List of Major League Baseball career putouts as an outfielder leaders

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Willie Mays, the all-time leader in putouts by an outfielder Willie Mays 1954.png
Willie Mays, the all-time leader in putouts by an outfielder

In baseball statistics, a putout (denoted by PO or fly out when appropriate) is given to a defensive player who records an out by tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base, catching a batted or thrown ball and tagging a base to put out a batter or runner (a force out), catching a thrown ball and tagging a base to record an out on an appeal play, catching a third strike (a strikeout), catching a batted ball on the fly (a fly out), or being positioned closest to a runner called out for interference. An outfielder (OF) is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter, who are identified as the left fielder (LF), the center fielder (CF), and the right fielder (RF). An outfielder's duty is to try to catch long-fly balls before they hit the ground or to quickly catch or retrieve and return to the infield any other balls entering the outfield. Outfielders normally play behind the six other members of the defense who play in or near the infield; unlike catchers and most infielders (excepting first basemen), who are virtually exclusively right-handed, outfielders can be either right- or left-handed. In the scoring system used to record defensive plays, the outfielders are assigned the numbers 7 (left field), 8 (center field), and 9 (right field).

Contents

The overwhelming majority of putouts recorded by outfielders, almost to exclusivity, result from catching fly balls. However, in extraordinary circumstances, an outfielder may record a putout by receiving a throw to force out or tag out a runner while covering a base if one or more infielders are out of position to retrieve an errant throw, or by tagging a runner stranded between bases in a rundown play; however, even in such circumstances, outfielders will more typically act as a backup to infielders than cover a base themselves. Historically, putout totals for outfielders rose after 1920 with the end of the dead-ball era; the same circumstances which had kept home run totals low, such as overused baseballs and legal adulterations including the spitball, had similarly hindered the type of power hitting which lent itself to long fly balls. But as strikeout totals have risen in baseball in recent decades, the frequency of other defensive outs including flyouts has declined; as a result, putout totals for outfielders have likewise declined. Through the 2022 season, all but eight of the top 76 single-season outfield putout totals were recorded between 1920 and 1988; only one of the top 498 totals was recorded before 1912.

Because game accounts and box scores often did not distinguish between the outfield positions, there has been some difficulty in determining precise defensive statistics prior to 1901; because of this, and because of the similarity in their roles, defensive statistics for the three positions are frequently combined. Because they are expected to cover more territory in the outfield than their counterparts on either side, often being the fastest player of the three, center fielders typically record the highest putout totals; due to the frequency of fly balls, center fielders typically record more putouts than other players, except for catchers and first basemen, who record higher totals due to the frequency of strikeouts and ground outs respectively. 6 of the top 7 career leaders in outfield putouts, and 14 of the top 18, were center fielders. Willie Mays is the all-time leader in career putouts as an outfielder with 7,095; [1] [2] [3] he is the only outfielder to record more than 7,000 career putouts. Tris Speaker [4] (6,788), Rickey Henderson [5] (6,468), Max Carey [6] (6,363), Ty Cobb [7] (6,361), and Richie Ashburn [8] (6,089) are the only other outfielders to record more than 6,000 career putouts. Andrew McCutchen, who had 3,675 putouts through the 2022 season to place him 106th all-time, is the leader among active players.

Key

RankRank amongst leaders in career putouts. A blank field indicates a tie.
PlayerName of player
Main pos.Primary outfield position played during career (LF, CF, or RF)
MLBTotal career putouts as an outfielder in Major League Baseball
*Denotes elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame

