In The Year 2000: The Top 20 Major League Baseball Players of the Last Decade

In baseball, there are players who have a season where they appear to hit everything that comes at them, or if they are a pitcher, they keep the bats quiet all night.

Sometimes, these are players who have career years, because they are never heard or seen from again after their sensational season.

For them, it is too difficult to repeat the same success.

On the contrary, there are players who completely dominate and thrive in the league for years.

They make everything appear so easy and natural.

For hitters, every pitch is coming at them in slow motion and their timing is perfect.

For pitchers, they keep the opposing offense's at helm as their bats stay quiet all night.

These are the athletes who are not labeled as "fading stars".

These are the players who evolve into future Hall of Famers.

During the last decade, baseball fans have been witnessed to some of the greatest baseball players to have ever worn a baseball jersey.

Here are the top 20 major league baseball players of the last decade.

20. Miguel Cabrera

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 19: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers runs the bases after his first inning two run home run against the New York Yankees on August 19, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Im

Batting Average: .313

Home Runs: 247

RBI: 879

Hits: 1,400

Runs:  741

OBP: .388

SLG: .552

162 Game Average: .313 BA, 34 HR, 120 RBI, 191 H, 101 R

Miguel Cabrera is grooming to be one of the best hitters of today.  He can slam a couple balls out of the park, but he can also hit for average, too.

He has evolved into one of the most dangerous sluggers in baseball and he is only 27.  Scary.

19. Jorge Posada

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Jorge Posada #20 of the New York Yankees hits a RBI single in the bottom of the second inning against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bronx boroug

Batting Average: .280

Home Runs: 226

RBI: 876

Hits: 1,346

Runs: 730

OBP: .384

SLG: .489

162 Game Average: .275 BA, 26 HR, 100 RBI, H 154, 84 R

Though Posada battled through injuries this season, he has been one of the most productive catchers in the last decade.

Posada is number one in on-base and slugging percentage among catchers with at least 4,000 plate appearances.  

18. Bobby Abreu

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ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Bobby Abreu #53 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the Cleveland Indians on September 8, 2010 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Angels won 4-3 in 16 innings. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .293

Home Runs: 236

RBI: 1,071

Hits: 1,867

Runs: 1,149

SB: 319

OBP: .398

SLG: .486

162 Game Average: .296 BA, 23 HR, 101 RBI, 170 H, 109 R, 30 SB

Sure, Abreu has the great offensive power numbers, but many people seem to forget Abreu is a base-stealing threat.  In the last decade, Abreu has failed to reach 20 stolen bases only once in a season.

17. C.C. Sabathia

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty

Wins: 157

Loses: 88

ERA: 3.57

Innings Pitched: 2,127

Strikeouts: 1,787

Complete Games: 30

Shutouts: 11

162 Game Average: 17-9, 3.57 ERA, 225 IP, 189 K, three CG, one SO

Sabathia has been a work-horse through his whole career, but it has not been detrimental to his production.  He continues to dominate hitters, and he is one of the most powerful pitchers of today.

16. Roy Halladay

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 06: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks to the media following his no-hitter in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park on October 6, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.The Phillies def

Wins: 160

Loses: 79

ERA: 3.29

Innings Pitched: 2,134

Strikeouts: 1,619

Complete Games: 56

Shutouts: 18

No-Hitters: Two (One Perfect Game)

162 Game Average: 18-9, 3.29 ERA, 182 K, 240 IP, seven CG, three SO

Doc Halladay has been the most consistent pitcher of this decade.  He has six seasons with at least 16 wins and he has at least an ERA under 3.30.

He is currently the leader amongst active players with the most complete games.

15. Andruw Jones

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CHICAGO - MAY 26: Andruw Jones #25 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the Chicago Cubs on May 26, 2006 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 6-5. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .255

Home Runs: 327

RBI: 965

Hits: 1,404

Runs: 893

OBP: .339

SLG: .492

162 Game Average: .256, 35 HR, 104 RBI, 151 H, 96 R

Even though Jones' career rapidly took a detour, he was a feared hitter in an already dangerous Atlanta Braves offense.  From 2000 to 2007, he belted out less than 26 home runs in a season.

14. Jim Thome

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 10: Jim Thome #25 of the Minnesota Twins prepares to bat against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on August 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Twins defeated the White Sox 12-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .272

Home Runs: 393

RBI: 1,045

Hits: 1,333

Runs: 925

OBP: .404

SLG: .559

162 Game Average: .278 BA, 44 HR, 115 RBI, 147 H, 102 R,

Year after year, Thome continued to hit mammoth shots over the fence.

