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About This Quiz
Can you recognize all-time MLB legends like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle or Joe DiMaggio? What about A-Rod, Cal Ripken Jr., David Ortiz and other modern era stars of the sport? If you consider yourself an expert at all things baseball, see if you can hit it out of the park with this MLB player quiz!
Major League Baseball is one of the biggest sports organizations on the planet, encompassing 30 teams, millions of fans and billions of dollars. While it's also the oldest of the major sports leagues in the United States, the MLB isn't as old as you might think.
The game began around the Civil War era -- and no, Abner Doubleday actually had nothing to do with it. The first organized group in the sport came in 1845 with the New York Knickerbockers, who played by modern rules but were strictly amateurs. The first all-pro team was formed in Cincinnati in 1869, and the National League was founded in 1876.
By the start of the 20th century, a newly-formed American League joined forces with the National League to establish the MLB. The first 20 years of the MLB was a bit of a dud, however, with many historians today referring to that period as the Dead Ball Era. By the 1920s, new rules, new equipment and a slugger named Babe Ruth began to draw fans, and within another century, the sport was beloved by millions of loyal fans each year.
Think you can recognize some of the greatest players to ever step onto the diamond? Prove it with this quiz!
Mickey Mantle
Switch hitter and first baseman Mickey Mantle made his debut with the Yankees in 1951, and the team retired his number 7 jersey when he left the diamond for the last time in 1968. During his iconic MLB career, Mantle was a 20-time All Star and won seven World Series Championships.
Derek Jeter
Barry Bonds
Hank Aaron
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Mike Trout
Lou Gehrig
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, also known as Babe, spent 22 seasons in the MLB between 1914 and 1935. During his time with the Red Sox, Yankees and the Boston Braves, Ruth built a reputation as one of the greatest hitters in the history of the sport.
Albert Pujols
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Brooks Robinson
Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod spent 22 seasons playing shortstop and third base for teams like the Mariners, Rangers and Yankees. He was part of the 2009 World Series Championship team, and retired from the sport in 2016.
David Ortiz
Lou Gehrig
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Pedro Martinez
Albert Pujols
Ty Cobb
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter spent 20 years playing shortstop for the New York Yankees between 1995 and 2014. The team retired his #2 jersey in 2017 when he retired. His career included five World Series wins, and a turn as World Series MVP in 2000.
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Mickey Mantle
Cal Ripken Jr.
Nicknamed the Iron Man, Cal Ripken Jr. spent 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles between 1981 and 2001. His record-setting streak of 2,632 consecutive games ended when he sat out the final game of the season in 2008.
Mike Trout
Justin Verlander
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Barry Bonds
Left fielder Barry Bonds spent 22 seasons playing for the Pirates and Giants between 1986 and 2007. A seven time MVP, his #25 jersey was retired by San Francisco to commemorate his legacy.
Lou Gehrig
Hank Aaron
Brooks Robinson
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Cy Young
Albert Pujols
Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens, nicknamed Rocket, spent 24 seasons pitching for teams like the Red Sox, Yankees, Jays and Astros. He won two World Series during his time with the Yankees, and was awarded seven Cy Young awards for his pitching prowess.
Ty Cobb
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Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux spent 22 seasons pitching for such teams as the Cubs, Braves, Dodgers and Padres. He won a World Series with the Braves in 1995, and earned the Cy Young award for four straight years between 1992 and 1995.
Lou Gehrig
Ken Griffey Jr.
Joe DiMaggio
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Alex Rodriguez
Babe Ruth
Albert Pujols
Ken Griffey Jr.
Ken Griffey Jr. spent 22 years in the MLB between 1989 and 2010. As a center fielder for the Reds, White Sox, and Mariners, he was a 13-time All Star and the American League MVP for 1997.
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Justin Verlander
Barry Bonds
Mickey Mantle
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan pitched for teams like the Mets, Angels, Astros and Rangers between 1966 and 1993. He was part of the World Series Championship-winning Mets team in 1969, and had his jersey numbers retired by the Angels, Astros and Rangers to cement his legacy.
