The best baseball players from Indiana include some players who are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. There are some great players from Indiana, even though it does not have as rich a baseball history as other states. Even though Indiana does not have a major league team, it still has some baseball history. This list is based on a complete statistical evaluation of players born in Indiana. The players will be listed in alphabetical order by last name. These are the best baseball players from Indiana.
Best Baseball Players From Indiana
LaTroy Hawkins
Born in Gary, Indiana
One of the better relief pitchers of the 2000s, LaTroy Hawkins, put together an impressive 21-year career. During his career, Hawkins had a 75-94 record, along with a 4.31 ERA and 983 strikeouts, while also getting 127 saves. After early career struggles as a starting pitcher, Hawkins moved to the bullpen in 2000. During his time as a relief pitcher, Hawkins had three seasons with at least 20 saves. In 1998, with the Minnesota Twins, Hawkins led AL pitchers in fielding percentage, and double plays turned with five.
Billy Herman
Born in New Albany, Indiana
In 15 seasons, Billy Herman had a .304/.367/.407 line with 47 home runs and 839 RBI. During his career, Herman made the All-Star team on ten occasions. In 1935, 1936, and 1943, Herman finished in the top five in NL MVP voting. The most successful years Herman had come with the Chicago Cubs. He included three World Series appearances with them. While on the Cubs, Herman had three 200-hit seasons and led the majors in triples during the 1939 season. In 1975, Herman was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Gil Hodges
Born in Princeton, Indiana
Gil Hodges played high school and college baseball in Indiana. In 18 seasons in the majors, Hodges had a .273/.359/.487 line with 370 home runs and 1274 RBI. Hodges made eight All-Star appearances during his career and won a Gold Glove three times. Furthermore, Hodges won two World Series championships while a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1955 and 1959. At the end of his career, Hodges played for the New York Mets for two seasons. Hodges was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.
Tommy John
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana
Tommy John’s impact on baseball will last forever because of the surgery named after him. What some forget about John is that he had a respectable career. In 26 seasons in the majors, John had a 288-231 record, a 3.34 ERA, and 2245 strikeouts. Additionally, John made four All-Star appearances during his career, three of which came after missing the 1975 season due to injury. John had a better winning percentage in the 14 seasons post-elbow surgery than in the 12 seasons prior.
Kenny Lofton
Born in East Chicago, Indiana
Kenny Lofton should be the next Hall of Fame inductee from Indiana. In 17 seasons, Lofton had a .299/.372/.423 line with 130 home runs, 781 RBI, and 622 stolen bases. During his career, Lofton made six All-Star appearances and won four Gold Gloves. In 1992, as a member of the Cleveland Guardians, Lofton finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. On the Immaculate Grid, there are many categories where Lofton can be used since he played for 11 different teams and qualified for some stat categories.
Don Mattingly
Born in Evansville, Indiana
Don Mattingly was a part of the 1978 Reitz Memorial High School state championship team. In 14 major seasons, Mattingly had a .307/.358/.471 line with 222 home runs and 1099 RBI. Mattingly, who spent his entire career with the New York Yankees, won the AL MVP in 1985. In addition, Mattingly made the All-Star team six times while winning a Gold Glove nine times and a Silver Slugger three times. The 1984 season saw Mattingly win the AL batting title. In 2020, Mattingly won the NL Manager of the Year Award with the Miami Marlins.
Sam Rice
Born in Morocco, Indiana
In 20 major seasons, Sam Rice had a .322/.374/.427 line with 34 home runs, 1077 RBIs, and 351 stolen bases. During the 1920 season, Rice led the majors with 63 stolen bases. The 1926 season saw Rice finish fourth in AL MVP voting. Rice had a batting average better than .290 every season of his career and had six seasons with at least 200 hits. This included a three consecutive season stretch from 1924 through 1926, where Rice had 200 or more hits. In 1963, Rice was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Scott Rolen
Born in Evansville, Indiana
During the 1993 high school season, Scott Rolen won Indiana Mr. Baseball playing for Jasper High School. In 17 significant seasons, Rolen had a .281/.364/.490 line with 316 home runs and 1287 RBI. Rolen won the NL Rookie of the Year Award with the Philadelphia Phillies 1997 and made seven All-Star appearances. In addition, Rolen won a Silver Slugger six times and a Gold Glove eight times. Rolen also won a World Series championship with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. In 2023, Rolen was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Edd Roush
Born in Oakland City, Indiana
Edd Roush was an essential player for the Cincinnati Reds during their 1919 World Series championship season. Roush led the NL in batting average that season, winning the batting title, and did the same in 1917. Overall, in 18 seasons, Roush had a .323/.369/.446 line with 68 home runs and 981 RBI, along with 268 stolen bases. In 1924 and 1925, Roush finished in the top 10 in NL MVP voting. Of outfielders during the era, Roush also ranks among the best defensively. In 1962, Roush was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Sam Thompson
Born in Danville, Indiana
Sam Thompson played 15 seasons in the major leagues during its early days. Thompson was one of the most successful of the players who played before the creation of the AL. During his career, Thompson had a .331/.384/.505 line with 126 home runs and 1308 RBI. In addition, Thompson led the league in key statistical categories on multiple occasions. The 1894 season saw Thompson have a batting average above .400 and was one of four Phillies players to accomplish the feat that year. Thompson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
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