# Who is the best MLB player born in 1970?

> Hall of Fame power sits next to steady catchers, crafty lefties and a reliever who didn't reach the majors until his mid-thirties. One birth year, very different careers.

*By YPB Team · Published November 7, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-mlb-player-born-in-1970*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Jim Thome** — score 1000/1000
   Hall of Fame slugger who hit 612 home runs over 22 seasons, most of them with Cleveland.
2. **Eddie Guardado** — score 682/1000
   Left-handed closer who saved 187 games and led the American League with 45 saves for Minnesota in 2002.
3. **Darren Oliver** — score 622/1000
   Left-hander who won 118 games between 1993 and 2013, first as a starter and later as a reliever.
4. **Jon Lieber** — score 466/1000
   Right-hander who won 20 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2001 and made that year's All-Star team.
5. **Paul Byrd** — score 466/1000
   Right-hander known for his old-fashioned windup who won 109 games and was a 1999 All-Star.
6. **Aaron Sele** — score 466/1000
   Right-hander who won 148 games and was a two-time All-Star.
7. **Jim Edmonds** — score 363/1000
   Center fielder who hit 393 home runs, won eight Gold Gloves and played on the 2006 World Series champion Cardinals.
8. **Jorge Posada** — score 363/1000
   Yankees catcher who made five All-Star teams and won five Silver Sluggers, playing on the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009 champions.
9. **Javy López** — score 363/1000
   Braves catcher and three-time All-Star who was the 1996 NLCS MVP and hit 43 home runs in 2003.
10. **Takashi Saito** — score 363/1000
   Japanese reliever who debuted with the Dodgers at 36, saved 84 MLB games and made the 2007 All-Star team.
11. **Mike Matheny** — score 363/1000
   Catcher who won four Gold Gloves, three of them with the St. Louis Cardinals.
12. **Mark Grudzielanek** — score 0/1000
   Second baseman who was a 1996 All-Star with Montreal and won a Gold Glove with Kansas City in 2006.
13. **Steve Trachsel** — score 0/1000
   Right-hander who won 143 games, mainly with the Cubs and Mets, and made the 1996 All-Star team.
14. **Craig Counsell** — score 0/1000
   Infielder who scored the winning run of the 1997 World Series and was the 2001 NLCS MVP.
15. **Royce Clayton** — score 0/1000
   Shortstop who played 17 seasons for 11 teams and made the 1997 All-Star team.

Tags: sports, 70s, baseball, players, mlb