When someone thinks of Alabama they probably don’t think about baseball. In fact, Alabama is probably thought of as a state with very few famous people at all. Even if you were to tell someone that Alabama was the home of some great athletes you’d probably think of football before baseball. So some people might be surprised to find out that Alabama is actually the birthplace of many great baseball players. Just think about this. In the history of baseball, only four players have 500 homeruns and 3,000 hits. Two of them are from Alabama.
Hank Aaron
I don’t believe in saving the best for last so let’s go ahead and start with the homerun king himself, Hank Aaron. Hank Aaron was born on February 5th, 1934 in Mobile, Alabama, where he lived until he entered the Negro league in 1951. Hank Aaron is not only the all-time leader in homeruns but also in RBI, extra base hits and total bases. Hank Aaron is also third all-time in hits and fourth in runs. Hank Aaron is most well known for passing Babe Ruth on the all-time homerun list. Even though Barry Bonds is receiving a lot of animosity in his pursuit of the homerun record, it isn’t anything like Hank Aaron who actually received racial hate mail, including death threats.
Doyle Alexander
Doyle Alexander wasn’t a great player like Hank Aaron but he certainly had some good seasons. Doyle Alexander was first a success in 1976 when he went 10 – 5 and in the 1980s Alexander was a big part of the Blue Jays success as he won 17 games in 1984 and 1985. Doyle Alexander might be best known for a trade though. Doyle Alexander was playing for the Atlanta Braves when the Detroit Tigers came calling. The Braves traded Doyle Alexander to the Tigers and Alexander went 9 – 0 the rest of the season with a 1.53 ERA. It was the difference in the Tigers winning the division. The Braves did all right in the trade too when they got John Smoltz.
Matt Cain
Matt Cain was born October 1st, 1984 in Dothan, Alabama. In the 2002 Major League Baseball draft Matt Cain was selected 25th overall. By 2005 Matt Cain was named the best prospect in the San Francisco Giants’ organization. Matt Cain’s overall numbers don’t look outstanding but he has shown flashes of greatness, like one stretch in 2006 when over a span of a month Matt Cain went 5 – 0 with a 0.21 ERA.
Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson was born on November 30th, 1962 in Bessemer, Alabama. In college Bo Jackson was a star at Auburn University in football, baseball and track and field. In the pros, Bo Jackson was probably most impressive on the football field but he definitely had some impressive moments in baseball also, like throwing out Harold Reynolds who was tagging up at third, all the way from the warning track, or his catch in which he ran up the wall. Bo Jackson injured his hip playing football and was never the same again but his best moment may have come after the injury when he decided he would play baseball again. Bo Jackson dedicated his first game back to his mother who had passed away. Then on his very first swing he hit a homerun.
Jimmy Key
Jimmy Key’s name might not strike fear in the heart of batters but the Huntsville native had a career record of 186 wins and 117 losses. Seventy more wins than losses is a pretty good career. Jimmy Key was a part of the Toronto Blue Jays for most of his career and won a World Championship with them in 1992. Jimmy Key then went to the New York Yankees where he won another Championship in 1996. Jimmy Key finished second in the Cy Young twice, went to four All-Star games, finished in the top ten in ERA six times and finished in the top ten in wins five times.
Willie Mays
The Say Hey Kid” is another one of the all-time greats. Willie Mays was born in Westfield, Alabama, just outside of Birmingham. Willie Mays’ accolades could go on all day. Willie Mays is a member of the Hall of Fame, two-time MVP, twenty four All- Star Game Appearances, twelve-time Gold Glove, fourth all time in homeruns, third in total bases, fifth in extra base hits, seventh in runs, and tenth in RBI. Willie Mays led the NL in homeruns three times, triples three times, and stolen bases four times.
Willie McCovey
Willie May isn’t the only Giant or the only Willie from Alabama. Willie McCovey was born in Mobile, Alabama. Willie McCovey batted in the heart of the Giants’ order along with Willie Mays and many consider him one of the ten best left handed hitters of all time. Willie McCovey burst onto the scene with a .354 batting average, winning the National Rookie of the Year. Willie McCovey also won the National League MVP in 1969 by hitting 45 homeruns, 126 RBI and batting .320.
Satchel Paige
Another baseball great from Mobile, Alabama is Satchel Paige. Satchel Paige is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971. For most of Satchel Paige’s career he did not play in the Majors because integration had not happened yet. Paige did end up in the Majors but didn’t make his big league debut until he was 42 years old. Since Satchel Paige didn’t play in the Majors it is not sure what his career stats were but it is estimated he had close to 300 shutouts. Most pitchers now would happy with just winning 300 games.
Jake Peavy
This Mobile native is still very early in his Major League Baseball career but the future looks very bright. Somebody could easily make the argument that Jake Peavy is the best pitcher in the National League. He’s definitely the best pitcher in the NL this season. Jake Peavy is currently second in the NL in wins, first in ERA and first in strikeouts, he might win the pitching triple crown this season. Jake Peavy has already led the NL in ERA and strikeouts two times each.
Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith, born December 26th, 1954 in Mobile Alabama, is known to many as the greatest defensive player of all time making his nickname, “The Wizard of Oz”, very fitting. Ozzie Smith won his first Gold Glove the third season of his career. It would be the first of thirteen consecutive Gold Gloves. Likewise Ozzie Smith would go to his first All-Star game in his fourth season, his first of fifteen All-Star Game Appearances.
