The game of baseball is one of the most popular sports played around the world. A sport that has built the game of baseball in the United States with Major League Baseball. However despite the popularity of the sport in the USA, baseball is also played in other countries including many of the islands including both the Dominican Republic and Cuba as well as throughout Mexico. With the ride range of Latino countries playing the game it has allowed the game of baseball to see so many great Latino players take the field in the MLB.

When looking around the history of Major League Baseball, it is easy to see how the Latino community has contributed to the game. From the likes of Roberto Clemente to Juan Marichal through the 1960’s and 1970’s to the likes of Pedro Martinez and Rod Carew and even to Albert Pujols is still playing the game today. The game of baseball has been filled with great Latino players and can be arguably debated as which of these greats should be considered the best Latino baseball player of All-Time.

Here is a list of our best Latino baseball players in the history of Major League Baseball including our pick for the best Latino baseball player of All-Time.

Best Latino Baseball Players in History of MLB

Mariano Rivera – The debate could easily be made for Mariano Rivera to land at the top of the list in regards to being potentially the Greatest Latino baseball player of All-Time. While he comes in just behind our top pick, he still ranks as the greatest closer in the history of baseball. The former New York Yankees All-Star and Hall of Famer finished his career as the All-Time saves leader with 652 career saves. Other accolades Rivera accomplished includes a World Series MVP, winning five World Series Championships, making 13 All-Star teams, leading MLB three times in saves and having his #42 retired by the New York Yankees.

Albert Pujols – Not only one of the greatest Latino players but one of the greatest MLB players of All-Time is still playing today, is the former St. Louis Cardinals great and current Los Angeles Angels All-Star Albert Pujols. Currently Pujols is a career .299 hitter with 3,236 career hits, 662 home runs and 2,100 runs batted in with his playing career still moving forward. Over his 20 year MLB career, Pujols is a 10 time MLB All-Star, two time World Series Champions, three time NL MVP, NL Rookie of the Year, a two time NL Home Run Champ and has two Gold Glove awards. In addition to those Pujols took home the 2008 Roberto Clemente for his contributions to the game of baseball and community.

Roberto Alomar – When you think of great Latino baseball players, one name that everyone thinks of is the 12 time All-Star who was as versatile as any player to every play the game. Alomar who was elected to the MLB Hall of Fame in 2011 might be the best second baseman to ever play the game and is still regarded today as one of the best fielding second baseman of All-Time. Alomar finished his career with a .300 career batting average to go along with 2,724 hits, 474 stolen bases, 10 Gold Glove Awards and two World Series titles.

Ivan Rodriguez – As you look at the names of some of the best catchers of All-Time one name that jumps out is Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. While the game of baseball has had many great catchers over the years, it is easily argued that Pudge may rank at the top of the list. Rodriguez who made his debut with the Texas Rangers during the 1991 MLB season was not only a great defensive catcher but a catcher who could steal a base, pick up a clutch hit and hit for power. When Rodriguez finished his career, he has the highest caught stealing percentage of any catcher over the course of his career (45.68% of runners) as well as throwing out at least 50% of base runners in nine of his MLB seasons. Pudge finished his career as a 14 MLB All-Star, World Series Champion, AL MVP, 13 Time Gold Glove Winner and a MLB Hall of Famer in 2017.

Pedro Martinez – The former MLB starter finished his career with a 219-100 record to go along with a 2.93 earned run average and 3,154 career strikeouts. While Martinez appeared with five different clubs, his most notable stint came between 1998 and 2004 with the Boston Red Sox as he helped lead them to the 2004 World Series Championship. Over his career, Martinez was an eight time All-Star, five time MLB ERA leader, three time AL strikeout leader while also leading MLB in wins during the 1999. During that season, Martinez took home the pitching Triple Crown after leading the league with a 23-4 record to go along with a 2.07 earned run average and striking out 313 batters. Martinez was inducted in to the baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Alex Rodriguez – One name that still appears on this list despite his connection to steroids is the former Seattle Mariners great Alex Rodriguez. While his connection to steroids has kept him out of the MLB Hall of Fame, it has not taken away all the great accomplishments and talent he demonstrated on the field during his MLB career. When his playing career was over, Rodriguez finished with a .295 career batting average to go with 3,115 hits, 696 home runs and 2,086 runs batted in. In addition to those numbers, Rodriguez was considered one of the MLB Greatest hitting Short Stops over the course of his career. Along with those numbers, A-Rod was a 14 All-Star, World Series Champion, three time MVP and led the American League five times in home runs.

David Ortiz – It is hard not to look at David Ortiz as one of the greatest Latino Baseball players of All-Time after the stellar career he put together on the field while finishing up as one of the Greatest Boston Red Sox players in the history of the organization. Ortiz who finished his career after 20 long seasons in the game was a 10 time All-Star, three time World Series Champion, World Series MVP while also taking home the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award for his contribution to the game of baseball on and off the field. In addition to those awards, Big Papi finished his career with a .286 batting average to go along with 2,472 hits, 541 career home runs and 1,768 runs batted in.

Juan Marichal – The Dominican Dandy dominated the 1960’s and early 70’s while pitching for the San Francisco Giants before wrapping up his career with stints with the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Marichal who was known for his high leg kick was a pitcher many hitters during his career feared to face. When his career ended after the 1975 MLB season, Marichal had compiled a 243-142 career record to go with a 2.89 earned run average and 2,303 strikeouts. In addition to the stats, the former Giants great was a 10 time All-Star, led the NL in wins in 1968, led all of MLB in earned run average in 1969 and pitched a no hitter in 1963. After a stellar career, Marichal was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1983 becoming the first native Dominican to be elected in the Hall of Fame.

Other notable Latino greats include Rod Carew, Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez, Edgar Martinez and Luis Aparicio.

Best Overall Latino Baseball Player All-Time in MLB

Roberto Clemente – In the end despite many of us not having ever seen Roberto Clemente play the game, it is still easy to list Roberto Clemente as the best Latino Baseball player of All-Time. From the stories told to the old classic videos to his career statistics and accomplishments and more importantly to his off the field contributions. Clemente made his MLB debut in 1955 with Pittsburgh Pirates and would finish his career in 1972 playing his entire career with the same team. When his career came to an end after the 1972 MLB season, Clemente finished with a career .317 batting average to go along with 3,000 hits, 240 home runs and 1,305 runs batted in. The former Pirates outfielder was not only a great hitter but one of the best outfielders to play the game. Over his career, Clemente was a 13 MLB All-Star, NL MVP, 12 time Gold Glove Award winner, four time NL batting champion and a two time World Series Champion. In addition to his on the field accomplishments, Clemente was known for his off the field contributions including his charity work as well as being a member of the United States Marine Corps.