Best Baseball Players of the 70s: Stars Who Dominated the Decade
The 1970s is often remembered as one of baseball’s most transformative decades, where the game saw a perfect blend of power, speed, and pitching excellence. This era was marked by the emergence of free agency, the introduction of the designated hitter, and the rise of dynasties like the Oakland A’s and the Cincinnati Reds’ Big Red Machine.
The players of the ’70s were larger than life, with many becoming household names and future Hall of Famers. They delivered unforgettable performances, set records that stood the test of time, and captivated fans with their unique blend of skill, flair, and determination.
This list honors the 10 best baseball players of the 70s, each of whom left an indelible mark on the sport and defined what it meant to be a superstar in that golden era of baseball.
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#10: Willie Stargell (1962 – 1982)
Position: Left Fielder / First Baseman
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 188 lbs
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates
Willie Stargell, affectionately known as “Pops,” was the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1970s. Stargell was instrumental in leading the Pirates to two World Series championships in 1971 and 1979.
His 1979 season was particularly special, as he earned both the National League MVP and World Series MVP awards. Stargell’s ability to come through in the clutch made him a beloved figure in Pittsburgh and across the baseball world.
Accolades/Stats:
- 1979 NL MVP
- 1979 World Series MVP
- 2x World Series Champion
- 296 home runs during the 1970s
#9: Rod Carew (1967 – 1985)
Position: First Baseman / Second Baseman
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 170 lbs
Teams: Minnesota Twins
Rod Carew was one of the most consistent and accomplished hitters of the 1970s. During the decade, Carew won six batting titles, including an incredible .388 average in 1977.
Carew had an uncanny ability to hit to all fields and was known for his intelligence at the plate. His .334 batting average during the 1970s is a testament to his dominance as a hitter.
Accolades/Stats:
- 1977 AL MVP
- 6x AL Batting Champion
- .334 batting average during the 1970s
#8: Nolan Ryan (1966 – 1993)
Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 170 lbs
Teams: New York Mets, California Angels
Nolan Ryan, known as “The Ryan Express,” was the most feared power pitcher of the 1970s. His blazing fastball and devastating curveball made him a strikeout machine, leading the league in strikeouts seven times during the decade.
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In 1973, he set a single-season record with 383 strikeouts, a mark that still stands today. Ryan also threw four no-hitters in the 1970s, showcasing his ability to overpower hitters.
Accolades/Stats:
- 7x Strikeout Leader in the 1970s
- 4 no-hitters during the decade
- 383 strikeouts in 1973 (single-season record)
#7: Carl Yastrzemski (1961 – 1983)
Position: Left Fielder / First Baseman
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 175 lbs
Teams: Boston Red Sox
Carl Yastrzemski, affectionately known as “Yaz,” was the face of the Boston Red Sox throughout the 1970s. He was a complete player, excelling at the plate, in the field, and as a leader in the clubhouse.
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In 1977, he became the first American League player to collect 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. Yastrzemski was also a Gold Glove outfielder, known for his strong arm and excellent range.
Accolades/Stats:
- 3x AL Batting Champion
- 1970s Gold Glove Winner
- 3,000 hits and 400 home runs by 1979
#6: Steve Carlton (1965 – 1988)
Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 210 lbs
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies
Steve Carlton, known as “Lefty,” was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1970s. His incredible 1972 season, in which he won 27 games for the Philadelphia Phillies, earned him the National League Cy Young Award.
Carlton’s devastating slider and pinpoint control made him a nightmare for hitters. He won three Cy Young Awards in the 1970s and led the league in strikeouts five times during the decade.
Accolades/Stats:
- 3x NL Cy Young Award Winner
- 5x Strikeout Leader in the 1970s
- 27 wins in 1972
#5: Joe Morgan (1963 – 1984)
Position: Second Baseman
Height/Weight: 5’7″, 160 lbs
Teams: Cincinnati Reds
Joe Morgan was the engine that powered the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” in the 1970s. A two-time National League MVP (1975 and 1976), Morgan was known for his speed, power, and defensive excellence.
He hit 22 home runs and stole 67 bases in his MVP-winning 1976 season. Morgan’s leadership helped guide the Reds to back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.
Accolades/Stats:
- 2x NL MVP (1975, 1976)
- 2x World Series Champion
- 5x Gold Glove Winner in the 1970s
#4: Pete Rose (1963 – 1986)
Position: Third Baseman / Outfielder
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 192 lbs
Teams: Cincinnati Reds
Pete Rose, known as “Charlie Hustle,” was the embodiment of hard work and dedication. Rose led the National League in hits four times during the 1970s and was the 1973 NL MVP.
Rose’s fiery demeanor and unyielding desire to win were key to the success of the Cincinnati Reds. His 44-game hitting streak in 1978 remains one of the most celebrated achievements in baseball history.
Accolades/Stats:
- 1973 NL MVP
- 2x World Series Champion
- 44-game hitting streak in 1978
- 1,772 hits in the 1970s
#3: Johnny Bench (1967 – 1983)
Position: Catcher
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 197 lbs
Teams: Cincinnati Reds
Johnny Bench was the cornerstone of the Cincinnati Reds’ dynasty and is widely regarded as the greatest catcher of all time. Bench was a two-time National League MVP (1970 and 1972) and a key figure in the Reds’ World Series championships in 1975 and 1976.
Bench led the league in home runs twice during the decade and was a 10-time Gold Glove winner. His ability to control the game from behind the plate made him an invaluable leader for the “Big Red Machine.”
Accolades/Stats:
- 2x NL MVP (1970, 1972)
- 10x Gold Glove Winner in the 1970s
- 2x World Series Champion
- 389 career home runs
#2: Tom Seaver (1967 – 1986)
Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 205 lbs
Teams: New York Mets
Tom Seaver, known as “Tom Terrific,” was the epitome of pitching excellence in the 1970s. A three-time Cy Young Award winner during the decade, Seaver was the ace of the New York Mets.
He led the National League in strikeouts five times in the 1970s and had a career ERA of 2.86. Seaver’s leadership and ability to consistently deliver outstanding performances earned him a place in the Hall of Fame.
Accolades/Stats:
- 3x NL Cy Young Award Winner
- 5x NL Strikeout Leader in the 1970s
- Career 2.86 ERA
#1: Reggie Jackson (1967 – 1987)
Position: Right Fielder
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 195 lbs
Teams: Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees
Reggie Jackson, famously known as “Mr. October,” was the defining player of the 1970s. Jackson led the Oakland Athletics to three consecutive World Series titles from 1972 to 1974 and became the face of the Yankees’ championship runs in 1977 and 1978.
His iconic three-home-run game in the 1977 World Series earned him the nickname “Mr. October.” Jackson’s combination of power and ability to deliver on the biggest stage made him the ultimate superstar of the 1970s.
Accolades/Stats:
- 2x World Series MVP (1973, 1977)
- 5x World Series Champion
- 4x AL Home Run Leader in the 1970s
- 292 home runs during the decade
