Story by
MLB’s all-time ‘Mr. October’ race: Ranking greatest postseason careers
- Story by
- MLB’s all-time ‘Mr. October’ race: Ranking greatest postseason careers
The MLB playoffs have given us some of the game's greatest moments. One big home run can flip an entire series, and one great pitching performance can win a title. Some players step up every single October, while others become legends off just one magical playoff run.
Deciding who is truly the best playoff performer takes more than just counting rings and home runs. You have to look at career numbers, batting averages, pitching stats and how well players handled the pressure. A few current players are even working their way onto the list.
Advertisement
MORE: Franchise royalty: Tampa Bay Rays all-time postseason lineup
With the 2026 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers starting Friday, Oct. 23, postseason baseball is front and center once again.
Here are 10 of the best playoff careers in baseball history.
10. Bernie Williams
Former New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams at Old Timer's Day at Yankee Stadium. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Bernie Williams was the steady heartbeat of the New York Yankees' playoff runs. He hit 22 home runs and drove in 80 runs in October, which are both Yankee records. In 121 games, he racked up 128 hits and 83 runs. He ranks first in baseball history for career playoff RBIs and won four World Series rings. He was also the 1996 ALCS MVP and is one of only four players to hit two walk-off home runs in the playoffs. While his .275 playoff batting average isn't mind-blowing, he is relevant because he showed up and produced year after year.
Advertisement
9. Freddie Freeman
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) strikes out during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Freddie Freeman always seems to come through when the game is on the line. He has hit 18 playoff home runs, and almost all of them came in massive spots. In fact, 13 of his homers either tied the game or gave his team the lead. He is the only player to hit two walk-off home runs in the World Series, including a walk-off grand slam in 2024. That same year, he won World Series MVP after hitting a homer in each of the first four games. With three championship rings, he has earned a spot as one of the game's best clutch hitters.
8. Kyle Schwarber
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) watches game play after hitting a single against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 3 of the wild-card round for the 2026 playoffs at Truist Field. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Kyle Schwarber brings pure, raw power to October. He has crushed 24 playoff home runs in only 309 plate appearances, which works out to roughly one homer every 13 trips to the plate. That is the best home run pace you will find. He holds the record for the most playoff homers by a left-handed hitter and has hit five leadoff home runs, which is another record. He does strike out a lot and has played in fewer games than other guys on this list, but when he connects, he changes games instantly.
Advertisement
7. Madison Bumgarner
Madison Bumgarner is here because of the single greatest playoff run a pitcher has ever had. In 2014, he threw over 52 innings for the Giants and gave up almost nothing, finishing with a 1.03 ERA and four total postseason wins. In that World Series alone, he won two games, got a save and allowed just one run in 21 innings. His crowning moment came in Game 7, when he came out of the bullpen on short rest and threw five shutout innings to win the title. Across his entire career in the World Series, he threw 36 innings and allowed only one earned run. He didn't pitch as many total career playoff innings as some others, but nobody has ever peaked higher.
MORE: Franchise royalty: Milwaukee Brewers all‑time postseason lineup
Advertisement
6. Babe Ruth
Former player Babe Ruth reaches home plate after hitting a home run for the Boston Braves | Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images
Babe Ruth was a World Series monster both at the plate and on the pitcher's mound, collecting seven rings during his legendary career. When he hit, he crushed the ball, slugging .744 and hitting 15 World Series homers, including two different games where he hit three home runs. When he pitched, he gave up almost nothing, putting up a 0.87 ERA in 31 innings. He played back when the World Series was the only playoff round, so his total games are lower, but he dominated every time he played for a title.
5. Manny Ramirez
Boston's Manny Ramirez prepares to hit during MLB's Home Run Derby X at Principal Park on Aug. 30, 2025, in Des Moines. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Manny Ramirez sits at the very top with 29 career playoff home runs. In 111 games, he hit .285, drove in 78 runs, and drew 72 walks. He was a force in October, winning the 2004 World Series MVP and helping Boston break its famous 86-year title curse. He also had an incredible run with the Dodgers in 2008. Two drug suspensions late in his career hurt his reputation, but as a pure hitter in October, few were ever more dangerous.
Advertisement
4. Bob Gibson
Oct 2, 1968; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson (45) is congratulated by catcher Tim McCarver (right) during the 1968 World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Gibson struck out 17 batters in the game. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Bob Gibson 's World Series record shows how dominant he could be on the biggest stage. The St. Louis Cardinals right-hander made nine World Series starts and went 7-2. Gibson posted a 1.89 ERA across 81 innings and struck out 92 batters. Gibson struck out 17 Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series while throwing a shutout. The 17 strikeouts remain the World Series single-game record. Gibson won championships with the Cardinals in 1964 and 1967, also set a record with 35 strikeouts during the 1968 World Series. His 31 strikeouts in the 1964 Series rank second all time.
3. Reggie Jackson
Former Yankee great Reggie Jackson attends a team postseason workout at Yankee Stadium in 2018. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Reggie Jackson is the original "Mr. October" for a reason. He lived for the World Series, hitting .357 with 10 homers across five trips to the championship round. His most famous night came in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, when he hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches. With five World Series rings and two World Series MVP awards, he proved that nobody welcomed the brightest lights quite like he did.
Advertisement
2. Derek Jeter
Former professional baseball player Derek Jeter reacts before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Derek Jeter played so many playoff games that it basically equaled an entire extra regular season. Across 158 games, he hit .308 with 200 hits, 111 runs and 20 homers. He holds the all-time playoff records for hits, runs, doubles and total bases. He won five World Series rings with the Yankees and always seemed to make the right play at the right time. Jeter wasn't just good for a week or two, he stayed elite through October for nearly 20 years.
MORE: Fanbase Hall of Fame: Ranking today's MLB player-fan love stories
1. Mariano Rivera
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Mariano Rivera at Yankee Stadium. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Mariano Rivera is simply the most untouchable playoff pitcher in baseball history. He pitched in 96 games, threw 141 innings, and finished with a tiny 0.70 ERA along with 42 saves. For perspective, the next closest pitcher only has 20 saves. He once threw 33 straight scoreless innings in October, won five World Series titles and was only charged with a single playoff loss his entire career. Nobody has ever combined that kind of dominance with that heavy of a workload. He is the ultimate Mr. October.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
