SABR All-Time Eras Team announced for Free Agency Era (1973-2000)
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 — Throughout the 2026 season, SABR members will have a chance to vote on SABR’s All-Time Eras Teams as we celebrate the 150 years of baseball and American history since the founding of the National League in 1876.
On Wednesday, September 16, SABR revealed the Free Agency Era team in a special Zoom webinar, covering players and teams from 1973 to 2000.
More than 1,100 SABR members cast a vote on these ballots. The top vote recipients at each position were selected for the first team. Click on a link below to view the players, managers, and executives selected, along with their SABR biographies and statistics from Baseball-Reference.com:
Click here to view the Free Agency Era Team (1973-2000)
- Outfielders: Ken Griffey Jr., Rickey Henderson, Barry Bonds
- Infielders: Johnny Bench (C), Eddie Murray (1B), Joe Morgan (2B), Mike Schmidt (3B), Cal Ripken Jr. (SS)
- Designated Hitter: Frank Thomas
- Starting Pitchers: Greg Maddux, Tom Seaver, Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, Pedro Martínez
- Relief Pitchers: Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers
- Manager: Earl Weaver
- Executive: Marvin Miller
Before the team was unveiled, Daniel A. Gilbert of the University of Illinois delivered a presentation on baseball during the Free Agency Era. Click here to watch a video recording of Gilbert’s presentation and the team reveal.
The All-Time Eras Teams project is an interactive opportunity for all SABR members to participate in, debate with one another, and learn more about the iconic players and figures from different eras. Each ballot period will culminate with a virtual Zoom webinar which includes a presentation covering that era of American history prior to the unveiling of the team chosen by our members.
Coming soon
- Voting for the Modern Era (2001-2025) teams will open on Friday, October 2 at SABR.org. All SABR members are eligible to vote in the online ballot. The final team will be revealed in a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, October 21, with a presentation by ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian.
Visit SABR.org/all-time-eras-teams to learn more about the project.
Originally published: September 17, 2026. Last Updated: September 16, 2026.