Best MLB player from each of the 50 states
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Alabama: Willie Mays
Birth city: Westfield
Teams: Giants, Mets
Stats: .302/.384/.557, 660 home runs, 155.9 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glover, 2-time MVP
Why him: The Say Hey Kid edges out some tough competition by virtue of being one of the best hitters and fielders of all-time.
Runners-up: Hank Aaron, Ozzie Smith, Don Sutton
Credit: New York Daily News Archive -
Alaska: Curt Schilling
Birth city: Anchorage
Teams: Orioles, Astros, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Red Sox
Stats: 216-146, 3.46 ERA, 79.9 WAR
Accolades: 6-time All Star, World Series MVP, NLCS MVP
Why him: Schilling is a fringe Hall of Fame candidate, and that's more than enough to lead a state that seldom produces quality players.
Runners-up: Shawn Chacon, Josh Phelps, David Williams
Credit: Stephen Dunn, Getty Images -
Arizona: Ian Kinsler
Birth city: Tucson
Teams: Rangers, Tigers
Stats: .275/.343/.448, 221 home runs, 55 WAR
Accolades: 4-time All-Star, Gold Glover
Why him: Kinsler's smooth fielding and potent bat make him the clear pick from Arizona.
Runners-up: John Denny, J.J. Hardy, Solly Hemus
Credit: Rick Osentoski, Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports -
Arkansas: Brooks Robinson
Birth city: Little Rock
Teams: Orioles
Stats: .267/.322/.401, 268 home runs, 78.4 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 18-time All Star, 16-time Gold Glover, MVP, World Series MVP
Why him: Robinson is widely regarded as one of the best defensive third basemen of all time. He could hit, too.
Runners-up: Arky Vaughan, Willie Davis, Torii Hunter
Credit: Getty Images -
California: Barry Bonds
Birth city: Riverside
Teams: Pirates, Giants
Stats: .298/.444/.607, 762 home runs, 162.4 WAR
Accolades: Home-run king, 14-time All-Star, 12-time Silver Slugger, 8-time Gold Glove, 7-time MVP
Why him: Bonds tops a loaded group. Obviously the PED-related concerns are valid, but there's no still no denying he was a tremendous player.
Runners-up: Ted Williams, Tom Seaver, Randy Johnson
Credit: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images -
Colorado: Roy Halladay
Birth city: Denver
Teams: Blue Jays, Phillies
Stats: 203-105, 3.38 ERA, 64.7 WAR
Accolades: 8-time All-Star, 2-time Cy Young
Why him: A quick decline doesn't overshadow Halladay's excellent peak.
Runners-up: Rich Gossage, Chase Headley, John Stearns
Credit: USATSI -
Connecticut: Dick McAuliffe
Birth city: Hartford
Teams: Tigers, Red Sox
Stats: .247/.343/.403, 197 home runs, 37.5 WAR
Accolades: 3-time All-Star
Why him: Connecticut isn't a baseball hotbed, Bill James ranked McAuliffe as the 22nd-best second baseman all-time in the New Historical Abstract. Not bad.
Runners-up: Jim Piersall, Mo Vaughn, Jack Barry
Credit: Getty Images -
Delaware: Paul Goldschmidt
Birth city: Wilmington
Teams: Diamondbacks
Stats: .300/.401/.530, 161 home runs, 33.2 WAR
Accolades: 5-time All Star, 2-time Gold Glover
Why him: Yes, Goldschmidt is an active player. Yes, he could retire today and still be the best player to come out of Delaware.
Runners-up: Chris Short, Delino DeShields, Hans Lobert
Credit: USATSI -
Florida: Chipper Jones
Birth city: DeLand
Teams: Braves
Stats: .303/.401/.529, 468 home runs, 85 WAR
Accolades: 8-time All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger, MVP
Why him: Jones is one of the best third basemen of all-time, which earns him the nod here in a loaded state.
Runners-up: Steve Carlton, Tim Raines, Andre Dawson
Credit: NY Daily News via Getty Images -
Georgia: Ty Cobb
Birth city: Narrows
Teams: Tigers, Athletics
Stats: .366/.433/.512, 897 stolen bases, 151.1 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 12-time batting title champion, triple crown winner
Why him: Of course the man nicknamed "Georgia Peach" earns the honors. Questionable character aside, Cobb is a legend for a reason.
