Alex Rodriguez explains why the Dodgers are good for baseball
USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa chats with MLB legend Alex Rodriguez about the dominant nature of the Dodgers roster.
Sports Seriously
The first quarter of the 21st century is in the books, with 26 seasons of Major League Baseball taking place since the planet didn’t implode over Y2K.
In that time, we’ve seen some of the greatest players in the history of the game from 1980s holdovers like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens to the modern marvels in reigning back-to-back MVPs Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.
We surveyed USA TODAY Sports’ staff of MLB writers and editors on who should make up baseball’s All Quarter-Century Team and there was consensus on most player that would up making the list of 10 positions, five starting pitchers and a closer.
There are certainly some notable snubs! Alex Rodriguez and Adrian Beltre each have a more-than valid shout and the manager (Bruce Bochy?) of this team would surely get them regular at-bats – though curiously nine of the ten hitters are right-handed.
With that, here’s the full look at USA TODAY Sports’ All Quarter-Century MLB Team:
Catcher: Yadier Molina (2004-2022)
St. Louis Cardinals (2004-2022)
10-time All-StarNine Gold Glove awardsTwo World Series titles – 2006 and 2011
Also receiving votes: Buster Posey, Joe Mauer
First base: Albert Pujols (2001-2022)
St. Louis Cardinals (2001-2011, 2022), Los Angeles Angels (2011-2021), Los Angeles Dodgers (2021)
703 home runs – fourth all-timeThree National League MVP awards – 2005, 2008 and 20092,218 RBI – second all time3,384 hits – 10th all time11-time All-StarTwo World Series titles – 2006 and 2011Two Gold Glove awardsSecond base: Jose Altuve (2011-present)
Houston Astros (2011-2025)
2017 American League MVPTwo World Series titles – 2017 and 20222015 AL Gold Glove award.303 career average, 2,388 hits
Also receiving votes: Chase Utley
Third base: Miguel Cabrera (2003-2023)
Florida Marlins (2003-2007), Detroit Tigers (2008-2023)
2012 and 2013 American League MVP511 home runs – 25th all time3,174 hits1,881 RBIs – 13th all time2012 Triple Crown, MLB’s first since 1967 with 44 HR, 139 RBIs, .330 averageFour batting titles – 2011, 2012, 2013 and 20152003 World Series title
Also receiving votes: Adrian Beltre, Alex Rodriguez
Shortstop: Derek Jeter (1995-2014)
New York Yankees (1995-2014)
Stats from 2000-2014
Two World Series titles – 2000 and 2009Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame (2020)Five Gold Glove awards12-time All-Star from 2000
Also receiving votes: Mookie Betts, Alex Rodriguez
Outfield: Mike Trout (2011-present)
Los Angeles Angels (2011-2025)
Three American League MVP awards – 2014, 2016 and 201911-time All-Star404 home runs, 214 stolen bases
Also receiving votes: Carlos Beltran, Barry Bonds
Outfield: Aaron Judge (2016-present)
New York Yankees (2016-2025)
Three American League MVP awards: 2022, 2024 and 2025Four 50 HR seasons – one of only four players in history1.028 OPS – ninth all time.615 slugging percentage – sixth all timeAL record 62 home runs in 2022Outfield: Mookie Betts (2014-present)
Boston Red Sox (2014-2019), Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-2025)
2018 American League MVPFour World Series titles – 2018, 2020, 2024 and 2025Eight-time All-StarSix Gold Glove awardsDesignated hitter: David Ortiz (1997-2016)
Minnesota Twins (1997-2002), Boston Red Sox (2003-2016)
Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame (2022)541 career home runs – 17th all time1,768 career RBIs – 23rd all time10-time All-StarThree World Series titles – 2004, 2007 and 2013
Also receiving votes: Shohei Ohtani
Starting pitcher: Clayton Kershaw (2008-2025)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2008-2025)
Three NL Cy Young awards – 2011, 2013 and 20142014 National League MVPThree World Series titles – 2020, 2024 and 2025Five NL ERA titles – 2011-2014, 20173,052 career strikeouts – 20th all time4.271 strikeouts per walk – 12th all time
Also receiving votes: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Roy Halladay
SP: Justin Verlander (2005-present)
Detroit Tigers (2005-2017), Houston Astros (2017-2024), New York Mets (2023), San Francisco Giants (2025)
Three Cy Young awards – 2011, 2019 and 20222011 American League MVP266 wins3,553 strikeouts – eighth all timeTwo World Series titles – 2017 and 2022Nine-time All-StarSP: Max Scherzer (2008-present)
Arizona Diamondbacks (2008-2009), Detroit Tigers (2010-2014), Washington Nationals (2015-2021), Los Angeles Dodgers (2021), New York Mets (2022), Texas Rangers (2023-2024), Toronto Blue Jays (2025)
Three Cy Young awards – 2013, 2016 and 2017221 wins3,489 strikeouts – 11th all timeTwo World Series titles – 2019 and 2023Eight-time All-StarSP: Zack Greinke (2004-2023)
Kansas City Royals (2004-2010, 2022-2023), Milwaukee Brewers (2011-2012), Los Angeles Angels (2012), Los Angeles Dodgers (2013-2015), Arizona Diamondbacks (2016-2019), Houston Astros (2019-2021)
2009 American League Cy Young225 winsSix-time All-StarSP: CC Sabathia (2011-2019)
Cleveland (2001-2008), Milwaukee Brewers (2008), New York Yankees (2009-2019)
Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame (2025)2007 American League Cy Young251 winsSix-time All-Star2009 World Series titleCloser: Mariano Rivera (1995-2013)
New York Yankees (1995-2013)
Stats from 2000-2013
Two World Series titles – 2000 and 2009Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame (2019)523 saves2.05 ERA in 849 games0.86 ERA in 65 postseason games with 29 saves11-time All-StarMLB’s all-time saves leader with 622