MLB: Top 30 leadoff hitters of all-time
11. . 1988-2002. Red Sox, Orioles, Indians. Brady Anderson. 18. player
One of the most unique leadoff hitters of all-time, Brady Anderson hit at the top of the lineup a franchise record 1,281 times for the Baltimore Orioles in his 14 seasons with the club.
A three-time All-Star, Anderson had a knack for drawing walks and getting hit by pitches, which helped boost his on-base percentage despite regularly modest batting averages (he never hit .300). Anderson walked 80 or more times six times and earned 75 or more free passes twice more. Overall, he had a 12.4% career walk rate. Anderson was also hit by a pitch on 154 occasions in his career and led the American League three times.
Always a threat to go deep (his 44 career leadoff home runs are fifth most in MLB history), Anderson exploded for 50 home runs and 110 RBI in 1996. He spent the majority of the season atop the batting order (with 35 of his long balls coming in the leadoff spot), but as his power numbers increased Anderson also spent time in the two hole.
Overall, Anderson hit 210 home runs across 15 Major League seasons and his 50-homer campaign was the only year he hit more than 24. The left-handed hitter with the long sideburns compiled a .256/.362/.425 career slash line with 1,661 hits, 338 doubles, 67 triples and 761 RBI.
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