Runners-up: Frank Thomas, Johnny Mize, Kevin Brown
Credit: Getty Images -
Hawaii: Charlie Hough
Birth city: Honolulu
Teams: Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, Marlins
Stats: 216-216, 3.75 ERA, 39.5 WAR
Accolades: All-Star
Why him: A knuckler, Hough threw out the first pitch in Marlins history. He's also the most accomplished player from Hawaii.
Runners-up: Sid Fernandez, Shane Victorino, Ron Darling
Credit: Getty Images -
Idaho: Harmon Killebrew
Birth city: Payette
Teams: Senators, Twins, Royals
Stats: .256/.376/.509, 573 home runs, 60.4 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 13-time All-Star
Why him: A prolific slugger, Killebrew racked up eight 40-plus-homer seasons.
Runners-up: Larry Jackson, Jason Schmidt, Vern Law
Credit: Getty Images -
Illinois: Rickey Henderson
Birth city: Chicago
Teams: Athletics, Yankees, Blue Jays, Angels, Mets, Mariners, Padres, Red Sox, Dodgers
Stats: .279/.401/.419, 1,406 stolen bases, 110.8 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 10-time All-Star, Gold Glover, 3-time Silver Slugger
Why him: Arguably the greatest leadoff man ever, Henderson's flamboyant personality and elite play makes him hard to forget.
Runners-up: Robin Roberts, Robin Yount, Jim Thome
Credit: Getty Images -
Indiana: Scott Rolen
Birth city: Evansville
Teams: Phillies, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Reds
Stats: .281/.364/.490, 316 home runs, 70 WAR
Accolades: 7-time All-Star, 8-time Gold Glover, Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger
Why him: Underrated during his day, Rolen deserves serious Hall of Fame consideration.
Runners-up: Kenny Lofton, Tommy John, Mordecai Brown
Credit: G. N. Lowrance, Getty Images -
Iowa: Red Faber
Birth city: Cascade
Teams: White Sox
Stats: 254-213, 3.15 ERA, 64.8 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2-time ERA title
Why him: Bob Feller is better known, but Faber had the more productive career per advanced metrics.
Runners-up: Bob Feller, Dazzy Vance, Dave Bancroft
Credit: Getty Images -
Kansas: Walter Johnson
Birth city: Humboldt
Teams: Senators
Stats: 417-279, 2.17 ERA, 165.6 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2-time MVP, 5-time ERA title
Why him: Everyone knows about the Big Train. He remains one of the most accomplished pitchers ever.
Runners-up: Johnny Damon, Joe Tinker, George Grantham
Credit: Getty Images -
Kentucky: Pee Wee Reese
Birth city: Ekron
Teams: Dodgers
Stats: .269/.366/.377, 232 stolen bases, 66.4 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10-time All-Star
Why him: Reese is perhaps best known for his role in Jackie Robinson's career. He was a good player himself though.
Runners-up: Jim Bunning, Bobby Veach, Carl Mays
Credit: Getty Images -
Louisiana: Mel Ott
Birth city: Gretna
Teams: Giants
Stats: .304/.414/.533, 511 home runs, 107.8 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12-time All-Star
Why him: Nicknamed "Master Melvin," Ott finished with nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts.
Runners-up: Ted Lyons, Reggie Smith, Andy Pettitte
Credit: Getty Images -
Maine: Freddy Parent
Birth city: Biddeford
Teams: Red Sox, White Sox
Stats: .262/.315/.340, 184 stolen bases, 35.8 WAR
Accolades: None
Why him: Parent didn't face much competition here. He did, however, bat .300 twice.
Runners-up: Bob Stanley, Bill Swift, Harry Lord
Credit: Getty Images -
Maryland: Babe Ruth
Birth city: Baltimore
Teams: Red Sox, Yankees, Braves
Stats: .342/.474/.690, 714 home runs, 183.7 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 2-time All-Star
Why him: Ruth remains the most famous ballplayer of all-time. Blame it on his outstanding play on the mound and in the batter's box.
