Ranking the 15 Greatest MLB Postseason Heroes of the 21st Century

From Derek Jeter to Curt Schilling to David Ortiz, there are certain big leaguers who just own October. 

Those players not only led their clubs to World Series titles, but also landed spots in the rankings of the 15 greatest MLB postseason heroes of the 21st century.

The criteria for the top 15 is simple. When it comes to the playoffs, it's all about winning the Fall Classic. That means that the more influential a given player was in helping his team achieve that goal, the higher up in the rankings he is. All 15 heroes earned at least one ring, but it was the stars who made a habit of stepping up in the biggest moments who claimed the top spots on the list. 

Honorable Mentions

From Francisco Rodriguez storming on to the scene as a 20-year-old to help carry the Los Angeles Angels to the 2002 World Series title to Edgar Renteria clubbing a pair of home runs for the  San Francisco Giants in the 2010 Fall Classic, the record books are littered with unbelievable performances.

Here's a rundown of a few of the players who just missed the cut for the top 15:

• Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels 
• Edgar Renteria, San Francisco Giants
• Andy Pettite, New York Yankees
• Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox
• Aaron Boone, New York Yankees

15. Adam Kennedy, 2B, Anaheim Angels

The Resume: Recorded the American League Championship Series home run hat trick

Adam Kennedy was never much of a power threat. 

During the 2002 regular season, the Anaheim Angels' second baseman went yard just seven times in 144 contests. However, in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, the left-handed hitter went off. Kennedy connected on three home runs to help send the Angels to the World Series, which they would win in seven games over the San Francisco Giants. 

14. Mike Lowell, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Resume: Powered the Boston Red Sox to the 2007 World Series title

Mike Lowell is a two-time World Series champ, but it was his play in the 2007 Fall Classic that earned the third baseman a spot in these rankings. 

Lowell locked up the MVP Award for that series by hitting .400 and scoring a team-leading six runs, as the Boston Red Sox cruised past the Colorado Rockies in four games. In the final contest, Lowell went 2-for-4 with a home run. 

13. Troy Glaus, 3B, Anaheim Angels

The Resume: Earned the MVP Award during the 2002 World Series

Troy Glaus battered the San Francisco Giants' pitching staff during the 2002 World Series. 

The third baseman hit .385 and racked up three doubles and three home runs. Glaus' biggest contribution to the Angels actually came in Game 6. With the team trailing 5-4 in the eighth inning, the right-handed hitter connected on a two-run double to send the Angels on to a 6-5 win. In Game 7, Glaus went 0-for-2, but the Angels won anyway. 

12. David Eckstein, SS, Anaheim Angels and St. Louis Cardinals

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

The Resume: Played key part in two World Series titles 

David Eckstein has quite the World Series track record.

The shortstop scored six runs and hit .310 as the Anaheim Angels won a ring in 2002. During the 2006 edition of the World Series, Eckstein stepped up again. After starting the series just 2-for-13, the right-handed hitter went on a tear in the final two contests for the St. Louis Cardinals. 

In Game 4, Eckstein collected three doubles. Then in Game 5, he added two more hits. That impressive end to the series resulted in Eckstein earning MVP honors. 

11. Hideki Matsui, DH, New York Yankees

The Resume: Drove in six runs to clinch the World Series

Hideki Matsui had a monster Fall Classic in 2009. 

In the series against the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Yankees' designated hitter swung at a clip of .615 while totaling three home runs. In the decisive Game 6 win, Matusi drove in six of the club's seven runs. That big-time performance in the Bronx proved to be the last game that Matsui ever played as a Yankee. 

10. Mariano Rivera, RP, New York Yankees

The Resume: Consistently shut down the opposition in October

Mariano Rivera would have landed even higher in the rankings if not for the fact that this list only considers accomplishments from 2000 onward. That qualification means that Rivera's MVP performance from the 1999 World Series isn't part of the equation. 

Still, what the closer accomplished during the 21st century was remarkable. Rivera was named the 2003 ALCS MVP and pitched in the playoffs in 11 out 12 seasons from 2000 to 2011. During that stretch, Rivera allowed just nine earned runs in 65 appearances. 

9. Pablo Sandoval, 3B, San Francisco Giants

The Resume: Went yard three times in Game 1 of the World Series

Pablo Sandoval had a big night in Game 1 of the World Series in 2012.

The third baseman homered three times to set the tone for the San Francisco Giants' sweep over the Detroit Tigers. Afterward, Sandoval was at a loss when asked to explain his historic performance. 

"I still can't believe it. I don't try to hit home runs. I'm not trying to do too much right now, especially at this time of the season," said Sandoval, via Alex Pavlovich of the Bay Area News Group. 

