Editor’s Note: This is the second of three stories we’re rolling out on the active players with interesting Hall of Fame cases. We covered infielders on Friday and we’ll cover designated hitters and pitchers on Tuesday.
The outfield is a lonely place. It can feel like an island of grass out there, with only heckling fans within shouting distance and no one to back you up if a grounder goes through your legs. It takes a special sort of player to thrive there, and many of baseball’s best have called it home: Henry Aaron, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth.