Lefties Comprise Bulk of Career Batting Leaders

Ted Williams' .344 career batting average is the seventh highest in Major League history

The list of Major League Baseball’s career batting average leaders is heavily weighted with left-handed hitters.

Historically, left-handed hitters have the highest lifetime batting averages, which is uncanny. Take a look at the 20 greatest hitters in Major League history.

1. Ty Cobb, L, .3664
2. Rogers Hornsby, R, .3585
3. Joe Jackson, L, .3558
4. Lefty O’Doul, L, .3493
5. Ed Delahanty, R, .3458
6. Tris Speaker, L, .3447
7. Billy Hamilton, L, .3444
7. Ted Williams, L, .3444
9. Dan Brouthers, L, .3424
9. Babe Ruth, L, .3421
11. Dave Orr, R, .3420
12. Harry Heilmann, R, .3416
13. Pete Browning, R, .3415
14. Willie Keeler, L, .3413
15. Bill Terry, L, .3412
16. Lou Gehrig, L, .3401
16. George Sisler, L, .3401
18. Jesse Burkett, L, .3382
18. Tony Gwynn, L, .3382
18. Nap Lajoie, R, .3382

Quite remarkably, eight of the top 10 and 14 out of the 20 highest career batting averages belong to left-handed hitters.

Yet, lefties comprise roughly 10 percent of the population. That means the vast majority of hitters and pitchers are right-handed. It also makes the presence of all these lefties among the career batting average leaders all the more amazing.

Over the last 60 years, 61 of the 120 batting titles — more than half — have been won by left-handed hitters. Yet, lefties aren’t even close to constituting half the overall population. Again, lefties represent about 1 in 10 people.

Left-handed hitters have a better chance against right-handed pitchers, who are the majority. Conversely, right-handed hitters have a better chance against lefties, of which there are fewer.

From Little League through high school, college and even the minors, hitters are much more likely to face a right-handed pitcher, which gives left-handed hitters an advantage. When left-handed hitters reach the majors, they have a much better chance against righty pitchers, who comprise the majority.

That’s why lefty hitters are historically so successful, and the record books bear this out.