MLB team captains play a vital role in baseball, acting as leaders both on the field and beyond. This title is bestowed upon a player to recognize their leadership qualities. These individuals exemplify the core values of their franchises by exhibiting not only \skills but also strong character and dedication to the sport. Their impact is noticeable in locker rooms, during games, and throughout the community, as they frequently interact with fans and serve as representatives at various events.
Historically, captains were players tasked with responsibilities that are now typically handled by managers and coaches, such as setting lineups, strategizing game plans, and encouraging teamwork. In amateur or youth baseball, a manager or coach may designate a team captain to facilitate communication among players while promoting collaboration and development.
MLB Team Captains
Historically, not every Major League Baseball team has appointed an official team captain, and this practice has differed significantly across various teams and periods. Some organizations have established enduring customs of naming captains, while others rarely use the designation.
As of the 2024 season, only the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals have designated captains; Aaron Judge received the captaincy on December 21, 2022, followed by Marcus Semien in 2023, and Salvador Pérez who was named captain on March 30, 2023.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have a long tradition of team captains, including some of the most iconic players in MLB history:
Player
Position
Years active
Tenure
Clark Griffith
P
1891–1914
1903–1905
Kid Elberfeld
SS
1898–1914
1906–1907
Willie Keeler
OF
1892–1910
1908–1909
Hal Chase
1B
1905–1919
1910–1912
Frank Chance
1B
1898–1914
1913
Roger Peckinpaugh
SS
1910–1927
1914–1921
Babe Ruth†
OF
1914–1935
1922
Everett Scott
SS
1914–1926
1922–1925
Lou Gehrig
1B
1923–1939
1935–1939
Thurman Munson
C
1969–1979
1976–1979
Graig Nettles
3B
1967–1988
1982–1984
Willie Randolph
2B
1975–1992
1986–1988
Ron Guidry
P
1975–1988
1986–1988
Don Mattingly
1B
1982–1995
1991–1995
Derek Jeter
SS
1995–2014
2003–2014
Aaron Judge
OF
2016–present
2023–present
Boston Red Sox
Player
Position
Years active
Years as captain
Jimmy Collins
3B
1895–1908
1901–1905
Chick Stahl
OF
1897–1906
1906
Bob Unglaub
1B
1904–1910
1907
Deacon McGuire
C
1884–1912
1908
Doc Gessler
RF
1903–1911
1909
Harry Lord
3B
1903–1911
1910
Heinie Wagner
SS
1902–1918
1911
Jake Stahl
1B
1903–1912
1912
Heinie Wagner
SS
1902–1918
1913–1914
Jack Barry
2B
1908–1919
1915–1917
Dick Hoblitzell
1B
1908–1918
1918
Harry Hooper
OF
1908–1925
1919–1920
Everett Scott
SS
1914–1926
1921
Del Pratt
2B
1914–1926
1922
George Burns
1B
1914–1929
1923
Mike Menosky
LF
1914–1923
1923[a]
Jimmie Foxx
1B
1925–1945
1940–1942
Carl Yastrzemski
OF
1961–1983
1966
Carl Yastrzemski
OF
1961–1983
1969–1983
Jim Rice
OF
1974–1989
1985–1989
Jason Varitek
C
1997–2011
2005–2011
New York Mets
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Keith Hernandez
First Baseman
1987–1989 (co-captain with Gary Carter)
Gary Carter
Catcher
1988–1989 (co-captain with Keith Hernandez)
John Franco
Relief Pitcher
2001–2004
David Wright
Third Baseman
2013–2018
Baltimore Orioles
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Eddie Murray
1B/DH
1986–1988
Chicago White Sox
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Willie Kamm
Third Baseman
1927–1928
Art Shires
Outfielder
1929
Luke Appling
Shortstop
1930–1950
Ozzie Guillén
Shortstop
1990–1997
Carlton Fisk
Catcher
1990–1993
Paul Konerko
First Baseman
2006–2014
Cincinnati Reds
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Tommy Corcoran
Shortstop
1900–1905
Joe Kelley
