MLB players born in 1981
193 MLB players on file were born in 1981. Ben Zobrist leads them with 45.0 career WAR. The first born in 1981 to play in the MLB was Ben Johnson, in 1997. Every season since 1876 is on file.
Former MLB players born in 1981 (193)
| Player | Pos | Years | Seasons | Career | Born |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Zobrist | RF | 2006–2019 | 14 | 1,566 H · 167 HR · 45.0 WAR | Eureka, IL |
| Curtis Granderson | LF | 2004–2019 | 16 | 1,800 H · 344 HR · 43.7 WAR | Blue Island, IL |
| Adam Wainwright | SP | 2005–2023 | 18 | 200 W · 2,202 SO · 39.2 WAR | Brunswick, MO |
| Carl Demonte Crawford | LF | 2002–2016 | 15 | 1,931 H · 136 HR · 36.4 WAR | Houston, TX |
| Carlos Zambrano | SP | 2001–2012 | 12 | 132 W · 1,637 SO · 35.8 WAR | Puerto Cabello, Venezuela |
| Jake Peavy | SP | 2002–2016 | 15 | 152 W · 2,207 SO · 34.5 WAR | Mobile, AL |
| Brandon Phillips | 2B | 2002–2018 | 17 | 2,029 H · 211 HR · 29.1 WAR | Raleigh, NC |
| James Shields | SP | 2006–2018 | 13 | 145 W · 2,234 SO · 26.7 WAR | Newhall, CA |
| Josh Hamilton | LF | 2007–2015 | 9 | 1,134 H · 200 HR · 26.6 WAR | Raleigh, NC |
| Mike Anthony Napoli | 1B | 2006–2017 | 12 | 1,125 H · 267 HR · 25.8 WAR | Hollywood, FL |
| Justin Morneau | DH | 2003–2016 | 14 | 1,603 H · 247 HR · 25.1 WAR | New Westminster, BC |
| Alex Rios | RF | 2004–2015 | 12 | 1,778 H · 169 HR · 24.8 WAR | Coffee, AL |
| Alexei Ramirez | SS | 2008–2016 | 9 | 1,387 H · 115 HR · 18.4 WAR | Pinar del Rio, Cuba |
| Hisashi Iwakuma | SP | 2012–2017 | 6 | 63 W · 714 SO · 16.8 WAR | Tokyo, Japan |
| Angel Pagan | LF | 2006–2016 | 11 | 1,143 H · 64 HR · 16.5 WAR | Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico |
| Omar Rafael Infante | 2B | 2002–2016 | 15 | 1,427 H · 82 HR · 15.5 WAR | Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela |
| Scott Baker | SP | 2005–2015 | 10 | 66 W · 839 SO · 14.4 WAR | Shreveport, LA |
| Jorge De La Rosa | RP | 2004–2018 | 15 | 104 W · 1,273 SO · 13.6 WAR | Nuevo Leon, Mexico |
| Rich Harden | SP | 2003–2011 | 9 | 59 W · 949 SO · 13.6 WAR | Victoria, Canada |
| Shaun Marcum | SP | 2005–2015 | 9 | 61 W · 836 SO · 12.3 WAR | Kansas City, MO |
| Jesse Crain | RP | 2004–2013 | 10 | 45 W · 440 SO · 10.9 WAR | Toronto, Canada |
| Oliver Perez | RP | 2002–2022 | 20 | 74 W · 1,546 SO · 9.3 WAR | Culiacan, Mexico |
| Rocco Baldelli | DH | 2003–2010 | 7 | 531 H · 60 HR · 9.1 WAR | Woonsocket, RI |
| David Murphy | RF | 2006–2015 | 10 | 950 H · 104 HR · 8.9 WAR | Houston, TX |
| Jeff Francis | RP | 2004–2015 | 11 | 72 W · 869 SO · 8.8 WAR | Vancouver, Canada |
| Ryan Doumit | LF | 2005–2014 | 10 | 818 H · 104 HR · 8.4 WAR | Moses Lake, WA |
| A.J. Ellis | C | 2008–2018 | 11 | 466 H · 44 HR · 8.0 WAR | Cape Girardeau, MO |
| Bobby Jenks | RP | 2005–2011 | 7 | 16 W · 351 SO · 7.9 WAR | Mission Hills, CA |