That three-home run performance put Sandoval in some exclusive company. Albert Pujols, Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth (twice) are the only other players ever to accomplish that feat, per ESPN.com. 

8. Randy Johnson, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

The Resume: Won three games during the 2001 World Series

Randy Johnson only made it to the Fall Classic once, but he made that trip count. 

In 2001, the starter shut out the New York Yankees in Game 2 and then won Game 6, as well. However, the left-hander wasn't done just yet. One night after throwing 104 pitches, Johnson pitched the final 1.1 innings of Game 7 to seal the series. Johnson earned three wins for the D-backs and was named the co-MVP along with fellow ace Curt Schilling. 

7. David Freese, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals

The Resume: Turned in a record-setting postseason to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series title

Without Davd Freese, the St. Louis Cardinals would have never won the World Series in 2011.

In Game 6, with the Cardinals trailing the Texas Rangers 7-5 in the ninth and Freese facing a 1-2 count, the third baseman delivered a two-run triple to tie the contest. Then in the 11th inning, Freese launched a solo shot to center field, as St. Louis walked off. 

In Game 7, Freese added a two-run double, which gave him 21 RBI during the Cardinals' postseason run. That mark set an all-time record, according to Baseball-Reference. Freese also earned the MVP Award for both the NLCS and the World Series. 

6. Manny Ramirez, LF, Boston Red Sox

The Resume: Led the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series title since 1918

Manny Ramirez always hit in October.

In 111 career postseason appearances, the right-handed hitter went yard 29 times and posted a .937 OPS. The high point for Ramirez came in 2004 when he won the first of his two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox. After hitting .412 in the 4-0 sweep over the St. Louis Cardinals, Ramirez was named the MVP as the Red Sox won the team's first title in 86 years. 

5. Josh Beckett, SP, Florida Marlins

The Resume: Stepped up in the World Series in 2003 and 2007

Jack McKeon, who managed Josh Beckett when he pitched the Florida Marlins to the World Series title in 2003, knows just how important the right-hander was to the team's success, as he explained via Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.

"There is no question about it, he was the key."

Just 23 years old, Beckett shut out the New York Yankees in the decisive Game 6 matchup. The starter piled up nine punchouts after recording 10 K's in a Game 3 loss. Beckett also picked up a win for the Boston Red Sox during the 2007 Fall Classic. In three career starts in the World Series, Beckett posted a 1.16 ERA. 

4. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals

The Resume: Produced one of the best October track records of recent memory

Remarkably, Albert Pujols has never been named World Series MVP. 

The veteran has done just about everything else in the postseason. The a two-time World Series champ and the winner of the MVP Award during the 2004 NLCS, Pujols owns a .323 average and a 1.030 OPS in eight playoff trips. The right-handed hitter is also ever-present on the all-time leaderboards. Pujols ranks No. 4 in home runs and total bases, No. 6 in RBI and doubles and No. 7 in hits, per Baseball-Reference.

3. Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees

The Resume: Won the 2000 World Series MVP and played in most postseason games ever

With 158 postseason appearances to his name, Derek Jeter has more playoff experience than any player in the history of baseball. 

Of course, for the purpose of this list, we're only focusing on his accomplishments from 2000 onward. Even though that removes three World Series titles from consideration, there are still plenty of accomplishments to focus on. 

The shortstop won his fourth and fifth titles in 2000 and 2009, respectively. During the Subway Series against the New York Mets in 2000, Jeter hit .409 and piled up five extra-base hits, including two home runs, as he earned the MVP Award. 

2. Curt Schilling, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox

Harry How/Getty Images

The Resume: Starred in three World Series titles

Throughout his career, Curt Schilling had a ton of success in the postseason and in the World Series in particular.

The right-hander won rings with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2001) and the Boston Red Sox (2004 and 2007). While he dealt during all three of those trips, his run with the D-backs in 2001 was simply incredible. That year, Schilling made three starts and recorded a 1.69 ERA while limiting the New York Yankees to a .162 average. He was also named the co-MVP along with Randy Johnson. 

Schilling's "bloody sock" outing n Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS, when he helped the Red Sox pull off a remarkable comeback over the Yankees, is also worth a mention.

1. David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox

The Resume: Played a central role in three World Series titles

David Ortiz is unreal in October.

During the Boston Red Sox's run to the World Series title in 2013, the DH clubbed five home runs and hit .353. Ortiz put up video-game numbers during the Fall Classic. He batted .685 with a .760 OBP and a 1.168 SLG percentage, which was good for a 1.928 OPS. Those numbers won Ortiz the MVP Award, but that wasn't the first time he'd been locked in when it mattered the most.

Ortiz also won rings with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007, and owns a .455 average in 14 World Series games.

Note: All stats courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted. All videos courtesy of MLB.com and YouTube.com.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.