Greatest Left Fielders in AL History by Team

Baltimore Orioles: Ken Williams (via St Louis) (1918-27)
Boston Red Sox: Ted Williams (1939-60), Carl Yastrzemski (1961-83)
New York Yankees: Charlie Keller (1939-49, 1952)
Tampa Bay Rays: Carl Crawford (2002-10)
Toronto Blue Jays: George Bell (1981-90)
Chicago White Sox: Shoeless Joe Jackson (1915-20)
Cleveland Indians: Albert Belle (1989-96)
Detroit Tigers: Bobby Veach (1912-23)
Kansas City Royals: Alex Gordon (2007-present)
Minnesota Twins: Goose Goslin (via Washington) (1921-30, 1938)
Houston Astros: Jose Cruz (1975-87)
LA Angels: Garret Anderson (1994-2008)
Oakland A's: Rickey Henderson (1979-84; 1989-93; 1994-95; 1998)
Seattle Mariners: Raul Ibanez (1996-2000; 2004-08; 2013)
Texas Rangers: Frank Howard (1965-72)

Bobby Veach: Timeline

Born: June 29, 1888

Debut: September 6, 1912 (Detroit Tigers)

1913: Became starting left fielder for Tigers

1915: Veach, Cobb, and Crawford made up the greatest outfield of all time

1915-22: Had more RBI and extra base hits than any other player

1916: Scored run that ended Babe Ruth’s 25 inning scoreless streak.

1921: Began feud with Ty Cobb

1924: Sold to Red Sox

1925: Traded to Yankees

1925: Released by Yankees, signed with Senators

1925: Washington won the pennant (lost World Series)

1926-29: Played with Toledo Mudhens.

1943: Had operation

1945: Died after a long illness

Accomplishments:
.310 hitter

64 HR

1166 RBI

.370 OBP

.442 Slugging

.812 OPS

Led league in games played: 2x

110 runs (1921)

200+ hits: 2x

Led league 191 hits (1919)

30+ doubles: 8x

40+ doubles: 3x

Led league in doubles: 2x

10+ triples: 10x

Led league 17 triples (1919)

100+ RBI: 6x

Led league in RBI: 3x

20+ steals: 5x

Hit .300: 8x

.355 (1919)

.500 slugging: 2x

324 total bases (1921)

Led league HBP (9) in 1917

Postseason:
0-for-1 (1925 World Series)

Charlie Gehringer: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1949

Born: May 11, 1903

1922: Enrolled at the University of Michigan

1923: Discovered by Bobby Veach & signed by the Tigers

1924: Played in Minors

Debut: September 22, 1924 (Detroit Tigers)

1925: Spent most of year in minors (8 games w/Tigers)

1927-31: Played in over 500 consecutive games

1929: Tigers win “Charlie Gehringer Day” 17-13 over the Yankees

1933: Played in first All Star Game

1934: Part of the greatest infield in history (Greenberg, Owen, Rogell, Gehringer)

1934: Tigers win pennant (Lose World Series to Cardinals)

1934: Toured Japan with MLB All Stars

1931-35: Played in over 500 consecutive games for the second time

1935: Tigers win World Series

1937: AL MVP

1937: Won Batting Title (.371)

1940: Tigers win Pennant (Lose World Series to Reds)

1942: Retired

1942: Enlisted in the Navy

1944-1945: Considered comeback, but went into sales

1949: Elected to Hall of Fame

1950: Became Tigers GM

1953: Quit as Tigers GM and became vice-president. After, went back to sales

1953-1990: Member of Baseball HOF Veteran’s Committee

1974: Retired from sales & sold business

1983: Tigers retired his #2

1986: Honorary Captain of the AL All Star Team

Died: January 21, 1993

1999: Finalist for All Century Team

Accomplishments:
1935 World Champion

6x All Star

1937 AL MVP

1937 Batting Champion

.320 average

2839 hits

574 doubles

184 home runs

1427 RBI

181 steals

1186 walks-372 strikeouts

.404 OBP

.480 Slugging

.884 OPS

Led league in games played: 4x

Led league in runs: 2x

100+ runs: 12x

Led league in hits: 2x

200+ hits: 7x

Led league in doubles: 2x

30+ doubles: 10x

40+ doubles: 7x

50+ doubles: 2x

60 doubles: 1936

Led league in triples: 1929 (19)

10+ triples: 7x

15+ triples: 4x

20 home runs (1938)

100+ RBI: 7x

Led league in steals: 1929 (27)

100+ walks: 2x

.300 average: 13x

.350+ average: 3x

.400 OBP: 9x

.500 slugging: 7x

.900+ OPS: 8x

Postseason: .321 average, 1 HR, 7 RBI, .782 OPS (3 World Series)