Most Clutch Hitters in MLB History

Baseball heroes are born in pressure situations. Although it’s a team sport, at-bats are so a one-man show in the batter’s box. It’s the hitter’s time to shine, and the best always seem to find a way to get it done.

The biggest hits become immortalized: Kirk Gibson’s home run off Dennis Eckersley, Reggie Jackson’s three Game 6 homers, and about four or five others from David Ortiz. Signature moments are one thing, but what do the numbers really say?

These are the greatest clutch hitters in Major League Baseball history.

30. Barry Bonds, Left Field

What could have been with Barry Bonds. Ben Margot / AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1986-2007)

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,986 G, .298 BA, .444 OBP, .607 SLG, 2,935 H, 762 HR, 1,996 RBI

Postseason stats: 48 G, .245 BA, .433 OBP, .504 SLG, 37 H, 9 HR, 24 RBI

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds hit 762 career home runs. Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo

Take away the steroids, and Barry Bonds might be considered the greatest player who ever lived. But he performed poorly in his first few trips to the postseason.

As a young, slender speedster for the Pirates, Bonds hit a paltry .191 in three trips to the NLCS. When he returned to the playoffs in 2002 with the Giants, he erased all doubters. Bonds ripped through the pitching of the Anaheim Angels in the World Series, posting a .700 on-base percentage with four home runs.

It wasn’t enough to absolve his past sins or win a ring.

29. Al Simmons, Outfield

Al Simmons was a career .334 hitter. AP Photo

Experience: 20 seasons (1924-41, 1943-44)

Teams: Philadelphia A’s, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Washington/Baltimore Senators, Cincinnati Reds

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,215 G, .334 BA, .380 OBP, .535 SLG, 2,927 H, 307 HR, 1,828 RBI

Postseason stats: 19 G, .329 BA, .380 OBP, .658 SLG, 24 H, 6 HR, 17 RBI

World Series titles: 2 (1929, 1930)

Bottom Line: Al Simmons

Al Simmons, left, with Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack, in 1931. AP Photo

Had it not been for Babe Ruth and his ridiculous numbers for the era, Al Simmons would be more of a household name.

One of the great early sluggers of the game in his own right, he anchored the Philadelphia A’s championship lineups in his 20s, as the team won back-to-back titles around the time of the Great Depression.

Once Simmons left Philly, his power dropped off, and he didn’t sniff the playoffs again until he was traded to the Reds in 1939.

28. Ichiro Suzuki, Right Field

Ichiro Suzuki was a wizard with a bat. Julie Jacobson / AP Photo

Experience: 19 seasons (2001-19)

Teams: Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,653 G, .311 BA, .355 OBP, .402 SLG, 3,089 H, 117 HR, 780 RBI

Postseason stats: 19 G, .346 BA, .400 OBP, .435 SLG, 27 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki had 3,089 hits in his major league career. John Froschauer / AP Photo

As a versatile defender with a rocket arm, Ichiro Suzuki may have been an All-Star on defense alone, but add in a Hall of Fame-caliber bat, and you get the greatest Japanese import to play the game.

An MVP in his rookie year, Ichiro wasted no time in making an impact, leading the Mariners to the all-time wins total of 116. He only got a handful of chances in the playoffs, and it’s a shame the Mariners haven’t made a postseason since.

In the limited postseason time he had, Ichiro solidified his reputation as one of the toughest hitters in the game.

27. Willie Mays, Center Field

“Say Hey” Willie Mays could slug with the best of them. stf / AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1951-52, 1954-73)

Teams: New York/San Francisco Giants New York Mets

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,992 G, .302 BA, .384 OBP, .557 SLG, 3,283 H, 660 HR, 1,903 RBI

Postseason stats: 25 G, .247 BA, .323 OBP, .337 SLG, 22 H, 1 HR, 10 RBI

World Series titles: 1 (1954)

Bottom Line: Willie Mays

Willie Mays hit 660 career home runs. Clarence Hamm / AP Phot

The 1954 championship for the New York Giants faced some scrutiny since the team was accused of sign-stealing against the Dodgers after a Bobby Thompson homer won the pennant.

