Greatest RBI Producers in MLB History

These hitters put a lot of runs on the board.

There may be no more valuable statistic in baseball for a hitter than the RBI — mainly because it encompasses so much. Think of the sheer fact that when you hit a home run, you’re also credited with an RBI, making it a stat so valuable that it has duality.

The selfless nature of an RBI makes it so important as well. What’s a more defining characteristic for a baseball player than helping other players score runs? The very best hitters in MLB history also dot the list of the greatest RBI producers. It’s not a coincidence.

These are the greatest RBI producers in MLB history.

30. Gary Sheffield

Gary Sheffield led the Marlins to a World Series title in 2003. David Zalubowski / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,676

Career: 22 seasons (1988-2009)

Teams: Milwaukee Brewers (1988-91), San Diego Padres (1992-93), Florida Marlins (1993-98), Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2001), Atlanta Braves (2002-03), New York Yankees (2004-06), Detroit Tigers (2007-08), New York Mets (2009)

Position: Outfield/third base

Most RBI in season: 132 (2003)

Other stats: .292 BA, 509 HR, 2,689 H

World Series titles: 1 (1997)

Bottom line: Because Gary Sheffield wasn’t always the greatest teammate, he probably doesn’t get his due as one of the greatest hitters of all time. But he is.

The stat that stands out the most for Sheffield over his career is that in 22 seasons he only struck out over 80 times in a single season twice.

He should get more consideration for the Hall of Fame.

29. Cal Ripken Jr.

Cal Ripken Jr. set the major league record for consecutive games played in 1995. Tom Lynn / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,695

Years: 21 seasons (1981-2001)

Teams: Baltimore Orioles

Position: Shortstop/third base

Most RBI in season: 114 (1991)

Other stats: .276 BA, 431 HR, 3,184 H

World Series titles: 1 (1983)

Bottom line: Cal Ripken Jr. broke one of baseball’s “unbreakable” records when he played in 2,131 games in a row, but Ripken was much more than just an everyday shortstop.

Ripken Jr. was a two-time American League MVP, 19-time All-Star and led the Orioles to the World Series title in 1983.

28. Jim Thome

Jim Thome was one of several current and future Hall of Famers on the great Cleveland Indians teams of the late 1990s. Mark Duncan / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,699

Career: 22 seasons (1991-2012)

Teams: Cleveland Indians (1991-2002, 2011), Philadelphia Phillies (2003-05, 2012), Chicago White Sox (2006-09), Los Angeles Dodgers (2009), Minnesota Twins (2010-11), Baltimore Orioles (2012)

Position: First base/designated hitter/third base

Most RBI in season: 121 (2003)

Other stats: .276 BA, 612 HR, 2,328 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Jim Thome rose to fame with the great Cleveland Indians teams of the late 1990s, when they won a pair of American League pennants.

Thome was always a power hitter first. He only made five All-Star teams but was still elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018, his first year of eligibility.

27. Reggie Jackson

“Mr. October” Reggie Jackson is one of the greatest clutch hitters in baseball history. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,702

Career: 21 seasons (1967-87)

Teams: Kansas City/Oakland Athletics (1967-75, 1987), Baltimore Orioles (1976), New York Yankees (1977-81), California Angels (1982-86)

Position: Right field

Most RBI in season: 118 (1969)

Other stats: .262 BA, 563 HR, 2,584 H

World Series titles: 5 (1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978)

Bottom line: One of the more popular, well-known players in the history of the game, Reggie Jackson was also one of baseball’s greatest power hitters.

Jackson led the Oakland Athletics to three consecutive World Series titles in the early 1970s, then led the New York Yankees to two more World Series titles in 1977 and 1978.

26. Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas finished his career with a .301 batting average. Fred Jewell / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,704

Career: 19 seasons (1990-2008)

Teams: Chicago White Sox (1990-2005), Oakland Athletics (2006, 2008), Toronto Blue Jays (2007-08)

Position: First base/designated hitter

Most RBI in season: 143 (2000)

Other stats: .301 BA, 521 HR, 2,468 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Not unlike Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas saw many of his greatest years somewhat overshadowed by baseball’s steroid era, something he was on the outside looking in at, just like Griffey.