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David Ortiz
Pete Rose
Nicknamed Charlie Hustle, Pete Rose played in the MLB from 1963 to 1986. He won three World Series in 1975, 1976 and 1980 and played for teams which included the Reds, Phillies and Astros, His ban from baseball due to gambling on the sport remains controversial to this day.
Mike Trout
Brooks Robinson
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Pedro Martinez
Alex Rodriguez
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente played right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates between 1955 and 1972, taking part in two World Series wins during his time with the team. A native of Puerto Rico, Clemente became the first Latin American player elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973.
Hank Aaron
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Willie Mays
Willie Mays spent 22 years in the MLB playing for the Giants and Mets. The center fielder was part of the 1954 World Series Championship team, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Lou Gehrig
Yogi Berra
Sandy Koufax
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Babe Ruth
Ted Williams
Ted Williams played for the Boston Red Sox from 1939 to 1960, taking time off to serve in WWII and Korea. The left fielder was a 19-time All-Star and a two-time American League MVP.
Don Drysdale
Justin Verlander
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Ty Cobb
Nicknamed the Georgia Peach, Ty Cobb spent 22 years in the MLB. Most of his career was spent with the Detroit Tigers, though he also played for a few years for the Philly Athletics. The iconic outfielder still ranks as one of the greatest players of all time.
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
David Ortiz
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Cal Ripken Jr.
Yogi Berra
Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt played third base for the Phillies for 17 seasons between 1972 and 1989. The power hitter was a three-time National League MVP.
Lou Gehrig
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Mike Trout
Barry Bonds
Babe Ruth
Hank Aaron
Known as the Hammer for his hitting prowess, Hank Aaron set an MLB home run record that held for more than three decades. The right fielder and legendary batter spent 21 seasons playing for the Braves and Brewers between 1954 and 1976.
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Pedro Martinez
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson is the only player in MLB history to be named an MVP in both the the American and National Leagues. He spent 20 years playing for the Baltimore Orioles, winning two World Series Championships during his career.
Babe Ruth
Hank Aaron
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Honus Wagner
Nicknamed the Flying Dutchman because of his German heritage, Honus Wagner spent 21 seasons as an MLB shortstop -- almost all of these with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 8-time National League batting champ was also part of the World Series winning team in 1909.
Joe DiMaggio
David Ortiz
Ken Griffey Jr.
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Don Drysdale
Alex Rodriguez
Lou Gehrig
Brooks Robinson
Known as the Human Vacuum Cleaner, Brooks Robinson played for the Baltimore Orioles for 23 years. The third baseman was part of two World Series Championship teams, and elected into the Hall of Fame in 1983.a
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Don Drysdale
Lou Gehrig
Sandy Koufax
Pitcher Sandy Koufax won four World Series during his 12 seasons with the Dodgers in the '50s and '60s. In 1972, he became the youngest player in history to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Justin Verlander
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Brooks Robinson
Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs played for Boston, New York and Tampa Bay from 1982 to 1999, winning the World Series with the Yankees in 1996. The third baseman was a 12-time All-Star, and the Red Sox retired his number 26 jersey when he retired.
Ken Griffey Jr.
Ty Cobb
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Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra spent 19 seasons as a catcher for the Yankees and Mets between 1946 and 1965. He played in 13 World Series, and later served as a coach for both the Yankees and Mets.
Derek Jeter
Brooks Robinson
Pedro Martinez
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Mike Trout
Albert Pujols
First baseman Albert Pujols played for the Cardinals between 2001 and 2011, then left for Anaheim. He was part of three World Series Championship teams, and was named the National League MVP three times throughout his career.
Barry Bonds
Hank Aaron
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Babe Ruth
Cal Ripken Jr.
Randy Johnson
Nicknamed the Big Unit, Randy Johnson played in the MLB for 22 seasons between 1988 and 2009. The 10-time All-Star pitched for six teams throughout his career, winning the 2001 World Series as part of the Diamondbacks.
