Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the world and it is no surprise that some of the best players in the game have achieved amazing averages over their careers. While batting average (AVG) is not the only measure of success, it is one of the most important statistics used to measure success in the sport. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best hitters in baseball history and discuss who has the best average in the game.
What is Batting Average?
Batting average (AVG) is one of the most commonly used statistics in baseball. It is calculated by dividing the number of hits by the number of official at-bats. The higher the average, the better the hitter is. The average is usually expressed as a decimal, with a .300 average being considered excellent and a .400 average being considered exceptional.
The All-Time Leaders in Batting Average
When it comes to batting average, the all-time leader is Ty Cobb with a career AVG of .366. Cobb played for the Detroit Tigers from 1905-1928 and is widely considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. In second place is Rogers Hornsby who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Braves, and Chicago Cubs from 1915-1937. He had a career AVG of .358.
The Greatest Season Averages
While Ty Cobb and Rogers Hornsby have the top career averages, there have been some other amazing single-season performances. The greatest single-season performance belongs to Ted Williams who had an AVG of .406 in 1941. This was the last time a player has achieved a .400 average in a single season. In second place is George Sisler who had an AVG of .420 in 1920.
The Active Players with the Best Averages
When looking at active players, the leader in AVG is Mookie Betts who currently has an AVG of .311. Betts has been playing for the Boston Red Sox since 2014 and is one of the most exciting players in the game. In second place is Jose Altuve who has an AVG of .310. Altuve has been playing for the Houston Astros since 2011.
Conclusion
When it comes to batting average, Ty Cobb is the all-time leader with a career AVG of .366. His record is unlikely to be broken any time soon. There have been some amazing single-season performances such as Ted Williams’ .406 AVG in 1941 and George Sisler’s .420 AVG in 1920. Among active players, Mookie Betts has the highest AVG of .311 and Jose Altuve is in second place with an AVG of .310.