Over the past several days baseball fans have been commenting all over social media regarding an article written by Jayson Stark of The Athletic titled “Presenting the MLB All-Quarter Century Team, the very best in baseball since 2000.”
Stark included all position players, designated hitter, starting pitchers, and closer. He did not include setup men or middle relievers. The Inscriber Magazine will now present the actual all quarter-century team. Will also use the years 2000-2025, even though the century did not start until 2001.
Catcher: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
A 10 time All-Star, nine time Gold Glove winner, four time Platinum Glove winner, and part of two World Series championships. He had his best offensive season in 2012 when he hit .315 with an OBP of .373, along with a career-high of 22 home runs and drove in 76.
Defensively he is among the best of all-time and he threw out 40.3 percent of base runners trying to steal.
Honorable Mentions: Joe Mauer
If only the career of Mauer was a bit longer then there is a legitimate argument to put him ahead of Molina. Unfortunately, due to concussions he moved to first base. He did make six All-Star appearances, won three batting titles and gold gloves, and has a MVP Award.
In 897 as a catcher he hit .328, with an OBP of .408. He hit 91 home runs, drove in 514, along with 221 doubles and 14 triples. His best season was in 2009, which was the year he won MVP. He hit .365 with 191 hits, 30 doubles, a triple, 28 home runs, 96 RBI, and an OBP of .444.
Mauer also threw out 33.2 percent of base runners trying to steal.
Honorable Mention: Salvador Perez
Perez is a nine time All-Star, part of a World Series winning Kansas City Royal team, has won five Gold Glove Awards, and a World Series MVP.
Offensively he hits for a lot of power, with a decent average yet his OBP is low. Defensively he is excellent and in his prime years behind the plate base stealers did not attempt to test him. He has thrown out 33.1 percent of base stealers.
His best season was in 2021 when he hit .273 with 169 hits, 24 doubles, 48 home runs, 121 RBI, and an OBP of .316.
First Base: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers
Pujols’ primary position throughout his career was at first base though he did play some outfield, third base, and in the twilight of his career spent time as a designated hitter. He did win three MVPs, has two World Series rings, won the Rookie of the Year Award, a NLCS MVP Award, two Gold Gloves, and a batting title.
His best season came in 2009 when he hit .327 with 186 hits, 45 doubles, a triple, 47 home runs, 135 RBI, and an OBP of .443. In 1,996 games as a first basemen he hit .302 with 2,247 hits, 469 doubles, nine triples, 484 home runs, 1,449 RBI, and an OBP of .386.
Honorable Mention: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers
Freeman has the edge in hits over Pujols as he currently sits at 2,299 hits, 517 doubles, and 32 triples. The difference between the two is in the number of home runs 484 to 347 and RBI 1,449 to 1,252, their OBP is pretty close .389 to .386.
Also, noteworthy is that Freeman has the edge in games played at first base 2,030 to 1,996.
For Freeman, he has won an MVP Award, been to the All-Star game eight times, 2025 will mark his ninth appearance. He has won a Gold Glove Award, a World Series MVP, and has two World Series rings. His best year came in 2019 when he hit .295, with 176 hits, 34 doubles, two triples, 38 home runs, 121 RBI, and an OBP of .389.
Second Base: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves
For Cano the ending of his MLB career could have gone much better. He also missed a season due to a PED suspension. He did go to the All-Star game eight times, won a World Series ring, two Gold Gloves, and an All-Star MVP.
2010 was his best season. He hit .319 with 200 hits, 41 doubles, three triples, 29 home runs, 109 RBI, and an OBP of .381. In 2,157 games played at second base he hit .302 with 2,543 hits, 551 doubles, 33 triples, 316 home runs, 1,261 RBI, and an OBP of .352.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Phillips, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox
One of the most enjoyable second basemen to watch in the 21st century especially defensively. He also was involved in one of the most recognizable bloopers of all-time as Jonathan Slid into his backside while he made a tag on him.
Phillips went to three All-Star games and won four Gold Gloves. His best season came in 2007 when he hit .288 with 187 hits, 26 doubles, six triples, 30 home runs, 94 RBI, 32 stolen bases, and an OBP of .331. Overall in 1,822 games played at second base he hit .275, with 1,983 hits, 364 doubles, 35 triples, 204 home runs, 927 RBI, 208 stolen bases, and an OBP of .320.
Short Stop: Miguel Tejada, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals
Tejada was a six time All-Star, won a MVP, an All-Star MVP, and the Home Run Derby. Defensively he may have been below average, he was able to make up for that descripency with his power.
His best season came in 2004. When he hit .311, with 203 hits, 40 doubles, two triples, 34 home runs, 150 RBI, and an OBP of .360. Overall from 2000-2013, he hit .292 with 2,153 hits, 412 doubles, 16 triples, 273 home runs, 1,163 RBI, and an OBP of .340.
Honorable Mention: Derek Jeter
Jeter definitely has the edge defensively over Tejada, yet it is not by much.
