Compiling a Mount Rushmore of the greatest baseball players in California history is no easy task. A look at the career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) statistic shows how much influence the Golden State has had over Major League Baseball. It also shows how a multitude of California Mount Rushmore quartets would fare quite well against those from across the nation.
MaxPreps has selected Mount Rushmore foursomes for every state in the nation and ranked them based on the Career WAR for each player. WAR is a statistic that tries to calculate how much better a player is compared to an average replacement player in the league. The higher the WAR, the greater the player.
Mount Rushmore's were chosen using the top four WAR totals for those
players who played high school baseball in that state. Players are
listed with their school and WAR total. Source was baseball-reference
and not all players from the turn of the century were listed with high
school affiliations.
California's foursome of Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Walter Johnson and Ted Williams easily tops the list. Bonds has the highest WAR of any position player and Johnson has the highest WAR of any pitcher. California comes in with a combined WAR of 547.8 and is the only state with four players with a WAR over 100. California finishes 64 points ahead of No. 2 Texas.
The second best California foursome would be outstanding in its own right. Frank Robinson (107), Joe Morgan (100), Tom Seaver (107) and Randy Johnson (103) would put California's second string at No. 5 on our list. A third string of Eddie Mathews (96), George Brett (88), Joe DiMaggio (79) and Bert Blyleven (96) would rank 10th and a fourth string of Robin Yount (77), Ozzie Smith (77), Bobby Grich (71) and Alan Trammell (71) would rank 12th.
Maryland comes in at No. 3, thanks in large part to Babe Ruth, who played at a reform school called St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys. Alabama comes in at No. 4 thanks to the presence of Henry Aaron and Willie Mays.
California's foursome of (L to R) Ted Williams, Walter Johnson, Rickey Henderson and Barry Bonds tops our list of high school baseball Mount Rushmores.
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
1. California, 547.8
Barry Bonds,
Serra (San Mateo), 162.7
Walter Johnson,
Fullerton, 152.1
Ted Williams,
Hoover (San Diego), 121.8
Rickey Henderson,
Oakland Tech (Oakland), 111.2
2. Texas, 483.4
Roger Clemens,
Spring Woods (Houston), 138.7
Tris Speaker,
Hubbard (Hubbard), 134.2
Rogers Hornsby, Northside (Fort Worth), 126.9
Nolan Ryan,
Alvin, 83.6
3. Maryland, 464.4
Babe Ruth, St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, 162.1
Lefty Grove, Central (Lonaconing), 113.3
Cal Ripken,
Aberdeen (Aberdeen), 95.9
Jimmie Foxx, Sudlersville, 93.1
4. Alabama, 427.4
Willie Mays,
Fairfield, 156.1
Henry Aaron, Allen Institute, 143.1
Willie McCovey, Central (Mobile), 64.5
Billy Williams, Whistler, 63.7
5. New York, 415.7
Eddie Collins,
Irving (New York City.), 123.9
Lou Gehrig, Commerce (Manhattan), 114.1
Carl Yastrzemski, Bridgehampton, 96.5
Rod Carew,
Washington (New York City), 81.2
6. Pennsylvania, 389.9
Stan Musial, Donora, 128.3
Christy Mathewson, Keystone Academy, 100
Eddie Plank, Gettysburg Academy, 87.7
Reggie Jackson,
Cheltenham (Wyncote), 73.9
7. Florida, 378.3
Alex Rodriguez,
Westminster Christian (Miami), 117.5
Wade Boggs,
Plant (Tampa), 91.4
Chipper Jones,
Bolles (Jacksonville), 85.3
Steve Carlton,
North Miami (North Miami), 84.1
8. Georgia, 373.1
Ty Cobb,
Franklin County (Carnesville), 150.9
