It is undeniable that there is no sport more ingrained in American culture and history than baseball. It goes back to the middle of the 19th century and even when the country was hitting hard times, baseball was the one thing that brought everyone together.

It's also the one sport where a father can simply take his son in the backyard when he is young and teach him the game. It is so iconic in American lure, the term ‘play catch' is often used in social constructs and films alike. That father son connection has such strong ties and we have seen a large number of father son duos on the major leagues.

While many of the father son duos that did not have great historical impact, there are still many that did. We rank the five greatest father son duos in Major League Baseball history.

5 Greatest Father Son Duos in MLB History, Ranked

5. Felipe and Moises Alou

The Alou family has been prominent throughout baseball for nearly 65 years, beginning with the playing career of Felipe Alou. While there are a number of other family members that have played roles in baseball through the decades, the only two to play were Felipe and Moises.

Felipe started his Major League career in 1958. He played his first six seasons with the Giants, before joining the Braves for the next six years. It was during those 12 years that he made his mark on baseball. He earned three All-Star selections and hit .286 with 206 career home runs.

His son, Moises, did him one better, which as you will see, is a common thread.

Moises Alou made the All-Star team six times during his career. He was a main cog of the then Florida Marlins team that won the World Series in 1997. Alou won the Silver Slugger Award twice. Both father and son also showcased a bit of speed throughout their careers.

A fun little anecdote regarding his career was that he was also the left fielder for the infamous “Steve Bartman” NLCS game in 2003 between the Cubs and Marlins.

4. Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and Guerrero Jr. are both two of the most powerful men we have ever seen at the plate. I still remember watching Vlad Sr. hit a home run off a bounce, and separately while stepping across the plate on an attempted intentional walk. You read that right. You can find video, it's pretty insane.

The Vlad Sr. finished his career with 449 home runs. He won the American League MVP in 2004 with the Angels and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Meanwhile, Vlad Jr. just finished his third year in the majors. Last season, he hit 48 home runs, had an on-base percentage over .400 and his OPS was 1.002. He is so young and talented, it's very possible we have only seen the tip of the ice berg. The fact that Vlad Jr. is in his infancy during his career is the only reason they are not higher. That's how great this father son duo is.

3. Cecil and Prince Fielder

You likely are never going to find a father son duo with more raw power than Cecil and Prince Fielder displayed throughout their career. There have always been stories told about Prince Fielder hitting a home run during his father's batting practice when he was 12 years old. Just think back to when you were 12. Then think about playing little league and imagine hitting a home run but in a major league stadium.

Their careers were near images of each other. Cecil Fielder played 13 seasons for five teams. During his career, he hit 319 home runs and 1,008 RBI. He was one of the most feared hitters in baseball for a number of years in Detroit. Cecil made three All-Star teams.

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Likewise, his son Prince put fear in opposing pitchers because of his power. Fielder finished his career with exactly 319 home runs, which is pretty incredible. He totaled 1,028 RBI throughout his career, and notched six All-Star selection. They are still the only father son duos in MLB history to each post 50-home run seasons.

2. Bobby and Barry Bonds

Bobby Bonds had a fantastic pro baseball career. He foreshadowed a bit of what was to come with his son Barry by flashing the leather as well as swinging that bat. Bobby made the All-Star team three times, hit 332 career home runs and won three Gold Glove Awards.

Yet, his son took that to a whole other level. Barry Bonds, as everyone knows, has the most home runs in the history of baseball with 762. He won the NL MVP Award a record seven times. He also won eight Gold Glove Awards and is easily considered one of the greatest players to ever play. He was one of the faces of the steroid controversy. He admitted to using but said he wasn't aware that what he used (the cream and the clear) had steroids in them (a genius defense).

Still, many people believe even with the controversy, Barry Bonds is the greatest player ever. Obviously, this father son duo could be at the top, but not for me.

1. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.

Our final father son duo is yet another example of the elder being out-staged by his son.

Ken Griffey Sr. played an incredible 19 seasons and somehow manager to hit .296. Just think about that. Think about how Hall of Fame players who play that long tend to tank their career averages a bit. He made three All-Star teams and helped the Cincinnati Reds win two World Series as a key member.

Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. actually are the only father son duo to play for the same team. They both played for the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991. Incredibly, they hit back-to-back home runs in 1991.

That was the baton passing. Griffey Jr. is recognized as having maybe the most beautiful swing anyone has ever seen. His ability in the outfield was also a thing of beauty. He was a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner and easily could have won a couple more in not for injury. He was a 13-time All-Star who finished his career with 630 home runs. Worth noting, despite playing during the steroid era, there have never been whispers regarding Ken Griffey Jr. using. In fact, his body broke down as he aged, as it should, unlike Bonds who had his best years in his mid-to-late 30's.

There are a number of other father son duos across professional sports. But it is rare to see so much talent in that regard as we have seen in baseball over the years.