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Notes -
Adrian Beltre actually was great. Amazingly so. He generated about 80 WAR in the 2000s. About 1/3 of HoF are at 70 or below.
In contrast during the same post 1999 period Jeter “only” had 53.6 WAR. Ortiz only had 50.9 (note Ortiz’s entire career amounted only to 51 WAR — he is one of the most overrated ball players of all time).
There is a giant gap between Beltre and the other two 2000 and onward
To be clear I don't think any of those three belong. I say this as someone who had a Derek Jeter poster on my wall as a kid and read and reread his autobiography. Jeter has a reputation entirely built on the 1997-2000 run, take that away as this list purports to do and he's merely a very good shortstop. Jeter absolutely belongs on a list for the last thirty years, but not the last 25.
Ortiz was a career DH and simply didn't do enough to make it, he's all personality and no stats. Beltre arguably has the stats, but lacks the impact or personality.
In my mind greatest athlete is about impact on the game, statistical achievements, accomplishments (ie championships etc), and impact on culture. Not necessarily in that order, but you need at least a dose of all three to make it into the list.
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