Luke Appling, Fulton, 77.1
Frank Thomas,
Columbus (Columbus), 73.8
Johnny Mize,
Piedmont Academy (Monticello), 71.3
9. Ohio, 367.3
Mike Schmidt,
Fairview (Fairview Park), 106.9
Phil Niekro,
Bridgeport (Bridgeport), 97
Ken Griffey Jr.,
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati), 83.8
Pete Rose,
Western Hills (Cincinnati), 79.6
10. Oklahoma, 327.9
11. Nebraska, 324.9
Grover Alexander,
St. Paul, 116
Bob Gibson, Tech (Omaha), 81.7
Richie Ashburn, Tilden, 64.3
Dazzy Vance, Hardy, 62.9
12. Louisiana, 292.4
Mel Ott, Gretna, 110.8
Ted Lyons,
Vinton (Vinton), 66.8
Chuck Finley,
West Monroe, 58.3
Will Clark,
Jesuit (New Orleans), 56.5
13. Illinois, 287.1
Robin Roberts,
Lanphier (Springfield), 83
Jim Thome,
Limestone (Bartonville), 73.1
Rick Reuschel,
Camp Point Central, 68.1
Lou Boudreau,
Thornton (Harvey), 62.9
14. Missouri, 285.4
Albert Pujols,
Fort Osage (Independence), 99.4
Ken Boyer, Alba, 62.8
David Cone,
Rockhurst (Kansas City), 61.6
Max Scherzer,
Parkway Central (Chesterfield), 61.6
15. Michigan, 281.5
Charlie Gehringer,
Fowlerville, 83.8
Derek Jeter,
Kalamazoo Central (Kalamazoo), 71.3
John Smoltz,
Waverly (Lansing), 66.4
Hal Newhouser,
Wright (Ironwood), 60
16. Iowa, 276.4
Cap Anson,
Marshalltown, 94.4
Red Faber, St. Joseph's Academy, 67.7
Bob Feller,
Van Meter, 65.2
Dave Bancroft, Central (Sioux City), 49.1
17. Massachusetts, 267.8
John Clarkson, Webster School, 84.9
Tom Glavine,
Billerica Memorial (Billerica), 73.9
Gabby Hartnett, Dean Academy, 56.9
Wilbur Wood,
Belmont, 52.1
18. North Carolina, 256.9
Gaylord Perry,
Williamston (Williamston), 93
Enos Slaughter,
Roxboro Community (Roxboro), 57.1
Wes Ferrell, Guilford, 60
Hoyt Wilhelm,
Hough (Cornelius), 46.8
19. Indiana, 256.6
Scott Rolen,
Jasper, 70.1
Kenny Lofton, Washington (East Chicago), 68.4
Tommy John, Gerstmeyer, 62.1
Billy Herman,
New Albany, 56
20. Virginia, 254
Lou Whitaker,
Martinsville, 75.1
Justin Verlander,
Goochland, 72.3
Eppa Rixey,
Charlottesville, 57.4
David Wright,
Hickory (Chesapeake), 49.2
21. Minnesota, 252.1
Paul Molitor,
Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul), 75.7
Dave Winfield,
St. Paul Central (St. Paul), 64.2
Jerry Koosman,
West Central Area (Barrett), 57
Joe Mauer, Cretin-Derham, 55.2
22. Washington, 251.9
Ron Santo,
Franklin (Seattle), 70.5
Ryne Sandberg,
North Central (Spokane), 67.9
Jon Olerud,
Interlake (Bellevue), 58.2
Bob Johnson, Tacoma, 55.3
23. New Jersey, 248.1
Mike Trout,
Millville, 76.2
Goose Goslin,
Salem, 66.1
Joe Medwick,
Carteret, 54.5
Orel Hershiser,
Cherry Hill East (Cherry Hill), 51.3
24. Arizona, 234.4
Curt Schilling,
Shadow Mountain (Phoenix), 80.5
Jim Palmer, Scottsdale, 67.6
Ian Kinsler,
Canyon del Oro (Tucson), 54.1
John Denny,
Prescott, 32.2
25. Arkansas, 229.9
Brooks Robinson,
Central (Little Rock), 78.4
Bill Dickey,
Searcy (Searcy), 57.2
Torii Hunter,
Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff), 50.7
Travis Jackson, Waldo, 43.6
26. Nevada, 214.38
Greg Maddux,
Valley (Las Vegas), 104.8
Matt Williams,
Carson (Carson City), 46.6
Bryce Harper,
Las Vegas, 35.38
Kris Bryant,
Bonanza (Las Vegas), 27.6
27. Kentucky, 203.2
Pee Wee Reese,
DuPont Manual (Louisville), 68.2
Jesse Tannehill,
Dayton, 46.9
Steve Finley,
Paducah Tilghman (Paducah), 44.2
Earl Combs, Owsley County, 43.9
28. Tennessee, 197.2
Todd Helton,
Knoxville Central (Knoxville), 61.8
Mookie Betts,
Overton (Memphis), 47.4
Heinie Manush, Massey Military Academy, 47.2
Jim Gilliam, Pearl (Nashville), 40.8
29. South Carolina, 181.5
Bobo Newsom,
Hartsville (Hartsville), 51.3
JIm Rice,
T.L. Hanna (Anderson), 47.7
Brett Gardner,
Holly Hill Academy (Holly Hill), 42.7
