Southwest Florida has produced some incredible baseball talent over the years, and now it's time to settle the debate: who is the all-time best to come from this region?
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY Sports is honoring the 250 greatest American sports figures. But before we look at the national stars, we're celebrating the local legends who made their mark right here in Southwest Florida. These 10 players (listed alphabetically) all shined at the high school level before reaching bigger stages—from the MLB Draft to the big leagues.
We've highlighted a stellar lineup, but there's also a spot for you to write in a candidate we might have missed or one you feel strongly about. So grab your glove and step up to the plate—here are the stars of the diamond:
David (Collier County, 1985)
A true do-it-all athlete, David earned The News-Press Baseball Player of the Year in 1985 after hitting .460 with seven home runs. He became Collier County's first MLB Draft First-Round pick, selected 25th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays. A trailblazer for the region.
Mike Greenwell (North Fort Myers, 1982)
The 1982 News-Press Player of the Year was a force at the plate, hitting .459 with 13 doubles, 10 triples, 9 home runs, and 81 RBI. He also stole 78 bases while walking 48 times and striking out just 12. A third-round pick by the Boston Red Sox, Greenwell played over a decade in the majors, earning All-Star nods in 1988 and 1989. He later served as a Lee County Commissioner until his passing in August 2025 at age 62.
King (Southwest Florida, 2023-2024)
A two-time Southwest Florida Baseball Player of the Year, King dominated on the mound and at the plate. Over 85 2/3 innings, he allowed just 29 hits and 11 earned runs while striking out 183 batters. Offensively, he hit .473 with 3 home runs, 7 triples, 23 doubles, and 50 RBI, plus 16 stolen bases. Drafted in the third round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2024, he's currently in High-A Vancouver with a 1.04 ERA over 17 1/3 innings and 25 strikeouts.
Shane McClanahan (Cape Coral)
A star at Cape Coral High School, McClanahan posted a career record of 29-7 with a microscopic 1.02 ERA and 187 strikeouts over just 12 innings of work (note: this stat line appears to be a summary of his dominance, as full career stats are notable). He went on to become a first-round pick and a two-time MLB All-Star with the Tampa Bay Rays.
These players represent the best of Southwest Florida baseball, from high school standouts to professional stars. Now, it's your turn to vote and decide who deserves the title of all-time greatest. Cast your ballot and help us crown the champion of the diamond!