchel Paige famously said Bell could "turn off the lights and be under the covers before it was dark."

Bell was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

Missouri: Yogi Berra

Born: May 12, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri

Died: Sept. 22, 2015, in West Caldwell, New Jersey (90 years old)

High school: St. Mary’s High (St. Louis)

Pros: New York Yankees (1946-63), New York Mets (1965)

Position: Catcher

Bottom Line: Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra was the starting catcher for the Yankees by the time he was 21 years old.

One of the most well-known baseball players of all time for his charming personality, Berra was also one of the game’s all-time greatest winners — he was involved in 22 World Series as a player, coach or manager, winning 13 titles.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Montana: Dave McNally

Born: Oct. 31, 1942, in Billings, Montana

Died: Dec. 1, 2002, in Billings (60 years old)

High school: Central Catholic High (Billings)

Pros: Baltimore Orioles (1962-74), Montreal Expos (1975)

Position: Left-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Dave McNally

Dave McNally became a youth star playing for the local American Legion team in the summers and signed with the Orioles when he was 17 years old.

McNally, the only pitcher to hit a grand slam in the World Series, was a three-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion and won 20 or more games four seasons in a row.

He retired in 1975 with 184 career wins and was named Montana’s Athlete of the Century by the Billings Gazette in 1999.

Nebraska: Bob Gibson

Born: November 9, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska

High school: Omaha Technical High (Omaha)

College: Creighton University

Pros: St. Louis Cardinals (1959-75)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Bob Gibson

Bob Gibson wasn't just great at baseball. He starred in basketball for Creighton and delayed joining the Cardinals to play one season with the Harlem Globetrotters after graduation.

Once he focused on baseball, Gibson became one of the most dominant pitchers who ever lived. He was the National League Most Valuable Player in 1968, won two Cy Young Awards and led the Cardinals to two World Series titles in 1964 and 1967, earning MVP honors both times.

Gibson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981 on his first ballot.

Nevada: Bryce Harper

Born: Oct. 16, 1992, Las Vegas, Nevada

High School: Las Vegas High (Las Vegas)

College: College of Southern Nevada

Pros: Washington Nationals (2012-18), Philadelphia Phillies (2019-present)

Position: Right field

Bottom Line: Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper obtained his GED after his sophomore year of high school in order to make himself eligible for the MLB draft one year earlier. He played one season at a junior college before the Nationals made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2010.

Harper, a six-time All-Star and two-time National League MVP, signed with the Phillies for 13 years and $330 million in 2019.

New Hampshire: Chris Carpenter

Born: April 27, 1975, in Exeter, New Hampshire

High school: Trinity High (Manchester, N.H.)

Pros: Toronto Blue Jays (1997-2002), St. Louis Cardinals (2004-12)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Chris Carpenter

Chris Carpenter may have grown up in a small state, but he was destined for big things.

An all-state athlete for three years in baseball and hockey in high school, Carpenter became the first player from New Hampshire selected in the first round of the MLB draft when the Blue Jays picked him in 1993.

He became an ace for the Cardinals, where he won two World Series titles (2006, 2011), was a three-time All-Star and won the National League Cy Young Award in 2005.

New Jersey: Mike Trout

Born: Aug. 7, 1991, in Vineland, New Jersey

High school: Millville Senior High (Millville, N.J.)

Pros: Los Angeles Angels (2011-present)

Position: Center field

Bottom Line: Mike Trout

Mike Trout always has been great. Nicknamed "The Millville Meteor," he set the New Jersey state record with 18 home runs as a senior in high school and committed to play for East Carolina University before the Angels came calling.

Since 2011, Trout, whose father played minor league baseball, has been named to eight All-Star teams and won the American League Most Valuable Player three times.

In 2019, he signed a 12-year, $426 million contract with the Angels, which was the richest deal in North American sports history at the time. When he hangs up his cleat, we might look back and think he was underpaid.

New Mexico: Ralph Kiner

Born: Oct. 27, 1922, in Santa Rita, New Mexico

Died: Feb. 6, 2014, in Rancho Mirage, California (91 years old)

High school: Alhambra High (Alhambra, Calif.)

Pros: Pittsburgh Pirates (1946-53), Chicago Cubs (1953-54), Cleveland Indians (1955)

Position: Left field

Bottom Line: Ralph Kiner

Ralph Kiner became a baseball star after World War II, where he was a pilot in the U.S. Navy.