Outfielder
1906
John Ganzel
First Baseman
1907
Hans Lobert
Third Baseman
1909
Mike Mitchell
Outfielder
1910–1912
Ivey Wingo
Catcher
1916
Heinie Groh
Third Baseman
1918–1921
Jake Daubert
First Baseman
1922–1924
Edd Roush
Outfielder
1925–1926
Bubbles Hargrave
Catcher
1927–1928
Pete Rose
Outfielder
1970–1978
Dave Concepción
Shortstop
1983–1988
Barry Larkin
Shortstop
1997–2004
Cleveland Guardians
Nap Lajoie who was a baseball player and played for Cleveland Bronchos / Naps during 1902-1914 was made the captain of the team. He played for 21 seasons in MLB for several teams. He was an AL batting champion in 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, and 1910, along with three-time RBI leader in 1898, 1901, and 1904. Cleveland Guardians inducted him into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
Detroit Tigers
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Bill Coughlin
Infielder
1907–1908
Germany Schaefer
Infielder
1907–1909
George Moriarty
Infielder
1911–1916
Brad Ausmus
Catcher
1999
Doug Brocail
Pitcher
1999
Dean Palmer
Third Baseman
1999
Houston Astros
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Enos Cabell
3B/1B
1984–1985
Kansas City Royals
Player
Position
Years as Captain
George Brett
3B
1989–1993
Frank White
2B
1989–1990
Mike Sweeney
1B/DH
2003–2007
Salvador Pérez
C
2023–present
Los Angeles Angels
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Jerry Remy
2B
1977
Don Baylor
1B/DH
1978–1982
Los Angeles Dodgers
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Leo Durocher
SS
1938–1941
Pee Wee Reese
SS
1950–1958
Duke Snider
OF
1962
Maury Wills
SS
1963–1966
Davey Lopes
2B
1978–1979
Minnesota Twins
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Harmon Killebrew
1B/3B
1961–1974
Oakland Athletics
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Sal Bando
3B
1969–1976
Philadelphia Phillies
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Jimmie Wilson
C
1927–1928
Fresco Thompson
2B
1928–1930
Granny Hamner
SS
1952–1959
Mike Schmidt
3B
1978–1979
Pittsburgh Pirates
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Dick Groat
SS
1962
Bill Mazeroski
2B
1963–1972
Willie Stargell
1B/OF
1973–1982
Bill Madlock
3B
1983
San Francisco Giants
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Jack Doyle
1B
1902
Dan McGann
1B
1903–1907
Larry Doyle
2B
1908–1916
Gus Mancuso
C
1937–1938
Mel Ott
OF
1939–1947
Alvin Dark
SS
1950–1956
Willie Mays
OF
1961–1972
Willie McCovey
1B
1977–1980
Darrell Evans
3B
1980–1983
Jack Clark
1B/OF
1984
St. Louis Cardinals
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Leo Durocher
SS
1934–1937
Terry Moore
OF
1942–1948
Ken Boyer
3B
1959–1965
Ted Simmons
C
1976
Reggie Smith
OF
1976
Texas Rangers
Player
Position
Years as Captain
Buddy Bell
3B
1985
Michael Young
IF
2005–2012
Adrián Beltré
3B
2013–2018
Marcus Semien
2B
2023–present
FAQs on MLB Team Captains
A. The oldest team in Major League Baseball is the Cincinnati Reds, founded in 1869. They were the first professional baseball team and have a rich history within the sport.
A. The New York Yankees hold the record for the most World Series titles, with 27 championships won as of 2024.
A. Major League Baseball consists of 30 teams, divided into two leagues: the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). Each league is further divided into three divisions.
A. Yes, a player can serve as captain for multiple years. For example, Derek Jeter was the Yankees' captain from 2003 until his retirement in 2014, showcasing long-term leadership.
A. Not all MLB teams have captains, and the decision to appoint one varies by team. Some teams may choose to rotate the captaincy or not designate a captain at all.