Runners-up: Lefty Grove, Jimmie Foxx, Cal Ripken
Credit: MLB.com screen grab -
Massachusetts: Jeff Bagwell
Birth city: Boston
Teams: Astros
Stats: .297/.408/.540, 449 home runs, 79.6 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 4-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glover, 3-time Silver Slugger
Why him: Massachusetts kids shouldn't try to emulate Bagwell's batting stance. They should try to emulate his impressive career.
Runners-up: Tom Glavine, Wilbur Wood, Mickey Cochrane
Credit: Ron Vesely, Getty Images -
Michigan: Charlie Gehringer
Birth city: Fowlerville
Teams: Tigers
Stats: .320/.404/.480, 184 home runs, 80.6 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 6-time All-Star
Why him: Gehringer edges Bobby Grich as both the best player from Michigan and the best player from Michigan to play for the Tigers.
Runners-up: Bobby Grich, John Smoltz, Hal Newhouser
Credit: Getty Images -
Minnesota: Paul Molitor
Birth city: St. Paul
Teams: Brewers, Blue Jays, Twins
Stats: .306/.369/.448, 504 stolen bases, 75.4 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 7-time All-Star, 4-time Silver Slugger, World Series MVP
Why him: Mr. Minnesota, Molitor has the honor of managing one of the other top Minnesota-born players in Joe Mauer.
Runners-up: Dave Winfield, Jerry Koosman, Joe Mauer
Credit: Brad Rempel, Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports -
Mississippi: Chet Lemon
Birth city: Jackson
Teams: White Sox, Tigers
Stats: .273/.355/.442, 215 home runs, 55.5 WAR
Accolades: 3-time All-Star
Why him: Lemon just does come out ahead in a state that also features Roy Oswalt and Ellis Burks.
Runners-up: Roy Oswalt, Ellis Burks, Buddy Myer
Credit: USATSI -
Missouri: Carl Hubbell
Birth city: Carthage
Teams: Giants
Stats: 253-154, 2.98 ERA, 67.5 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2-time MVP, 9-time All-Star, 3-time ERA title
Why him: Best known for two things: 1) throwing a screwball; 2) striking out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in a row during the 1934 All-Star Game.
Runners-up: Ken Boyer, David Cone, Zack Wheat
Credit: MLB.com video -
Montana: Dave McNally
Birth city: Billings
Teams: Orioles, Expos
Stats: 184-119, 3.24 ERA, 26 WAR
Accolades: 3-time All-Star
Why him: McNally remains the only pitcher to ever hit a grand slam in a World Series game. He had a fine career with the Orioles.
Runners-up: John Lowenstein, Ed Bouchee, Joe McIntosh
Credit: Getty Images -
Nebraska: Pete Alexander
Birth city: Elba
Teams: Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals
Stats: 373-208, 2.56 ERA, 120 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 5-time ERA title
Why him: Better known as Grover Cleveland. He finished his career with 90 shutouts. Impressive.
Runners-up: Wade Boggs, Bob Gibson, Sam Crawford
Credit: Getty Images -
Nevada: Barry Zito
Birth city: Las Vegas
Teams: Athletics, Giants
Stats: 165-143, 4.04 ERA, 32.6 WAR
Accolades: Cy Young winner, 3-time All-Star
Why him: Zito is almost certain to be passed by Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant in time. For now, however, he's no. 1.
Runners-up: Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant, Jim Nash
Credit: USATSI -
New Hampshire: Chris Carpenter
Birth city: Exeter
Teams: Blue Jays, Cardinals
Stats: 144-94, 3.76 ERA, 34.5 WAR
Accolades: Cy Young winner, 3-time All-Star, ERA title
Why him: Injuries derailed the end of Carpenter's career, but he was a legitimate frontline stud for a while there.
Runners-up: Mike Flanagan, Red Rolfe, Stan Williams
Credit: USATSI -
New Jersey: Derek Jeter
Birth city: Pequannock
Teams: Yankees
Stats: .310/.377/.440, 358 stolen bases, 71.8 WAR
Accolades: 14-time All-Star, 5-time Gold Glover, 5-time Silver Slugger, World Series MVP, Rookie of the Year
Why him: It's crazy to think of Jeter as a placeholder, but Mike Trout seems destined to take this spot over in due time.
