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. An outfielder (OF) is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter, who are identified as the left fielder (LF), the center fielder (CF), and the right fielder (RF). An outfielder's duty is to try to catch long fly balls before they hit the ground or to quickly catch or retrieve and return to the infield any other balls entering the outfield. Outfielders normally play behind the six other members of the defense who play in or near the infield; unlike catchers and most infielders (excepting first basemen), who are virtually exclusively right-handed, outfielders can be either right- or left-handed. In the scoring system used to record defensive plays, the outfielders are assigned the numbers 7 (left field), 8 (center field), and 9 (right field).

The outfield positions are routinely regarded as being among the less physically demanding positions in baseball, largely due to the rarity of contact with opposing players and the longer reaction time possible after a ball is hit; long careers in the outfield have been common throughout major league history. Because game accounts and box scores often did not distinguish between the outfield positions, there has been some difficulty in determining precise defensive statistics before 1901; because of this, and because of the similarity in their roles, defensive statistics for the three positions are frequently combined. Ty Cobb is the all-time leader in major league games played as an outfielder with 2,934. Barry Bonds (2,874), Willie Mays (2,842), Rickey Henderson (2,826), Hank Aaron (2,760), Tris Speaker (2,698), and Lou Brock (2,507) are the only other outfielders to play in over 2,500 games in their careers; 55 players have appeared in more than 2,000 career games as outfielders.

As of May 26, 2025, no active players are in the top 100 of career games played as an outfielder. The active leader is Andrew McCutchen in tied for 95th with 1,792.

Key Rank Rank amongst leaders in career games played. A blank field indicates a tie. Player (2027 Gs) Number of games played during the 2027 Major League Baseball season Main pos. Primary outfield position played during career (LF, CF, or RF) MLB Total career games played as an outfielder 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 2026 season. RankPlayer (2027 Gs)MainPos.Games as outfielderOther leagues, notes MLB American League National League1Ty Cobb*CF2,9342,93402Barry BondsLF2,87402,8743Willie Mays*CF2,84202,842Held National League record, 1969–2007; Negro League totals unavailable4Rickey Henderson*LF2,8262,3474795Hank Aaron*RF2,76042,7566Tris Speaker*CF2,6982,69807Lou Brock*LF2,50702,5078Al Kaline*RF2,4882,48809Steve FinleyCF2,4873132,17410Dave Winfield*RF2,4691,4041,06511Luis GonzalezLF2,4411322,30912Max Carey*CF2,42102,421Held National League record, 1927–196913Vada PinsonCF2,4037281,67514Ken Griffey Jr.*CF2,3821,52985315Roberto Clemente*RF2,37002,37016Ichiro Suzuki*RF2,3652,14522017Zack Wheat*LF2,337622,275Held National League record, 1926–192718Tony Gwynn*RF2,32602,32619Willie DavisCF2,323492,274Andre Dawson*RF2,323202,30321Mel Ott*RF2,31302,31322Sam Crawford*RF2,2991,906393Held major league record, 1915–1923; held American League record, 1911–192023Paul Waner*RF2,28802,28824Harry Hooper*RF2,2842,284025Sam Rice*RF2,2702,270026Torii HunterCF2,2562,256027Babe Ruth*RF2,2412,2152628Carlos Beltrán*CF2,2109941,21629Sammy SosaRF2,2033971,80630Fred Clarke*LF2,19302,193Held major league record, 1910–1915; held National League record, 1908–192631Goose Goslin*LF2,1872,187032Brett ButlerCF2,1596011,55833José CruzLF2,15682,14834Ted Williams*LF2,1512,151035Dwight EvansRF2,1462,146036Doc CramerCF2,1422,1420Al Simmons*LF2,1422,0558738Bobby AbreuRF2,1386691,46939Frank Robinson*RF2,1327591,37340Tim Raines*LF2,1237711,35241Nick MarkakisRF2,1071,34376442Richie Ashburn*CF2,10402,10443Reggie Jackson*RF2,1022,102044Marquis GrissomCF2,0881441,944Billy Williams*LF2,08812,08746Carl Yastrzemski*LF2,0762,076047Jimmy SheckardLF2,07142,06748Johnny DamonCF2,0672,067049Enos Slaughter*RF2,0643081,75650Jesse Burkett*LF2,0545641,490Held major league record, 1905–191051Andruw Jones*CF2,0432291,81452Kenny LoftonCF2,0411,50253953Willie Keeler*RF2,0398491,19054Willie WilsonCF2,0311,9399255Mickey Mantle*CF2,0192,019056Willie McGeeCF1,979921,88757Jimmy RyanCF1,9452341,593Includes 118 in Players' League; held major league record, 1902–1905; held National League record, 1898–190258Manny RamirezLF1,9391,73920059Paul O'NeillRF1,9321,22171160Amos OtisCF1,9281,8458361Chet LemonCF1,9251,925062Bernie WilliamsCF1,9241,924063Mike CameronCF1,92196795464Duke Snider*CF1,91801,91865Garret AndersonLF1,9131,75515866Clyde MilanCF1,9031,903067Curtis GrandersonCF1,8971,23066768Stan Musial*LF1,89001,89069George FosterLF1,880111,86970Paul BlairCF1,8781,8116771Gary MatthewsLF1,87601,87672Jim EdmondsCF1,8676541,213Dave Parker*RF1,867351,832Devon WhiteCF1,8671,24562275Moisés AlouLF1,86401,86476Sherry MageeLF1,86101,86177Dale MurphyCF1,85301,85378Joe Medwick*LF1,85101,85179Edd Roush*CF1,84821,659Includes 187 in Federal League80Heinie Manush*LF1,8451,70913681George BurnsLF1,84401,84482Dusty BakerLF1,842901,75283Del EnnisLF1,840251,81584George Van HaltrenCF1,83301,685Includes 81 in American Association, 67 in Players' League; held National League record, 1902–190885Juan PierreCF1,8313041,52786Fred LynnCF1,8251,7705587Lloyd Waner*CF1,81801,818Cy WilliamsCF1,81801,81889Patsy DonovanRF1,8161221,572Includes 122 in American Association90George HendrickRF1,8137831,03091Jimmy WynnCF1,810251,78592Kiki Cuyler*RF1,80701,80793Larry Walker*RF1,80401,80494Dummy HoyCF1,7961321,403Includes 139 in American Association, 122 in Players' League95Andrew McCutchen (0)CF1,792361,756Wally MosesRF1,7921,792097Tom BrownCF1,78801,049Includes 608 in American Association, 131 in Players' League; held major league record, 1895–190298Justin UptonLF1,7876291,15899Melky CabreraLF1,7841,439345100Adam JonesCF1,7831,653130

