Top 10 Sweetest Swings In MLB History

Most people when asked what their favorite sound in sports is, Yes I said favorite sound, overwhelmingly will answer the unmistakable loud crack of a baseball bat as it flies through the zone and strikes the hide of the baseball in the perfect sweet spot. What makes that sound often more appealing is the beauty of the swing itself that comes with it. This list consists of some of the most celebrated players to ever play the game and others well, not so much. Regardless of where you stand on their choices, there is no denying that every single player on this list today has one of those unforgettable swings that make that sound of the bat making contact that much smoother and crisp. I understand that many of you may have your own criteria when it comes to baseball’s sweetest swings but these are 10 players that when it comes down to it, you will say to yourself, “Damn, he did have a sweet swing” or to translate for the younger fans out there, “Shit was lit fam”.

#10-Bernie Williams

Most people when they think of Bernie, they think of the Yankees dynasty that ran roughshot through the league for most of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. He was the starting Center Fielder for arguably the greatest team ever assembled in 1998. What you probably do not remember is that in the midst of all the historic feats during that season, Williams won the batting title batting .339 thus making him the 1st player in Major League history to win a batting title, gold glove and a World Series all in the same season. His swing was like the music he plays, sweet and smooth no matter which side of the plate he stood. He had a little hitch before the ball arrived at the plate, ever so slight, and in one fast motion the bat flew through the zone and whether it was a rip down the line for a double or a timely run scoring hit in the postseason (he holds the record for most postseason RBI’s ever with 80), WIlliams made it look easy and effortless. He lands at number 10 on my list even though the case could be made to elevate him higher.

9. Keith Hernandez

Now, let me preface this by saying that I absolutely despise Keith Hernandez. He made my hometown of Sag Harbor his annual stomping grounds for most of my young adult life. I saw him out one night and approached to say “Hey Keith, sorry to bother you but I just wanted to say Hello and shake your hand”. He proceeded to tell me that I was not allowed to shake his hand because I was wearing a Yankee hat. I proceeded to laugh, take my hand back and walk away after I told him how big of a male reproductive organ he was being. These Yankee pinstripes don’t run for anybody. Regardless of his pompous attitude, he still had a pretty damn sweet swing. Although he never hit more than 16 homers in a season, Hernandez’s swing was so full of finesse and so smooth, he found a rhythm that was pure beauty. He used that sweet stroke on his way to a batting title in 1979 hitting .344 and a World Championship in 1986 with the Mets.

#8-Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

Known mostly for his ridiculous arm strength and equally ridiculous instinct to swing at literally anything thrown in his general direction, Vlad still has one of the smoothest swings I have ever seen. He is still the only player I have seen get a base hit off a ball that bounced before it reached him multiple times in his career. Despite swinging wildly, when he made contact it was a beautiful sight to see. His 2004 MVP season was the best season of all time for an Angel not named Mike Trout. He batted .337 with 39 HR’s and 127 RBI’s. He also led the league in total bases and runs scored. He was voted baseball’s most feared hitter by his peers in 2008. You do not receive that kind of respect or earn those kinds of numbers by having just some pedestrian swing. However unorthodox his approach, Vlad on a tear was absolutely stunning to watch and I am sure most people in my age group and beyond will agree.

#7-Barry Bonds

I know what you are thinking. Really?! Again?! Yes, again. Most baseball lists whether negative or positive will probably contain the name Barry Bonds. Barry Bonds in his prime transcended the sport. To this day I have never been amazed by any player the way I was by Barry Bond’s swing. Let’s be honest, steroids dont help your eyes. The years that Bonds was at the top of baseball were spent in pure amazement. There was no prettier sight than seeing Barry effortlessly flick his wrists and put one into McCovey Cove night in and night out in San Fransisco. If he actually put some torque and hips into his swing anybody within a 3 mile radius was put on notice just in case. I exaggerate of course but honestly, it was that jaw droopping and fun to watch. Without numbers I can sit here and make a case for his name to be on this list but you don’t become baseball’s single season and all time homerun leader without having one of the sweetest swings of all time.