Notwithstanding that controversy, Mays was mostly pitched around during the World Series win. In fact, that was pretty much the case in his other two trips to the World Series as well.

Before turning 40, he went to the Fall Classic three times with just one home run to seven walks.

26. Ken Griffey Jr., Center Field

The Kid accomplished a lot, but he never won a ring. Kevin Larkin / AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1989-2010)

Teams: Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,671 G, .284 BA, .370 OBP, .538 SLG, 2,781 H, 630 HR, 1,836 RBI

Postseason stats: 18 G, .290 BA, .367 OBP, .580 SLG, 20 H, 6 HR, 11 RBI

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. was a lifetime .284 hitter. Gary Stewart / AP Photo

Ken Griffey’s career is a definite case of “what could have been” with the caveat that he was still one of the greatest hitters ever.

Despite suffering through injury issues the entire second half of his career, he amassed more than 600 homers. After Griffey left the Mariners in 2001, they turned in the greatest win total ever for a season. Surely a coincidence, but that had to hurt from Griffey’s perspective.

Before then, he got a few chances with Seattle in the 1990s, and only returned to the postseason in 2008 at a completely different stage of his career with the White Sox.

25. Ted Williams, Left Field

The greatest hitter who ever lived? Harry Harris / AP Photo

Experience: 19 seasons (1939-42, 1946-60)

Teams: Boston Red Sox

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,292 G, .344 BA, .482 OBP, .634 SLG, 2,654 H, 521 HR, 1,839 RBI

Postseason stats: 7 G, .200 BA, .333 OBP, .200 SLG, 5 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Ted Williams

Ted Williams was a career .344 hitter with 2,654 hits. AP Photo

Another Red Sox player to be victimized by the “Curse of the Bambino,” Ted Williams may be the greatest hitter who ever lived.

Williams was the last man to hit .400 in a season but only had one chance at postseason play, losing the 1946 World Series to the Cardinals in seven games.

If Williams had been his normal self during those seven games, the curse could have been snapped nearly 60 years early, though most Red Sox fans wouldn’t trade that 2004 run for anything.

24. Joe DiMaggio, Center Field

Joe DiMaggio had eight home runs in his World Series career. AP Photo

Experience: 13 seasons (1936-42, 1946-51)

Teams: New York Yankees

Bats: Right

Career stats: 1,736 G, .325 BA, .398 OBP, .579 SLG, 2,214 H, 361 HR, 1,538 RBI

Postseason stats: 51 G, .271 BA, .338 OBP, .422 SLG, 54 H, 8 HR, 30 RBI

World Series titles: 9 (1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951)

Bottom Line: Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio had 2,214 hits in his career. AP Photo

Joe Dimaggio is best known for two things: dating Marilyn Monroe and his major league-record 56-game hit streak.

The level of consistency he displayed was nothing short of phenomenal, and despite playing just 13 seasons, he racked up more than 2,200 hits. If not for those three years he missed due to the war, the numbers would be even more staggering.

Although never the focal point on the Yankees, he was a mainstay on those nine championship teams, getting on base for the big bombers to bring him in.

23. Stan Musial, Outfield and First Base

Stan Musial had the smoothest swing you’ll ever see. AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1941-44, 1946-63)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Bats: Left

Career stats: 3,026 G, .331 BA, .417 OBP, .559 SLG, 3,630 H, 475 HR, 1,951 RBI

Postseason stats: 23 G, .256 BA, .347 OBP, .395 SLG, 22 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI

World Series titles: 3 (1942, 1944, 1946)

Bottom Line: Stan Musial

Stan Musial won three MVPs, three World Series and seven batting titles. Warren M. Winterbottom / AP Photo

Stan Musial, along with pitcher Bob Gibson, was one of the main reasons for the Cardinals’ run of three titles in the 1940s. Together, they made the Red Birds a dominant force in the league.

