The best baseball players born on Feb. 28

February 28th, 2024

Who are the best players born on each day of the year? We have a list for every day on the calendar.

Here’s a subjective ranking of the top five for Feb. 28.

1) Jud Wilson (1896)
Wilson, the only Hall of Famer born on Feb. 28, played in the Negro Leagues and was considered one of the best hitters of his day -- even by Josh Gibson, who was sometimes referred to as "the Black Babe Ruth," so we can probably trust his judgment. Wilson played for 21 years, and while most of his career stats are lost to time, we do know he was on two Negro World Series-winning teams, won two batting titles, earned three All-Star selections, and was the oldest player ever to homer in a Major League game, which he did at 49 years old in a game at Yankee Stadium as a member of the Homestead Grays.

2) Aroldis Chapman (1988)
A seven-time All-Star, with 321 saves through his age 35 season, Chapman helped the Cubs to a World Series title in 2016 and he also helped the Rangers to a championship in 2023. You know Chapman and his 100 MPH fastball (not to mention the sinker that touches 103).

3) Terry Turner (1881)
Turner spent the vast majority of his Major League career in Cleveland, and while his career numbers are modest -- he slashed .253/.308/.318 and hit just eight home runs in 659 games -- he still ranks third in Guardians franchise history with 254 stolen bases.

Terry Turner takes a break in 1918. (Bain Collection/Library of Congress)

4) Bill Holland (1901)
Holland's career in the Negro Leagues spanned 21 years from 1920-41, most of which were spent in New York. In the latter half of his career, Holland became the ace of the New York Black Yankees' staff and holds the distinction of being the first Black pitcher to take the mound at Yankee Stadium.

5) Frank Malzone (1930)
Malzone, a Bronx native, played 11 seasons with the Red Sox, and in that time won three Gold Gloves and made six All-Star teams. He even served as a mentor to Carl Yastrzemski early in the Hall of Famer's career. In retirement, Malzone re-joined the Red Sox as a scout and front-office executive, totaling almost 70 years in the organization before his passing in 2015.

Frank Malzone poses for a photo during Spring Training 1959. (AP)

Others of note:

Randy Arozarena (1995)
The 2021 AL Rookie of the Year, Arozarena was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career in '23 with the Rays. He became the first player in AL-NL history to record three straight 20-20 seasons to begin a career, after he clubbed 23 homers and swiped bags 22 in '23.

Want to see more baseball birthdays for Feb. 28? Find the complete list on Baseball Reference.