List

Andrew McCutchen, the active leader in putouts by an outfielder and 106th all-time Andrew McCutchen on June 12, 2012.jpg
Andrew McCutchen, the active leader in putouts by an outfielder and 106th all-time
Tris Speaker holds the American League record. Tris Speaker.jpg
Tris Speaker holds the American League record.
Max Carey held the National League record for 45 years. Max Carey, Pittsburgh NL (baseball) LCCN2014716325.jpg
Max Carey held the National League record for 45 years.
Richie Ashburn holds six of the top ten single-season putout totals for outfielders. Richie Ashburn 1953.jpg
Richie Ashburn holds six of the top ten single-season putout totals for outfielders.
Mike Cameron recorded 2,000 putouts in both the American and National Leagues, leading each league once. 20110426-0003 Mike Cameron.jpg
Mike Cameron recorded 2,000 putouts in both the American and National Leagues, leading each league once.
Dom DiMaggio was the first American League outfielder to record 500 putouts in a season. Dom DiMaggio 1947.jpg
Dom DiMaggio was the first American League outfielder to record 500 putouts in a season.
RankPlayer (2023 POs)Main
Pos.
Putouts as an outfielderOther leagues, notes
MLBAmerican LeagueNational League
1 Willie Mays*CF7,11207,095Includes 17 in Negro American League
(incomplete)
2 Tris Speaker*CF6,7886,7880Held major league record, 1922–1971;
held the single-season record, 1914-1917
3 Rickey Henderson*LF6,4685,699769
4 Max Carey*CF6,36306,363Held National League record, 1924–1969;
held the single-season record, 1917-1920 (tie);
held NL single-season record, 1916-1928
5 Ty Cobb*CF6,3616,3610Held American League record, 1916–1919;
held AL single-season record, 1911-1912
6 Richie Ashburn*CF6,08906,089
7 Steve Finley CF5,6647084,956
8 Barry Bonds LF5,63705,637
9 Ken Griffey Jr.*CF5,6063,7171,889
10 Hank Aaron*RF5,53935,536
11 Willie Davis CF5,4491085,341
12 Doc Cramer CF5,4125,4120
13 Brett Butler CF5,2961,7123,584
14 Torii Hunter CF5,2635,2630
15 Andre Dawson*RF5,158425,116
16 Carlos Beltrán CF5,1552,3652,790
17 Vada Pinson CF5,0971,3173,780
18 Willie Wilson CF5,0604,942118
19 Al Kaline*RF5,0355,0350
20 Ichiro Suzuki RF5,0224,616406
21 Zack Wheat*LF4,9961054,891
22 Chet Lemon CF4,9934,9930Holds the American League single-season record
(512 in 1977)
23 Al Simmons*LF4,9884,816172
24 Dave Winfield *RF4,9752,7232,252
25 Mike Cameron CF4,9542,5552,399
Andruw Jones CF4,9543354,619
27 Amos Otis CF4,9364,819117
28 Marquis Grissom CF4,8803564,524
29 Paul Waner*RF4,87204,872
30 Lloyd Waner*CF4,86004,860
31 Kenny Lofton CF4,8563,6531,203
32 Fred Clarke*LF4,79504,795Held major league record, 1909–1922;
held National League record, 1906-1924
33 Goose Goslin*LF4,7924,7920
34 Sam Rice*RF4,7744,7740Held the single-season record, 1920-1924
35 Devon White CF4,7393,3891,350
36 Johnny Damon CF4,7174,7170
37 Bernie Williams CF4,7104,7100
38 Roberto Clemente*RF4,69604,696
39 Fred Lynn CF4,5564,46492
40 Edd Roush*CF4,53734,118Includes 416 in Federal League
41 Jim Edmonds CF4,5361,6962,840
42 Sammy Sosa RF4,5227763,746
43 Joe DiMaggio*CF4,5164,5160
44 Tony Gwynn*RF4,51204,512
45 Mel Ott*RF4,51104,511
46 Luis Gonzalez LF4,4822324,250
47 Garry Maddox CF4,44904,449
48 Babe Ruth*RF4,4444,40539
49 Mickey Mantle*CF4,4384,4380
50 Lou Brock*LF4,39404,394
51 Kirby Puckett*CF4,3924,3920
52 José Cruz LF4,39184,383
53 Dwight Evans RF4,3714,3710
54 Paul Blair CF4,3434,226117
55 Sam West CF4,3004,3000
56 Adam Jones CF4,2724,063209
57 Willie McGee CF4,2601734,087
58 Jimmy Sheckard LF4,20354,198
59 Tim Raines*LF4,2011,4692,732
60 Curtis Granderson CF4,1832,9561,227
61 Cy Williams CF4,18004,180
62 Ted Williams*LF4,1584,1580
63 César Cedeño CF4,13104,131
64 Nick Markakis RF4,1292,6791,450
65 Duke Snider*CF4,09904,099
66 Clyde Milan CF4,0954,0950
67 Reggie Jackson*RF4,0624,0620
68 Garret Anderson LF4,0573,826231
69 Dale Murphy CF4,05304,053
70 Kiki Cuyler*RF4,03404,034
71 Curt Flood CF4,021164,005
72 Bob Johnson LF4,0034,0030
73 Wally Moses RF4,0004,0000
74 Joe Medwick*LF3,99403,994
75 Harry Hooper*RF3,9813,9810
76 Frank Robinson*RF3,9781,2812,697
77 Earl Averill*CF3,9683,9635
78 Dummy Hoy CF3,9642783,146Includes 289 in Players' League,
251 in American Association;
held major league record, 1901–1909;
held National League record, 1897-1901
79 Jesse Burkett*LF3,9611,0722,889
80 Bobby Abreu RF3,9521,2482,704
81 Carl Yastrzemski*LF3,9413,9410
82 Enos Slaughter*RF3,9254633,462
83 George Burns LF3,91803,918
84 Jimmy Wynn CF3,912503,862
85 Bill Bruton CF3,9051,2862,619
86 Juan Pierre CF3,8795853,294
87 Dom DiMaggio CF3,8593,8590Held the American League single-season record, 1948-1977
88 Jimmy Piersall CF3,8513,78665
89 Heinie Manush*LF3,8413,624217
90 Rick Manning CF3,8313,8310
91 George Foster LF3,809193,790
92 Sherry Magee LF3,80003,800
93 Dave Parker RF3,791603,731
94 Bill Virdon CF3,77703,777
95 Lloyd Moseby CF3,7653,7650
96 Bobby Veach LF3,7543,7540
97 George Hendrick RF3,7511,6052,146
98 Dode Paskert CF3,73403,734
99 Stan Musial*LF3,73003,730
100 Vernon Wells CF3,7263,7260

