Top 100 MLB players of all time - Nos. 100-51

Who are the best Major League Baseball stars ever to take the diamond? Dozens of ESPN writers and editors submitted more than 20,000 votes (see full methodology here) to rank the 100 greatest MLB players of all time.

Which active stars made the cut? Who ranks too high? Who's too low?

We present the first half of our top 100 list below. We revealed Nos. 50-26 on Wednesday and the Top 25 will be unveiled Thursday.

Let the debate begin!

The List: 100-51 | 50-26 | 25-1 (coming Thursday)

Key links: Full rankings |Snubs | BBTN podcast: Too high, too low?

Team(s): Cincinnati Reds (1986-2004)

Stats: .295/.371/.444, 198 HR, 960 RBI, 2,340 H, 70.5 bWAR

Primary position: Shortstop

What he's best known for: A product of Cincinnati's Moeller High School, the 12-time All-Star played his entire career with his hometown Reds, leading them to a World Series title in 1990 and winning MVP honors in 1995. The preeminent NL shortstop of the 1990s, Larkin could beat you with his bat (nine Silver Slugger awards), his defense (three Gold Gloves) and his speed (379 stolen bases, including 51 in his MVP season). — David Schoenfield

Team(s): Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1965-83, 1987), New York Yankees (1984-85), Cleveland Indians (1986-87), Toronto Blue Jays (1987)

Stats: 318-274, 3.35 ERA, 3,342 SO, 5,404 IP, 95.9 bWAR

Primary position: Starting pitcher

What he's best known for: «Knucksie» will always be remembered for his namesake pitch, a fluttering knuckleball that kept him in the majors until he was 48. One of baseball's great ironies is that when Niekro won his 300th game while pitching for the Yankees in 1985, he didn't throw a single knuckleball until his last two pitches of the contest. — Bradford Doolittle

Team(s): Cleveland Indians