He led the National League in home runs in each of his first seven major league seasons despite playing at Forbes Field, one of the worst places for power hitters in the majors because of its dimensions.

After playing 10 seasons, he retired at the age of 32 in 1955 with 369 home runs and a .946 OPS. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

New York: Lou Gehrig

Born: June 19, 1903, in Manhattan, New York

Died: June 2, 1941, in Bronx, N.Y. (37 years old)

High school: Commerce High (Manhattan)

Pros: New York Yankees (1922-39)

Position: First base

Bottom Line: Lou Gehrig

Considered by some to be the greatest first baseman ever, Lou Gehrig gained fame at 17 years old, when he played a high school game at Wrigley Field and hit a grand slam.

At 20, Gehrig debuted with Yankees in 1923. Two years later, he became an everyday player and never looked back. Gehrig was named the American League MVP twice and won six World Series titles before he was forced to retire in 1936 because of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

"The Iron Horse" died in 1941, and his record of 2,130 consecutive games played stood for 56 years.

North Carolina: Gaylord Perry

Born: Sept. 15, 1938, in Williamston, North Carolina

High school: Williamston High (Williamston)

Pros: San Francisco Giants (1962-71), Cleveland Indians (1972-75), Texas Rangers (1975-77, 1980), San Diego Padres (1978-79), New York Yankees (1980), Atlanta Braves (1981), Seattle Mariners (1982-83), Kansas City Royals (1983)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Gaylord Perry

Gaylord Perry won 314 games, two Cy Young Awards and is one of just six pitchers to win the award in both the American League and National League.

He gained a reputation for doctoring balls as much as he did for winning games, but he was not actually thrown out of a game until his 21st season.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991.

North Dakota: Darin Erstad

Born: June 4, 1974, in Jamestown, North Dakota

High school: Jamestown High (Jamestown)

College: University of Nebraska

Pros: California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels (1996-2006), Chicago White Sox (2007), Houston Astros (2008-09)

Position: Outfield and first base

Bottom Line: Darin Erstad

Darin Erstad didn’t have a baseball team at his high school, where he was a star in football, hockey, and track and field.

He was a two-time All-American at Nebraska and the starting punter on its 1994 national championship football team.

Erstad also had a pretty good major league career, winning three Gold Gloves, making two All-Star teams and winning a World Series in 2002.

Ohio: Pete Rose

Born: April 14, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio

High school: Western Hills High (Cincinnati)

Pros: Cincinnati Reds (1963-78, 1985-86), Philadelphia Phillies (1979-83), Montreal Expos (1984)

Position: Outfield and infield

Bottom Line: Pete Rose

If it weren't for Pete Rose's uncle — a "bird dog" scout for the Reds who persuaded the team to take a chance on his nephew out of high school — Rose might never have gotten his major league shot.

All Rose did was become baseball’s career leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053) and singles (3,215). He also won two World Series titles with his hometown Reds and another with the Phillies, played in 17 All-Star games and was the National League MVP in 1973.

In 1989, he was permanently banned from baseball for betting on games and remains out of the Hall of Fame.

Oklahoma: Mickey Mantle

Born: Oct. 20, 1930, in Spavinaw, Oklahoma

Died: Aug. 13, 1995, in Dallas, Texas (63 years old)

High school: Commerce High (Commerce, Okla.)

Pros: New York Yankees (1951-68)

Position: Center field and first base

Bottom Line: Mickey Mantle

Nicknamed the "Commerce Comet" during his high school days, Mickey Mantle was a good enough halfback in football that he earned a scholarship offer from the University of Oklahoma.

Baseball was his calling, however, and Mantle played in 16 All-Star games and 12 World Series, winning seven of them. He was also a three-time American League Most Valuable Player.

Mantle finished his career with 536 home runs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974 on his first ballot.

Oregon: Dale Murphy

Born: March 12, 1956, in Portland, Oregon

High school: Woodrow Wilson High (Portland)

Pros: Atlanta Braves (1976-90), Philadelphia Phillies (1990-92), Colorado Rockies (1993)

Position: Outfield

Bottom Line: Dale Murphy

Dale Murphy played catcher for his first three seasons before the move to the outfield, where he turned into one of the best players of his era.

He won back-to-back National League MVP honors in 1982 and 1983. During 18 seasons, Murphy also won five Gold Gloves but only played in the postseason once, in 1982.

Pennsylvania: Ken Griffey Jr.