Even though his numbers have been consistent throughout the years, it's hard to believe there has not been a single team in the last decade who wants to hold onto this guy.

13. Vladimir Guerrero

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Texas Rangers bats against the New York Yankees in Game Three of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Travis Lindquist/Getty Imag

Batting Average: .321

Home Runs: 344

RBI: 1,152

Hits: 1,929

Runs: 1,012

Stolen Bases: 151

OBP: .387

SLG: .562

162 Game Average: .320 BA, 36 HR, 118 RBI, 197 H, 104 R,  16 SB

His swing may be unorthodox, and he may make you cringe at the pitches he reaches out for, but man, he can hit some moon shots.

12. Chipper Jones

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HOUSTON - AUGUST 10: Third baseman Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves throws out Hunter Pence of the Houston Astros from deep behind the base at Minute Maid Park on August 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Jones left the game after injuring himself on the

Batting Average: .308

Home Runs: 283

RBI: 967

Hits: 1,619

Runs: 963

OBP: .411

SLG: .540

162 Game Average: .306 BA, 31 HR, 106 RBI, 177 H, 105 R

Chipper Jones has had a remarkable career for 16 seasons in the same uniform with the Atlanta Braves. He has been a hitting machine for the Braves, and he should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

11. David Ortiz

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 3: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox waves to fans after he was replaced by a pinch runner against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, October 3, 2010, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .282

Home Runs: 339

RBI: 1,118

Hits: 1,505

Runs: 917

OBP: .377

SLG: .551

162 Game Average: .281 BA, 40 HR, 127 RBI, 167 H, 103 R

The Minnesota Twins gave up on David Ortiz, and it could back to haunt them.

Ortiz carried the Boston Red Sox to two World Series rings, and he evolved into one of the game's most clutch hitters.

10. Roger Clemens

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 20: Pitcher Roger Clemens #22 of the Houston Astros lines up a pitch during his final scheduled home game of the season against the Cincinnati Reds on September 20, 2006 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

Wins: 107

Loses: 50

ERA: 3.34

Strikeouts: 1,356

Innings Pitched: 1454.1

Complete Games: Three

Shutouts: One

162 Game Average: 16-8, 3.30 ERA, 203 K, 217 IP, one CG, one SO

With suspicion of using performance enhancing drugs and his arrogance against Congress during the Mitchell Report, there really isn't anything we can do to help repair Clemens image.

But, if you put that aside for a moment, and you examine the numbers he put up during the last decade, HGH or no HGH, he could still blow pitches by hitters.

09. Manny Ramirez

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HOUSTON - JUNE 29: Manny Ramirez #24 of the Boston Red Sox at bat against the Houston Astros during Interleague MLB action on June 29, 2008 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .316

Home Runs: 357

RBI: 1,148

Hits: 1,641

Runs:971

OBP:.418

SLG:.592

162 Game Average: .313 BA, 40 HR, 129 RBI, 184 H, 109 R

Underneath his luscious hair and the heavy smog of suspicion of using performance enhancing drugs, there is a true and genuine hitter.  Despite his too many "Manny being Manny" incidents, he is a lethal weapon every time he is standing at home plate.

08.Carlos Beltran

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NEW YORK - JULY 29: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets bats against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 29, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .281

Home Runs: 258

RBI: 947

Hits: 1,551

Runs: 982

Stolen Bases: 259

OBP: .362

SLG: .499

162 Game Average: .280 BA, 29 HR, 106 RBI, 173 H, 110 R, 29 SB

Injuries have derailed the underrated slugger last two seasons, but when he is healthy, he can be one of the fiercest hitters in the game.

07. Randy Johnson

Wins: 143

Loses: 78

ERA:  3.34

Innings Pitched: 1885.1

Strikeouts: 2182

Complete Games: 32

Shutouts:12

No-Hitters: One (Perfect Game)

162 Game Average: 18-10, 3.29 ERA, 227 IP, 262 K, four CG, one SO

Randy Johnson was a fire ball hurler, as he constantly sat down hitters. He won the ERA crown twice and he won a World Series MVP in this decade.

06. Derek Jeter

Batting Average: .312

Home Runs: 171

RBI: 794

Hits: 2,119

Runs: 1,199

Stolen Bases: 237

OBP: .383

SLG: .448

162 Game Average: .314 BA, 17 HR, 78 RBI, 208 H, 118 R, 24 SB

Today, when you think of the New York Yankees, you think of Derek Jeter.  For the last decade, lost among the steroid suspicion were players who used their own talents to bring them to new levels.  Jeter was one of those players who was just naturally talented, and his heroics in the postseason brought his stature to greater heights.