A 20-time All-Star, Musial often is the overlooked man of an era featuring Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Roberto Clemente, but Musial belongs in a class with those three and may have had the best career of the bunch.

He didn’t flash the power in the postseason, but his contributions to those three title teams cannot be ignored.

22. Roberto Clemente, Right Field

Roberto Clemente was a hitting machine. stf / AP Photo

Experience: 18 seasons (1955-72)

Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,433 G, .317 BA, .359 OBP, .834 SLG, 3,000 H, 240 HR, 1,305 RBI

Postseason stats: 26 G, .318 BA, .354 OBP, .449 SLG, 34 H, 3 HR, 14 RBI

World Series titles: 2 (1960, 1971)

Bottom Line: Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente won four batting titles. Rusty Kennedy / AP Photo

Roberto Clemente was taken from us far too soon. The Hall of Fame outfielder hit at least .310 in eight consecutive season, and 12 of his final 13 in the league.

After being part of the improbable seven-game win over the Yankees as a 25-year-old All-Star, he followed that up with a World Series MVP 11 years later, hitting .414/.452/.759 in seven games to take down the Orioles.

21. Willie McCovey, First Base and Left Field

Willie McCovey was known as “Stretch” during his playing days. RHH / AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1959-80)

Teams: San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Oakland A’s

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,588 G, .270 BA, .374 OBP, .515 SLG, 2,211 H, 521 HR, 1,555 RBI

Postseason stats: 8 G, .310 BA, .412 OBP, .690 SLG, 4 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI

World Series titles: None

Bottom Line: Willie McCovey

Willie McCovey was nicknamed “Stretch” for his 6-foot-4 height and long arms. Robert Houston / AP Photo

Together, Willie Mays and Willie McCovey made the Giants one of the most daunting lineups to face in the majors. McCovey blossomed into a top-level power hitter in his late 20s and early 30s.

Even still, the Giants never got over the hump after their move to the Bay Area, and McCovey was swept out of the playoffs in his pair of trips to the postseason.

His numbers there were not the problem, and things may have gone differently had he gotten more chances.

20. Shoeless Joe Jackson, Outfield

Did Shoeless Joe Jackson get a bad rap? Charles M. Conlon / Wikimedia Commons

Experience: 13 seasons (1908-20)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Naps/Indians, Chicago White Sox

Bats: Left

Career stats: 1,332 G, .356 BA, .423 OBP, .517 SLG, 1,772 H, 54 HR, 792 RBI

Postseason stats: 14 G, .345 BA, .394 OBP, .455 SLG, 19 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI

World Series titles: 1 (1917)

Bottom Line: Shoeless Joe Jackson

Shoeless Joe Jackson was a career .356 hitter with 1,772 career hits.

Fans never got to see the full potential of Shoeless Joe Jackson, who got engulfed in the biggest scandal until the steroid era.

Cast out of baseball with the rest of the mob in the Black Sox scandal, the empirical evidence suggests Jackson wasn’t holding back at all. In that infamous 1919 World Series, he hit .375, slugging .563 with three doubles, a homer and six RBI. If Jackson was tanking, he did an awful job at it.

In the team’s previous trip to the Series in 1917, he helped the White Sox to the title over the New York Giants in six games.

19. Mickey Mantle, Center Field

Mickey Mantle hit 18 home runs in the postseason and 536 in his career. AP Photo

Experience: 18 seasons (1951-68)

Teams: New York Yankees

Bats: Switch

Career stats: 2,401 G, .298 BA, .421 OBP, .557 SLG, 2,414 H, 536 HR, 1,509 RBI

Postseason stats: 65 G, .257 BA, .374 OBP, .535 SLG, 59 H, 18 HR, 40 RBI

World Series titles: 7 (1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962)

Bottom Line: Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle won seven World Series with the Yankees.