Born: Nov. 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania

High School: Archbishop Moeller High (Cincinnati)

Pros: Seattle Mariners (1989-99, 2009-10), Cincinnati Reds (2000-08), Chicago White Sox (2008)

Position: Center field

Bottom Line: Ken Griffey Jr.

"The Kid" always could play. Ken Griffey Jr. was the 1987 National High School Player of the Year and made his major league debut at 19 years old.

Griffey Jr., who played 22 seasons (three seasons more than his father, Ken Griffey), was the American League MVP in 1997 and a 13-time All-Star

His 630 home runs are seventh on the career list, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Rhode Island: Nap Lajoie

Born: Sept. 5, 1874, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Died: Feb. 7, 1959, in Daytona Beach, Florida (84 years old)

Pros: Philadelphia Phillies (1896-1900), Philadelphia Athletics (1901-02, 1915-16), Cleveland Naps (1902-14)

Position: Second base

Bottom Line: Nap Lajoie

Nap Lajoie dropped out of school at a young age to work in a textile mill, drive a horse-and-buggy taxi and play semi-pro baseball.

Once he went pro, Lajoie became a star. He was a five-time American League batting champion and won the Triple Crown in 1901.

He was so beloved in Cleveland that the franchise that would become the Indians one day played as the "Naps" during his time there.

South Carolina: Shoeless Joe Jackson

Born: July 16, 1887, in Pickens County, South Carolina

Died: Dec. 5, 1951, in Greenville, South Carolina (64 years old)

Pros: Philadelphia Athletics (1908-09), Cleveland Naps/Indians (1910-15), Chicago White Sox (1915-22)

Position: Outfield

Bottom Line: Shoeless Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson was working 12-hour shifts at a textile mill by the time he was 7 years old, and later gained local fame playing for the mill’s baseball team.

Jackson was one of his era’s best players and had a lifetime .356 batting average over 13 seasons.

But he was banned from baseball for life after the "Black Sox" scandal, in which he and his White Sox teammates threw the 1919 World Series for cash.

South Dakota: Mark Ellis

Born: June 6, 1977, in Rapid City, South Dakota

High school: Stevens High (Rapid City)

College: University of Florida

Pros: Oakland Athletics (2002-03, 2005-11), Colorado Rockies (2011), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-13), St. Louis Cardinals (2014)

Position: Second base

Bottom Line: Mark Ellis

Mark Ellis led his South Dakota American Legion baseball team to a national title and graduated from high school alongside future WNBA star Becky Hammon.

Over his 12-year major league career, Ellis established himself as one of the game’s best fielders, and his .991 fielding percentage was fifth all-time among MLB second basemen when he retired in 2015.

Tennessee: Mookie Betts

Born: Oct. 7, 1992, in Nashville, Tennessee

High school: Overton High (Nashville)

Pros: Boston Red Sox (2014-19), Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-present)

Position: Outfield

Bottom Line: Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts signed to play baseball for the University of Tennessee but was lured away from college when the Red Sox offered him a $750,000 signing bonus.

In 2018, Betts became the first player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, batting title and World Series in one season.

Betts, who is also a member of the Professional Bowlers Association Tour, won a World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.

Texas: Nolan Ryan

Born: Jan. 31, 1947, in Refugio, Texas

High school: Alvin High (Alvin, Texas)

Pros: New York Mets (1966, 1968-71), California Angels (1972-79), Houston Astros (1980-88), Texas Rangers (1989-93)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Nolan Ryan

When Nolan Ryan was in high school, it wasn’t uncommon for opponents to refuse to bat against him because they were scared of how hard he threw the ball.

Over a 27-year career that spanned four decades, "The Ryan Express" continued intimidating opposing batters. He was an eight-time All-Star and still holds major league career records for strikeouts (5,714) and no-hitters (seven).

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 on his first ballot with 98.8 percent of the vote.

Utah: Duke Sims

Born: June 5, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah

High school: Pocatello High (Pocatello, Idaho)

Pros: Cleveland Indians (1964-70), Los Angeles Dodgers (1971-72), Detroit Tigers (1972-73), New York Yankees (1973-74), Texas Rangers (1974)

Position: Catcher

Bottom Line: Duke Sims

Duke Sims was a backup catcher for most of his decade-long career, but had his best years playing for the Indians in the late 1960s.

Sims' 100 career home runs are the most for any player from Utah, and he was the last person to hit a home run at the original Yankee Stadium before it was torn down in 1973.

