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.
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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:
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Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge and Mike Trout during the 2018 All-Star Game.
Catcher: Yadier Molina (2004-2022)
St. Louis Cardinals (2004-2022)
Two 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-time
Three National League MVP awards – 2005, 2008 and 2009
2,218 RBI – second all time
3,384 hits – 10th all time
Two World Series titles – 2006 and 2011
Second base: Jose Altuve (2011-present)
Houston Astros (2011-2025)
Two World Series titles – 2017 and 2022
.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 MVP
511 home runs – 25th all time
1,881 RBIs – 13th all time
2012 Triple Crown, MLB’s first since 1967 with 44 HR, 139 RBIs, .330 average
Four batting titles – 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015
Also receiving votes: Adrian Beltre, Alex Rodriguez
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
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 WAR. See the rest of the top 25.
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
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 WAR. See the rest of the top 25.
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
2. Alex Rodriguez – 89.7
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
3. Adrian Beltre – 89.7
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
4. Mike Trout – 87.5
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
5. Justin Verlander – 82.2
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
6. Clayton Kershaw – 78.1
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
7. Mookie Betts – 75.2
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
8. Max Scherzer – 74.7
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
9. Zack Greinke – 72.4
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
10. Robinson Cano – 68.7
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
11. Miguel Cabrera – 67.2
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
12. Carlos Beltran – 65.1
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
13. Chase Utley – 64.6
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
14. Freddie Freeman – 64.2
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
15. Paul Goldschmidt – 63.8
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
16. Joey Votto – 63.6
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
17. Roy Halladay – 62.4
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
18. Aaron Judge – 62.3
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
19. CC Sabathia – 61.8
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
20. Manny Machado – 61.7
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
21. Ichiro Suzuki – 60
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
22. Mark Buehrle – 60
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
23. Barry Bonds – 59.1
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
24. Evan Longoria – 58.9
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Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
25. Chipper Jones – 58.3
Shortstop: Derek Jeter (1995-2014)
New York Yankees (1995-2014)
Stats from 2000-2014
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Two World Series titles – 2000 and 2009
Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame (2020)
12-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 2019
404 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 2025
Four 50 HR seasons – one of only four players in history
1.028 OPS – ninth all time
.615 slugging percentage – sixth all time
AL record 62 home runs in 2022
Outfield: Mookie Betts (2014-present)
Boston Red Sox (2014-2019), Los Angeles Dodgers (2020-2025)
Four World Series titles – 2018, 2020, 2024 and 2025
Designated 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 time
1,768 career RBIs – 23rd all time
Three World Series titles – 2004, 2007 and 2013
Also receiving votes: Shohei Ohtani
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Starting pitcher: Clayton Kershaw (2008-2025)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2008-2025)
Three NL Cy Young awards – 2011, 2013 and 2014
Three World Series titles – 2020, 2024 and 2025
Five NL ERA titles – 2011-2014, 2017
3,052 career strikeouts – 20th all time
4.271 strikeouts per walk – 12th all time
Also receiving votes: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Roy Halladay
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
USA Team All-Star Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the World Team during the XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game at AT&T Park on July 8, 2007, in San Francisco.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
USA Team All-Star Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the World Team during the XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game at AT&T Park on July 8, 2007, in San Francisco.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch in his MLB debut against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on May 25, 2008, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw pitches in the sixth inning in his MLB debut against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on May 25, 2008. The Dodgers defeated the Cardinals 4-3 in 10 innings.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre pats starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw on the back as he relieves him in the eighth inning with catcher Russell Martin standing by against the San Diego Padres on Sept. 2, 2008, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws from the mound against the San Diego Padres during their MLB game on April 9, 2009, at Petco Park in San Diego.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates an Orlando Hudson at-bat resulting in a fielder’s choice and error to score Mark Loretta with the bases loaded in the 11th inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on May 18, 2009, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw pitches in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 21, 2009.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after the game with the Colorado Rockies on Oct. 3, 2009, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 5-0 to clinch the National League West.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw on the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 2 of the 2009 NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw signs balls for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals before a 2009 NLDS game at Busch Stadium on Oct. 10, 2009, in St Louis.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is pulled from the game during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the 2009 NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 15, 2009.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw lays down a bunt in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on May 9, 2010.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Jeff Pentland in the dugout with players Reed Johnson, A.J. Ellis, Clayton Kershaw, Brad Ausmus and Scott Podsednik during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 5, 2010.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with catcher Rod Barajas after defeating the San Francisco Giants during a game at AT&T Park on Sept. 14, 2010, in San Francisco.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the dugout after he is pulled in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on April 21, 2011. The Dodgers won 5-3 in the 12th inning.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and center fielder Matt Kemp celebrate after Kershaw’s complete game shutout against the Detroit Tigers on June 20, 2011, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