Reggie Sanders,
Wilson (Florence, S.C.), 39.8
30. Mississippi, 179.4
Roy Oswalt,
Weir, 49.9
Bud Myer, Ellisville, 47.8
Claude Passeau,
Moss Point, 45.1
George Scott, Coleman, 36.6
31. Connecticut, 174.7
Jeff Bagwell,
Xavier (Middletown), 79.9
Dick McAuliffe,
Farmington, 37.5
Jimmy Pearsall, Leavenworth, 29.4
George Springer,
Avon Old Farms (Avon), 27.9
32. Oregon, 159.5
Mickey Lolich,
Lincoln (Portland), 48
Dale Murphy,
Wilson (Portland), 46.5
Johnny Pesky, Lincoln, 33.9
Jacoby Ellsbury,
Madras, 31.1
33. Idaho, 158.2
Harmon Killebrew,
Payette, 60.4
Larry Jackson,
Boise, 52.6
Vern Law,
Meridian, 32.4
Duke Sims,
Pocatello, 12.8
34. New Hampshire, 157.1
Carlton Fisk, Charlestown, 68.4
Chris Carpenter,
Trinity (Manchester), 34.2
Red Rolfe,
Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter), 28.1
Lefty Tyler,
Pinkerton (Derry), 26.4
35. Colorado, 152.2
Roy Halladay,
Arvada West (Arvada), 65.4
Rich Gossage,
Wasson (Colorado Springs), 41.2
Chase Headley,
Fountain-Fort Carson (Fountain), 25.9
John Stearns,
Jefferson (Edgewater), 19.7
36. Wisconsin, 144.5
Addie Joss,
Wayland Academy (Beaver Dam), 46.4
Andy Pafko,
Boyceville, 36.7
Ken Keltner, Boys Technical, 33.2
Jarrod Washburn,
Webster, 28.2
37. Kansas, 130.9
Joe Tinker,
Herington, 53.2
Bill Russell,
Pittsburg, 31.3
Steve Renko,
Wyandotte (Kansas City), 23.5
Darren Daulton,
Arkansas City, 22.9
38. Delaware, 110.4
Vic Willis, Newark Academy, 66.9
Delino DeShields,
Seaford (Seaford), 24.4
Dave May,
William Penn (New Castle), 13.5
Kevin Mench,
St. Mark's (Wilmington), 5.6
39. Hawaii, 101.4
Sid Fernandez,
Kaiser (Honolulu), 32.7
Shane Victorino,
St. Anthony (Wailuku), 31.5
Kurt Suzuki,
Baldwin (Wailuku, 19.6
Kolten Wong,
Kamehameha Hawai'i (Kea'au), 17.6
40. Vermont, 98.2
Larry Gardner,
Enosburg Falls (Enosburg Falls), 48.1
Ray Collins, Edmunds, 25.4
Ray Fisher,
Middlebury (Middlebury), 20.6
Ernie Johnson,
Brattleboro, 4.1
41. Rhode Island, 86.5
Davey Lopes,
La Salle Academy (Providence), 42.4
Johnny Cooney, Cranston, 16.8
Chris Iannetta,
St. Raphael Academy (Pawtucket), 15
Clem Labine,
Woonsocket, 12.3
42. West Virginia, 83.8
Lew Burdette,
Nitro, 28.6
John Kruk,
Keyser, 25.1
Rick Reed,
Huntington, 20.9
Jedd Gyorko,
University (Morgantown), 9.2
43. North Dakota, 81.5
Darin Erstad,
Jamestown, 32.3
Travis Hafner, Sykestown, 24.8
Rick Helling,
Shanley (Fargo), 20.2
Matt Strahm,
West Fargo, 4.2
44. Maine, 59.6
Bill Swift,
South Portland, 20.7
Harry Lord, Bridgton Academy, 16.4
Bill Carrigan,
Lewiston, 13.2
Del Bissonette,
Winthrop (Winthrop, Maine), 9.3
45. Utah, 56.9
Bruce Hurst,
Dixie (St. George), 34.1
Vance Law,
Provo, 10.7
Brandon Lyon,
Taylorsville, 6.3
John Buck, Taylorsville, 5.8
46. New Mexico, 56.5
Alex Bregman,
Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque), 25.2
Cody Ross,
Carlsbad, 13.5
Duane Ward,
Farmington, 10.1
Ken Giles,
Rio Grande (Albuquerque), 7.7
47. South Dakota, 50.1
Mark Ellis,
Stevens (Rapid City), 33.5
Dave Collins, Stevens (Rapid City), 15.8
Jerry Crider,
Washington (Sioux Falls), 0.4
Dusty Coleman,
O'Gorman (Sioux Falls), 0.4
48. Wyoming, 35.3
Mike Devereaux,
Kelly Walsh (Casper), 14.6
Mike Lansing,
Natrona County (Casper), 9.9
Brandon Nimmo,
East (Cheyenne), 9.4
Mark Lee, Natrona County (Casper), 1.4
49. Montana, 26.52
Dave McNally,
Billings Central Catholic (Billings), 25.5
Joe McIntosh,
Billings Senior (Billings), 1.9
Kam Mickolio,
Bozeman, 0.02
Jon Leister,
Russell (Great Falls), -0.9
50. Alaska, -1.7
Chad Bentz,
Juneau-Douglas (Juneau), -0.8
Marshall Boze,
Soldotna, -0.8
Chris Mabeus, Soldotna, -0.1
Note: Alaska did not have a fourth MLB player.