Other Hall of Famers PlayerMainPos.Games as outfielderOther leagues, notes MLB American League National LeagueJoe DiMaggio*CF1,7211,7210Kirby Puckett*CF1,6961,6960Hugh Duffy*CF1,682771,344Includes 137 in Players' League, 124 in American AssociationMinnie Miñoso*LF1,6651,63827Negro League totals unavailableVladimir Guerrero*RF1,608616992Chuck Klein*RF1,60001,600Harry Heilmann*RF1,5941,488106Earl Averill*CF1,5901,5864Billy Hamilton*CF1,58701,415Includes 172 in American AssociationJim Rice*LF1,5431,5430Joe Kelley*LF1,465481,417Elmer Flick*RF1,456922534Jim O'Rourke*LF1,44301,266Includes 111 in Players' League, 66 in National AssociationLarry Doby*CF1,4401,4400Negro League totals unavailableSam Thompson*RF1,41081,402Earle Combs*CF1,3871,3870Ralph Kiner*LF1,382871,295Ed Delahanty*LF1,3461511,177Includes 18 in Players' LeagueWillie Stargell*LF1,29601,296Hack Wilson*CF1,25701,257Ned Hanlon*CF1,25401,133Includes 121 in Players' LeagueRobin Yount*CF1,2181,2180Ross Youngs*RF1,19901,199Tommy McCarthy*RF1,1880655Includes 485 in American Association, 48 in Union AssociationChick Hafey*LF1,18501,185Casey Stengel*RF1,18301,183Tony Oliva*RF1,1781,1780

Notes

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