Which of the following is the best overall 500-HR player?

Micky Mantle. You could argue that Willie Mays was a better overall player, but I disagree. They both had blazing speed and were fantastic center fielders, they both had fantastic power. However while they had near identical batting averages and slugging percentages (Mays .302/.557 Mantle .298/.557) Mantle was an on base machine positing a career .421 OBP to Mays .384 clip. So when you get right down to it he helps your team win just more than Mays.

Yes Willie had better counting numbers (more home runs, higher career WAR) but it's still a close thing and Mays never had any serious injuries and played about 500 more games than Mantle.

I think Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Jimmie Foxx also belong in this discussion but their defense was below average compared to the guys above.

Ken Griffey Jr

i do no longer think of so; i think of this could be his final season. although that's different from 500 homers are the only remarkable milestone he could have reached. look into the milestones he DID (or probable will, this season) get: 1500 Runs 1500 RBI 1500 Runs AND RBI (each eligible participant with 1500 runs and rbi are interior the HOF, different than Jeff Bagwell and Rafael Palmeiro) 2500 hits 500 doubles 10,000 Plate Appearances 1500 BB (possibly) .300BA/.400OBP/.500SLG

Hammer the Hank Aaron

Hank and Babe with Ernie also being one of my favorites. Such a shame that Bonds had to pass Hank

Willie Mays for his speed on the bases and defense.

Mays, Bonds, and Thome (he doesn't get any attention even though he still has SO much power at his age, AND he never took steroids, I think...)

Barry Bonds hands down. there should be no thinking required to get this answer.

Ted Williams...

Don't forget he served in the armed forces in the middle of his career (ww2 and korea)

hate to tell u man but i would put bonds, aaron, ruth ,and mays ! all in the top 5 all time