Let’s break down some of the top switch batters in MLB history.

While we’re looking at the best switch hitters, how about we start with the best hitter in the game? 

Pete Rose batted around .300 from both sides of the plate and is the all-time hits leader with 4,256. Even with all those hits, Rose’s average is relatively low due to the fact that he also played in more games than any other ballplayer in history. 

Rose may be left out of the Hall of Fame for his gambling excursions, but with stats like these and all of the awards that came along with them, he definitely deserves it. Especially as a switcher. 

Speaking of guys with tons of hits, Eddie Murray is the only other switch hitter besides Rose to record over 3,000 hits in his career. What separates him from Charlie Hustle, though, is being the only switch hitter to hit 3,000 times AND smack over 500 home runs – only three other players have achieved this feat: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Rafael Palmeiro.

What made Murray really great is how his highest single-season tally for home runs was only 33. Known as “Steady Eddie” for a reason, Murray racked up double-digit home runs in 20 of his 21 years in the majors.  A lot of those hits turned into runs as Murray currently sits in 10th on the all-time RBI list with 1,917. 

Up next is one of the most consistent, reliable and widely known switch hitters ever to play baseball. Chipper Jones was the heart and soul of the Atlanta Braves team that won 14 consecutive division titles from 1991-2005. 

He hit just as well from either side of the plate during his career, posting a .303 batting average from the left and a .304 from the right. Now that’s consistent. 

The really crazy thing is how Chipper was a major leaguer for 19 years and didn't play a full 162 games in a single one. Imagine what could have been had he been healthy…

Last but certainly not least is one of the greatest players to ever pick up a bat. Mickey Mantle, the great Yankee, was an incredible hitter, which made it even more amazing that he could hit from both sides. 

Mantle won three MVP awards, seven World Series championships and the 1956 Triple Crown. He hit the most home runs of any switch hitter (536) and simply dominated the game during his tenure in New York. There is no doubt that Mantle is the #1 switch hitter to ever suit up in the majors. 

Just like Chipper, Mantle’s numbered are hindered due to injuries. His batting average in the final two years of his career really brought down his career total which could have been incredible otherwise. Still, Mantle’s 1,500+ hits, .557 slugging percentage and career .298 average are beyond amazing for a switch hitter. 

These four guys made pitchers rethink how they threw the ball to batters on certain sides of the plate and dominated an art that only few have.

Mantle was my favorite player as a kid, Sandy Koufax next. Mick was the best but I didn't know Chipper was .303 and .304 from each side. That's very impressive, most S/H have a dominant side. I tinkered with S/H in high school at the request of my coach, Calvin Koonce, former MLB reliever for 11 seasons and 1969 NY Met. Anyways, it didn't necessarily work though I did have about 10 ABs from the left side, strictly for drag bunting. My point is, it ain't easy, so I tip my cap to these guys.

@mrusso

 Being an Ohio native, I'm naturally biased toward Pete...I was born in 1965 and grew up here in the "hey-day" of the Big Red Machine. Here is a video you'll LOVE if you have not seen it yet. Have a GREAT weekend!

Say what you want about Pete Rose but that guy got a lot of smarts between his ears.  Taught my oldest son how to drag bunt with a crossover step when he was 7 years old.  Trouble was that he had more natural power from the right side, just like Rose said, and he wanted to crank all the time.  At least he got the idea that when you bat left-handed you are already two steps closer to first base. 

Baseball is not the same game today as it was years ago.  No pepper games.  Coaches still hit fungos and work with a batting tee in the Minors I hope. 

@TheGoldenGoose

 When I lived in Los Angeles and was spoiled from listening to "Uncle Vinny" some sports writer penned an article saying how Pete Rose wasted a lot of at bats and boy did Uncle Vinny take the writer to task...one thing he did that stands out and I've not seen many other major leaguers do, was when he was taking a pitch he'd watch it all the way until it reached the catchers glove. And in the video when I heard him say he had 3,000 hits left handed that was CRAZY! 

Lastly, I LOVED how fundamentally sound he was in his approach to the game...when he seen a fielder was playing too deep or was not adept at throwing people out he was NEVER afraid to take the extra base. MANY times in Little League I'd go from first to third on a ball hit to the outfield...wanting to be like Pete Rose.

Hope you are celebrating good health Goose.  

which switch-hitter has the best stats from their weaker side?

are we asking who's the best player that was a switch-hitter? or who could hit at an elite level from both sides?

seems like the big 4 are mantle, jones, murray and rose........ and even though pete rose was great, i have no doubt the other 3 mentioned players were far superior players........

i looked up OPS for each of those 3 players from L and R side..... FYI, they always (except for maybe 1 at-bat) seemed to bat R/L according to pitcher R/L. 

mickey mantle (LH/RH OPS.... 966 .. 1000)

murray (LH/RH OPS.... 860 785.... yikes, pretty low..... gotta adjust for eras but i'm too lazy)

chipper (947-889)

anyway, mantles are higher and smallish gaps

AS A CHECK, i looked up MVP share for each.... MM is 7th, EM = 24th, CJ = 69th...... i know MVP share would take into account fielding and base running. but i think it's safe to say MM was the best switch-hitter ever. and really really good from both sides.

fwiw, pete rose = #21 MVP share

 Bud Harrelson

Ted Simmons