From left to right: National League All-Stars Pablo Sandoval, Justin Upton, Starlin Castro and Clayton Kershaw celebrate after defeating the American League in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field on July 12, 2011.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Catcher Rod Barajas of the Los Angeles Dodgers argues with home plate umpire Bill Welke after pitcher Clayton Kershaw was thrown out of the game for hitting Gerardo Parra of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a pitch at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 14, 2011, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw prepares to deliver a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at AT&T Park on Sept. 9, 2011.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and wife Ellen Kershaw pose for a photo at a press conference at Dodger Stadium to discuss their book on Jan. 17, 2012.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Pitcher Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers is presented the National League Cy Young Award plaque by former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela prior to the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on April 11, 2012 in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose with their 2011 Gold Gloves before the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on April 13, 2012, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers receives a high-five from Clayton Kershaw after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Houston Astros on April 20, 2012, at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
National League All-Star pitcher Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers talks with catcher Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants and pitching coach Dave Duncan during the fifth inning of the 2012 MLB All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium on July 10, 2012.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, relief pitcher Kenley Jansen and right fielder Andre Ethier celebrate with third baseman Hanley Ramirez after Ramirez hit a walk-off single against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 5, 2012.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers signs autographs before the MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on Aug. 19, 2012, in Atlanta.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws a pitch in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 11, 2012. (Editors note: Multiple exposure image)
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is awarded the Roberto Clemente Award by commissioner Bud Selig and MLB goodwill ambassador Vera Clemente prior to Game 4 of the 2012 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers on Oct. 28, 2012.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw rounds the bases after a solo home run in the eighth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2013.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp pours a bucket of ice water on starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw as he is being interviewed by Fox Sports West reporter Jim Watson after the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2013.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers fans cheer starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw as he is relieved in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on May 14, 2013.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
National League All-Stars Patrick Corbin, Pedro Alvarez, Jeff Locke, Jordan Zimmerman and Clayton Kershaw watch from the dugout at the 2013 MLB All-Star Game on July 16, 2013, at Citi Field in New York.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Adrian Gonzalez and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after Gonzalez scored the winning run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 9, 2013, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates in the clubhouse after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-6 to clinch the NL West title at Chase Field on Sept. 19, 2013.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers receives an ovation as he leaves the game with a 10-0 lead over the Colorado Rockies during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 27, 2013, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Atlanta Braves during Game 1 of the NLDS at Turner Field on Oct. 3, 2013, in Atlanta.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in Game 4 of the 2013 NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 7, 2013, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt comes out to talk with starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and catcher A.J. Ellis during the third inning in Game 6 of the 2013 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Oct. 18, 2013.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers players Clayton Kershaw and Adrian Gonzalez celebrate with Chone Figgins after he scored the winning run on a walk-off single by Carl Crawford in the 10th inning against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium on April 8, 2014.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates with teammates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers All-Stars Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Dee Gordon and Yasiel Puig pose with National League jerseys before the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on July 11, 2014.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has champagne poured on him following the Dodgers’ 9-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants to win the NL West at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 24, 2014, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts in the dugout during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the 2014 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 3, 2014, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after giving up a three-run home run to St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams in the seventh inning during Game 4 of the 2014 NLDS at Busch Stadium on Oct. 7, 2014.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