When it comes to hitting for average and getting on base then Jeter has the edge over Tejada. Yet it is the power differential that distinguishes the two. There is a big difference in home runs and RBI.
Jeter hit 197 home runs and drove in 970 and he also had significantly more at-bats than Tejada.
Third Base: Adrian Beltre, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers
Beltre was outstanding defensively as evidence by his two Platinum Glove Awards, though unfortunately for him, he also played during the time of some excellent defensive third basemen. Eric Chavez and Scott Rolen come to mind.
Still Beltre did win five Gold Gloves and he went to the All-Star game four times.
He enjoyed a long career in MLB. In 2004, he had his best season when he hit .334, with 200 hits, 32 doubles, 48 home runs, 121 RBI, and an OBP of .388. Overall from 2000-2018, Beltre hit .288, with 2,976 hits, 600 doubles, 33 triples, 455 home runs, 1,618 RBI, and an OBP of .340.
Left Field: Manny Ramirez, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays
Ramirez was always entertaining. Though only a number of his prime years were actually in the 21st century, he did produce even in his mid 30s. Even at the age of 38 he still hit .290.
While the best season of his career was in 1999, his second best season was in 2005. When Ramirez hit .292 with 162 hits, 30 doubles, a triple, 45 home runs, 144 RBI, and an OBP .388. Overall from 2000-2011 he hit .315 with 1,642 hits, 344 doubles, 11 triples, 357 home runs, 1,149 RBI, and an OBP .417.
Center Field: Carlos Beltran, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers
Beltran has a World Series ring, went to the All-Star game nine times, and won 3 Gold Gloves.
Like Beltre, Beltran played during a time when there were some spectacular defensive center fielders. Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter, Adam Jones, and Vernon Wells come to mind. Still he was the better player offensively.
As a member of the Mets in 2006, Beltran registered a career year. He hit .275 with 140 hits, 38 doubles, a triple, 41 home runs, 116 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and an OBP of .388. From 2000-2017 he hit .278 with 2,515 hits, 533 doubles, 68 triples, 413 home runs, 1,472 RBI, 282 stolen bases, and an OBP of .352.
Honorable Mention: Torii Hunter, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers
Hunter has one of the more memorable MLB All-Star game moments as he robbed San Francisco Giants legend Barry Bonds of a home run. Which showcased to baseball fans why he won nine Gold Gloves and made five All-Star teams.
His best season came in 2007 when he hit .287 with 172 hits, 45 doubles, a triple, 28 home runs, 107 RBI, stole 18 bases, and had an OBP of .334. Overall he hit .278 with 2,350 hits, 480 doubles, 37 triples, 344 home runs, 1,354 RBI, 185 stolen bases, and an OBP of .332.
Right Field: Vladimir Guerrero, Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles
Guerrero was one of the most fun MLB players watch regardless if he was at-bat or in the outfield as he possessed one of the strongest arms in baseball. He made eight All-Star teams from 2000-2011, won the MVP, and was Home Run Derby champion.
The best season of his career came in 1999, his second-best season was 2000. He finished that season with a .345 batting average, 197 hits, 28 doubles, 11 triples, 44 home runs, 123 RBI, and an OBP of .410. Overall from 2000-2011 he finished with a .318 average, 2,092 hits, 381 doubles, 32 triples, 357 home runs, 1,215 RBI, and an OBP of .381.
Honorable Mention: Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins
Ichiro was known for his defense and his ability to make contact with the baseball. He hardly struck out or walked and his best season came in his rookie season of 2001 when he hit .350, with 242 hits, 34 doubles, eight triples, eight home runs, 69 RBI, 56 stolen bases, and an OBP of .381. Overall he hit .311, with 3,089 hits, 362 doubles, 96 triples, 117 home runs, 780 RBI, 509 stolen bases, and an OBP of .355.
Designated Hitter: Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers
Cabrera won two MVPs, the Triple Crown, selected to 12 All-Star games, has a World Series ring, and won four batting titles.
His best season came in 2013 when he hit .348 with 193 hits, 26 doubles, a triple, 44 home runs, 137 RBI, and a .442 OBP. Overall he hit .306 with 3,174 hits, 627 doubles, 17 triples, 511 home runs, 1,881 RBI, and an OBP of .382.
Honorable Mention: David Ortiz, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox
One of the more entertaining and clutch players of the 21st century and in MLB history.
Ortiz made 10 All-Star games, won three World Series rings, an MVP, and World Series MVP. His best season came in 2005 when he hit .300, with 180 hits, 40 doubles, a triple, 47 home runs, 148 RBI, and an OBP of .397.
From 2000-2016, Ortiz hit .287 with 2,379 hits, 609 doubles, 19 triples, 531 home runs, 1,716 RBI, and an OBP of .380.
Starting Pitcher: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants
Nearing retirement from MLB now, Verlander signed with the San Francisco Giants for the 2025 season. He is the closest pitcher to the 300 win mark, which would all have happened during the 21st century.
