The Top 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years- Right Handed Starting Pitcher

 

Continuing my list of the 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years, today I am looking at right-handed starting pitchers. Since this is based on the last 50 years, the player must have played in MLB for at least 5 years since the 1973 season. Note players who began their career prior to 73 can be considered. However only their performance and accomplishments since the 1973 season will be counted for.

Here is my list of the top 10 right-handed starting pitchers in the last 50 years.

10. Nolan Ryan (1973-1993)- HOF. All time strike out leader.

9.  Curt Schilling (1988-2007)- NLCS MVP, WS MVP.

8.  John Smoltz (1988-2009)- HOF Cy Young award winner. NLCS MVP.

7. Max Scherzer (2008-active)- 3X Cy Young award winner.

6. Jim Palmer (1973-1984)- HOF 3X Cy Young award winner.

5. Justin Verlander (2005-active)- 3X Cy Young award winner. MVP, ALCS MVP.

4. Tom Seaver (1973-1986)- HOF, 2X Cy Young award winner (since 1973).

3. Pedro Martinez (1992-2009)- HOF, 3X Cy Young award winner,

2. Roger Clemens (1984-2007)- 7X Cy Young award winner, MVP.

1. Greg Maddux (1986-2008)- HOF, 4X Cy Young award winner, 18 X Gold Glove winner.

Notes. This may have been the toughest position to choose from. There can be a lot of arguments about ranking and who was omitted. Consider Hall of Famers Mike Mussina, Roy Halladay, Bert Blyleven, and Don Sutton did not make the list. Ryan did not have many great seasons, but his remarkable strikeout numbers put him on this list (considering the time he pitched, strikeouts were not as prevalent as it is today). Schilling is deserving of the Hall of Fame. He is the last pitcher to throw at least 10 complete games in a season. Smoltz was a great post season pitcher (13-4 as a starter). Scherzer finished in the top 5 Cy Young voting 5 times besides being a 3X winner. Palmer won at least 20 games 8Xs, something that will never be accomplished again. Verlander won his 3^rd Cy Young last season and is showing no signs of slowing down. He is the last pitcher to throw a complete game in the postseason (and most likely the last one ever). Tom Seaver won an additional Cy Young prior to 1973 giving him 3 total. Martinez finished 2^nd in Cy Young voting twice besides being a 3X winner. Clemens has the most Cy Young awards in history. Maddux is the only pitcher in history to win 4 straight Cy Young awards.

Next up is the 10 greatest left-handed starting pitchers in the last 50 years.  

The Top 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years- Designated Hitter

Continuing my list of 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years, today I am looking at the Designated Hitters. Since this is based on the last 50 years, the player must have played in MLB for at least 5 years since the 1973 season. For the DH, this is notable since that was the first season in use. Note players who began their career prior to 73 can be considered. However only their performance and accomplishments since the 1973 season will be counted for (and in this case, only his performance as DH).

Here is my list of the top 10 Designated Hitters in the last 50 years.

10. Travis Hafner (2002-2013)-.4 straight seasons 1000 or more RBI.

9. Edwin Encarnacion (2005-2020)-7 straight seasons 98 or more RBI.

8. Chili Davis (1981-1999)- 3X World Series champion.

7. Hal McRae (1973-1987)- 2X doubles leader.

6. Don Baylor (1970-1988)- MVP.

5. Harold Baines (1980-2001)- HOF, 1628 career RBI.

4. Paul Molitor (1978-1998) -HOF, .400 WS Batting Avg. WS MVP

3. Frank Thomas (1990-2008) HOF, 2X MVP, Batting champion.

2. Edgar Martinez (1987-2004)- HOF, 2X Batting champion.

1. David Ortiz (1997-2016)- HOF, HR champion, ALCS MVP, WS MVP,

Notes. This list was tough to put together as the players had to be a DH more than any other position in their career. Lots of all-time greats finished their careers as DH but did not qualify for the list due to playing more games at other positions. I picked Hafner at #10. He had a short career, but, put up some impressive numbers. He only had 5 seasons where he played over 100 games, and in 4 of those he had over 100 RBI. Encarnacian was very consistent. He had 8 straight seasons over 30 HRs. Davis was a key player on 3 championship teams (1991 Twins, and later in his career, the 1998 and 1999 Yankees). McRae was one of the first full time DHs and was a key member of the Royals teams of the 70s and 80s, winning a championship in 85. Baylor was the first full time DH to win an MVP. Baines made the HOF on his longevity and consistency (I guess?). Hall of Famer Molitor had over 3,000 hits and was a terrific post season player. Hall of Famer Thomas finished in the top 5 MVP voting (4) times besides winning it twice. Hall of Famer Martinez hit over 500 doubles in his career, with 2 seasons of 52. Finally, Hall of Famer Ortiz did something that was unthinkable 20 years ago. He led the Red Sox to 3 World Series championships.

Next up is the 10 greatest right-handed starting pitchers in the last 50 years.

The Top 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years- Catchers

Continuing my list of the 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years, today I am looking at catchers. For players who played multiple positions, I am only including them at 1 position. Usually, it will be for the position they played the most games. However, I may use judgement and select a player at the position where he had most success. Since this is based on the last 50 years, the player must have played in MLB for at least 5 years since the 1973 season. Note players who began their career prior to 73 can be considered. However only their performance and accomplishments since the 1973 season will be counted for.

Here is my list of the top 10 catchers in the last 50 years.

10. Salvador Perez (2011-active)- 5X gold glove winner. WS MVP.

9.  Thurman Munson (1973-1979)- MVP, 3X Gold Glove winner.

8.  Yadier Molina (2004-2022)- 9X Gold Glove winner.

7. Buster Posey (2009-2021)- MVP, Batting champion, Gold Glove winner.  

6. Joe Mauer (2004-2018)- MVP, 3X Batting champion, 3X Gold Glove winner.

5. Gary Carter (1974-1992)- HOF, 3X Gold Glove winner.

4. Carlton Fisk (1973-1993) HOF, Gold Glove winner. Most hits by a catcher.

3. Mike Piazza (1992-2007)- HOF, .308 lifetime average, finished (4)x in top 5 MVP voting.

2. Ivan Rodriguez (1991-2011)- HOF, 13X Gold Gloves. MVP, NLCS MVP.  

1. Johnny Bench (1973-1983)- HOF, 6 Gold Gloves since 1973. WS MVP.

Notes. Lots of tough decisions. I left off HOF Ted Simmons. Still not convinced he is deserving. I went with Perez based on his great power numbers. He holds the record for most home runs by a catcher in a single season with 48. Still active and can move up on the list. Munson’s career was cut short by his tragic death. If he played longer, he may be a Hall of Famer. Has a career .357 post season batting average. Molina is a future Hall of Famer who has the record for a catcher for starting the most consecutive games in the postseason. Posey is the second player in MLB history to win the Rookie of the Year, a League MVP, and three World Series championships. I put Mauer higher on this list for being the only catcher in MLB history to win (3) batting titles. In my opinion, Mauer is a Hall of Famer. Carter caught 2,056 games, which ranks him 4^th all time. Fisk holds the record for most years played as a catcher with 24. HOF Piazza has the most career HRs as a catcher. Rodriguez is 1 of only 4 players in history .290 with more than 2,500 hits, 550 doubles, 300 home runs and 1,300 RBI. Although Bench won his (2) MVPs prior to 1973, he was still the greatest catcher for the next 8 years. And remains the greatest catcher in baseball history.

Next up is the 10 greatest Designated Hitters in the last 50 years.