Runners-up: Goose Goslin, Joe Medwick, Mike Trout
Credit: Getty Images -
New Mexico: Ralph Kiner
Birth city: Santa Rita
Teams: Pirates, Cubs, Indians
Stats: .279/.398/.548, 369 home runs, 49.3 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 6-time All-Star
Why him: Kiner's career was over by age 33, yet he made six consecutive All-Star Games.
Runners-up: Vern Stephens, Cody Ross, Duane Ward
Credit: Getty Images -
New York: Eddie Collins
Birth city: Millerton
Teams: Athletics, White Sox
Stats: .333/.424/.429, 741 stolen bases, 123.9 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP
Why him: Collins ranks eighth in stolen bases, and did just enough to beat out Alex Rodriguez and Lou Gehrig, per Baseball Reference's WAR.
Runners-up: Alex Rodriguez, Lou Gehrig, Carl Yastrzemski
Credit: Getty Images -
North Carolina: Gaylord Perry
Birth city: Williamston
Teams: Giants, Indians, Rangers, Padres, Yankees, Braves, Mariners, Royals
Stats: 314-265, 3.11 ERA, 91 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 2-time Cy Young winner, 5-time All-Star
Why him: Perry won two Cy Youngs, and compiled some impressive numbers over a 22-year career.
Runners-up: Luke Appling, Enos Slaughter, Hoyt Wilhelm
Credit: USATSI -
North Dakota: Darin Erstad
Birth city: Jamestown
Teams: Angels, White Sox, Astros
Stats: .282/.336/.407, 179 stolen bases, 32.3 WAR
Accolades: 2-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glover, Silver Slugger
Why him: North Dakota doesn't produce many ballplayers. Erstad's good glove lands him the top spot.
Runners-up: Travis Hafner, Rick Helling, Lynn Nelson
Credit: Getty Images -
Ohio: Roger Clemens
Birth city: Dayton
Teams: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, Astros
Stats: 354-184, 3.12 ERA, 140.3 WAR
Accolades: MVP, 7-time Cy Young winner, 11-time All-Star, 7-time ERA title
Why him: Yup, Clemens was born in Ohio, not Texas. He had a Texas-sized career all the same.
Runners-up: Mike Schmidt, Phil Niekro, Pete Rose
Credit: MATT CAMPBELL/AFP/Getty Images -
Oklahoma: Mickey Mantle
Birth city: Spavinaw
Teams: Yankees
Stats: .298/.421/.557, 536 home runs, 109.7 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3-time MVP, 20-time All-Star, Gold Glover
Why him: Unfortunately, the question with Mantle is always how much better could he have been?
Runners-up: Johnny Bench, Paul Waner, Willie Stargell
Credit: Getty Images -
Oregon: Mickey Lolich
Birth city: Portland
Teams: Tigers, Mets, Padres
Stats: 217-191, 3.44 ERA, 49.1 WAR
Accolades: 3-time All-Star, World Series MVP
Why him: Lolich is the rare pitcher who can boast both a 20-win and a 20-loss season.
Runners-up: Dale Murphy, Ken Williams, Johnny Pesky
Credit: Getty Images -
Pennsylvania: Stan Musial
Birth city: Donora
Teams: Cardinals
Stats: .331/.417/.559, 475 home runs, 128.1 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3-time MVP, 24-time All-Star, 7-time batting title
Why him: The Man is the best from a state that includes some heavy competition.
Runners-up: Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Eddie Plank
Credit: MLB.com screen grab -
Rhode Island: Nap Lajoie
Birth city: Woonsocket
Teams: Athletics, Indians
Stats: .338/.380/.466, 380 stolen bases, 107.4 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, triple crown winner, 3-time batting title
Why him: Lajoie finished his career with a .338 average and nearly 200 more walks than strikeouts.
Runners-up: Gabby Hartnett, Davey Lopes, Paul Konerko
Credit: Getty Images -
South Carolina: Willie Randolph
Birth city: Holly Hill
Teams: Pirates, Yankees, Athletics, Dodgers, Brewers, Mets
Stats: .276/.373/.351, 271 stolen bases, 65.5 WAR
Accolades: 6-time All-Star, Silver Slugger
Why him: Nearly two decades of good hitting and slick fielding nets Randolph the top spot in South Carolina.