| Joe Saunders | SP | 2005–2014 | 10 | 89 W · 792 SO · 7.5 WAR | Springfield, VA |
| Casey Janssen | RP | 2006–2015 | 9 | 31 W · 395 SO · 7.0 WAR | Orange, CA |
| Kevin Kouzmanoff | 3B | 2006–2014 | 7 | 650 H · 87 HR · 6.4 WAR | Newport Beach, CA |
| Ramon Ramirez | RP | 2006–2014 | 9 | 23 W · 364 SO · 6.0 WAR | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Mike Aviles | SS | 2008–2017 | 10 | 786 H · 60 HR · 5.1 WAR | New York, NY |
| Nate McLouth | LF | 2005–2014 | 10 | 803 H · 101 HR · 5.1 WAR | Muskegon, MI |
| Ronny Paulino | C | 2005–2012 | 8 | 508 H · 33 HR · 4.7 WAR | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Sam Fuld | LF | 2007–2015 | 8 | 308 H · 12 HR · 4.5 WAR | Durham, NH |
| Hong-Chih Kuo | RP | 2005–2011 | 7 | 13 W · 345 SO · 4.5 WAR | Tainan City, Taiwan |
| Willy Taveras | CF | 2004–2010 | 7 | 662 H · 8 HR · 4.1 WAR | Tenares, Dominican Republic |
| Jared Burton | RP | 2007–2014 | 8 | 18 W · 305 SO · 3.9 WAR | Westminster, SC |
| John Maine | RP | 2004–2013 | 8 | 41 W · 499 SO · 3.8 WAR | Fredericksburg, VA |
| Ian Snell | SP | 2004–2010 | 7 | 38 W · 639 SO · 3.8 WAR | Dover, DE |
| Brian Bannister | SP | 2006–2010 | 5 | 37 W · 384 SO · 3.8 WAR | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Chris Snyder | C | 2004–2013 | 10 | 467 H · 77 HR · 3.5 WAR | Houston, TX |
| Joel Hanrahan | RP | 2007–2013 | 7 | 22 W · 441 SO · 3.4 WAR | Des Moines, IA |
| Daniel Cabrera | SP | 2004–2009 | 6 | 48 W · 674 SO · 3.3 WAR | San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic |
| Matt Murton | LF | 2005–2009 | 5 | 272 H · 29 HR · 2.8 WAR | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| Ryan Raburn | LF | 2004–2017 | 12 | 626 H · 93 HR · 2.6 WAR | Tampa, FL |
| Joe Thatcher | RP | 2007–2015 | 9 | 11 W · 270 SO · 2.6 WAR | Indianapolis, IN |
| Chuck James | RP | 2005–2011 | 5 | 24 W · 242 SO · 2.6 WAR | Atlanta, GA |
| Ryan Garko | 1B | 2005–2010 | 6 | 427 H · 55 HR · 2.5 WAR | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Chris Duncan | LF | 2005–2009 | 5 | 295 H · 55 HR · 2.4 WAR | Tucson, AZ |
| Oscar Villarreal | RP | 2003–2008 | 6 | 24 W · 236 SO · 2.3 WAR | Nuevo Leon, Mexico |
| Jerome Williams | RP | 2003–2016 | 11 | 52 W · 655 SO · 2.1 WAR | Honolulu, HI |
| Garrett Jones | RF | 2007–2015 | 8 | 734 H · 122 HR · 2.1 WAR | Harvey, IL |
| Taylor Buchholz | RP | 2006–2011 | 5 | 20 W · 229 SO · 2.1 WAR | Lower Merion, PA |
| Wilson Betemit | SS | 2001–2013 | 11 | 558 H · 75 HR · 1.9 WAR | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Jeremy Accardo | RP | 2005–2012 | 8 | 10 W · 205 SO · 1.9 WAR | Mesa, AZ |
| Joey Gathright | CF | 2004–2011 | 7 | 309 H · 1 HR · 1.6 WAR | Hattiesburg, MS |
| Ben Francisco | LF | 2007–2013 | 7 | 400 H · 50 HR · 1.5 WAR | Santa Ana, CA |