05. Ichiro Suzuki

Batting Average: .331

Home Runs: 90

RBI: 558

Hits: 2,244

Runs: 1,047

Stolen Bases: 383

Triples: 71

OBP: .376

SLG: .430

162 Game Average: .331 BA, nine HR, 57 RBI, 229 H, 107 R, 39 SB

It's been truly remarkable what Ichrio has done since his talents where imported from Japan.  He is the only player today who is recognized by one name, he has recorded the most the hits by any player in the last decade, and he has appeared in the  All-Star every year since his debut.

Oh, he also won the Rookie of the Year and MVP award in the same year.  No biggie.

04. Mariano Rivera

Wins: 48

Losses: 42

ERA: 2.06

Innings Pitched: 773.1

Saves: 430

Strikeouts: 714

162 Game Average:  5-5, 2.23 ERA, 42 SV, 75 IP, 69 SO

Enter the Sandman.

Rivera immediately strikes fear into hitters, as he has been the most efficient closer in the last decade. It's rare to hear Rivera blew a save over the airwaves because he was usually automatic.

If a team had any thought of mounting a comeback, it was quickly dissolved once Super Mariano stepped to the mound.

He has been even more impressive when it has mattered the most: playoffs.

Through his playoff career, he is 4-1 with 29 saves and 64 strikeouts to accompany his staggering ERA 0.71.

03. Alex Rodriguez

Batting Average: .301

Home Runs: 465

RBI: 1,368

Hits: 1,881

Runs: 1,264

Stolen Bases: 183

Doubles: 314

OBP: .396

SLG: .580

162 Game Average: .301 BA, 46 HR, 135 RBI, 185 H, 124 R, 18 SB

Many wonder what A-Rod's numbers would have looked like if he never took steroids.

Many wonder what it is like to be on the Moon.

For both, it's impossible to imagine.

For A-Rod, we have to get pass the accusations and we just have to look at the bottom-line: his stats.

His numbers that are presented are Hall of Fame worthy and this does not even include his whole career.

Does anything else need to be said?

02. Barry Bonds

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397515 01: (FILE PHOTO) Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants (R) celebrates his 73rd home run in front of his son Nikolai October 7, 2001 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, CA. Bonds won a record 4th Most Valuable Pl

Batting Average: .322

Home Runs: 317

RBI:687

Hits: 925

Runs: 772

Walks: 1128

Intentional Walks: 390

Hit By Pitch: 53

OBP: .517

SLG: .724

162 Game Average: .322 BA, 52 HR, 115 RBI, 152 H, 127 R, 185 BB, 64 IB

We all know what Barry Bonds did.

And if you compare Bonds' offensive stats compared to other players in the last decade, he is less impressive.

However, how do you allow a guy to hit when you take the bat out of his hands so many times?

At the end of his career, Bonds was the all-time leader in walks with 2,558.

If he had not been walked 177 times in 2001, he would have slugged out 80-90 home runs instead of his 73.  That's once for every three at bats.

Pitchers pitched around him and coaches did not want to pitch to him.

Both wanted to take Bonds completely out of the equation.

You have to be doing something right to earn that kind of respect.

It is unimaginable what type of season and even his final career stats would have been if he had not been given a free pass so many times.

01. Albert Pujols

Al Bello/Getty Images

NEW YORK - JULY 27: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals in action against the New York Mets during their game on July 27, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Batting Average: .331

Home Runs: 408

RBI: 1,230

Hits: 1,900

Runs: 1,186

Doubles: 426

OBP: .426

SLG: .624

162 Game Average: .331 BA, 42 HR, 128 RBI, 198 H, 123 R, 44 2B

Prince Albert.

Phat Albert.

The Machine.

Call the three-time MVP whatever you want, but he is the best player of this decade.

It's eye-boggling the numbers he has been able to produce every single season.

He has been on streaks where he looks absolutely un-human, as every pitch appears to be a "beachball" for him.

What strikes me the most is his lack of swinging and missing, which is common for most sluggers.

Pujols has never struck out 100 times in a season.

To say he has one of the best eyes in the game is an understatement.

Pujols is only 31 and he does not have any signs of slowing down.

It wouldn't be surprising to see him dominant again in the next decade.