The Top 10 by WAR
The Tampa Bay region has been the birthplace of 195 major league players thus far.
This number includes a handful of Negro League players added to the rolls this year (2024) by MLB as well as a handful from Pasco and Hernando counties.
Thus far three Hall of Famers were born here, all in Tampa:
Tony La Russa as a Manager who also had a limited career as a player.
Al Lopez is also in as a manager although he had a distinguished playing career
Fred McGriff – 1st Baseman
There are many ways to argue who belongs in the hall and who doesn’t. The argument that matters is that of the writers who vote. The arguments of writers these days generally start with WAR (Wins Above Replacement). Has the WAR argument proved sufficient to replace subjective evaluation? Not likely, but I’m sure it has a presence with a majority of the electors.
Top 10 Region Born Players According to WAR
| Rank | Player | WAR | Birthplace |
| 1 | Gary Sheffield | 60.53 | Tampa |
| 2 | Chris Sale (active) | 53.35 | Lakeland |
| 3 | Dwight Gooden | 53.00 | Tampa |
| 4 | Fred McGriff | 52.58 | Tampa |
| 5 | Louis Gonzalez | 51.60 | Tampa |
| 6 | Andrew McCutchen (active) | 49.26 | Fort Meade |
| 7 | Boog Powell | 39.01 | Lakeland |
| 8 | Steve Garvey | 38.00 | Tampa |
| 9 | Tino Martinez | 29.00 | Tampa |
| 10 | Mike Hampton | 28.16 | Brooksville |
Note: #6 Gonzalez and #9 Martinez were on the right side of the infield together at Jefferson High School. La Russa and McGriff preceded them at Jefferson.