Continuing and building on the dynasties of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle helped usher in a new era of pinstripe dominance in the 1950s and ’60s.

As the power-hitting outfielder, he carried the torch of past generations. While Mantle led the Yanks to 12 trips to the World Series, winning seven, his performances were fairly up and down.

Still, Mantle was one of the most feared hitters in history and hit 18 career home runs in those 12 postseason appearances.

18. Paul Molitor, Designated Hitter, Third Base and Second Base

Paul Molitor hit .368 in 29 career playoff games (117 at-bats) with 43 career hits. AP Photo

Experience: 21 seasons (1978-98)

Teams: Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,683 G, .306 BA, .369 OBP, .448 SLG, 3,319 H, 234 HR, 1,307 RBI

Postseason stats: 29 G, .368 BA, .435 OBP, .615 SLG, 43 H, 6 HR, 22 RBI

World Series titles: 1 (1993)

Bottom Line: Paul Molitor

Paul Molitor was a tough out. Joe Picciolo / AP Photo

Paul Molitor may be the best player in Milwaukee Brewers history (although Robin Yount and Christian Yellich may have something to say about that). But trips to the postseason were few and far between.

Molitor and the Brew Crew went to the playoffs in 1981 and in 1982, losing out to the Cardinals in the World Series in seven games.

He didn’t return to the Fall Classic until 1993 as a veteran member of the Toronto Blue Jays, and he made the most of it, hitting .500 with a 1.000 slugging percentage to take home the MVP.

17. Cal Ripken Jr., Shortstop and Third Base

Cal Ripken Jr. had 431 career home runs. Tom Lynn / AP Photo

Experience: 21 seasons (1981-2001)

Teams: Baltimore Orioles

Bats: Right

Career stats: 3,001 G, .276 BA, .340 OBP, .447 SLG, 3,184 H, 431 HR, 1,695 RBI

Postseason stats: 28 G, .336 BA, .411 OBP, .455 SLG, 37 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI

World Series titles: 1 (1983)

Bottom Line: Cal Ripken Jr.

Cal Ripken Jr. was Mr. Consistent as a hitter. Fred Jewell / AP Photo

Cal Ripken Jr. is best known for breaking Lou Gehring’s consecutive games played record. While that is a notable accomplishment, he also was one of the most feared hitters in crunch time.

Although he had 13 years between his first trip to the playoffs as a 22-year-old and his second as a 35-year-old veteran, Ripken seized the opportunity.

He did have some struggles in the 1983 World Series, hitting just .167, but in every other series, he lit it up.

16. Pete Rose, Outfield, First Base and Third Base

Baseball’s hit king, Pete Rose, could square up a ball like nobody’s business. Harris / AP Photo

Experience: 24 seasons (1963-86)

Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies

Bats: Switch

Career stats: 3,562 G, .303 BA, .375 OBP, .409 SLG, 4,256 H, 160 HR, 1,314 RBI

Postseason stats: 67 G, .321 BA, .388 OBP, .440 SLG, 86 H, 5 HR, 22 RBI

World Series titles: 3 (1975, 1976, 1980)

Bottom Line: Pete Rose

Pete Rose is baseball’s hit king with 4,256 career hits. AP Photo

It’s no surprise that the player best known on the field for his 110 percent effort stepped his game up at the most crucial moments.

Pete Rose was the key cog in the “Big Red Machine” era of Cincinnati baseball. The hit king was a Boston killer in the 1975 World Series, hitting .370 with a .485 OBP in seven games to win the MVP.

In 67 career postseason games, he had 86 hits. Not too shabby.