| Shawn Hill | SP | 2004–2012 | 7 | 10 W · 151 SO · 1.4 WAR | Mississauga, Canada |
| David Aardsma | RP | 2004–2015 | 9 | 16 W · 340 SO · 1.3 WAR | Denver, CO |
| Angel Guzman | RP | 2006–2009 | 4 | 3 W · 143 SO · 1.2 WAR | Caracas, Venezuela |
| Jeremy T Reed | LF | 2004–2011 | 8 | 315 H · 12 HR · 1.1 WAR | San Dimas, CA |
| Francisley Bueno | RP | 2008–2014 | 4 | 2 W · 33 SO · 1.1 WAR | Havana, Cuba |
| Clay Rapada | RP | 2007–2013 | 7 | 8 W · 82 SO · 1.0 WAR | Portsmouth, VA |
| Jimmy Gobble | SP | 2003–2009 | 7 | 22 W · 285 SO · 1.0 WAR | Bristol, TN |
| Jon Huber | RP | 2006–2007 | 2 | 2 W · 19 SO · 0.9 WAR | Sacramento, CA |
| John D Baker | C | 2008–2014 | 7 | 266 H · 14 HR · 0.7 WAR | Alameda, CA |
| Mark Teahen | 3B | 2005–2011 | 7 | 759 H · 67 HR · 0.7 WAR | Redlands, CA |
| Manny Acosta | RP | 2007–2012 | 6 | 13 W · 219 SO · 0.6 WAR | Colon, Panama |
| Mitch Stetter | RP | 2007–2011 | 5 | 8 W · 89 SO · 0.6 WAR | Huntington, IN |
| Jerry Owens | RF | 2006–2009 | 4 | 103 H · 1 HR · 0.6 WAR | Hollywood, CA |
| Alfredo Simon | SP | 2008–2016 | 9 | 47 W · 529 SO · 0.5 WAR | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Kameron Loe | RP | 2004–2013 | 9 | 34 W · 357 SO · 0.5 WAR | Simi Valley, CA |
| Chris Snelling | LF | 2002–2008 | 5 | 55 H · 7 HR · 0.5 WAR | Miami, FL |
| Freddy Guzman | CF | 2004–2013 | 5 | 20 H · 1 HR · 0.5 WAR | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Darrell Rasner | SP | 2005–2008 | 4 | 9 W · 93 SO · 0.5 WAR | Carson City, NV |
| Dennis Sarfate | RP | 2006–2009 | 4 | 5 W · 131 SO · 0.5 WAR | Queens, NY |
| Mike McCoy | 2B | 2009–2012 | 4 | 64 H · 3 HR · 0.5 WAR | San Diego, CA |
| Víctor Díaz | RF | 2004–2007 | 4 | 114 H · 24 HR · 0.5 WAR | Chicago, IL |
| Andrew Brown | RP | 2006–2008 | 3 | 4 W · 78 SO · 0.5 WAR | Chardon, OH |
| Chris Saenz | RP | 2004 | 1 | 1 W · 7 SO · 0.5 WAR | Tucson, AZ |
| Jeff G Baker | 1B | 2005–2015 | 11 | 474 H · 54 HR · 0.4 WAR | Bad Kissingen, Germany |
| Dustin Nippert | RP | 2005–2010 | 6 | 14 W · 214 SO · 0.4 WAR | Wheeling, WV |
| Jake Woods | RP | 2005–2008 | 4 | 8 W · 99 SO · 0.4 WAR | Fresno, CA |
| Erick Threets | RP | 2007–2010 | 3 | 0 W · 13 SO · 0.4 WAR | Hayward, CA |
| Beltran Perez | P | 2006 | 1 | 2 W · 9 SO · 0.4 WAR | San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic |
| Matt Ford | RP | 2003 | 1 | 0 W · 26 SO · 0.4 WAR | Plantation, FL |
| Matt Carson | RF | 2009–2013 | 4 | 42 H · 6 HR · 0.3 WAR | Newport Beach, CA |
| Billy Sadler | RP | 2006–2009 | 3 | 0 W · 50 SO · 0.3 WAR | Pensacola, FL |
| Sean White | RP | 2007–2010 | 3 | 4 W · 59 SO · 0.3 WAR | Pullman, WA |
| Tyler Johnson | RP | 2005–2007 | 3 | 3 W · 65 SO · 0.3 WAR | Columbia, MO |
| Derek Thompson | SP | 2005 | 1 | 0 W · 13 SO · 0.3 WAR | Tampa, FL |
| Ben Johnson | LF | 2005–2007 | 3 | 51 H · 7 HR · 0.2 WAR | Memphis, TN |