Other Hall of Famers

PlayerMain
Pos.
Putouts as outfielderOther leagues, notes
MLBAmerican LeagueNational League
Sam Crawford*RF3,6262,916710Held American League record, 1914–1916
Larry Doby*CF3,6183,6160Includes 2 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)
Billy Williams*LF3,56203,562
Billy Hamilton*CF3,45303,206Includes 247 in American Association;
held the single-season record, 1894–1899
Earle Combs*CF3,4493,4490
Hugh Duffy*CF3,3961412,834Includes 255 in Players' League, 166 in American Association
Larry Walker*RF3,31503,315
Minnie Miñoso*LF3,2783,24333Includes 2 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)
Chuck Klein*RF3,25003,250
Robin Yount*CF3,2023,2020
Vladimir Guerrero*RF3,1691,2211,948
Jim Rice*LF3,1033,1030
Willie Keeler*RF3,0971,1481,949
Ed Delahanty*LF2,9563052,613Includes 38 in Players' League
Ralph Kiner*LF2,8751412,734
Joe Kelley*LF2,8641012,763
Hack Wilson*CF2,81002,810
Harry Heilmann*RF2,7942,515279
Ned Hanlon*CF2,65902,362Includes 297 in Players' League;
held the single-season record, 1884–1886
Chick Hafey*LF2,52702,527
Billy Southworth*RF2,442902,352
Elmer Flick*RF2,3731,392981
Tony Oliva*RF2,3322,3320
Jim O'Rourke*LF2,23501,977Includes 175 in Players' League, 83 in National Association
Casey Stengel*RF2,17102,171
Sam Thompson*RF2,167142,153
Ross Youngs*RF2,16002,160
Harold Baines*RF2,0312,0310
Tommy McCarthy*RF2,01601,187Includes 790 in American Association, 39 in Union Association
Willie Stargell*LF1,98501,985
Cool Papa Bell*CF1,39900Includes 698 in Negro National League (second), 620 in Negro National League (first),
81 in East–West League (incomplete)
Monte Irvin*LF1,37801,233Includes 145 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)
Freddie Lindstrom*CF1,31101,311
Turkey Stearnes*CF1,20900Includes 718 in Negro National League (first), 384 in Negro National League (second),
107 in Negro American League (incomplete)
Oscar Charleston*CF1,05600Includes 648 in Negro National League (first), 245 in Eastern Colored League,
156 in American Negro League, 7 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)
King Kelly*RF8920871Includes 13 in Players' League, 8 in American Association
Cristóbal Torriente*CF78300Includes 783 in Negro National League (first) (incomplete)
Craig Biggio*CF7080708
Honus Wagner*RF6430643
George Davis*CF6110611
Willard Brown*CF506410Includes 465 in Negro American League (incomplete)
Roger Bresnahan*CF46335428
Hank Greenberg*LF4594590
Willie McCovey*LF3970397
Orlando Cepeda*LF3680368
John Montgomery Ward*CF3550355
Mule Suttles*LF29100Includes 212 in Negro National League (first), 79 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)
Harry Wright*CF22801Includes 227 in National Association
Pete Hill*LF18300Includes 183 in Negro National League (first) (incomplete)
Deacon White*RF1490124Includes 25 in National Association
Paul Molitor*CF1231230
Cap Anson*LF118061Includes 57 in National Association
Martín Dihigo*CF10600Includes 75 in Negro National League (second), 16 in American Negro League,
15 in Eastern Colored League (incomplete)
Todd Helton*LF16016
Joe Mauer*RF330

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First baseman</span> Infield defensive position in baseball and softball

A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majority of plays made at that base. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the first baseman is assigned the number 3.

References

  1. "Willie Mays Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  2. Saccoman, John. "Willie Mays Bio". Society For American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  3. "Willie Mays Hall of Fame Profile". National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  4. "Tris Speaker Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  5. "Rickey Henderson Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  6. "Max Carey Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  7. "Ty Cobb Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  8. "Richie Ashburn Career Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 28, 2021.