15. Al Kaline, Right Field and First Base

If a 3,000-hit man can be underrated, it’s Al Kaline. AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1953-74)

Teams: Detroit Tigers

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,834 G, .297 BA, .376 OBP, .480 SLG, 3,007 H, 399 HR, 1,582 RBI

Postseason stats: 12 G, .333 BA, .373 OBP, .563 SLG, 16 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI

World Series titles: 1 (1968)

Bottom Line: Al Kaline

Al Kaline hit .379 with 11 hits and two home runs in the 1968 World Series. AP Photo

Al Kaline was one of the great sluggers of a lighter-hitting era of major league baseball.

He hit nearly 400 homers while spending his entire career with a frequently underperforming Tigers team that kept him out of the playoffs for all but two seasons.

He was 33 when he played his first postseason game, and he made up for lost time by hitting a pair of home runs to help push the Tigers to a World Series championship in seven games over the St. Louis Cardinals.

14. George Brett, Third Base

George Brett was a maestro in the batter’s box. Rusty Kennedy / AP Photo

Experience: 21 seasons (1973-93)

Teams: Kansas City Royals

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,707 G, .305 BA, .369 OBP, .487 SLG, 3,154 H, 317 HR, 1,596 RBI

Postseason stats: 43 G, .337 BA, .397 OBP, .627 SLG, 56 H, 10 HR, 23 RBI

World Series titles: 1 (1985)

Bottom Line: George Brett

George Brett had 3,154 hits and 317 home runs in his career. AP Photo

George Brett is famous for the pine tar incident, a definite black eye on umpiring in the sport. However, that shouldn’t overshadow his legacy as one of the best hitting third basemen of all time.

Brett led the Royals’ charge to the title in 1985 in a pair of seven-game marathons in the ALCS and the World Series, hitting .360 with a trio of homers and 11 runs scored.

13. Manny Ramirez, Outfield

Manny Ramirez was a hitting genius. Stephan Savoia / AP Photo

Experience: 19 seasons (1993-2011)

Teams: Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,302 G, .312 BA, .411 OBP, .585 SLG, 2,574 H, 555 HR, 1,831 RBI

Postseason stats: 111 G, .285 BA, .394 OBP, .544 SLG, 117 H, 29 HR, 78 RBI

World Series titles: 2 (2004, 2007)

Bottom Line: Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez, left, was a lifetime .312 hitter with 555 career home runs. Julie Jacobson / AP Photo

Manny Ramirez was eccentric, to say the least, and his antics on and off the field drew plenty of criticism around the league, even from his teammates. But he took his craft at the plate very seriously, and when the game was on the line, few were better.

A frequent face in October, Ramirez relished the spotlight and cemented that legacy by winning MVP in the Red Sox’s 2004 sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nobody has more home runs in the postseason than Ramirez, who hit 29 in 111 career playoff games. The next closest on the all-time list is Bernie Williams with 22.

12. Carl Yastrzemski, Outfield

Carl Yastrzemski got a lot of big hits for the Red Sox. AP Photo

Experience: 23 seasons (1961-83)

Teams: Boston Red Sox

Bats: Left

Career stats: 3,308 G, .285 BA, .379 OBP, .462 SLG, 3,419 H, 452 HR, 1,844 RBI

Postseason stats: 17 G, .369 BA, .382 OBP, .600 SLG, 24 H, 4 HR, 11 RBI

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Affectionately known as “Yaz” to multiple generations of Red Sox fans, the slugging outfielder was another in the long line of sad stories during the franchise’s championship drought.

The drought is notable, but it had nothing to do with Carl Yastrzemski’s performance. He stepped it up at nearly every opportunity and hit three home runs in the 1967 World Series.

Bottom Line: Carl Yastrzemski

Carl Yastrzemski had 3,419 career hits. Jim Mone / AP Photo

Affectionately known as “Yaz” to multiple generations of Red Sox fans, the slugging outfielder was another in the long line of sad stories during the franchise’s championship drought.

The drought is notable, but it had nothing to do with Carl Yastrzemski’s performance. He stepped it up at nearly every opportunity and hit three home runs in the 1967 World Series.

