Last Updated: October 20th, 2026 by Matthew Brown
I would say that the 2000s were a time when I was personally following baseball the closest. It was a time when I pretty much fell in love with the game while also discovering the nuances of integrity in sports. It was certainly a dynamic time in baseball, and we have a collection of dynamic hitters to go through.
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Here are the best of the best from that decade, whether you like them or not. Let's start right at the top.
12. Barry Bonds: Baseball’s Most Feared Slugger
It's almost hard to believe that Barry Bonds pretty much had a whole career before this decade started. However, this is where he made his history. The Home Run King certainly grew a massive amount of muscle at the start of this decade.
And it helped him to basically overtake the home run influx that had been showcased in 1998. His 73 home runs in 2001 still stand as the record to beat, whether fans respect it or not.
11. Albert Pujols: The Machine’s Perfect Decade
While Barry Bonds was breaking records, Albert Pujols was just coming onto the scene. Though he didn't just arrive, he asserted himself. The 2001 Rookie of the Year was also top-four in MVP voting.
That was just his first year in the MLB without ever having a cup of coffee beforehand.
It was a sign of things to come and a legendary career to be had. Even as a younger fan, I could tell that huge things were in his future just by watching him play.
10. Alex Rodriguez: Power and Precision Combined
From the very beginning, everyone knew that Alex Rodriguez was going to be a big star. Fewer fans knew how polarizing he would become. Either way, he was one of the best sluggers of the 2000s, and probably the greatest shortstop slugger of all time.
He was a two-time MVP in this decade, as he simply dominated at the plate while being jeered by fans in the stands.
9. Manny Ramirez: The Pure Hitting Savant
I really liked watching Manny Ramirez play. He had such a calm about him when he was at the plate that it showed me how confidence can be displayed without ever even showing emotion.
Even though he was calm before the ball came, he had a quick, violent swing when it reached the plate. He had 348 home runs in the 2000s and dazzled fans before disappointing them with his multiple steroid suspensions at the end of his career.
8. Ichiro Suzuki: The Hit Machine
Ichiro Suzuki is my favorite position player of all time. With all the power and muscle building that so many hitters went through during this era, Suzuki was the antithesis of it all. I know there were other speedsters during this time, but Suzuki was the best combination of speed, hitting ability, and defense.
It came as no surprise that the home run record was broken in this decade. But it was definitely unexpected, and it should be mentioned more that the single-season hit record was broken in this decade as well.
7. Vladimir Guerrero: The Bad Ball Hitter
There was no doubting how fun it was to watch Vladimir Guerrero play this great game of baseball. He reminded people that it really was just a game that kids can play at any age. The free-swinging slugger.
Just always wanted to find ways to get his bat on the ball. It didn't even matter if the ball hit the dirt first.
If Guerrero was committed to swinging, he was also committed to hitting the baseball. He was darn good at it too. A .323 batting average throughout this decade shows how talented he was with the bat.
6. Todd Helton: Colorado’s Hitting Machine
I don't care that he played his entire career in Colorado. Todd Helton was one of the purest hitters that I've seen play at first base.
A .372 batting average in 2000 was almost unthinkable when you consider the fact that he also led all of baseball with 59 doubles to go along with 42 home runs. That was also in the middle of a stretch where Helton hit at least 30 home runs in six straight seasons.
5. Chipper Jones: The Switch-Hitting Legend
There are hardly any switch-hitters in history that can really compare to Chipper Jones. Yeah, I know of Mickey Mantle and others, but in an age where power was almost required to be a top hitter, Jones showed that his all-around ability could lead a division-winning dynasty.
He maintained a great .311 batting average in the 2000s to go along with a terrific .413 on-base percentage and .547 slugging.
4. Jim Thome: The Power-Hitting Giant
This Hall of Famer just kept hitting home runs no matter where he was. The third baseman turned first baseman started to transition into becoming a full-time designated hitter in the 2000s. I feel like having a premier slugger in that spot is what every team aims for, yet not many are able to actually obtain.
His White Sox days are underrated, as he was still able to hit 42 home runs in his 16th season and maintain his status as one of the game's great hitters.
3. Miguel Cabrera: The Natural Hitter
Similar to Albert Pujols, we could all see how special Miguel Cabrera was very early on. The 2000s were the decade when Miggy developed into the superstar he would be known as. A .311 batting average and 209 home runs during this decade would be a sign of things to come.
He was destined for greatness from his first season, when he helped lead the Florida Marlins to their improbable World Series championship in 2003.
2. David Ortiz: Big Papi’s Clutch Era
The Boston Red Sox don't break their curse without David Ortiz. Who knows how long it would have taken if they didn't have him. Big Papi was just as big of a presence in the clubhouse as he was at the plate.
He was the heartbeat of a franchise that needed a big one to get over that proverbial championship hump.
He's not only one of the most beloved athletes in Boston sports history, but he's also one of the most beloved people in general.
1. Carlos Delgado: The Overlooked Star
I really think that Carlos Delgado was just as good as any other hitter in this decade. He started the 2000s with his best season, as he hit .344 through all 162 games, with an incredible 57 doubles and 41 home runs.
He hit 324 home runs during these 10 years, which led to a great 144 OPS+. He really was a premier slugger throughout his career.
