The Best Baseball Player the Year You Were Born

There was a time when baseball was the dominant sport, often referred to as “America’s favorite pastime,” and “America’s pastime”. It was a sport that was number one in the country long before the rise of football, basketball, and hockey. Baseball first debuted in the U.S. in the early part of the 19th century, a game that evolved from two British games, rounders and cricket.

Even though it has always been associated with America, the first game that resembles the game of today took place in Canada, evolving into the modern game upon reaching New York. In 1845, the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club was formed, adding rules that formed the game many of us know and love.

In more recent years, although baseball has been supplanted by football as the favorite sport, America’s pastime has had a huge impact on American culture. For about 50 years, beginning in the early 20th century, baseball was considered to be in its golden age. Fans would flock to stadiums and huddle around black and white TVs to watch icons like Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle play ball.

Everyone may have their favorite team, which they insist is the best, but there is no denying that many players stand out above all others. The American and National Leagues each grant its own Cy Young Award for the top pitcher and an MVP to the top player overall. However, in each season, only one player stood out as the very best in baseball. 

To determine the greatest baseball player the year you were born, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the players with the highest wins above replacement each season since the Integration Era began in 1947, using data from Baseball-Reference. Some of the players on this list are now hailed as some of the greatest in history. Others had promise but after one great season, didn’t hold up to the hype.

Several of these players had incredible careers that should have earned them a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but inappropriate behavior ranging from gambling to cheating allegations to sports-enhancing substances have kept them out of Cooperstown. (These are scandals that rocked the sports world.)

All positions except for catcher are represented on this list. Pitchers are more likely than any other players to rank as the greatest player in a given year, followed by center fielders. 

Many of the players included won an MVP or a Cy Young for the season (or seasons) in which they ranked as the MLB’s best. However, very few won the World Series in the year they were baseball’s top player, and many never won a World Series at all. 

1947

• Player: Ted Williams
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Left field
• Statistics: .343 batting avg., 114 RBIs, 32 home runs

1948

• Player: Stan Musial
• Team: St. Louis Cardinals
• Position: Right field
• Statistics: .376 batting avg., 131 RBIs, 39 home runs

1949

• Player: Jackie Robinson
• Team: Brooklyn Dodgers
• Position: Second base
• Statistics: .342 batting avg., 124 RBIs, 16 home runs

1950

• Player: Eddie Stanky
• Team: New York Giants
• Position: Second base
• Statistics: .300 batting avg., 51 RBIs, 8 home runs

1951

• Player: Jackie Robinson
• Team: Brooklyn Dodgers
• Position: Second base
• Statistics: .338 batting avg., 88 RBIs, 19 home runs

1952

• Player: Bobby Shantz
• Team: Philadelphia Athletics
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.48 ERA, 24-7 record, 152 strikeouts

1953

• Player: Al Rosen
• Team: Cleveland Indians
• Position: Third base
• Statistics: .336 batting avg., 145 RBIs, 43 home runs

1954

• Player: Willie Mays
• Team: New York Giants
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .345 batting avg., 110 RBIs, 41 home runs

1955

• Player: Mickey Mantle
• Team: New York Yankees
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .306 batting avg., 99 RBIs, 37 home runs

1956

• Player: Mickey Mantle
• Team: New York Yankees
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .353 batting avg., 130 RBIs, 52 home runs

1957

• Player: Mickey Mantle
• Team: New York Yankees
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .365 batting avg., 94 RBIs, 34 home runs

1958

• Player: Willie Mays
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .347 batting avg., 96 RBIs, 29 home runs

1959

• Player: Ernie Banks
• Team: Chicago Cubs
• Position: Shortstop
• Statistics: .304 batting avg., 143 RBIs, 45 home runs

1960

• Player: Willie Mays
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .319 batting avg., 103 RBIs, 29 home runs

1961

• Player: Mickey Mantle
• Team: New York Yankees
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .317 batting avg., 128 RBIs, 54 home runs

1962

• Player: Willie Mays
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .304 batting avg., 141 RBIs, 49 home runs