Ken Griffey Jr.
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Alex Rodriguez
Joe DiMaggio
Lou Gehrig
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera spent 19 seasons as a relief pitcher for the Yankees between 1995 and 2013. The 13-time All-Star won five World Series, and was named the World Series MVP in 1999.
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Lou Gehrig
Reggie Jackson
Right fielder Reggie Jackson spent 21 seasons in the MLB between 1967 and 1987. During his long career, he played for the Athletics, Orioles, Yankees and Angels. The 14-time All-Star was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Babe Ruth
Justin Verlander
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Mike Trout
Derek Jeter
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw began pitching for the Dodgers in 2008. He won three Cy Young awards in 2011, 2013 and 2014 -- and was also named the National League MVP in 2014.
Albert Pujols
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Ted Williams
Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer made his MLB debut in 2008 with the Arizona Diamondbacks before moving to the Tigers and then the Nationals. He was drafted from the University of Missouri, and went on to win the Cy Young award in 2013, 2016 and 2017.
Alex Rodriguez
Pedro Martinez
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Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro Suzuki played pro ball in Japan for nine seasons before moving to the MLB, where he played for the Mariners and Yankees. The 10-time All-Star outfielder was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2001.
Mickey Mantle
Don Drysdale
Willie Mays
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Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, becoming the first black man to play in the MLB in 1947. He spent a decade with the Dodgers, winning the 1955 World Series. Robinson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962.
Barry Bonds
Hank Aaron
Lou Gehrig
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Justin Verlander
Lou Gehrig
Mike Trout
Roy Halladay
Nicknamed Doc, Roy Halladay played for the Blue Jays and Phillies between 1998 and 2013. The successful pitcher won two Cy Young awards, and pitched a perfect game in 2010.
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Babe Ruth
Joe DiMaggio
The Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio played for the Yankees from 1936 to 1951, winning a whopping nine World Series. The legendary center fielder later married actress Marilyn Monroe.
Cal Ripken Jr.
Albert Pujols
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Yogi Berra
Ken Griffey Jr.
Derek Jeter
Cy Young
Cy Young was such an incredible pitcher that the MLB named its top pitching honor -- the Cy Young Award -- after him. He played in the MLB from 1890 to 1911, and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1937.
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Ted Williams
Joe DiMaggio
Don Drysdale
Pitcher Don Drysdale played for the Dodgers from 1956 to 1969. He won three World Series during his time with the team, as well as a Cy Young Award for pitching in 1962.
Willie Mays
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Alex Rodriguez
David Ortiz
Nicknamed Big Papi, David Ortiz served as a designated hitter and first baseman for the Twins and Red Sox between 1997 and 2016. He won three World Series during his time with Boston, and was named the World Series MVP in 2013.
Hank Aaron
Barry Bonds
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Lou Gehrig
Nicknamed the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig spent 17 seasons with the Yankees between 1923 and 39. He won six World Series, and later became the first MLB player to have his jersey number retired.
Yogi Berra
Babe Ruth
Ken Griffey Jr.
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Joe DiMaggio
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander joined the Detroit Tigers in 2005. After 12 seasons, he moved to the Astros. He picked up the 2011 Cy Young Award for his pitching prowess, and was part of the 2017 World Series Championship team.
Hank Aaron
Derek Jeter
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Pedro Martinez
Pedro Martinez pitched in the MLB from 1992 to 2009 for teams that included the Dodgers, Expos, Red Sox, Mets and Phillies. He won a World Series in 2004 with the Red Sox, and picked up three Cy Young Awards throughout his career.
Cal Ripken Jr.
Sandy Koufax
Don Drysdale
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Lou Gehrig
Joe DiMaggio
Mike Trout
Mike Trout joined the Anaheim Angels as a center fielder in 2011. The next year, he was named the American League Rookie of the Year. He was also named the League's MVP in 2014 and 2016.
Babe Ruth
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