Who's Your Favorite Player?

He’ll always be an A to me. Plus Jermaine Dye. And possible Vin Mazzaro. So ya, that’s my favorite(s) player(s).

To me they’re just retrosheet ids. My favorite ever was ryann001.

Wakefield.

All Time will always be Kaline, then Mantle and Brooks Robinson.
Todays players Jeter, Mo Rivera, Verlander, probably Pujols except in the 06 world series

Now? My favorite Brewer is Gallardo and my favorite non-brewer is Doc Halladay.

ever since he came up. He’s killing me this year though.

I’ve never seen anyone enjoy playing baseball more than Mike Cameron does, and it infects everyone he meets. I’ve never seen any ballplayer with greater sense of excited and thrill than when Mike Cameron got to be an All-Star at the 2001 All-Star Game at Safeco. It was awesome. I don’t remember exactly when he said it, but he said “we enjoyin’ our enjoyment” once and that perfectly captured the way he approached the game.

He was my favorite player ever since he robbed Jeter of a home run in his first week as a Mariner. He won over Seattle with that catch.

And he was a monster of a player – a 5-6 win player in his prime who would’ve been worth 6-7 wins (and been a legit MVP candidate) if he hadn’t been the league leader in flyball % playing in the worst park for right-handed hitters in the AL. Aaron Gleeman made the case persuasively in 2003 that Cameron was the most underrated player in baseball. Dave Cameron said Cameron was a legit +20 to +25 CF from 1999-2001. I knew nothing of this when he played for the Mariners, but I had the sense from the start that Mike Cameron was almost as valuable a player as Griffey.

If the HoF cared about outfield defense, he’d be a borderline Hall-of-Famer – Chone has his career WAR at 42.6, or 135th since 1955. He’ll well exceed, for example, Jim Rice in career WAR after this year. He rocks.

I was 7 when I saw every inning of thw 91 WS, so there’s you’re boyhood idol thing for Kirby.

Currently it is Mauer, who’s gaining quickly on Kirby and may actually pass him if he sticks around with the Twins, as I’m old enough to better appreciate what he does. Neshek is also pretty cool and I really hope he can come back to full strength next year.

As for non-Twins, it is all Pujols. To me, Pujols, like Mauer, is basically the prototype of what a baseball superstar should be.

I also like rooting for the freaks. The guys who play the game differently than the vast majority of other guys. Ichiro, for his ridiculous contact ability and speed out of the box. (Also I hear he gives a fantastically profane rant against the NL before every All Star Game.) Cust, for his absolute dedication to the three true outcomes. Vlad, who swings away at everything but gets away with it. