Games played (most often abbreviated as G or GP) is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated (in any capacity); the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested. In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, before a game, are included on a starting lineup card or are announced as ex ante substitutes, whether or not they play;Section 20 of the official scorer guidelines however, in Major League Baseball, the application of this statistic does not extend to consecutive games played streaks. A starting pitcher, then, may be credited with a game played even if he is not credited with a game started or an inning pitched. First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner to score a run for that player's team. A first baseman is the player on the team playing defense who fields the area nearest first base, and is responsible for the majority of plays made at that base. It is the only one of the four infield positions commonly played by left-handed players. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the first baseman is assigned the number 3.
Throughout major league history, there have been players who enjoyed long careers as first basemen; in the 19th century, Cap Anson was the first player ever to appear in 2,000 games at any single position. Through 2021, 21 players had appeared in over 2,000 games as first basemen, more than at any other position; at least one of the 21 has been active in every major league season, except the last two years of World War II. Eddie Murray is the all-time leader in career games as a first baseman, playing 2,413 games at the position.
Key Rank Rank amongst leaders in career games played. A blank field indicates a tie. Player (2026 Gs) Number of games played during the 2026 Major League Baseball season MLB Total career games played as a first baseman in Major League Baseball*Denotes elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame BoldDenotes active playerA player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or has not played for a full season.
List
Stats updated as of September 27, 2026. RankPlayer (2026 Gs)Games as first basemanOther leagues, notes MLB American League National League1Eddie Murray*2,4131,6477662Jake Beckley*2,38302,259Includes 124 in Players' League; held major league record, 1905-1994; holds the record for left-handed first baseman3Freddie Freeman (152)2,30402,3044Fred McGriff*2,2399581,2815Mickey Vernon2,2372,227106Todd Helton*2,17802,1787Mark Grace2,16202,1628Cap Anson*2,15202,059Includes 93 in National Association; held major league record, 1888-1905; held NL record, 1887-1905; held the major league record for a right-handed first baseman, 1881-1992; held NL record for a right-handed first baseman, 1885-20039Rafael Palmeiro2,1392,1162310Lou Gehrig*2,1372,1370Held American League record, 1938-195811Charlie Grimm2,13102,13112Jeff Bagwell*2,11102,111Holds NL record for right-handed first baseman13Andrés Galarraga2,106262,080Held NL record for a right-handed first baseman, 2003-200414Joe Judge2,0842,05628Held American League record, 1928-193815Ed Konetchy2,07301,921Includes 152 in Federal League16Paul Goldschmidt (78)2,0612161,84517Steve Garvey2,05902,059Held NL record for a right-handed first baseman, 1987-200318Joe Kuhel2,0572,057019John Olerud2,0531,59046320Willie McCovey*2,04502,04521Albert Pujols2,0266131,41322Keith Hernandez2,014421,97223Jake Daubert2,00202,00224Stuffy McInnis1,9951,608387Held American League record, 1921-192825George Sisler*1,9711,59237926Joey Votto1,97001,97027Chris Chambliss1,9621,25271028Norm Cash1,9431,943029Jimmie Foxx*1,9191,82792Held AL record for a right-handed first baseman, 1940-201330Wally Joyner1,9131,37653731Gil Hodges*1,90801,90832Paul Konerko1,9041,87331Holds AL record for right-handed first baseman33Derrek Lee1,901851,81634Will Clark1,8897151,17435Jim Bottomley*1,8851641,72136Tino Martinez1,8691,59427537Adrián González1,8362921,54438Wally