Runners-up: Shoeless Joe Jackson, Bobo Newsom, Larry Doby
Credit: USATSI -
South Dakota: Mark Ellis
Birth city: Rapid City
Teams: Athletics, Rockies, Dodgers, Cardinals
Stats: .262/.327/.384, 105 home runs, 33.4 WAR
Accolades: None
Why him: Ellis should've won a Gold Glove or two during his career. He was a tremendous defender.
Runners-up: Jim Scott, Floyd Bannister, Keith Foulke
Credit: USATSI -
Tennessee: Todd Helton
Birth city: Knoxville
Teams: Rockies
Stats: .316/.414/.539, 369 home runs, 61.2 WAR
Accolades: 5-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glover, 4-time Silver Slugger, batting title
Why him: Helton was beat out at quarterback at the University of Tennessee by Peyton Manning. The baseball thing turned out okay though.
Runners-up: Vada Pinson, Tommy Bridges, Steve Finley
Credit: USTASI -
Texas: Tris Speaker
Birth city: Hubbard
Teams: Red Sox, Indians, Senators, Athletics
Stats: .345/.428/.500, 436 stolen bases, 133.7 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, batting title
Why him: Speaker's 792 doubles are still the most all-time.
Runners-up: Rogers Hornsby, Frank Robinson, Greg Maddux
Credit: Getty Images -
Utah: Bruce Hurst
Birth city: St. George
Teams: Red Sox, Padres, Rockies, Rangers
Stats: 145-113, 3.92 ERA, 34.8 WAR
Accolades: All-Star
Why him: Hurst earned Utah's honors by virtue of having some well-above-average seasons in the '80s.
Runners-up: Duke Sims, Ed Heusser, Gordon Rhodes
Credit: Getty Images -
Vermont: Carlton Fisk
Birth city: Bellows Falls
Teams: Red Sox, White Sox
Stats: .269/.341/.457, 376 home runs, 68.3 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 11-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glover, 3-time Silver Slugger
Why him: A well-rounded backstop, Fisk somehow played into his mid-40s. Wild.
Runners-up: Larry Gardner, Ray Collins, Ray Fisher
Credit: USATSI -
Virginia: Eppa Rixey
Birth city: Culpeper
Teams: Phillies, Reds
Stats: 266-251, 3.15 ERA, 55.4 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame
Why him: Rixey is going to be passed by Justin Verlander in the coming year or two. For now, though, advanced metrics deem him the best from Virginia.
Runners-up: Justin Verlander, David Wright, Justin Upton
Credit: Getty Images -
Washington: Ron Santo
Birth city: Seattle
Teams: Cubs, White Sox
Stats: .277/.362/.464, 342 home runs, 70.4 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 9-time All-Star, 5-time Gold Glover
Why him: Santo should've gotten into the Hall of Fame earlier than he did.
Runners-up: Ryne Sandberg, John Olerud, Ron Cey
Credit: Getty -
West Virginia: George Brett
Birth city: Glen Dale
Teams: Royals
Stats: .305/.369/.487, 317 home runs, 88.4 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, MVP, 13-time All-Star, Gold Glover, 3-time Silver Slugger, 3-time batting title
Why him: Brett remains a fan favorite in Kansas City for a reason. He rightly earned 13 consecutive All-Star Game appearances.
Runners-up: Toby Harrah, Wilbur Cooper, Bill Mazeroski
Credit: USATSI -
Wisconsin: Al Simmons
Birth city: Milwaukee
Teams: Athletics, White Sox, Tigers, Senators, Braves, Reds, Red Sox
Stats: .334/.380/.535, 307 home runs, 68.7 WAR
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 3-time All-Star, 2-time batting title
Why him: Simmons earned MVP consideration in each of his first four seasons, and in eight seasons overall.
Runners-up: Burleigh Grimes, Ed Konetchy, Addie Joss
Credit: Getty Images -
Wyoming: Dick Ellsworth
Birth city: Lusk
Teams: Cubs, Phillies, Red Sox, Indians, Brewers
Stats: 115-137, 3.72 ERA, 20.1 WAR
Accolades: All-Star
Why him: Wyoming isn't known for producing baseball players. Ellsworth has been the best of the bunch.
Runners-up: Tom Browning, Mike Devereaux, Mike Lansing
Credit: Getty Images
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