Vermont: Carlton Fisk

Born: Dec. 26, 1947, in Bellows Falls, Vermont

High school: Charlestown High (Charlestown, New Hampshire)

College: University of New Hampshire

Pros: Boston Red Sox (1969, 1971-80), Chicago White Sox (1981-1993)

Position: Catcher

Bottom Line: Carlton Fisk

Carlton Fisk grew up in New Hampshire, just across the Connecticut River from where he was born.

He played one season of college basketball before the Red Sox drafted him in the first round. Then, he played 24 seasons in the majors and was an All-Star in 11 of them.

Fisk is best known for "waving fair" his game-winning home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Virginia: Justin Verlander

Born: Feb. 20, 1983, in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia

High school: Goochland High (Goochland, Va.)

College: Old Dominion University

Pros: Detroit Tigers (2005-17), Houston Astros (2017-22), New York Mets (2023-present)

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander was born to be a pitcher, but he was late bloomer. As a senior in high school, his fastball reached 86 mph. After gaining 20 pounds, he could throw 96 mph by the end of his freshman year at Old Dominion. He then set the career strikeouts record for ODU and the Colonial Athletic Association and was the No. 2 overall pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2004.

Once he got to the majors, he could hit 100 mph on the radar gun and won the Triple Crown in 2011, along with the American League Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player, becoming the first starting pitcher to win MVP honors since Roger Clemens in 1986.

Verlander won two World Series championships with the Houston Astros in 2017 and 2022.

Washington: Ryne Sandberg

Born: Sept. 18, 1959, in Spokane, Washington

High school: North Central High (Spokane)

Pros: Philadelphia Phillies (1981), Chicago Cubs (1982-1994, 1996-97)

Position: Second base

Bottom Line: Ryne Sandberg

Ryne Sandberg was a Parade All-American quarterback and signed a letter of intent to play football for Washington State University before the Phillies drafted him.

Traded to the Cubs with Larry Bowa for Ivan de Jesus in one of the most lopsided deals in big league history, Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star and National League MVP in 1984.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

West Virginia: George Brett

Born: May 15, 1953, in Glen Dale, West Virginia

High school: El Segundo High (El Segundo, California)

Pros: Kansas City Royals (1973-93)

Position: Third base

Bottom Line: George Brett

George Brett didn't put his family name on the map. He just took it further than anyone else.

Brett was the second of his four brothers to play in the majors, following older brother Ken, who pitched in the 1967 World Series at just 19 years old.

Brett entered the majors at age 20 in 1973 and finished his career at age 40 with 3,154 hits — the most ever for a third baseman. He was the American League MVP in 1980 when he batted. 390, and led the Royals to a World Series title in 1985.

Brett was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 on the first ballot with 98.2 percent of the vote.

Wisconsin: Al Simmons

Born: May 22, 1902, in Milwaukee

Died: May 26, 1956, in Milwaukee (54 years old)

Pros: Philadelphia Athletics (1924-32, 1944), Chicago White Sox (1933-35), Detroit Tigers (1936), Washington Senators (1937-38), Boston Braves (1939), Cincinnati Reds (1939), Philadelphia Athletics (1940-41), Boston Red Sox (1943)

Position: Outfield

Bottom Line: Al Simmons

Al Simmons was born Alois Szymanski and dreamed of becoming a major league ballplayer. His dream came true, and Simmons (who changed his name in the minors after people mispronounced it too much) played two decades in the majors.

He was a dominant player on Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics teams, winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1929 and 1930, and became known as "The Duke of Milwaukee" because he played like royalty.

A three-time All-Star and two-time American League batting champion, Simmons was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953. He died of a heart attack in his hometown three years later.

Wyoming: Tom Browning

Born: April 28, 1960, in Casper, Wyoming

High school: Franklin Academy (Malone, New York)

College: LeMoyne College, Tennessee Wesleyan College

Pros: Cincinnati Reds (1984-1994), Kansas City Royals (1995)

Position: Left-handed pitcher

Bottom Line: Tom Browning

Tom Browning played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball in Wyoming before his family moved away when he was 14 years old.

He pitched the 12th perfect game in major league history on Sept. 16, 1988, and helped lead the Reds to a World Series title in 1990.

His suffered a gruesome, nationally televised arm injury in 1994 — breaking his arm while pitching against the Padres — and never won another game. He retired after the 1995 season with 123 career wins.