11. Jimmie Foxx, First Base

Jimmie Foxx hit 534 career home runs. AP Photo

Experience: 20 seasons (1925-42, 1944-45)

Teams: Philadelphia A’s, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,317 G, .325 BA, .428 OBP, .609 SLG, 2,646 H, 534 HR, 1,922 RBI

Postseason stats: 18 G, .344 BA, .425 OBP, .609 SLG, 22 H, 4 HR, 11 RBI

World Series titles: 2 (1929, 1930)

Bottom Line: Jimmie Foxx

Jimmy Foxx was nicknamed “The Beast.” Abe Fox / AP Photo

Jimmie Foxx is one of the often forgotten all-time greats.

Until David Ortiz came along, Foxx held the single-season record for home runs in a Red Sox uniform, a feat that says plenty based on some of the other Hall of Famers to wear the uniform.

He only had three trips to the postseason, but he made the most of them by carrying the A’s to a pair of titles in his early 20s.

10. Hank Aaron, Outfield

Going, going, gone. AP Photo

Experience: 23 seasons (1954-76)

Teams: Atlanta/Milwaukee Braves

Bats: Right

Career stats: 3,298 G, .305 BA, .374 OBP, .555 SLG, 3,771 H, 755 HR, 2,297 RBI

Postseason stats: 17 G, .362 BA, .405 OBP, .710 SLG, 25 H, 6 HR, 16 RBI

World Series titles: 1 (1957)

Bottom line: The former home run king did far more than hit a few dingers in the postseason. His 1.116 career OPS in the playoffs is right up there with the greats of the game.

It’s unfortunate for the sport that he only got to suit up 17 times on the national stage, but he did come away with a World Series ring.

Despite being swept by the Mets in his final trip to the playoffs in 1969, Aaron did his part by belting three home runs in the three-game set.

Bottom Line: Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron had 755 career home runs. AP Photo

The former home run king did far more than hit a few dingers in the postseason. His 1.116 career OPS in the playoffs is right up there with the greats of the game.

It’s unfortunate for the sport that he only got to suit up 17 times on the national stage, but he did come away with a World Series ring.

Despite being swept by the Mets in his final trip to the playoffs in 1969, Aaron did his part by belting three home runs in the three-game set.

9. Edgar Martinez, Designated Hitter and Third Base

Good luck pitching to Edgar Martinez. John Froschauer / AP Photo

Experience: 18 seasons (1987-2004)

Teams: Seattle Mariners

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,055 G, .312 BA, .418 OBP, .515 SLG, 2,247 H, 309 HR, 1,261 RBI

Postseason stats: 34 G, .266 BA, .365 OBP, .508 SLG, 34 H, 8 HR, 24 RBI

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Pedro Martinez once referred to Edgar Martinez as the toughest hitter to punch out he’s ever faced. That is lofty praise coming from one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers in baseball history.

Some poor Mariners teams are to blame for Edgar’s lack of postseason success, as he only went to the playoffs four times in 18 seasons.

However, the seven-time All Star did send the Yankees packing in the 1995 ALDS with a series-winning double in the 11th inning.

Bottom Line: Edgar Martinez

Edgar Martinez had 2,247 career hits. John Froschauer / AP Photo

Pedro Martinez once referred to Edgar Martinez as the toughest hitter to punch out he’s ever faced. That is lofty praise coming from one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers in baseball history.

Some poor Mariners teams are to blame for Edgar’s lack of postseason success, as he only went to the playoffs four times in 18 seasons.

However, the seven-time All Star did send the Yankees packing in the 1995 ALDS with a series-winning double in the 11th inning.

