Top 5 players of the last 50 years

[Gem10collection]

Was thinking baseball history and realized a lot of the GOAT's of the game are pre 1970's. Baseball has changed a lot since and was wondering who we would consider the GOAT's of the "modern" era.

I excluded all the players who have been strongly associated with PEDs and pitchers. If I did add pitchers only Nolan Ryan would be added and would be #1 on the list.

1. Ken Griffey Jr.
2. Rickey Henderson
3. Mike Schmidt
4. Cal Ripken Jr.
5. Mike Trout

There is a chance in a few years Trout would get replaced by either Judge or Ohtani but for today, here we are. There is an argument for Bonds being #5 for the years when he was PED free.

[Drew3000]

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Greg Maddux
4. Alex Rodriguez
5. Randy Johnson

[steg22]

Overall:
1. Barry Bonds
2. Albert Pujols
3. Greg Maddux
4. Roger Clemens
5. Ken Griffey Jr.

Non-Steroid
1. Albert Pujols
2. Greg Maddux
3. Ken Griffey Jr.
4. Rickey Henderson
5. Mariano Rivera

[Rbradleigh]

I’ll play and use the same parameters as OP. My biggest nah on his list is Cal Ripken as Ripken’s greatest claim is longevity. Good/Great sure, Top 5 of last 50 years? And blasted PEDs, sucks having to leave Bonds (1) & ARod (prob top 5) off the list.

1. Griffey
2. Pujols
3. Bench
4. Henderson
5. Ichiro
5a/b. Trout/Ohtani

Ohtani stays healthy he flies higher. Bench is before my time so relying on others’ perceptions.

And for fun, Pitchers with same parameters

1. Maddux
2. Martinez
3. Ryan
4. Johnson
5. Kershaw
5a. Verlander

That should be enough Cy Youngs to not get too much criticism. Lazy not using Google, did Ryan ever win a Cy Young? I will say his career was more than longevity knowing the 6 no-hitters and multiple seasons of 300+ Ks.

[KhalDrogo]

1. Bonds
2. Ohtani
3. Johnson
4. Pujols
5. Maddux

[Gem10collection]

You guys really think Greg Maddux was a better baseball player than Nolan Ryan?

[hxcmilkshake]

1. Henderson
2. Rose
3. Ohtani
4. Ichiro
5. Pujols

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[Drew3000]

I just went by top 5 war in the last 50 years according to fangraphs

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

You guys really think Greg Maddux was a better baseball player than Nolan Ryan?

Unquestionably. And I love Nolan Ryan.

[Gem10collection]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

Unquestionably. And I love Nolan Ryan.

Let me frame it like this. For the next 10 years, would you want peak Nolan Ryan on your team or peak Greg Maddux? I would pick Ryan in a heartbeat. But that's me.

[Gem10collection]

Originally Posted by hxcmilkshake

1. Henderson
2. Rose
3. Ohtani
4. Ichiro
5. Pujols

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I like your list but would exclude Pujols because he has has some rumors circle him with both PED's and faking his age.

[Rcoronoman]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

You guys really think Greg Maddux was a better baseball player than Nolan Ryan?

1000% yes.

[Rcoronoman]

1. Maddux
2. Pedro
3. Bonds
4. Griffey
5. Randy Johnson

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

Let me frame it like this. For the next 10 years, would you want peak Nolan Ryan on your team or peak Greg Maddux? I would pick Ryan in a heartbeat. But that's me.

That's you. That's not me. Peak Maddux could be relied on for a brilliant start every game. Ryan was a no-hitter threat every time out, but those starts didn't come nearly as often. You were just as likely to see him give up 4 runs with 10 Ks and 5 walks. Other than being a bigger threat to strike you out, and his longevity, Ryan was inferior to Maddux in every way.

[JimEd14]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

Let me frame it like this. For the next 10 years, would you want peak Nolan Ryan on your team or peak Greg Maddux? I would pick Ryan in a heartbeat. But that's me.

If you're going peak, I'm taking Pedro Martinez' 2000 season.

I'm a bit biased overall, but would still take Pedro #1 pitcher.

The Maddux / Ryan debate is fun. I could go either way.

[Rbradleigh]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

I like your list but would exclude Pujols because he has has some rumors circle him with both PED's and faking his age.

Not a Pujols lover but rumors? That’s kiddie crap, anybody can have rumors, let them stamp their name and career on that. Until then, BS.

And faking age? What does that even mean? Whether he was 16 or 46 his ability is what made him great. This is MLB paid professionals not some 14? year old pitcher blowing fastballs by little leaguers.

[hxcmilkshake]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

You guys really think Greg Maddux was a better baseball player than Nolan Ryan?

Yes. I mean Ryan was great because of his age and always throwing no hitters but Maddux was surgical for some great teams.

Its close , polar opposites....Ryan would throw 200 pitches, walk 7, K 13. Maddux would throw 80 pitches and not walk a soul.

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[JimEd14]

Pondering more - Maddux v Ryan

Might lean Maddux for the same reason Pedro is my #1, the time they did it in.

Pedro was bit more more in the peak of steroids, but Maddux is right there too.

[NYRE2PECT]

Game 7, series on the line, give me Maddux 10/10 times.

Middle of the year on a warm Friday night, give me Ryan 10/10 times.

These lists are intriguing.

[Rbradleigh]

Originally Posted by JimEd14

Pondering more - Maddux v Ryan

Might lean Maddux for the same reason Pedro is my #1, the time they did it in.

Pedro was bit more more in the peak of steroids, but Maddux is right there too.

Peak Pedro, 1997-2002 is goat like. Did all that during the height of Roids & video game offensive numbers AND in the AL East.

[NYRE2PECT]

Originally Posted by Rbradleigh

Peak Pedro, 1997-2002 is goat like. Did all that during the height of Roids & video game offensive numbers AND in the AL East.

Originally Posted by JimEd14

Pondering more - Maddux v Ryan

Might lean Maddux for the same reason Pedro is my #1, the time they did it in.

Pedro was bit more more in the peak of steroids, but Maddux is right there too.

Can't go wrong with either really. They were both absolutely incredible!

[Gem10collection]

One last salvo in the Ryan/Maddux debate

In 58 playoff innings Ryan has an ERA of 3.07, a FIP of 1.81, and a WHIP of .903.

In 198 playoff innings Maddux has an ERA of 3.27, a FIP of 3.04, and a WHIP of 1.242.

[Gem10collection]

Lets see some lists excluding PED's and pitchers post 1970.

[ScooterD]

I want to include Carlton, but if the cutoff is exactly 50 years, I don’t know if he makes it. Now - of it’s anyone who has played in the last 50 years, he’s in my pitcher top 5

Excluding pitchers (in no order):
Joe Morgan
Pujols
Gwynn
Rickey
Griffey (barely over Frank Thomas)

[hermanotarjeta]

Is a minimum of ten years of major league experience required to qualify for the list?