Pipp1,8191,47834139Hal Chase1,8151,176423Includes 216 in Federal League40Fred Tenney1,81001,81041Tony Pérez*1,7781951,58342George Scott1,7731,773043Mark Teixeira1,7691,61315644Carlos Delgado1,7671,16859945Mark McGwire1,7631,25151246Roger Connor*1,75901,636Includes 123 in Players' League; held the record for a left-handed first baseman, 1892-190147Anthony Rizzo1,6993511,34848Eric Karros1,698221,67649Orlando Cepeda*1,68301,68350George Burns1,6711,6710Held American League record, 1928; held AL record for a right-handed first baseman, 1928-194051Tommy Tucker1,67001,282Includes 388 in American Association52Johnny Mize*1,6672131,45453J. T. Snow1,6565191,13754Dan Brouthers*1,63601,380Includes 130 in American Association, 126 in the Players' League55Don Mattingly1,6341,634056Harry Davis1,6281,393235Held American League record, 1905-192157Eric Hosmer1,6221,04258058Kent Hrbek1,6091,609059Bill Terry*1,57901,57960Lu Blue1,5711,570161Bill Buckner1,5555531,00262Fred Merkle1,54761,54163George McQuinn1,5291,4913864Lee May1,5074011,10665Joe Adcock1,5013511,15066Carlos Santana (8)1,4931,19429967Ted Kluszewski1,4811341,34768Boog Powell1,4791,475469John Mayberry1,4781,3948470Ryan Howard1,47701,477Bill White1,47701,47772Dolph Camilli1,476541,42273Cecil Cooper1,4751,475074Adam LaRoche1,468521,41675Bill Skowron1,4631,3976676Frank McCormick1,44801,44877Lyle Overbay1,43583360278Earl Torgeson1,41644896879Gus Suhr1,40601,40680James Loney1,39243595781Elbie Fletcher1,38001,38082Carlos Peña1,3791,22615383Mike Hargrove1,3781,3413784Dan McGann1,377681,309Pete O'Brien1,3771,377086Dan Driessen1,37501,37587George Kelly*1,37301,37388Charles Comiskey*1,3630267Includes 1,008 in American Association, 88 in the Players' League89Matt Olson (162)1,35854881090Fred Luderus1,32601,32691Prince Fielder1,324376948Justin Morneau1,3241,12420093Hal Trosky1,3211,321094Jason Thompson1,31464966595Sean Casey1,3132281,085Jack Fournier1,31332099397Jason Giambi1,3071,2297898Mo Vaughn1,3051,14715899Ed Kranepool1,30401,304Vic Power1,3041,28717
Other Hall of Famers PlayerGames as the first basemanOther leagues, notes MLB American League National LeagueErnie Banks*1,25901,259Rod Carew*1,1841,1840Hank Greenberg*1,1381,019119Jim Thome*1,106760346Stan Musial*1,01601,016Frank Chance*9978989Frank Thomas*9719710Harmon Killebrew*9699690Willie Stargell*8480848Dick Allen*807385422Joe Torre*7870787Carl Yastrzemski*7657650Ben Taylor*61100Includes 293 in Eastern Colored League, 286 in Negro National League (first), 32 in American Negro League (incomplete)Joe Mauer*6036030Buck Leonard*58500Includes 585 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)Mule Suttles*57500Includes 318 in Negro National League (first), 205 in Negro National League (second), 52 in East–West League (incomplete)George Brett*4614610Harry Heilmann*44842325Jud Wilson*40300Includes 202 in Negro National League (second), 148 in Eastern Colored League, 53 in American Negro League (incomplete)Buck O'Neil*34700Includes 347 in Negro American League (incomplete)Hughie Jennings*3313311Includes 17 in American AssociationFrank Robinson*30577228Oscar Charleston*29100Includes 208 in Negro National League (second), 57 in Negro National League (first), 10 in American Negro League, 9 in Eastern Colored League, 7 in Negro American League (incomplete)Joe Kelley*2915286Nap Lajoie*286138148David Ortiz*2782780Ed Delahanty*27114256Includes 1 in Players' LeagueMickey Mantle*2622620Buck Ewing*2530253Honus Wagner *2480248Jim O'Rourke*2140103Includes 111 in National AssociationJackie Robinson*1980197Includes 1 in Negro American League (incomplete)Paul Molitor*1971970Ted Simmons*19569126Deacon White*133074Includes 57 in the Players' League, 2 in National AssociationJeff Kent*1172394Martín Dihigo*8000Includes 57 in Eastern Colored League, 18 in American Negro League, 5 in Negro National League (second) (incomplete)Dave Parker*19415Andruw Jones*880Carlos Beltrán*110
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