Who Is Baseball’s All-Time Greatest Player? Vote in USA TODAY’s ‘250 for 250’ MLB Poll

Baseball is a sport defined by its rich history and endless debates. From the founding of the National League in 1876 to its global reach in 2026, comparing the greatest players of all time is one of the most fun — and difficult — arguments in American sports.

Should it be Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, or Hank Aaron? What about Mickey Mantle versus Joe DiMaggio? And how do we judge players from the steroid era like Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez, or controversial figures such as Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson?For USA TODAY’s special “250 for 250” series celebrating the best athletes in United States history, the focus is on U.S.-born players (including those born in U.S. territories). This narrows the field but still leaves plenty of room for passionate discussion.


Cast Your Vote

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Vote in our poll below for your GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). You can also suggest a sleeper candidate or call out who you think was unfairly left off the list.The poll is open now — let your voice be heard!Visit USA TODAY on May 5, 2026, to see our experts’ ranked list of the top U.S.-born baseball players of all time.


‘250 for 250’ Release Schedule

USA TODAY is releasing weekly lists of the greatest American athletes by sport:

Week of April 20: Men’s Basketball  

Week of April 27: Women’s Basketball  

Week of May 4: Baseball ← Current Week  

Week of May 11: Golf and Tennis  

Week of May 18: Motorsports and Combat Sports  

Week of May 25: Football  

Week of June 1: Track and Field  

Week of June 8: Soccer  

Week of June 15: Winter Sports  

Week of June 22: Swimming, Diving, and Gymnastics  

Week of June 29: Pioneers, Leaders, and Innovators  

July 4: Full “250 for 250” Top 250 Reveal

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