Building a 162-0 MLB Lineup: The Eras That Dominate
No Major League Baseball team has ever gone 162-0. The 2001 Seattle Mariners won 116 games — the most in modern history — and no team since has come particularly close. The 162-0 Challenge asks you to do what no real team has accomplished: build a lineup so dominant that it wins every single game of a full season.
With nine position slots to fill — catcher, first through third base, shortstop, three outfielders, and DH — and optional starting pitchers and relievers in the choose-your-era mode, the choices you make at each position matter enormously. Here's a complete guide to the best eras and players at every position.
The Best Eras for Hitters
Baseball's offensive output has varied dramatically across eras. The 1990s and 2000s produced the highest raw offensive numbers in history — partly due to the steroid era, partly due to rule changes that favored hitters. Era adjustments in the simulation normalize performance, but players from peak offensive decades still carry significant statistical weight because their absolute numbers were so high.
The 1950s and 1960s produced all-time legends at multiple positions — Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams — whose dominance over their era translates to elite simulation ratings. Don't overlook these decades just because the raw numbers look smaller.
Position-by-Position Targets
CATCHER
Best Era: 1950s–70s & 1990s
Catcher is historically the most difficult position to find elite offensive production. Johnny Bench (1970s Reds) is the gold standard — multiple MVP awards and the highest-rated catcher in the game. Mike Piazza (1990s Mets/Dodgers) is a close second with historic offensive numbers for the position. Gary Carter and Carlton Fisk round out the top tier.
FIRST BASE
Best Era: 1990s–2000s
First base is the most offensively loaded position in baseball history. Mark McGwire (Cardinals 1990s) hit 70 home runs in 1998. Albert Pujols (Cardinals 2000s) was arguably the most complete hitter of his generation. Lou Gehrig (Yankees 1930s-era, available via era adjustments), Jeff Bagwell, and Frank Thomas all rate elite at this position.
OUTFIELD (3 slots)
Best Era: 1950s–60s + 1990s–2000s
This is where the greatest players in baseball history cluster. Willie Mays (Giants 1950s-60s) is the consensus best all-around player ever. Hank Aaron (Braves 1960s-70s) hit 155 home runs with the Braves in his peak decade. Barry Bonds (Giants 2000s) set the single-season home run record with 73 in 2001. Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, and Ted Williams all fill outfield slots at elite ratings.
With three outfield slots to fill, the outfield is where you can load up on the most legendary names in the game. Prioritize players with 20+ home runs per decade and multiple MVP or All-Star selections.
SHORTSTOP
Best Era: 1990s–2000s
The shortstop position experienced a renaissance in the 1990s when players like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, and Cal Ripken Jr. showed that elite offensive production was possible at a traditionally defensive position. A-Rod's 2001–2007 seasons are the highest-rated shortstop entries in the game. Honus Wagner (early 1900s) remains elite after era adjustments.
DH (Designated Hitter)
Best Era: 1990s–2010s
The DH slot is your opportunity to add pure offensive firepower without defensive considerations. David Ortiz (Red Sox 2000s-2010s) is the most productive DH in history with multiple 40+ home run seasons. Edgar Martinez (Mariners 1990s) is the prototypical DH who defined the position. Shohei Ohtani's hitting production rates elite in the 2020s as well.
Pitching: The Choose-Your-Era Advantage
In the choose-your-era mode you can also draft pitchers — something the all-time draft doesn't offer. Starting pitchers with ERAs below 3.00 and multiple Cy Young awards provide the biggest boost: Sandy Koufax (Dodgers 1960s), Greg Maddux (Braves 1990s), Pedro Martinez (Red Sox 2000s), and Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers 2010s) are the highest-rated starters in the game.
For relievers, target closers with sub-3.00 ERAs and significant save totals. Mariano Rivera (Yankees 2000s) is widely considered the greatest closer in baseball history and rates accordingly. Trevor Hoffman and Billy Wagner also rate elite.
Position priority: In the 162-0 all-time draft, fill your three outfield slots first whenever elite options appear. With three spots available, the outfield lets you stack the most legends on one roster. Outfielders like Bonds, Mays, Aaron, and Griffey can all coexist — fill those three slots with the best available players every time.
The Franchise That Produces the Most Elite Players
If you're playing the one-franchise challenge, the teams with the deepest all-time rosters across the most positions are the New York Yankees (Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, Jeter, Rivera), the San Francisco Giants (Mays, McCovey, Bonds, Marichal), and the Atlanta Braves (Hank Aaron across two decades, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz). Each of these franchises can fill most of your nine slots with elite players — the Yankees especially across multiple decades.
For a modern franchise with elite depth, the Los Angeles Dodgers offer Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Clayton Kershaw, and multiple offensive contributors across the 1960s through 2020s.
Build your all-time MLB lineup:
▶ Play the 162-0 Challenge