Verlander has won a MVP, 3 Cy Young Awards, a Triple Crown, been to the All-Star game nine times, has two ERA titles, two World Series rings, and won the ALCS MVP. His best season came in 2019 when he went 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA, he struck out 300 while walking 42 in 223 innings of work, also he threw two complete games and a shutout.
Currently, his record is 262-150 with a 3.31 ERA in 536 starts, he has thrown 26 complete games and nine shutouts, is at 3,467.2 innings pitched, has struck out 3,457 and walked 973, and has a WHIP of 1.129.
Starting Pitcher: Max Scherzer, Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dogers, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays
Another current pitcher. Scherzer signed with the Blue Jays for the 2025, like Verlander he is nearing retirement as well and is on the injured list. He has won the Cy Young Award three times, been to the All-Star game eight times, and has won two World Series rings.
The best season for Scherzer came in 2018 while a member of the Nationals. During that season he set a career-high in strikeouts with 300 in 220.2 innings of work. He went 18-7 with a 2.53 ERA and a WHIP of .911. Overall he has a record of 216-112, a 3.16 ERA, thrown 2881 innings, struck out 3,408 while walking 756, and has a WHIP of 1.078.
Starting Pitcher: Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies
Halladay is one of last true workhorses in MLB especially when it comes to pitchers in the 21st century. Complete games have essentially become nonexistent, yet he was not afraid to go the distance. He won two Cy Young Awards and went to the All-Star game eight times.
His best season came in 2010 when he threw nine complete games and four shutouts, had an ERA of 2.44, threw 250.2 innings, a record of 21-10, struck out 219 while walking 30, and a WHIP of 1.041. Overall from 2000-2013 he went 194-98 with a 3.36 ERA, he made 378 appearances and started 370 games, he threw 2,586 innings, striking out 2,022 hitters while walking 511, and his WHIP was 1.157.
Starting Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
One of the best regular season pitchers of all-time. Kershaw has struggled a bit in the postseason especially in the World Series. That is pretty much the only knock on him. He has won three Cy Young Awards, A MVP, Triple Crown, a Gold Glove, been to the All-Star game 10 times, and won the ERA title five times.
Kershaw’s best season in MLB was in 2013 when he went 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA, he started 33 games, threw three complete games including two shutouts, threw 236 innings, struck out 232 while walking 52, and a WHIP of .915. He is currently still pitching and recently returned from a long stint on the injured list.
Currently, he has a record of 212-94, has appeared in 434 games including 431 starts, thrown 2,748.2 innings, with 25 complete games and 15 shutouts, struck out 2,971, walked 682, and a WHIP of 1.011.
Starting Pitcher: Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros
Greinke has won a Cy Young Award, six Gold Gloves, been to the All-Star game six times, and won the ERA title twice.
His best season in MLB came in 2015 as a member of the Dodgers. He went 19-3 with an ERA of 1.66, started 32 games, threw 222.2 innings, one complete game, struck out 200 while walking 40, and a WHIP of .844. He finished his career with a record of 225-156, appeared in 586 games including 541 starts, an ERA of 3.49, threw 3,389.1 innings, struck out 2,979 while walking 762, and a WHIP of 1.171.
Closer: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles
Prime Kimbrel is arguably the most dominant closer in MLB history. While he does not have the most saves in the 21st century, his ability to strike out hitters puts him of the top. For 2025 he signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves.
His best season came in 2013 in which he finished 60 games, a record of 4-3, a 1.21 ERA, saved 50 games, threw 67 innings, struck out 90 while walking 20, and a WHIP of .881. Overall he has finished 651 games, saved 440, a record of 56-47, has an ERA of 2.59. thrown 809.2 innings, has struck out 1,265 while walking 339, and a WHIP of 1.014.
Honorable Mention: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
Rivera does lead all closers in saves in the 21st century with 523.
Yet he was not nearly as dominant as Kimbrel was. His best season came in 2004 when he finished 69 games with 53 saves, had an ERA of 1.94, struck out 66 while walking 20 in 78.2 innings of work, and a WHIP of 1.081. From 2000-2013, he finished 768, his record is also 56-47, an ERA of 2.05, threw 907 innings, struck out 836 while walking 167, and a WHIP of .954.
Honorable Mention: Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels
Jansen signed with the Angels for the 2025 season. So far this season he has finished 16 games and has 11 saves. Though his ERA is a little high at 4.96.
His best season came in 2017 when he finished 57 games, saved 41, a record of 5-0, an ERA of 1.32, struck out 109 while walking seven in 68.1 innings, and a WHIP of .746. Currently he has finished 669 games, saved 458, thrown 884.2 innings, struck out 1,237 while walking 268, and a WHIP of .971.
Important Note: Barry Bonds, Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Buster Posey, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr, and others that many have mentioned on social media are not on this team due to the limited seasons played in the 21st century or missed a number of games due to injury.