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When the 2000s concluded, 246 players had appeared as a DH. As this position is one in which there is a lot of transition, another 49 players have been added to the list in the past six seasons. At that rate, it won't be long before this position will claim the most players overall.
As this position has been around for just over a third of the team's existence, there is a lot of fluidity in the Top 25. But there also is a much lower threshold to make it into the Top 25. Travis Hafner pushed his lead in the top spot with almost 200 games in 2010 and 2011. Between Hafner and Andre Thornton, they have almost a quarter of the games started at that position.
Jim Thome added to his total when he returned in 2011, but did not change his overall position. Carlos Santana is actually right behind him now and will definitely pass him in 2016. Jason Giambi, Nick Swisher, and Ryan Raburn all reached the Top 25.
Here is the full list of 49 new players who made at least one appearance:
Aaron Cunningham, Adam Everett, Anderson Hernandez, Austin Kearns, Brandon Moss, Carlos Santana, Casey Kotchman, Chris Dickerson, Chris Gimenez, Chris Johnson, Cord Phelps, David Murphy, Drew Stubbs, Drew Sutton, Ezequiel Carrera, Francisco Lindor, J.B. Shuck, Jason Donald, Jason Giambi, Jason Kipnis, Jason Kubel, Jayson Nix, Jerry Sands, Jesus Aguilar, Johnny Damon, Jordan Brown, Jose Lopez, Jose Ramirez, Josh Tomlin, Lonnie Chisenhall, Lou Marson, Luis Valbuena, Mark Grudzielanek, Mark Reynolds, Matt Carson, Michael Bourn, Michael Brantley, Michael Martinez, Mike Aviles, Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera, Roberto Perez, Russ Canzler, Ryan Raburn, Shelley Duncan, Travis Buck, Vinny Rottino, Yan Gomes, Zach Walters.
And onto the top 25:
Player |
Years |
Games Played |
|
1 |
Travis Hafner |
2003-2011 |
958 |
2 |
Andre Thornton |
1977, 1979, 1981-87 |
737 |
3 |
Rico Carty |
1974-1977 |
346 |
4 |
Ellis Burks |
2001-2003 |
280 |
5 |
Eddie Murray |
1994-1996 |
264 |
6 |
David Justice |
1997-2000 |
238 |
7 |
Oscar Gamble |
1973-1975 |
214 |
8 |
Chris James |
1990-1991 |
184 |
9 |
Albert Belle |
1989-1996 |
174 |
10 |
Pat Tabler |
1983-1988 |
138 |
11 |
Jim Thome |
1995-96, 98-02, 11 |
133 |
12 |
Carlos Santana |
2010-2015 |
123 |
13 |
Cliff Johnson |
1979-1980 |
108 |
14 |
Carmelo Castillo |
1982-1988 |
101 |
15 |
Dave Clark |
1986-1989 |
100 |
16 |
Reggie Jefferson |
1992-1993 |
95 |
17 |
Gary Alexander |
1978-1980 |
78 |
17 |
Jason Giambi |
2013-2014 |
78 |
17 |
Nick Swisher |
2013-2015 |
78 |
17 |
Ryan Raburn |
2013-2015 |
78 |
21 |
Frank Robinson |
1974-1976 |
71 |
21 |
Joe Charboneau |
1980-1982 |
71 |
23 |
Julio Franco |
1984-88, 1996-97 |
69 |
24 |
John Lowenstein |
1973-1977 |
67 |
25 |
Manny Ramirez |
1993-1999 |
67 |
Again, as to be expected, with the nature of this position, only 1.6% of the players to appear have made it to 200 games, and a whopping 54% have appeared in just one game.
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