In this article, we take a look at the top 5 players who have scored most points in MLB history.
Topps Willie Mays
On this date in 1965, Mays hit a leadoff home run in the 36th MLB All Star game. Mays was a local favorite due to his time with the minor league Minnesota Millers in 1951.
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds was a very good player who became great. Bonds, the son of MLB star Bobby Bonds and Godson of MLB legend Willie Mays, was raised around baseball and excelled at various sports from a young age.
Bonds started his Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 and stayed in Pittsburgh for 7 seasons winning two MVP awards along the way. In 1993 he signed a free agent deal with the San Franciso Giants where he quickly became the face of the franchise and fan favourite to Giant fans.
Bonds spent the rest of his career in the Bay Area and became a super star along the way. Amazingly, Bonds added five more MVP awards before retiring in 2007. Overall, Bonds was a 14x All Star, 12x Silver Slugger, 8x Gold Glove winner, 2x batting champion and set an MLB record with 7 MVP awards.
In addition, Bonds officially holds six other MLB records:: most career home runs (762), most home runs in a season (73), most career walks (2,558), most walks in a season (232), highest single season on base percentage (609) and highest single season slugging percentage (863).
Donruss Diamond Kings Eric Davis
On this date in 1987, Davis became the first NL player to hit three grand slams in a month, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. His major league leading 19 home runs.
Donruss broke the NL record for most home runs in April and May. The record breaking blast came in the third inning with the Reds trailing 1-0 at Three Rivers Stadium. Davis crushed a 1-1 offering from Dorn Taylor over the left field wall to clear the bases.
The 25 year old centre fielder was toasted by teammate Dave Parker after the game saying “Here`s to Big E. The best I`ve ever seen.” Davis tried to downplay the record. “I`m just trying to concentrate on what I have to do, swing at good pitches and make the pitchers give me something good to hit. The records are nice but nobody sets out to break the records. They just come.”
Despite only playing in 129 games, Davis would finish the 1987 season with a 293 average, 37 home runs, 100 RBI, 120 runs and 50 stolen bases in 484 at bats. He became the first player ever with 30 home runs and 50 steals in a season.
He started for the NL in the 1987 All Star game and capped off his spectacular season by winning both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award.
Also Read | Greatest MLB Players of All Time
Topps Traded Robby Thompson
On this date in 1962, Thompson was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. He went on to a 11 year MLB career from 1986-1996. All as a second basemen with the San Francisco Giants. Thompson was known for his leadership and consistent fielding, helping the Giants to multiple division titles and the 1989 NL pennant while making two All Star teams and winning a Gold Glove in 1993.
He made 11 consecutive opening day starts for the Giants at second base, ranby the Giants king him fifth all time in MLB history behind only Lou Whitaker, Frank White, Nellie Fox and Willie Randolph. Thompson attended Forrest Hill Community High School in West Palm Beach before moving on to Palm Beach State College and then the University of Florida.
After playing for the Gators, he was drafted by the Giants in the secondary phase of the 1983 MLB draft. Thompson took over as the Giants everyday second baseman and leadoff hitter in 1986 and hit 271 with 149 hits, 27 doubles and 73 runs.
He was named Sporting News NL Rookie Player of the Year. Thompson made his first All Star team in 1988 and led the NL with 11 triples in 1989 while scoring a career high 91 runs. On April 22, 1991 he became the first Giants second baseman to hit for the cycle.
His best offensive season came in 1993 when he hit 312 with 19 home runs, 85 runs and 65 RBI. He won a Silver Slugger and finished 15th in NL MVP voting. Towards the end of his career, Thompson became known for his well used beat up glove.
Mitch Williams
Mitch Williams is known as one of the best relievers in baseball in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lefty was drafted by the Padres in 1982 but was traded to the Rangers in 1985. Williams was a starting pitcher in the minors, making only one relief appearance before he made his MLB debut in 1986.
He immediately became an electric pitcher out of the bullpen, finishing his rookie season with a 3.58 ERA, 90 Ks, 8 saves and a league high 80 relief appearances. Williams had a crazy usage year in 1987, pitching in a career high 85 games.
He posted a 3.23 ERA with 6 saves and 129 Ks in 109 IP. Williams was named the Closer in 1988. He posted a 4.63 ERA with only 18 saves and 61 Ks. The Rangers traded Williams to the Chicago Cubs for a young Rafael Palmeiro and Jamie Moyer after the season.
He bounced back in 1989, posting a 2.64 ERA with 67 Ks and 36 saves. Williams pitched in his 1st and only All Star Game that year. The Chicago Cubs made the playoffs in 1989. The Angels signed him in 1995. He was released in June after not pitching well. The same thing happened with the Phillies in 1996 and the Royals in 1997. Williams retired with 192 saves and 660 Ks.
