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MLB: Top 30 leadoff hitters of all-time

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Mar 24, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (51) heads toward the dugout during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (51) heads toward the dugout during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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22. player. 71. . 1972-1987. Dodgers, A's, Cubs, Astros. Davey Lopes

One of the best leadoff hitters in Major League Baseball history is longtime Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Davey Lopes. In 16 years in the big leagues (including late stops with the Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros), Lopes hit .263/.349/.388 and became one of the most powerful leadoff hitters of his day.

Lopes led off in 1,194 of his 1,812 career games, including the bulk of his four All-Star seasons from 1978-81. In 1979, Lopes set career highs with 28 home runs and 73 RBI, 97 walks and 109 runs scored.

A great base stealer, Lopes recorded 557 stolen bases – which ranks 26th all-time – and was caught just 114 times in his career. He led the Majors with 77 thefts in 1975 and had a National League leading 63 stolen bases in 1976.

Lopes posted a .262/.349/.380 slash in 5,308 plate appearances across 1,130 games as the Dodgers leadoff hitter. He scored 759 runs and sole 418 bases at the top of the order, second only to Maury Wills in franchise history.

He was also the table-setter for the Dodgers clubs that made it to the World Series in 1974, ’77 and ’78 and for the club that won it all in 1981.

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