Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAYWed, November 26, 2025 at 11:08 AM UTC·1 min readWe're a quarter of the way through the 21st century and have been lucky enough to see some of the greatest players in baseball history over the past 25 years.
Since 2000, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols' 101.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) leads all players, with Alex Rodriguez tied for second ways back at 89.7 bWAR.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJustin Verlander, now 42 years old, has the highest mark of any pitcher at 82.2 and is one of eight active players who rank among the top 25 in WAR over the past 25 years. Five of the top 25 have already been inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame.
Here's a look at the full list, using Baseball-Reference's WAR calculations:
Freddie Freeman (5) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
Freddie Freeman (5) and Max Muncy (13) celebrate after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
Shohei Ohtani (17) and center fielder Justin Dean (75) celebrate with teammates after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) and Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.1 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Freddie Freeman (5) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.1 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Freddie Freeman (5) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.2 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Freddie Freeman (5) and Max Muncy (13) celebrate after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.3 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.4 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.5 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.6 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.7 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.8 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Shohei Ohtani (17) and center fielder Justin Dean (75) celebrate with teammates after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.9 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.10 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) and Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.11 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.12 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.13 / 13See the Dodgers' World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.25 best MLB players of the 2000s, ranked by WAR
Albert Pujols - 101.3 WAR
Alex Rodriguez – 89.7 WAR
Adrian Beltre – 89.7
Mike Trout – 87.5
Justin Verlander – 82.2
Clayton Kershaw – 78.1
Mookie Betts – 75.2
Max Scherzer – 74.7
Zack Greinke – 72.4
Robinson Cano – 68.7
Miguel Cabrera – 67.2
Carlos Beltran – 65.1
Chase Utley – 64.6
Freddie Freeman – 64.2
Paul Goldschmidt – 63.8
Joey Votto – 63.6
Roy Halladay – 62.4
Aaron Judge – 62.3
CC Sabathia – 61.8
Manny Machado – 61.7
Ichiro Suzuki – 60
Mark Buehrle – 60
Barry Bonds – 59.1
Evan Longoria – 58.9
Chipper Jones – 58.3
Aug. 6, 2025: The Phillie Phanatic interacts with Philadelphia Phillies service dog Tugger during a break in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park.
April 7, 2025: Jackie Hornung and her Samoyed dog, Lumi (also known as Little Bear Lumi), throw a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins at Citi Field.
April 6, 2025: A dog is seen at the game between the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field.
Sept. 3, 2024: Fans bring their dogs during the Bark in the Park night prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.
Aug. 28, 2024: Decoy, the dog of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, waits for instruction before delivering the first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium.
Aug. 28, 2024: A dog gets close to the camera during the Bark at the Park event before the Colorado Rockies' game against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field.
Aug. 28, 2024: Television actress Caitlin O'Connor holds her dog Bubbles on the field prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates playing the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
Aug. 24, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood (left) and manager Mark Kotsay (right) pet Reba, the Oakland Athletics' clubhouse dog, in the dugout before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Aug. 12, 2024: Dogs walk on the warning track for Bark in the Park day before the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
May 9, 2024: A dog takes the ball from Milwaukee Brewers first base coach Quintin Berry following a first pitch prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Bark at the Park night at American Family Field.
May 5, 2024: Oakland Athletics infielder Max Schuemann shares a moment with Reba, the Oakland Athletics' clubhouse dog, before a game against the Miami Marlins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
April 16, 2024: Chase Field, Arizona
March 31, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood's dog Reba plays with a baseball on the field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
March 29, 2024: Oakland Athletics groundskeeper Clay Wood and his dog rake the infield before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
March 29, 2024: A dog dressed in New York Mets apparel sits in front of Citi Field before the Opening Day game between the Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.
Oct. 8, 2023: Camden Yards
June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.
June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.
May 19, 2023: Citi Field (Mets)
May 9, 2023: Great American Ball Park
April 11, 2023: Citi Field
Sept. 28, 2022: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (Oklahoma CIty Dodgers)
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
Sept. 5, 2022: A dachshund gives a Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw doll a ride around the field during the Pups at the Park Parade at Dodger Stadium.
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
Aug. 16, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
Brooks, a 2-year-old Dalmatian owned by Sarah Paukert of Ames, enjoys the action during the Dog Days at Principal Park as the Iowa Cubs hosted Columbus in a minor league baseball game on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Des Moines.
June 7, 2022: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter throws out a first pitch for his dog on Bark at the Park night prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field. Suter wrote a children's book "The Binky Bandit" inspired by his mini golden doodle. 
June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
May 9, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati)
April 19, 2022: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)
Sept. 28, 2021: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)
Sept. 3, 2020; Minute Maid Park (Astros)
Aug. 10, 2020: Dodger Stadium
Aug 7, 2020: Dodger Stadium
Aug. 2, 2020: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
Sept. 10, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox).
Sept. 8, 2019: Marlins Park
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
July 16, 2019: Brewers pitcher Jeremy Jeffress pets his dog.
July 16, 2019: Josh Hader shows fans his dog at Miller Park.
July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)
July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)
June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)
June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)
June 17, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)
May 29, 2019: Camden Yards (Orioles)
May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds)
May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).
April 29, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
March 6, 2019: Salt River Fields (Rockies spring training)
Feb. 21, 2019: Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe with his dog on media day
Sept. 24, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
May 30, 2018: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
Sept. 16, 2018: Tropicana Field (Rays)
Sept 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)
Sept. 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)
Sept. 2, 2018: Minute Maid Park (Astros)
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)
June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)
May 30, 2018: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
May 20, 2018: SunTrust Park (Atlanta)
May 5, 2018: Citi Field (Mets)
April 23, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
Sept. 6, 2017: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
June 29, 2017: Petco Park (Padres)
June 10, 2017: Tropicana Field (Rays)
Aug. 20, 2016: Citizens Bank Park (Phillies)
Aug. 29, 2015: AT&T Park (Giants)1 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 6, 2025: The Phillie Phanatic interacts with Philadelphia Phillies service dog Tugger during a break in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park.1 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 6, 2025: The Phillie Phanatic interacts with Philadelphia Phillies service dog Tugger during a break in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park.2 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 7, 2025: Jackie Hornung and her Samoyed dog, Lumi (also known as Little Bear Lumi), throw a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins at Citi Field.3 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 6, 2025: A dog is seen at the game between the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field.4 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 3, 2024: Fans bring their dogs during the Bark in the Park night prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.5 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 28, 2024: Decoy, the dog of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, waits for instruction before delivering the first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium.6 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 28, 2024: A dog gets close to the camera during the Bark at the Park event before the Colorado Rockies' game against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field.7 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 28, 2024: Television actress Caitlin O'Connor holds her dog Bubbles on the field prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates playing the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.8 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 24, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood (left) and manager Mark Kotsay (right) pet Reba, the Oakland Athletics' clubhouse dog, in the dugout before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.9 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 12, 2024: Dogs walk on the warning track for Bark in the Park day before the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.10 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.11 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.12 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 9, 2024: A dog takes the ball from Milwaukee Brewers first base coach Quintin Berry following a first pitch prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Bark at the Park night at American Family Field.13 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 5, 2024: Oakland Athletics infielder Max Schuemann shares a moment with Reba, the Oakland Athletics' clubhouse dog, before a game against the Miami Marlins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.14 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 16, 2024: Chase Field, Arizona15 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
March 31, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood's dog Reba plays with a baseball on the field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.16 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
March 29, 2024: Oakland Athletics groundskeeper Clay Wood and his dog rake the infield before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.17 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
March 29, 2024: A dog dressed in New York Mets apparel sits in front of Citi Field before the Opening Day game between the Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.18 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Oct. 8, 2023: Camden Yards19 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.20 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.21 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 19, 2023: Citi Field (Mets)22 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 9, 2023: Great American Ball Park23 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 11, 2023: Citi Field24 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 28, 2022: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (Oklahoma CIty Dodgers)25 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium26 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 5, 2022: A dachshund gives a Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw doll a ride around the field during the Pups at the Park Parade at Dodger Stadium.27 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium28 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium29 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 16, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)30 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Brooks, a 2-year-old Dalmatian owned by Sarah Paukert of Ames, enjoys the action during the Dog Days at Principal Park as the Iowa Cubs hosted Columbus in a minor league baseball game on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Des Moines.31 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 7, 2022: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter throws out a first pitch for his dog on Bark at the Park night prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field. Suter wrote a children's book "The Binky Bandit" inspired by his mini golden doodle.32 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)33 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)34 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 9, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati)35 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 19, 2022: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)36 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 28, 2021: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)37 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 3, 2020; Minute Maid Park (Astros)38 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 10, 2020: Dodger Stadium39 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug 7, 2020: Dodger Stadium40 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 2, 2020: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)41 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 10, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox).42 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 8, 2019: Marlins Park43 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)44 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)45 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)46 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
July 16, 2019: Brewers pitcher Jeremy Jeffress pets his dog.47 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
July 16, 2019: Josh Hader shows fans his dog at Miller Park.48 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)49 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)50 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)51 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)52 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 17, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).53 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)54 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)55 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)56 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 29, 2019: Camden Yards (Orioles)57 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds)58 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).59 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 29, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)60 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
March 6, 2019: Salt River Fields (Rockies spring training)61 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Feb. 21, 2019: Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe with his dog on media day62 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 24, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)63 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 30, 2018: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)64 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 16, 2018: Tropicana Field (Rays)65 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)66 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)67 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 2, 2018: Minute Maid Park (Astros)68 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)69 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)70 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)71 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)72 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)73 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 30, 2018: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)74 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 20, 2018: SunTrust Park (Atlanta)75 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 5, 2018: Citi Field (Mets)76 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 23, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)77 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 6, 2017: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)78 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 29, 2017: Petco Park (Padres)79 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 10, 2017: Tropicana Field (Rays)80 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 20, 2016: Citizens Bank Park (Phillies)81 / 81Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 29, 2015: AT&T Park (Giants)This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 25 best MLB players of the past 25 years, ranked by WAR
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