Thomas, the only player to willingly participate in the Mitchell Report, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014.

25. Adrian Beltre

Adrian Beltre is one of the greatest third basemen in MLB history. Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,707

Career: 13 seasons (1998-2010)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004), Seattle Mariners (2005-09), Boston Red Sox (2010), Texas Rangers (2011-18)

Position: Third base

Most RBI in season: 121 (2004)

Other stats: .286 BA, 477 HR, 3,166 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Adrian Beltre retired after the 2018 season and seems like a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2024 as one of the greatest third basemen to ever play the game.

Somehow, Beltre only made four All-Star teams, which was the same amount of Silver Slugger awards he won.

24. Honus Wagner

Honus Wagner, left, was also known as “The Flying Dutchman” because of his speed and heritage. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,732

Career: 21 seasons (1897-1917)

Teams: Louisville Colonels (1897-99), Pittsburgh Pirates (1900-17)

Position: Shortstop

Most RBI in season: 126 (1901)

Other stats: .329 BA, 101 HR, 3,430 H

World Series titles: 1 (1909)

Bottom line: Nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman” due to his heritage and speed, Honus Wagner was arguably the greatest player of his era and one of baseball’s first true superstars.

Wagner won eight batting titles throughout his career and his T206 baseball card, of which only 57 were made, is one of the most expensive cards of all time.

23. David Ortiz

David Ortiz was named ALCS MVP in 2004 on the way to the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series. Winslow Townson / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,768

Career: 20 seasons (1997-2016)

Teams: Minnesota Twins (1997-2002), Boston Red Sox (2003-16)

Position: Designated hitter/first base

Most RBI in season: 148 (2005)

Other stats: .286 BA, 541 HR, 2,472 H

World Series titles: 3 (2004, 2007, 2013)

Bottom line: David Ortiz was the leader on the legendary Boston Red Sox team that won the World Series in 2004, snapping the franchise’s 86-year streak without a title.

Ortiz, a 10-time All-Star, led the Red Sox to two more World Series titles, was the ALCS MVP in 2004 and the World Series MVP in 2013.

22. Frank Robinson

Frank Robinson won MVP honors in both the American League and National League. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,812

Career: 21 seasons (1956-76)

Teams: Cincinnati Reds (1956-65), Baltimore Orioles (1966-71), Los Angeles Dodgers (1972), California Angels (1973-74), Cleveland Indians (1974-76)

Position: Outfield

Most RBI in season: 136 (1962)

Other stats: .294 BA, 586 HR, 2,943 H

World Series titles: 2 (1966, 1970)

Bottom line: Frank Robinson was a 14-time All-Star, hit over .300 nine times in his career and is considered one of the best all-around players in baseball history.

He’s also the only player to win MVP honors in both the National League and the American League.

His greatest season was in 1966, when he won the Triple Crown, American League MVP and World Series with the Orioles.

21. Al Simmons

Al Simmons, left, hit over .340 in 12 different seasons. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,828

Years: 21 seasons (1924-44)

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

Position: Outfield

Most RBI in season: 165 (1930)

Other stats: .334 BA, 307 HR, 1,828 H

World Series titles: 2 (1929, 1930)

Bottom line: Al Simmons was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. He batted over .340 in 12 different seasons, including four of those where he hit over .380.

Simmons was born Al Szymanski and took the last name Simmons from a hardware store in his hometown after he grew tired of people mispronouncing his God-given name.

20. Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez started his career with the Indians before winning two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox. Amy Sancetta / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,831

Years: 19 seasons (1993-2011)

Teams: Cleveland Indians (1993-2000), Boston Red Sox (2001-08), Los Angeles Dodgers (2008-10), Chicago White Sox (2010), Tampa Bay Rays (2011)

Position: Left field/right field

Most RBI in season: 165 (1999)

Other stats: .312 BA, 555 HR, 2,574 H

World Series titles: 2 (2004, 2007)

Bottom line: One of the worst fielding outfielders of all time, Manny Ramirez more than made up for his lack of fielding prowess by hitting at a level few have ever matched.

