Most Games Played in MLB History
The truest measure of a player’s value isn’t in home runs or batting averages but in the incredible number of games played. It tells the story of players who showed up every day, demonstrating their determination and love for the game. Every time they stepped onto the field, it was a sign of their strength and each lineup card served as a reminder of their steadfast dedication. Pete Rose holds the record for most games played in MLB history with 3,562 appearances.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 5 Most Games Played in MLB History
Here are the top 5 players with the most games played in MLB history, standing as proof of endurance and reliability across decades.
| Rank | Player | Games Played |
| 1 | Pete Rose | 3,562 |
| 2 | Carl Yastrzemski | 3,308 |
| 3 | Hank Aaron | 3,298 |
| 4 | Rickey Henderson | 3,081 |
| 5 | Albert Pujols | 3,080 |
Pete Rose (3,562 Games Played)
Career: 1963-1986
Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos
Pete Rose has one of the hardest records in baseball, having played 3,562 games throughout his career. Over the span of 24 seasons, he demonstrated incredible durability and consistency. His talent for playing over 500 games at five different positions ensured he was always in the lineup. Rose’s record is comparable to playing every game for 22 consecutive seasons, which is nearly unthinkable in today’s world of rest and specialization.
Carl Yastrzemski (3,308 Games Played)
Career: 1961-1983
Teams: Boston Red Sox
Carl Yastrzemski spent his whole 23-year career with the Boston Red Sox, playing in 3,308 games. This amazing figure highlights his durability and loyalty as he took over after Ted Williams and became the franchise’s face for over twenty years. With an average of more than 144 games each season, Carl even had a streak of 1,090 consecutive games.
Hank Aaron (3,298 Games Played)
Career: 1954-1976
Teams: Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers
Hank Aaron is not only known for surpassing Babe Ruth’s home run record but he was also one of the toughest players in baseball history. Across 23 seasons, Aaron played 3,298 games and ranked third in MLB history. He played over 150 games in 13 different seasons, demonstrating remarkable consistency alongside his famous power.
Rickey Henderson (3,081 Games Played)
Career: 1979-2003
Teams: Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers
Rickey Henderson, known as the best leadoff hitter and base stealer of all time, played in 3,081 games. Throughout his career with nine different teams, he demonstrated remarkable durability, averaging 123 games per year even into his 40s. Henderson’s knack for remaining in the lineup for such a long time while maintaining his signature speed and confidence made him one of baseball’s most resilient and thrilling stars.
Albert Pujols (3,080 Games Played)
Career: 2001-2022
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers
Albert Pujols really lived up to his nickname “machine” by showing amazing durability, playing 3,080 games throughout 22 seasons. He spent most of his career with the Cardinals and then played a decade with the Angels. He had a brief stint with the Dodgers before finishing with a return to St. Louis. Even when his role shifted later in his career, Pujols remained productive for three decades.
