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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Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk waves to the crowd after being introduced during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Vermont: Carlton Fisk

When a state has produced only 38 major leaguers and one Hall of Famer, the choice for best player is relatively obvious. Carlton Fisk is the best of the best to come out of Vermont by a wide margin. The Hall of Fame catcher was born in the tiny town of Bellows Falls on the border with New Hampshire. The story goes that he was only born there because the town had the closest hospital to his home town of Charlestown, NH. Still, Vermont gets the credit for producing Fisk.

As a New England native, Fisk couldn’t have found a better landing spot than the Boston Red Sox, and he had an almost immediate impact, winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1972. A violent collision at home plate in 1974 nearly ended his career, but Fisk was back by the middle of the 1975 season and eventually delivered one of the most iconic moments in baseball history in that year’s World Series.

Fisk eventually left the Red Sox, and actually spent more than half of his career with the Chicago White Sox. He retired in 1993 after playing 24 seasons and making 11 All-Star teams. Fisk hit .269/.341/.457 with 376 home runs and 1,330 RBI. Impressively, he never made a permanent move to DH, and caught over 18,500 innings in the big leagues. Fisk is in the conversation with Johnny Bench, Mike Piazza, and Ivan Rodriguez for best offensive catcher in baseball history.

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