# Who is the best MLB player born in 1961?

> Two batting-title first basemen headline this class, joined by a base-stealing outfielder, a two-time champion shortstop and a staff of starters and closers. Several of them won a World Series ring along the way.

*By YPB Team · Published November 10, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-mlb-player-born-in-1961*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Don Mattingly** — score 1000/1000
   New York Yankees first baseman from 1982 to 1995 who won the 1985 AL MVP, the 1984 AL batting title and nine Gold Gloves.
2. **Andrés Galarraga** — score 1000/1000
   Venezuelan first baseman who hit 399 home runs, won the 1993 NL batting title at .370 and led the NL with 47 homers in 1996.
3. **Rick Aguilera** — score 764/1000
   Reliever with 318 career saves who made three All-Star teams with the Twins and won the World Series in 1986 with the Mets and 1991 with Minnesota.
4. **Jimmy Key** — score 764/1000
   Left-hander who won 186 games, led the AL with a 2.76 ERA in 1987 and won World Series titles with the 1992 Blue Jays and 1996 Yankees.
5. **Mike Henneman** — score 764/1000
   Detroit Tigers reliever from 1987 to 1995 who made the 1989 AL All-Star team and finished with 193 career saves.
6. **Storm Davis** — score 503/1000
   Right-hander who won 113 games from 1982 to 1994, including a 19-7 season for the 1989 Oakland Athletics.
7. **Greg Gagne** — score 503/1000
   Shortstop who started for the Minnesota Twins in their 1987 and 1991 World Series championships.
8. **Bill Swift** — score 503/1000
   San Francisco Giants right-hander who led the NL with a 2.08 ERA in 1992 and went 21-8 in 1993, finishing second in the Cy Young vote.
9. **Vince Coleman** — score 0/1000
   Cardinals outfielder who won the 1985 NL Rookie of the Year, led the NL in steals six straight years and finished with 752 stolen bases.
10. **Tim Belcher** — score 0/1000
   Right-hander who won 146 games from 1987 to 2000 and was part of the 1988 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
11. **Scott Garrelts** — score 0/1000
   San Francisco Giants pitcher who made the 1985 All-Star team as a reliever and led the NL with a 2.28 ERA as a starter in 1989.

Tags: 80s, 90s, baseball, players, mlb