8. Babe Ruth, Outfield and Pitcher

Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs in his career. National Baseball Library / AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1914-35)

Teams: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,503 G, .342 BA, .474 OBP, .690 SLG, 2,873 H, 714 HR, 2,214 RBI

Postseason stats: 41 G, .326 BA, .470 OBP, .744 SLG, 42 H, 15 HR, 33 RBI

World Series titles: 7 (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932)

Bottom line: The original GOAT, Babe Ruth won three World Series games as a starting pitcher and hit 15 homers after being traded to New York.

Focusing on hitting, his slash line is otherworldly, even for Ruth. His performance in the four victories for the Yankees is even scarier.

In those four World Series he won as a Yankee, Ruth hit .430 with 10 home runs. In modern times, he would have just been walked.

Bottom Line: Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth was a lifetime .342 hitter with 2,873 career hits. AP Photo

The original GOAT, Babe Ruth won three World Series games as a starting pitcher and hit 15 homers after being traded to New York.

Focusing on hitting, his slash line is otherworldly, even for Ruth. His performance in the four victories for the Yankees is even scarier.

In those four World Series he won as a Yankee, Ruth hit .430 with 10 home runs. In modern times, he would have just been walked.

7. Lou Gehrig, First Base

Lou Gehrig had 2,721 hits in his career. AP Photo

Experience: 17 seasons (1923-39)

Teams: New York Yankees

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,164 G, .340 BA, .447 OBP, .632 SLG, 2,721 H, 493 HR, 1,995 RBI

Postseason stats: 34 G, .361 BA, .483 OBP, .731 SLG, 43 H, 10 HR, 35 RBI

World Series titles: 6 (1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938)

Bottom Line: Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig hit 10 home runs in 119 career postseason at-bats. AP Photo

“The Iron Horse” made baseball history with his consecutive games played streak (which Cal Ripken snapped nearly 80 years later), but Lou Gehrig also was exceptional in the clutch.

He was at the peak of his powers in the 1928 Fall Classic, batting .545 with four home runs and nine RBI as the Yankees swept through the Cardinals in four games.

In 34 career playoff games, he hit .361 with 43 hits, including 10 home runs and 35 RBI. That’s some serious wood.

6. Joe Carter, Outfield and First Base

Who can forget this celebration in the 1993 World Series? Mark Duncan / AP Photo

Experience: 16 seasons (1983-98)

Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,189 G, .259 BA, .306 OBP, .464 SLG, 2,184 H, 396 HR, 1,445 RBI

Postseason stats: 29 G, .252 BA, .282 OBP, .445 SLG, 30 H, 6 HR, 20 RBI

World Series titles: 2 (1992, 1993)

Bottom Line: Joe Carter

Joe Carter his six home runs in 29 career postseason games. Jim Mone

Joe Carter had a solid career as a major league outfielder with five All-Star appearances.

However, his main claim to fame is a walk-off home run in Game 6 of the World Series in 1993.

His three-run shot to sink the Phillies sent Toronto in a frenzy, as they became one of the few teams to celebrate back-to-back championships.

5. Reggie Jackson, Right Field

Beware of Mr. October. AP Photo

Experience: 21 seasons (1967-87)

Teams: Oakland/Kansas City A’s, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,820 G, .262 BA, .356 OBP, .490 SLG, 2,584 H, 563 HR, 1,702 RBI

Postseason stats: 77 G, .278 BA, .358 OBP, .527 SLG, 78 H, 18 HR, 48 RBI

World Series titles: 5 (1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1978)

Bottom Line: Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson hit 18 home runs with 48 RBI in 77 career playoff games. AP Photo

How could Mr. October not make the top five?

The Yankees’ great may have had better overall numbers as a member of the A’s, where he won three of his five titles, but his signature moment came in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series against the Dodgers.

Jackson belted a trio of homers to bring the World Series trophy back to the Bronx.