| Brian Buscher | 3B | 2007–2009 | 3 | 116 H · 8 HR · 0.2 WAR | Jacksonville, FL |
| Edwin Maysonet | 2B | 2008–2012 | 3 | 36 H · 2 HR · 0.2 WAR | Arecibo, Puerto Rico |
| Bill Murphy | RP | 2007–2009 | 2 | 0 W · 8 SO · 0.2 WAR | Anaheim, CA |
| Dave Krynzel | CF | 2004–2005 | 2 | 9 H · 0 HR · 0.2 WAR | Dayton, OH |
| Josh Sharpless | P | 2006–2007 | 2 | 0 W · 8 SO · 0.2 WAR | Beaver, PA |
| Rich Rundles | RP | 2008–2009 | 2 | 0 W · 7 SO · 0.2 WAR | New Market, TN |
- Dustin Moseley 2006–2012
- Jose Capellan 2004–2008
- Tommy Hottovy 2011–2012
- Chad Santos 2006
- Josh Wilson 2005–2015
- Doug Waechter 2003–2009
- Jason Bergmann 2005–2010
- Ben Johnson 1997–2001
- Leo Rosales 2008–2010
- Tony Pena 2006–2008
- Adam Greenberg 2005–2012
- Juan Lara 2006–2007
- Alex Serrano 2008
- Anderson Garcia 2007
- Daniel Davidson 2009
- Darren Clarke 2007
- Jason Waddell 2009
- Justin James 2010
- Travis Bowyer 2005
- Edwar Ramirez 2007–2010
- Carlos Muniz 2007–2008
- Eddy Rodriguez 2004–2006
- Alvin Colina 2006
- Brett Campbell 2006
- Dennis Dove 2007
- Felix Sanchez 2003
- Mike Esposito 2005
- Val Majewski 2004
- Chris Narveson 2006–2016
- Fernando Cabrera 2004–2010
- Drew Anderson 2006–2019
- Eddie Bonine 2008–2010
- Brian Slocum 2006–2008
- Connor Robertson 2007–2008
- Scott Rice 2013–2014
- Cody Clark 2013
- Cory Doyne 2007
- Jared Wells 2008
- Sam Narron 2004
- Pat Misch 2006–2011
- Reggie Willits 2006–2011
- Paul McAnulty 2005–2010
- Brian Barden 2007–2010
- Brad Halsey 2004–2006
- Reggie Abercrombie 2006–2008
- Fernando Cortez 2005–2007
- Angel Chavez 2005
- Drew Meyer 2006
- Kevin Mahar 2007
- Omar Beltre 2010
- Chin-Hui Tsao 2003–2016
- Rob Bowen 2003–2008
- Anderson Machado 2003–2005
- Dirk Hayhurst 2008–2009
- Jailen Peguero 2007–2008
- Jordan Tata 2006–2007
- Yoslan Herrera 2008–2014
- Marino Salas 2008
- Brian Burres 2006–2011
- Chris Smith 2008–2017
- Merkin Valdez 2004–2011
- Omir Santos 2008–2013
- Randy Messenger 2005–2009
- Brandon Watson 2005–2007
- Daniel Ortmeier 2005–2008
- Sergio Mitre 2003–2011
- Francisco Cruceta 2004–2008
- Thomas Mastny 2006–2008
- Yunesky Maya 2010–2013
- Boof Bonser 2006–2010
- Shane Costa 2005–2007
- Andy Cavazos 2007
- Tony Blanco 2005
- Dan Meyer 2004–2010
- Jeff Gray 2008–2012
- Ben Hendrickson 2004–2006
- Omar Quintanilla 2005–2014
- Franquelis Osoria 2005–2008
- Brandon Fahey 2006–2008
- Anthony Reyes 2005–2009
- Seth McClung 2003–2009
- Casey Daigle 2004–2010
- Blaine Boyer 2005–2018
- Luis Montanez 2008–2011
- Sean Henn 2005–2013
- Phil Dumatrait 2007–2011
- Enrique Cruz 2003–2007
- Kory Casto 2007–2008
- Wil J Ledezma 2003–2011
- Ray Olmedo 2003–2012
- Andy M González 2007–2009
- Guillermo Quiroz 2004–2014
- Jose Castillo 2004–2008
Birth dates as ESPN lists them. Best career first: WAR in the regular season, summed over the seasons on file.