1963

• Player: Sandy Koufax
• Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.88 ERA, 25-5 record, 306 strikeouts

1964

• Player: Willie Mays
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .296 batting avg., 111 RBIs, 47 home runs

1965

• Player: Willie Mays
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .317 batting avg., 112 RBIs, 52 home runs

1966

• Player: Sandy Koufax
• Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.73 ERA, 27-9 record, 317 strikeouts

1967

• Player: Carl Yastrzemski
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Left field
• Statistics: .326 batting avg., 121 RBIs, 44 home runs

1968

• Player: Bob Gibson
• Team: St. Louis Cardinals
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.12 ERA, 22-9 record, 268 strikeouts

1969

• Player: Bob Gibson
• Team: St. Louis Cardinals
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.18 ERA, 20-13 record, 269 strikeouts

1970

• Player: Carl Yastrzemski
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: First base
• Statistics: .329 batting avg., 102 RBIs, 40 home runs

1971

• Player: Wilbur Wood
• Team: Chicago White Sox
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.91 ERA, 22-13 record, 210 strikeouts

1972

• Player: Steve Carlton
• Team: Philadelphia Phillies
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.98 ERA, 27-10 record, 310 strikeouts

1973

• Player: Tom Seaver
• Team: New York Mets
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.08 ERA, 19-10 record, 251 strikeouts

1974

• Player: Mike Schmidt
• Team: Philadelphia Phillies
• Position: Third base
• Statistics: .282 batting avg., 116 RBIs, 36 home runs

1975

• Player: Joe Morgan
• Team: Cincinnati Reds
• Position: Second base
• Statistics: .327 batting avg., 94 RBIs, 17 home runs

1976

• Player: Mark Fidrych
• Team: Detroit Tigers
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.34 ERA, 19-9 record, 97 strikeouts

1977

• Player: Rod Carew
• Team: Minnesota Twins
• Position: First base
• Statistics: .388 batting avg., 100 RBIs, 14 home runs

1978

• Player: Phil Niekro
• Team: Atlanta Braves
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.88 ERA, 19-18 record, 248 strikeouts

1979

• Player: Fred Lynn
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .333 batting avg., 122 RBIs, 39 home runs

1980

• Player: Steve Carlton
• Team: Philadelphia Phillies
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.34 ERA, 24-9 record, 286 strikeouts

1981

• Player: Mike Schmidt
• Team: Philadelphia Phillies
• Position: Third base
• Statistics: .316 batting avg., 91 RBIs, 31 home runs

1982

• Player: Robin Yount
• Team: Milwaukee Brewers
• Position: Shortstop
• Statistics: .331 batting avg., 114 RBIs, 29 home runs

1983

• Player: Cal Ripken Jr.
• Team: Baltimore Orioles
• Position: Shortstop
• Statistics: .318 batting avg., 102 RBIs, 27 home runs

1984

• Player: Cal Ripken Jr.
• Team: Baltimore Orioles
• Position: Shortstop
• Statistics: .304 batting avg., 86 RBIs, 27 home runs

1985

• Player: Dwight Gooden
• Team: New York Mets
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.53 ERA, 24-4 record, 268 strikeouts

1986

• Player: Teddy Higuera
• Team: Milwaukee Brewers
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.79 ERA, 20-11 record, 207 strikeouts

1987

• Player: Roger Clemens
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.97 ERA, 20-9 record, 256 strikeouts

1988

• Player: Wade Boggs
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Third base
• Statistics: .366 batting avg., 58 RBIs, 5 home runs

1989

• Player: Bret Saberhagen
• Team: Kansas City Royals
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.16 ERA, 23-6 record, 193 strikeouts

1990

• Player: Roger Clemens
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.93 ERA, 21-6 record, 209 strikeouts

1991

• Player: Cal Ripken Jr.
• Team: Baltimore Orioles
• Position: Shortstop
• Statistics: .323 batting avg., 114 RBIs, 34 home runs

1992

• Player: Greg Maddux
• Team: Chicago Cubs
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.18 ERA, 20-11 record, 199 strikeouts