Ramirez also was one of the game’s greatest, most irreverent personalities and one of the stars on Boston’s epic run to the 2004 World Series title.

19. Dave Winfield

Dave Winfield was drafted in the MLB, NBA and NFL. Ray Stubblebine / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,833

Years: 23 seasons (1973-88, 1990-95)

Teams: 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

Most RBI in season: 118 (1979)

Other stats: .283 BA, 465 HR, 3,110 H

World Series titles: 1 (1992)

Bottom line: Dave Winfield was a basketball and baseball star at the University of Minnesota and drafted in both the NBA and MLB.

Winfield, a seven-time All-Star, was as good in the field as he was at the plate, winning six Gold Gloves.

Winfield won one World Series in the waning years of his career, in 1992 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

18. Rafael Palmeiro

Rafael Palmeiro’s name is inextricably tied to the steroid era. Bill Janscha / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,835

Years: 20 seasons (1986-2005)

Teams: Chicago Cubs (1986-88), Texas Rangers (1989-93), Baltimore Orioles (1994-98, 2004-05), Texas Rangers (1999-2003)

Position: First base

Most RBI in season: 148 (1999)

Other stats: .288 BA, 569 HR, 3,020 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom pine: Perhaps only Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez can compare to Rafael Palmeiro on this list when it comes to having their careers tainted by the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Palmeiro’s shame come thanks in no small part to his finger-wagging testimony at a congressional hearing in 2005 denying he ever took steroids.

Guess what? He used a bunch of them.

17. Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. received 99.32 percent of the vote to enter the Hall of Fame in 2016. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,836

Years: 22 seasons (1989-2010)

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

Position: Center field

Most RBI in season: 147 (1997)

Other stats: .284 BA, 630 HR, 1,836 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the more popular, electric players to ever step on a baseball diamond.

But the second half of his career was overshadowed by baseball’s steroids era, something Griffey had nothing to do with.

The appreciation of his accomplishments was never more evident than when he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 with a then-record 99.32 percent of the vote.

16. Ted Williams

Ted Williams is the last major league player to hit over .400. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,839

Career: 19 seasons (1939-42, 1946-60)

Teams: Boston Red Sox

Position: Left field

Most RBI in season: 159 (1949)

Other stats: .344 BA, 521 HR, 2,654 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: The “Splendid Splinter” was simply the greatest hitter baseball had ever seen. Only Pete Rose could see pitches like Ted Williams could.

The last player to hit over .400, Williams won the American League Triple Crown in 1942 before taking three years off to fight for the United States in World War II.

Richard Ben Cramer’s 1986 Esquire article, “What Do You Think of Ted Williams Now?” is perhaps the greatest piece of sports journalism ever written.

15. Carl Yastrzemski

Carl Yastrzemski played his entire career with the Boston Red Sox. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,844

Years: 23 seasons (1961-83)

Teams: Boston Red Sox

Position: Left field/first base

Most RBI in season: 121 (1967)

Other stats: .285 BA, 452 HR, 3,419 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Carl Yastrzemski, better known as “Yaz,” is one of the greatest players in history never to win a World Series.

He played all 23 years of his career for the Boston Red Sox, was an 18-time All-Star and had his best season in 1967, winning the American League Triple Crown and MVP.

Yaz even attended Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship before embarking on his baseball career

14. Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera won a World Series in 2003 and a Triple Crown in 2012. Alan Diaz / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,729

Career: 21 seasons (2003-present)

Teams: Florida Marlins (2003-07), Detroit Tigers (2008-present)

Position: First base/designated hitter

Most RBI in season: 139 (2012)

Other stats: .307 BA, 508 HR, 3,115 H

World Series titles: 1 (2003)

Bottom line: Miguel Cabrera is another surefire Hall of Famer — an 11-time All-Star and two-time American League MVP.

Cabrera’s first MVP came in 2012, when he became the first Triple Crown winner since 1967 and first non-outfielder to win the Triple Crown since 1934.

Cabrera also led the Marlins to a World Series in 2003, his rookie season.