4. Kirk Gibson, Outfield

Kirk Gibson, center, was born to be a hero. Peter Southwick / AP Photo

Experience: 17 seasons (1979-95)

Teams: Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates

Bats: Left

Career stats: 1,635 G, .268 BA, .352 OBP, .463 SLG, 1,553 H, 255 HR, 870 RBI

Postseason stats: 21 G, .282 BA, .380 OBP, .577 SLG, 22 H, 7 HR, 21 RBI

World Series titles: 2 (1984, 1988)

Bottom line: With one swing of the bat, the gimpy Kirk Gibson became a sports icon.

Although he only had one World Series at-bat in his league MVP year with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, the home run he hit off Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium vaulted “Gibby” into baseball lore.

His previous runs with the Tigers were a solid foundation, but that home run lives on as his lasting legacy.

Bottom Line: Kirk Gibson

Kirk Gibson’s World Series home run in 1988 remains one of the game’s iconic moments. John Swart / AP Photo

With one swing of the bat, the gimpy Kirk Gibson became a sports icon.

His previous runs with the Tigers were a solid foundation, but that home run lives on as his lasting legacy.

3. Albert Pujols, First Base, Third Base and Left Field

Albert Pujols carries a big stick. Tom Gannam / AP Photo

Experience: 19 seasons (2001-present)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,823 G, .300 BA, .379 OBP, .549 SLG, 3,202 H, 661 HR, 2,075 RBI

Postseason stats: 77 G, .323 BA, .431 OBP, .599 SLG, 90 H, 19 HR, 54 RBI

World Series titles: 2 (2006, 2011)

Bottom Line: Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols has hit .323 with 19 home runs and 54 RBI in 77 career postseason games. Eric Gay / AP Photo

Dubbed “The Machine” in his prime, Albert Pujols got that repuation for keeping his cool in all clutch situations.

At his peak, Pujols was arguably the best right-handed hitter the game has seen, and his success carried into the postseason.

His run through the 2004 playoffs is almost superhuman: .358 BA, 6 HR, 14 RBI in 15 games.

He ranks fourth all-time in postseason home runs with 19.

2. Derek Jeter, Shortstop

The Captain was immune to pressure. David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Experience: 20 seasons (1995-2014)

Teams: New York Yankees

Bats: Right

Career stats: 2,747 G, .310 BA, .377 OBP, .440 SLG, 3,465 H, 260 HR, 1,311 RBI

Postseason stats: 158 G, .308 BA, .374 OBP, .465 SLG, 200 H, 20 HR, 61 RBI

World Series titles: 5 (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009)

Bottom Line: Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter won five World Series with the Yankees. Eric Gay / AP Photo

The captain of the Yankees, Derek Jeter epitomized what the pinstripes are meant to represent. He was sheer class all the way, and an absolute killer at the dish.

His numbers for nearly a full season of playoff games represent a typical, spectacular Jeter season.

And his MVP trophy in the 2000 World Series solidified him as a Yankee legend.

1. David Ortiz, Designated Hitter and First Base

Big Papi is a baseball legend. Charlie Riedel / AP Photo

Experience: 20 seasons (1997-2016)

Teams: Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox

Bats: Left

Career stats: 2,408 G, .286 BA, .380 OBP, .552 SLG, 2,472 H, 541 HR, 1,768 RBI

Postseason stats: 85 G, .289 BA, .404 OBP, .543 SLG, 51 H, 17 HR, 61 RBI

World Series titles: 3 (2004, 2007, 2013)

Bottom Line: David Ortiz

David Ortiz helped the Red Sox break the “Curse of the Bambino” and win the 2004 World Series, Boston’s first world championship in 86 years. Amy Sancetta / AP Photo

There can be no doubt here. David Ortiz almost single-handedly shook off the ghosts of the Evil Empire and brought the Red Sox back to the promised land.

The stats show what is already widely known: Ortiz is a nightmare in the postseason. For his final act, he hit around .800 in the six-game triumph over the Cardinals in the 2013 World Series, earning him an MVP trophy.

Nobody was better at the plate with the game on the line.