National League All-Stars Clayton Kershaw, Joc Pederson and Bryce Harper warm up prior to the 86th MLB All-Star Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 14, 2015, in Cincinnati.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers is sprayed with champagne after the Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 8-0 to clinch the NL West at AT&T Park on Sept. 29, 2015, in San Francisco.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw leaves the field after becoming the 11th player in MLB history with 300 strikeouts in a single season on Oct 4, 2015.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is out at first against the tag of Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the third inning in Game 1 of the 2015 NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 9, 2015.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw talks on the dugout telephone during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on May 16, 2016.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and daughter Cali Ann Kershaw stand on the field during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at PETCO Park on July 11, 2016, in San Diego.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts in the dugout after being pulled in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals during Game 4 of the 2016 NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammate Carlos Ruiz after winning Game 5 of the 2016 NLDS over the Washington Nationals 4-3 at Nationals Park on Oct. 13, 2016, in Washington.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks at third base in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game 6 of the 2016 NLCS at Wrigley Field on Oct. 22, 2016, in Chicago.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws his 2,000th career strikeout during the third inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 2, 2017, in Milwaukee.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
National League All-Star Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers holds his daughter Cali Ann Kershaw during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Marlins Park on July 10, 2017, in Miami.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers takes the field before the first inning against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he exits the game during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 29, 2017, in Houston.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Manny Machado, Matt Kemp, Alex Verdugo, Clayton Kershaw and Chase Utley of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate while waiting for Chris Taylor at home plate after Taylor’s walk-off home run against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 18, 2018, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates with teammates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS at Miller Park on Oct. 20, 2018.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park in Boston on Oct. 23, 2018.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after allowing a sixth-inning home run to Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 28, 2018 in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and teammates celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating the Baltimore Orioles and clinching the NL West at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sept. 10, 2019, in Baltimore.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts in the dugout during the eighth inning in Game 5 of the 2019 NLDS against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 9, 2019.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers prepares to pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game 5 of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field on Oct. 25, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with the World Series trophy after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in Game 6 to win the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field on Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw holds his son Cooper Kershaw and the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series in Game 6 at Globe Life Field on Oct. 27, 2020.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after receiving his World Series championship ring during the 2020 World Series ceremony against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on April 9, 2021.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw shakes hands with President Joe Biden during a celebration of the team’s 2020 World Series championship in the East Room of the White House on July 2, 2021, in Washington.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
From left to right: Joey Gallo, Craig Kimbrel, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose together in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 13, 2022, to win the NL West.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after making the third out against the New York Mets in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on April 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. Kershaw recorded his 200th career win in the victory.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after giving up a home run to Gabriel Moreno of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning during Game 1 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and his family celebrate after the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 30, 2024, in New York.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy during the 2024 World Series celebration at Dodger Stadium on Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers after receiving his 2024 World Series championship ring at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw as Trump hosts the 2024 World Series champions in the East Room of the White House on April 7, 2025, in Washington.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after striking out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning to record his 3,000th career strikeout, at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers embrace after Kershaw was removed from the game during the second inning of the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025, in Atlanta.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles in the dugout prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Aug. 2, 2025, in Tampa, Florida.
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Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrate their 10-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Sept. 14, 2025.
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 2022
3,553 strikeouts – eighth all time
Two World Series titles – 2017 and 2022
SP: 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)
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Three Cy Young awards – 2013, 2016 and 2017
3,489 strikeouts – 11th all time
Two World Series titles – 2019 and 2023
SP: 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 Young
SP: 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 Young
Closer: Mariano Rivera (1995-2013)
New York Yankees (1995-2013)
Stats from 2000-2013
Two World Series titles – 2000 and 2009
Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame (2019)
0.86 ERA in 65 postseason games with 29 saves
MLB’s all-time saves leader with 622
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB All Quarter-Century Team features Hall of Famers, 2025 stars