13. Mel Ott

Mel Ott was only 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds but led the league in home runs six times. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,860

Years: 22 seasons (1926-47)

Teams: New York Giants

Position: Right field

Most RBI in season: 151 (1929)

Other stats: .304 BA, 511 HR, 2,876 H

World Series titles: 1 (1933)

Bottom line: Just on its own, Mel Ott’s resume as a power hitter was almost unrivaled. He led the National League in home runs six times.

Take into consideration that Ott was only 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, and it makes his accomplishments even more remarkable.

Ott also made 11 consecutive All-Star teams and was the first NL player to reach 500 home runs.

12. Willie Mays

Willie Mays was playing professional baseball in the Negro Leagues by the time he was 16 years old. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,903

Years: 22 seasons (1951-52, 1954-73)

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

Position: Center field

Most RBI in season: 141 (1962)

Other stats: .302 BA, 660 HR, 3,283 H

World Series titles: 1 (1954)

Bottom line: Perhaps the greatest baseball player of all time, Willie Mays was playing professional baseball in the Negro Leagues by the time he was 16 years old and made it to the majors by the time he was 19.

Mays won his only World Series with the New York Giants in 1954, was a two-time National League MVP and 12-time Gold Glove winner.

11. Eddie Murray

Eddie Murray made the All-Star team just eight times in 21 seasons. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,917

Years: 21 seasons (1977-97)

Teams: Baltimore Orioles (1977-88, 1996), Los Angeles Dodgers (1989-91, 1997), New York Mets (1992-93), Cleveland Indians (1994-96), Anaheim Angels (1997)

Position: First base/designated hitter

Most RBI in season: 124 (1985)

Other stats: .287 BA, 504 HR, 3,255 H

World Series titles: 1 (1983)

Bottom line: Eddie Murray carved out a career as one of the greatest first basemen in history — and in an amazing twist was high school teammates with fellow Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith at Locke High School in Los Angeles.

Murray was one of the more understated superstars in MLB history. He only made eight All-Star teams and never won an MVP.

10. Jimmie Foxx

Jimmie Foxx made his major league debut at the age of 17. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,922

Years: 20 seasons (1925-42, 1944-45)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1925-35), Boston Red Sox (1936-42), Chicago Cubs (1942, 1944), Philadelphia Phillies (1945)

Position: First base

Most RBI in season: 175 (1938)

Other stats: .325 BA, 534 HR, 2,646 H

World Series titles: 2 (1929, 1930)

Bottom line: Jimmie Foxx was playing in the majors by the time he was 17 years old and was the youngest player to reach 500 home runs, at 32 years old.

He won the American League MVP three times and led the Philadelphia Athletics to back-to-back World Series titles in 1929 and 1930.

9. Ty Cobb

Ty Cobb died in 1961 with a fortune worth an estimated $100 million today. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,944

Years: 24 seasons (1905-26, 1927-28)

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

Position: Center field

Most RBI in season: 127 (1911)

Other stats: .367 BA, 117 HR, 4,191 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Few players have loomed as large over a sport as Ty Cobb, who was the MLB career hits leader for almost 60 years before Pete Rose broke his record in 1985.

Cobb, who retired with 90 major league records, died in 1961 with a fortune estimated at $11 million — the equivalent of $100 million today.

8. Stan Musial

Stan Musial was National League MVP three times. Edward Kitch / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,951

Years: 24 seasons (1941-44, 1946-63)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Position: Outfield/first base

Most RBI in season: 131 (1948)

Other stats: .331 BA, 475 HR, 3,630 H

World Series titles: 3 (1942, 1944, 1946)

Bottom line: One of the greatest left-handed hitters of all time, Stan “The Man” Musial led the St. Louis Cardinals to three World Series titles and was a three-time National League MVP.

Musial was elected to the All-Star team an MLB record 24 times, named to the MLB All-Century Team in 1999 and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

7. Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig died of ALS at just 37 years old. AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,995

Years: 17 seasons (1923-39)

Teams: New York Yankees

Position: First base

Most RBI in season: 185 (1931)

Other stats: .340 BA, 493 HR, 2,721 H

World Series titles: 6 (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938)

Bottom line: “The Iron Horse” was the greatest first baseman of all time.

