Vote for your pick in the '250 for 250' MLB poll celebrating America's greatest baseball players. The debate includes legends like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Shohei Ohtani.
Debate includes legends like Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle
Poll focuses on players born in the U.S. or U.S. territories
Expert opinions will be revealed on May 5
Fans can vote and suggest players for the list
Major League BaseballBabe RuthMickey MantleJoe DiMaggio
America's pastime is a study in eras, as the forebears to today's Major League Baseball date as far back as the National League's founding in 1876.
Our uniquely American game has gone truly worldwide in 2026, and its evolution through wartime, the steroid era and so much more makes comparing baseball's all-time greats a herculean task. Still, don't we love the debate?
Mickey Mantle or Joe DiMaggio? Babe Ruth or Shohei Ohtani? And how do we square our thoughts on Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and Pete Rose? For our "250 for 250" celebration of the best in United States sports history, we're narrowing the field of all-time bests to players born on U.S. soil or in U.S. territories. Not that it makes the debate any less lively.
Visit USA TODAY on May 5 to see what our experts have to say about the top U.S.-born baseball players of all time. Until then, weigh in on your GOAT pick below, add your sleeper suggestion for the list, or shout about the most obvious omission you see.
There's bound to be disagreement. Of course, that's half the fun, right?
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) during his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers, on August 28, 1949.
Oval shaped portrait of a American baseball player Jackie Robinson as a young boy sitting on a chair, circa 1925.
Q&A
What is the '250 for 250' MLB poll about?
The '250 for 250' MLB poll invites fans to vote for the greatest baseball players born in the U.S. or U.S. territories.
When will the expert opinions on the best U.S.-born baseball players be revealed?
Expert opinions on the top U.S.-born baseball players will be revealed on May 5.
Who are some of the players included in the MLB debate?
The debate includes legendary players like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and modern stars like Shohei Ohtani.
How can fans participate in the MLB poll?
Fans can participate by voting for their greatest of all time (GOAT) pick and suggesting players they believe should be included.
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American baseball player Jackie Robinson tends to his daughter Sharon in her baby carriage as wife Rachel looks on in the backyard of their home in Stamford, Connecticut, circa 1951.
A team portrait of the Brooklyn Dodgers, autographed by players including Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges, New York City, the 1950s.
Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson waits to bat during the 1952 World Series.
This undated file photo shows US baseball star Jackie Robinson signing a then-record contract to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in New York.
This 1945 handout photo shows baseball legend Jackie Robinson wearing the Kansas City Monarchs uniform. Robinson has been chosen to receive posthumously March 2, 2005, the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress can bestow on a US civilian, for his accomplishments on the baseball diamond, as well as "his lifetime of breaking down barriers and his unending fight for justice," officials on Capitol Hill said in an earlier press release. US Senator John Kerry and US Representative Richard Neal, who co-sponsored legislation honoring Robinson, will be joined by the ballplayer's widow, Rachel Robinson, US President George W. Bush, and congressional leaders at the ceremony. Robinson broke baseball's "color line," becoming the first African American to play in the Major Leagues when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Officials in Congress said, however, that he is also being honored for his contributions to the broader struggle for civil rights.
During a Barnstorming game, Jackie Robinson signed a baseball for Larry Brown at Martin" 's Stadium in Memphis (early to mid-50s of African-American significant leaguers against the Memphis Red Sox). Brown was a catcher and manager for the Red Sox over several decades and is featured in the film.
The first African-Americans to appear in an All-Star game, from left to right, Roy Campanella of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians, Don Newcombe of the Dodgers, and Jackie Robinson of the Dodgers.
This 1947 handout photo shows US baseball legend Jackie Robinson wearing his Montreal uniform, stepping into the Brooklyn Dodgers' clubhouse for the first time.
An undated headshot of Jackie Robinson wearing his Boston Dodgers uniform and holding a bat.
Jackie Robinson crouches by the base and prepares to catch a ball in 1951. Throughout the course of his baseball career, Robinson played several positions on the infield as well as serving as outfielder.
Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Jackie Robinson got the call from umpire Babe Pinelli for tagging out Cincinnati Reds infielder Eddie Miller, one month after Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1947.
This is a 1951 photo of Jackie Robinson, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team, and Sharon Robinson, his daughter.
A historic photograph of Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, taken during spring training in Cuba, 1947 (credited to The Jackie Robinson Center for Physical Culture), on display at the Baseball Museum inside Keyspan Field, home of the minor league baseball team The Brooklyn Cyclones in Brooklyn, New York on Sept. 14, 2007. The last game before the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles was at Ebbets Field 50 years ago, on Sept. 24, 1957.
From left, Johnny Jorgensen, Eddie Stnaky, Pee Wee Reese, and Jackie Robinson, all members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jackie Robinson, second from left, and Rachel Robinson, second from right, sit with their children at a resort pool.
Brooklyn Dodgers President Branch Rickey talking to his second sacker Jackie Robinson at a team training camp in Vero Beach, Florida on March 17, 1949.
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) grounds a ball in first place while warming up for an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, Ebbets Field, NYC, in the 1950s.
American baseball player Jackie Robinson and his wife Rachel play with son Jackie Jr. (L) and daughter Sharon in the backyard of their home in Stamford, Connecticut, circa 1951.