#6-Pete Rose

Well, he is baseball’s all time hit leader and probably the biggest travesty in all of sports is that he is not in the Hall of Fame. He played every game as hard as he could and by the end of his career he had certainly paid the price for it physically. Despite that, Charlie Hustle from both sides of the plate was a force to be reckoned with. Batting both right and left handed, he had the unique ability to hit the ball to all parts of the field seemingly placing his hits wherever he wanted to and wherever the defense was not. We all know his aggressive demeanor and rough play was fun to watch, except maybe if your name is Ray Fossey. The reason he is on this list is because if you become baseball’s all time hit leader, you probably did so by having a top 10 swing in the game. I will use this to say one more thing. PUT HIM IN THE DAMN HALL OF FAME WOUKD YOU?!?! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

#5-Ted Williams–

Had it not been for the 5 years he took off of baseball to serve his country in World War II, there would be no argument that Ted Williams is the greatest hitter in baseball history. Even with those 5 years off, you can still make the case. He played 19 full season and had a career average of .366. He won a total of 6 batting titles and 2 MVP awards. He is the last person in baseball to ever hit .400 or better having hit an astonishing .406 at just 22 years of age. He is baseball’s all time leader in on base percentage at .482 and recorded over 2,00 hits and 521 homeruns in his career. Can you imagine the numbers we woukd be talking about if he never left? He also made it look so damn easy and fluid game in and game out. Ted Williams is the epitome of hard work, class and toughness, even if he did play for the Red Sox.

#4-Derek Jeter–

I mean, come on. Derek Jeter has one of the sweetest swings ever. I do not mean to be redundant considering the list im making right now but I am almost positive that I will be getting some flack for where he sits here. Derek played in an era where all the emphasis was put on power and pulling the ball. He went ahgainst the grain on that one. Dont get me wrong, Jeter could rip it in the gap in left as well as right but his bread and butter was that sweet inside out swing to right field nearly every time he got up to bat. Always delivered in the big moments as well. Not known for his power, he still clubbed some historic homeruns in his career including his 3000th hit off of David Price. He finished his career with 3,465 hits and a .310 career average. Captain Clutch should go down as the best shortstop of all time and easily makes this list. Anyone who watched him and isn’t just a hter will agree.

#3- Will Clark-

Now let us be more honest than we usually are on this one. Do you really think someone gets the nickname “The Natural” without having a badass sweet swing to go with it. I only know about WIll Clark because my father an I would go back and forth between him and my #1 on this list all the time growing up. My dad stilll says he has never seen anyone with a swing like Clark’s. Had he not been so often injured, he would certainly be ranked among the all time greats is most offensive categories. His overall numbers certainly to not do justice to how easy and flawless this mans swing was. He finished his carrer with a .303 batting average and over 15oo RBI’s but his career was limited and ultimately cut short due to knee injuries. Regardless, “The Natural” will always and forever be on my list of top 10 sweetest swings.

#2-Tony Gwynn–

Tony Gwynn throughout his career put up video game like numbers. The man just did not strikeout. He didnt hit for much power in his career but with over 3000 hits and a career .338 batting average, the man could rake. It wasn’t just the fact that he had an amazing eye and unreal plate discipline but the fact that he could put the ball anywhere on the field at any time and made it look so easy, it nearly seemed boring for him. I know, Tony Gwynn was always smiling but my point is that it never seemed to be tough for him. Most elite pitchers who faced him, and by most I mean 90%, name him the toughest out they ever had to get. That includes pitchers like Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Randy Johnson. Notice how 2 of those names are left handed? Having been a left handed hitter, Gwynn made pitchers sweat even when it was supposed to be easy. Yeah, right. Tony Gwynn is one of the most elite hitters the game has ever seen. If you do not agree with his place on this list, I suggest you go watch some highlights and get yourself educated.

#1-Ken Griffey Jr-

I mean I really have no words. It is literally the sweetest swing we have ever seen. Flawless, Effortless and just plain old cool! I remember growing up and playing wiffle ball with my friends, literally every single one of us would turn our hat backwards, jump to the left side of the plate and try to imitate the greatest swing of all time. Often Imitated, Never duplicated in every sense of the saying because none of us ever looked as cool as “The Kid” did. Ken Griffey Jr is also another name of this list that is full of what ifs. He hit 630 homeruns to go with almost 1900 RBI’s. He also gained 10 Gold Glove awards and 13 All Star Appearances. He missed huge amounts of time with quad, hamstring and various other issues. With the numbers presented to you just now, is there any doubt had he stayed healthy that we would be talking about the greatest all around baseball player of all time? No, I do not think so. I challenge anyone who thinks different to please present all argumennts my way.