He retired with MLB career records for consecutive games played and grand slams, both of which stood for over a half-century before being broken by two others on this list, Cal Ripken Jr. and Alex Rodriguez.

Tragically, Lou Gehrig died in 1941 of ALS at just 37 years old.

6. Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds defined baseball’s steroid era. Reed Saxon / AP Photo

Career RBI: 1,996

Years: 22 seasons (1986-2007)

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-92), San Francisco Giants (1993-2007)

Position: Left field

Most RBI in season: 137 (2001)

Other stats: .298 BA, 762 HR, 2,935 H

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Barry Bonds didn’t need to use performance-enhancing drugs to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but he did it anyway.

Bonds was the central figure in baseball’s steroids scandal, becoming the game’s career home runs leader along the way.

Will he eventually get in the Hall of Fame? Don’t count on it.

5. Cap Anson

Cap Anson is credited as the first major league player to reach 3,000 hits. AP Photo

Career RBI: 2,075

Years: 26 seasons (1872-97)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1872-75), Chicago White Stockings (1876-97)

Position: First base

Most RBI in season: 147 (1886)

Other stats: .334 batting average, 97 home runs, 3,011 hits

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Credited as the first player to reach 3,000 hits, Cap Anson was one of MLB’s first stars. He also was one of the most racist professional athletes in history.

Anson refused to play with or against Black players and was a major proponent for segregation in baseball throughout his career.

There have been a lot of not-so-great men to play in the majors. Anson is one of the worst.

4. Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season. Jeff Zevelansky / AP Photo

Career RBI: 2,086

Years: 22 seasons (1994-2013, 2015-16)

Teams: Seattle Mariners (1994-2000), Texas Rangers (2001-03), New York Yankees (2004-13, 2015-16)

Position: Shortstop/third base

Most RBI in season: 156 (2007)

Other stats: .295 BA, 696 HR, 3,115 H

World Series titles: 1 (2009)

Bottom line: Alex Rodriguez’s career was defined, in the end, by his massive contracts and cheating.

After years of denials, he admitted to using steroids in 2009 and ultimately served a one-year suspension in 2014.

Modern medicine helped Rodriguez cash out approximately $440 million in salary during his career.

2. Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth won World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. AP Photo

Career RBI: 2,214

Years: 22 seasons (1914-35)

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

Position: Outfield/pitcher

Most RBI in season: 168 (1921)

Other stats: .342 BA, 714 HR, 2,873 H

World Series titles: 7 (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)

Bottom line: Babe Ruth was one of the two or three most iconic sports figures in American history, alongside Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali, and his legendary feats still resonate to this day.

Ruth’s dominance on the diamond came first as a pitcher, then as a hard-hitting outfielder who won three World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox and four more with the Yankees.

2. Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols won three National League MVP awards in his first 10 seasons. Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

Career RBI: 2,218

Years: 23 seasons (2001-22)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (2001-11, 2022), Los Angeles Angels (2012-21), Los Angeles Dodgers (2021)

Position: First base/designated hitter

Most RBI in season: 137 (2006)

Other stats: .296 BA, 703 HR, 3,384 H

World Series titles: 2 (2006, 2011)

Bottom line: Albert Pujols is a lock as a first-ballot Hall of Famer despite seeing his career drastically decline in its second half.

That being said, the first half of his career alone likely got him to Cooperstown. In his first 10 years, Pujols won two World Series titles, three National League MVP awards and was a nine-time All-Star.

1. Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron is still the greatest power hitter in baseball history. AP Photo

Career RBI: 2,297

Years: 22 seasons (1954-76)

Teams: Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-74), Milwaukee Brewers (1975-76)

Position: Right field

Most RBI in season: 132 (1957)

Other stats: .305 BA, 755 HR, 3,771 H

World Series titles: 1 (1957)

Bottom line: There was one record the guys who loaded up on performance-enhancing drugs in the steroid couldn’t touch, and that was Hank Aaron’s major league career RBI mark.

Aaron had 10 seasons with at least 100 RBI, and his best stretch was five consecutive seasons with 120 RBI from 1959 to 1963.

And, yes, he’s still the home run champion in most people’s hearts and minds.