The MLB postseason is where legacies are cemented and legends are born. It’s one thing to be great in the regular season—it’s another to show up when everything’s on the line, with millions watching and October pressure in full swing.
From dominant pitchers to clutch home run hitters, baseball’s playoff history is packed with unforgettable performances. These 20 players didn’t just play in the postseason—they owned it.
20. Madison Bumgarner
When you think of postseason pitching dominance, Bumgarner is one of the first names that comes to mind. He turned the 2014 playoffs into his highlight reel and basically lived on the mound.
19. Albert Pujols
Pujols had plenty of big playoff moments, but that moonshot in Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS still echoes. His bat was a constant threat anytime he stepped to the plate in October.
18. Reggie Jackson
They didn’t call him Mr. October for nothing. He had a flair for the dramatic and a habit of crushing home runs when the lights were brightest.
17. Derek Jeter
The Captain wasn’t flashy, but man, was he reliable in the postseason. Clutch hits, iconic flips, and that calm, cool demeanor made him a playoff staple.
16. Curt Schilling
Bloody sock and all, Schilling came through time and time again when it mattered most. He was never afraid of the moment and often pitched like the season depended on it—because it did.
15. David Ortiz
No one loved a big moment more than Big Papi. Walk-offs, comebacks, and game-tying bombs were just part of his October routine.
14. Orel Hershiser
He put the Dodgers on his back in 1988 and never let go. His postseason pitching was surgical and relentless, a true masterclass in big-game performance.
13. Mariano Rivera
Ice in his veins, cutter in his hand, game basically over. Rivera was the closer that every October team wished they had.
12. Justin Verlander
Verlander’s been through just about every playoff scenario and still manages to come out throwing fire. He’s the kind of guy who seems to level up as the stakes get higher.
11. Carlos Beltrán
In 2004, Beltrán went on one of the most ridiculous postseason tears you’ll ever see. Pitchers couldn’t figure him out, and fans couldn’t believe what they were watching.
10. Randy Johnson
The Big Unit in October was as terrifying as he was tall. He absolutely shoved in pressure situations and delivered some of the most dominant playoff pitching ever.
9. Jorge Posada
Always in the mix during the Yankees’ dynasty years, Posada was that steady force behind the plate. He delivered in big moments and never seemed rattled.
8. Manny Ramirez
Say what you want about Manny being Manny, but in October, he was a menace at the plate. He holds the record for most career postseason home runs for a reason.
7. Clayton Kershaw
He’s had ups and downs, but Kershaw finally got over the hump and helped deliver a title. His full postseason body of work tells a deeper story than just early struggles.
6. Andy Pettitte
You could always count on Pettitte to give you a gritty, competitive start in October. With more postseason wins than anyone else, he was basically built for this.
5. Yadier Molina
A postseason run without Yadi calling the shots behind the plate didn’t feel right. His leadership, arm, and clutch hits made him a Cardinals icon.
4. Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod may have had a complicated playoff relationship, but in 2009, he went full beast mode. He silenced the doubters and carried the Yankees through key October moments.
3. David Freese
For one postseason, Freese was the guy every kid dreams of being. His 2011 heroics were straight out of a movie—and even better because they were real.
Read More: The 17 Most Clutch Hitters in MLB Playoff History
2. Babe Ruth
It’s the Babe. Even nearly a century later, his postseason feats still feel larger than life, especially with the whole called shot legend tossed in.
Read More: These 15 Legendary MLB Stars Made Postseason History
1. Lou Gehrig
Gehrig wasn’t just consistent—he was a machine. When October came around, he elevated his game to a level few have ever matched.
Read More: 18 Pitchers Who Had One Good Postseason and Milked It Forever
