Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
Baseball’s had a black eye for quite a while. Records that were shattered then have had invisible asterisks next to them, thanks to the perception that many of them were aided by a syringe. Not every superstar from this era was juiced, though. Here are 12 of them that made their way to Cooperstown without any help from PEDs.
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Ken Griffey Jr.: That Swing? Pure, Unadulterated Joy (and Dad’s Genes).
Ken Griffey Jr. came to the league as a 19-year-old and made the game look easy. His swing was mesmerizing to watch, and it was all natural, not chemical.
Frank Thomas: The Big Hurt on Pitchers, Not His Conscience.
Frank Thomas was an absolute mountain of a man who put the “hurt” on baseballs with terrifying consistency. He also was a two-sport star in college and could very well have played in the NFL. The Big Hurt also put the hurt on the idea of using steroids, being a very vocal opponent of their use.
Jim Thome: Country Strong, Not Syringe Strong.
With his high socks and gentle giant demeanor, Jim Thome was pure Peoria strong, launching moonshots that seemed to defy gravity. His strength was natural, and the flight of the ball was only aided by his strong wrists and massive forearms.
Greg Maddux: Outsmarting Batters, Not Pharmacists.
First of all, LOOK at Greg Maddux. Jose Canseco could have stuffed the pitching legend into a garbage can. “Mad Dog” didn’t need overpowering velocity; he had a surgeon’s precision and a baseball IQ that was off the charts. He beat hitters with location and an encyclopedic knowledge of their tendencies. His powers of observation were so good that he could pick up on a subtle change in a batter’s stance at the plate and adjust accordingly.
Randy Johnson: Intimidating with Fastballs, Not Forbidden Fruit.
The “Big Unit” was a terrifying sight on the mound, all 6’10” of him, complete with a mullet and a blistering fastball that could make even star lefty hitters suddenly feel like sitting out that day’s game. His intimidation factor came from his sheer physical presence and that wicked slider, not from a needle.
Pedro Martinez: Dominating with Heart, Not Horse Steroids.
People had to have watched Pedro to understand just how much of a magician he was with the baseball. He used his long, slender fingers to make it move in ways that left All-Star hitters swinging at air. He was wiry, electric, and he pitched with a fiery passion and an artist’s touch, his slight frame belying the incredible power and movement he generated. In fact, he laughed at steroid-aided hitters and sent them back to the dugout, completely frustrated.
Chipper Jones: Sweet Swings from Both Sides, Authentically.
Larry “Chipper” Jones was the cornerstone of those dominant Braves teams, a switch-hitting marvel who consistently delivered clutch performances. He had a fantastic swing from both sides of the plate, and while he wasn’t at the level of Mickey Mantle, he did a fine job of forging his own path to Cooperstown without taking any drugs.
Derek Jeter: The Captain’s Clean Sheet (and Jump Throws).
Derek Jeter, aka “Mr. November,” was the face of the Yankees dynasty of the late 90s and early 2000s. The legend played shortstop with a cool confidence and a flair for the dramatic that never involved shortcuts. From the iconic jump throw to his consistent offensive production, Jeter’s career was built on talent, dedication, and an unshakeable poise. Even fans from rival teams had to admit that he did it all the right way.
Mariano Rivera: Cutting Through Lineups, Not Corners.
One pitch. That’s all Mariano Rivera needed: the legendary cutter that sawed off bats and shattered hitters’ hopes for two decades. He would practically tell batters it was coming and they couldn’t do much with it — save for someone named David Ortiz. Rivera’s strength was a spiritual one, not a chemical one. When the speakers blared “Enter Sandman,” it meant the game was over, cleanly.
Tony Gwynn: Hitting Science, Not Chemical Experiments.
“Mr. Padre” supplemented his game by doing two things: relentlessly taking batting practice and studying video of his swing. He was largely a pioneer in the second regard. As a result, he was one of the best hitters in the game’s history, and he earned his eight batting titles through dedication to his craft, not a syringe.
Cal Ripken Jr.: The Iron Man Was Forged, Not Injected.
Cal Ripken Jr. was a tough man. He owed his 2,632 consecutive game streak to dedication, resilience, and yes, quite a bit of luck. He played a position that put him in more danger of injury that Lou Gehrig did. All it could have taken was a hard slide or a twisted ankle. The Orioles legend did it with a fanatical work ethic and staying away from steroids.
Vladimir Guerrero Sr.: Bad Pitches His Only Vice, Not Bad Needles.
Vlad Sr. was a free-swinging marvel who could hit anything thrown remotely near (or far from) the plate, often without batting gloves. His incredible hand-eye coordination and raw power were legendary, producing highlight-reel hits from pitches that most of the other hitters in the game would have watched go by. He was addicted to swinging at any ball in his vicinity, not taking steroids.