Portrait of Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team members poses in the dugout, 1954. From left, Americans Carl Furillo (1922 - 1989) (#6) and Gil Hodges (1924 - 1972) (#14), Cuban Sandy Amoros (1930 - 1992) (#15), and Americans Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) (#42), Duke Snider (#4), Pee Wee Reese (1918 - 1990) (#1), Jim Gilliam (1928 - 1978) (#19), Pete Wojey (1919 - 1991) (#35), and manager Walter Alston (1911 - 1984) (#24).
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers on August 28, 1949.
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Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) during his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers, on August 28, 1949.
1 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) during his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers, on August 28, 1949.
2 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
Oval shaped portrait of a American baseball player Jackie Robinson as a young boy sitting on a chair, circa 1925.
3 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
American baseball player Jackie Robinson tends to his daughter Sharon in her baby carriage as wife Rachel looks on in the backyard of their home in Stamford, Connecticut, circa 1951.
4 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
A team portrait of the Brooklyn Dodgers, autographed by players including Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges, New York City, the 1950s.
5 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson waits to bat during the 1952 World Series.
6 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
This undated file photo shows US baseball star Jackie Robinson signing a then-record contract to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in New York.
7 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
This 1945 handout photo shows baseball legend Jackie Robinson wearing the Kansas City Monarchs uniform. Robinson has been chosen to receive posthumously March 2, 2005, the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress can bestow on a US civilian, for his accomplishments on the baseball diamond, as well as "his lifetime of breaking down barriers and his unending fight for justice," officials on Capitol Hill said in an earlier press release. US Senator John Kerry and US Representative Richard Neal, who co-sponsored legislation honoring Robinson, will be joined by the ballplayer's widow, Rachel Robinson, US President George W. Bush, and congressional leaders at the ceremony. Robinson broke baseball's "color line," becoming the first African American to play in the Major Leagues when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Officials in Congress said, however, that he is also being honored for his contributions to the broader struggle for civil rights.
8 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
During a Barnstorming game, Jackie Robinson signed a baseball for Larry Brown at Martin" 's Stadium in Memphis (early to mid-50s of African-American significant leaguers against the Memphis Red Sox). Brown was a catcher and manager for the Red Sox over several decades and is featured in the film.
9 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
The first African-Americans to appear in an All-Star game, from left to right, Roy Campanella of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians, Don Newcombe of the Dodgers, and Jackie Robinson of the Dodgers.
10 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
This 1947 handout photo shows US baseball legend Jackie Robinson wearing his Montreal uniform, stepping into the Brooklyn Dodgers' clubhouse for the first time.
11 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
An undated headshot of Jackie Robinson wearing his Boston Dodgers uniform and holding a bat.
12 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
Jackie Robinson crouches by the base and prepares to catch a ball in 1951. Throughout the course of his baseball career, Robinson played several positions on the infield as well as serving as outfielder.
13 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Jackie Robinson got the call from umpire Babe Pinelli for tagging out Cincinnati Reds infielder Eddie Miller, one month after Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1947.
14 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
This is a 1951 photo of Jackie Robinson, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team, and Sharon Robinson, his daughter.
15 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
A historic photograph of Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, taken during spring training in Cuba, 1947 (credited to The Jackie Robinson Center for Physical Culture), on display at the Baseball Museum inside Keyspan Field, home of the minor league baseball team The Brooklyn Cyclones in Brooklyn, New York on Sept. 14, 2007. The last game before the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles was at Ebbets Field 50 years ago, on Sept. 24, 1957.
16 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
From left, Johnny Jorgensen, Eddie Stnaky, Pee Wee Reese, and Jackie Robinson, all members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
17 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
Jackie Robinson, second from left, and Rachel Robinson, second from right, sit with their children at a resort pool.
18 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
Brooklyn Dodgers President Branch Rickey talking to his second sacker Jackie Robinson at a team training camp in Vero Beach, Florida on March 17, 1949.
19 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) grounds a ball in first place while warming up for an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, Ebbets Field, NYC, in the 1950s.
20 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
American baseball player Jackie Robinson and his wife Rachel play with son Jackie Jr. (L) and daughter Sharon in the backyard of their home in Stamford, Connecticut, circa 1951.
21 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
Portrait of Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team members poses in the dugout, 1954. From left, Americans Carl Furillo (1922 - 1989) (#6) and Gil Hodges (1924 - 1972) (#14), Cuban Sandy Amoros (1930 - 1992) (#15), and Americans Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) (#42), Duke Snider (#4), Pee Wee Reese (1918 - 1990) (#1), Jim Gilliam (1928 - 1978) (#19), Pete Wojey (1919 - 1991) (#35), and manager Walter Alston (1911 - 1984) (#24).
22 / 22
Jackie Robinson: A look at the life and career of MLB trailblazer
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers on August 28, 1949.
Vote for your favorite all-time MLB player in USA TODAY's '250 for 250' baseball list
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Best American athletes of all time: USA TODAY '250 for 250' release schedule
Starting the week of April 20, USA TODAY will produce weekly lists of the top American athletes, followed by a poll for readers to vote on nominees for the next week's list. Here's a look at the full schedule, leading up to a special interactive experience surrounding the top 250 athletes in American history: