As part of our celebration of America 250, MLB's content team has created 25 top 10 lists that capture the plays, people, rituals and moments that made baseball America’s game.
1. Shohei Ohtani 2024
Ohtani creates 50-50 club
Shohei Ohtani created the 50-50 club with a season for the ages in 2024, his first with the Dodgers. The two-way superstar finished with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases -- not to mention 130 RBIs and a 1.036 OPS -- while leading L.A. to a World Series title. Ohtani reached the 50-50 mark with one of the best single-game performances of all time, going 6-for-6 with three home runs and two steals.
2. Doc Gooden 1985
Dr. K dominates
In his age-20 season, Dwight Gooden dominated like few others have in MLB history. Each start was simply appointment television. He won the NL Cy Young Award behind a 24-4 record and a 1.53 ERA, the second lowest in a single season by a qualified pitcher in the Live Ball Era, trailing only Bob Gibson’s 1.12 mark in 1968. Gooden also tossed 16 complete games with 268 strikeouts in 276 2/3 innings.
3. Barry Bonds 2001
Bonds breaks single-season HR record
Baseball’s home run king was at his very best in 2001, launching 73 long balls to set the all-time single-season home run record. Barry Bonds eclipsed Mark McGwire’s single-season record with his 71st homer off the Dodgers’ Chan Ho Park. Bonds led the Majors in ‘01 with a 1.379 OPS, but it was actually just the third-highest single-season OPS of his storied career.
4. Babe Ruth 1923
The Babe wins his only MVP
The Bambino captured his lone MVP Award in 1923. He sure deserved the distinction that year, hitting .393 with 41 home runs, 130 RBIs and a 1.309 OPS. Babe Ruth accumulated 14.1 WAR (according to Baseball Reference), setting the single-season bWAR record. Plus, he steered the Yankees to a World Series title over their crosstown rivals, the New York Giants.
5. Pedro Martínez 1999
Pedro steals the summer
Already one of baseball’s best, Pedro Martínez found another gear in 1999. The 27-year-old went 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA, striking out 313 in 213 1/3 innings. He captured his second of three Cy Young Awards and finished second in AL MVP voting. Pedro’s most iconic moment occurred at the All-Star Game, when he struck out five of the six batters he faced -- including the first four hitters -- at Fenway Park.
6. Mickey Mantle 1956
Mantle wins MLB Triple Crown
Mickey Mantle is still the last player to win the MLB Triple Crown, leading all of baseball -- not just one league -- with a .353 batting average, 52 home runs and 130 RBIs. The feat earned Mantle his first of three MVP awards, as he captured all 24 first-place votes. Mantle also clubbed three home runs to steer the Yankees past the Dodgers in a contentious seven-game World Series.
7. Carl Yastrzemski 1967
Yaz captures Triple Crown
With his storied 1967 season, Carl Yastrzemski became one of 12 Triple Crown winners since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920. He led the American League in batting average (.326), homers (44) and RBIs (121), all single-season career highs for the future Hall of Famer. Yaz ran away with the AL MVP Award and also captured a Gold Glove Award while leading the Red Sox to the AL pennant.
8. Orel Hershiser 1988
Hershiser's historic scoreless innings streak
Orel Hershiser rattled off an unthinkable run late in the ‘88 season, tossing 59 straight scoreless innings -- the longest streak in a single AL/NL season in the Live Ball Era. It’s no surprise that he won the NL Cy Young Award unanimously. Perhaps even more impressive, Hershiser stretched his dominance through October, vaulting the Dodgers to the title with a 1.05 ERA in 42 2/3 postseason frames.
9. Oscar Charleston 1921
Charleston's dominant season
Oscar Charleston did it all across a hallowed career that included stints in the Negro Leagues, independent ball and winter ball. The Hall of Famer was never better than in 1921, when he was listed with a batting average above .400 and led the Negro National League in doubles, triples and home runs as the league’s most prolific power threat.
10. Ichiro 2001
Ichiro makes an iconic entrance
Ichiro Suzuki was not your typical rookie when he arrived to the U.S. in 2001, having spent nine seasons excelling in Japan’s NPB. Even still, he exceeded expectations with one of the greatest performances by a first-year player in AL/NL history. Ichiro led the Majors in batting average (.350), hits (242) and stolen bases (56) while winning AL Rookie of the Year and MVP honors.
Honorable Mentions
• Pud Galvin, 1884
• Walter Johnson, 1913
• Bullet Rogan, 1922
• Rogers Hornsby, 1924
• Lou Gehrig, 1927
• Hack Wilson, 1930
• Ted Williams, 1941
• Josh Gibson, 1943
• Bob Gibson, 1968
• Steve Carlton, 1972
• Ron Guidry, 1978
• George Brett, 1980
• Cal Ripken, 1991
• Greg Maddux, 1995
• Albert Belle, 1995
• Brad Lidge, 2008
• Zack Greinke, 2009
• Miguel Cabrera, 2012
• Clayton Kershaw, 2014
• Jacob deGrom, 2018
• Paul Skenes, 2025