1993

• Player: Barry Bonds
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Left field
• Statistics: .336 batting avg., 123 RBIs, 46 home runs

1994

• Player: Greg Maddux
• Team: Atlanta Braves
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.56 ERA, 16-6 record, 156 strikeouts

1995

• Player: Greg Maddux
• Team: Atlanta Braves
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.63 ERA, 19-2 record, 181 strikeouts

1996

• Player: Ken Griffey Jr.
• Team: Seattle Mariners
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .303 batting avg., 140 RBIs, 49 home runs

1997

• Player: Roger Clemens
• Team: Toronto Blue Jays
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.05 ERA, 21-7 record, 292 strikeouts

1998

• Player: Kevin Brown
• Team: San Diego Padres
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.38 ERA, 18-7 record, 257 strikeouts

1999

• Player: Pedro Martinez
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.07 ERA, 23-4 record, 313 strikeouts

2000

• Player: Pedro Martinez
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 1.74 ERA, 18-6 record, 284 strikeouts

2001

• Player: Barry Bonds
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Left field
• Statistics: .328 batting avg., 137 RBIs, 73 home runs

2002

• Player: Barry Bonds
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Left field
• Statistics: .370 batting avg., 110 RBIs, 46 home runs

2003

• Player: Barry Bonds
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Left field
• Statistics: .341 batting avg., 90 RBIs, 45 home runs

2004

• Player: Barry Bonds
• Team: San Francisco Giants
• Position: Left field
• Statistics: .362 batting avg., 101 RBIs, 45 home runs

2005

• Player: Alex Rodriguez
• Team: New York Yankees
• Position: Third base
• Statistics: .321 batting avg., 130 RBIs, 48 home runs

2006

• Player: Albert Pujols
• Team: St. Louis Cardinals
• Position: First base
• Statistics: .331 batting avg., 137 RBIs, 49 home runs

2007

• Player: Alex Rodriguez
• Team: New York Yankees
• Position: Third base
• Statistics: .314 batting avg., 156 RBIs, 54 home runs

2008

• Player: Albert Pujols
• Team: St. Louis Cardinals
• Position: First base
• Statistics: .357 batting avg., 116 RBIs, 37 home runs

2009

• Player: Zack Greinke
• Team: Kansas City Royals
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.16 ERA, 16-8 record, 242 strikeouts

2010

• Player: Josh Hamilton
• Team: Texas Rangers
• Position: Left field
• Statistics: .359 batting avg., 100 RBIs, 32 home runs

2011

• Player: Roy Halladay
• Team: Philadelphia Phillies
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.35 ERA, 19-6 record, 220 strikeouts

2012

• Player: Mike Trout
• Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .326 batting avg., 83 RBIs, 30 home runs

2013

• Player: Mike Trout
• Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .323 batting avg., 97 RBIs, 27 home runs

2014

• Player: Corey Kluber
• Team: Cleveland Indians
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.44 ERA, 18-9 record, 269 strikeouts

2015

• Player: Bryce Harper
• Team: Washington Nationals
• Position: Right field
• Statistics: .330 batting avg., 99 RBIs, 42 home runs

2016

• Player: Mike Trout
• Team: Los Angeles Angels
• Position: Center field
• Statistics: .315 batting avg., 100 RBIs, 29 home runs

2017

• Player: Joey Votto
• Team: Cincinnati Reds
• Position: First base
• Statistics: .320 batting avg., 100 RBIs, 36 home runs

2018

• Player: Mookie Betts
• Team: Boston Red Sox
• Position: Right field
• Statistics: .346 batting avg., 80 RBIs, 32 home runs

2019

• Player: Alex Bregman
• Team: Houston Astros
• Position: Third base
• Statistics: .296 batting avg., 112 RBIs, 41 home runs

2020

• Player: Mookie Betts
• Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
• Position: Right field
• Statistics: .292 batting avg., 39 RBIs, 16 home runs

2021

• Player: Zack Wheeler
• Team: Philadelphia Phillies
• Position: Pitcher
• Statistics: 2.78 ERA, 14-10 record, 247 strikeouts