Who is the best MLB player from each state?

Sep 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) smiles to the bench after hitting a triple and driving in a run during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the jerseys of retired Los Angeles Dodgers players Jackie Robinson (42), Roy Campanella (39), Sandy Koufax (32), Walter Alston (24), Jim Gilliam (19), Duke Snider (4), Don Drysdale (53), Pee Wee Reese (1), Tommy Lasorda (2) and Don Sutton (20) at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky: Pee Wee Reese

Harold “Pee Wee” Reese was born in Ekron, Kentucky in 1918 and lived his entire life in the Louisville area. He was a ten-time All-Star for the Brooklyn Dodgers and played in seven World Series at the height of the franchise’s dominance of the National League. Reese was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Reese was one of the best shortstops in baseball at a time when defense was prized over offense at the position. He had 2,170 hits over 16 years in the big leagues with a .269/.366/.377 slash line. He was a fine contact hitter who walked over 300 times more than he struck out in his career.

In addition to being one of the leaders on a team that was a World Series contender virtually every year, Reese is remembered for his willingness to accept Jackie Robinson when he broke the color barrier. He would not sign a petition to refuse to play with Robinson, and openly supported him in the face of outright racism from many players in the league. Even as a native of Kentucky at the height of Jim Crow, Reese knew the right thing to do.

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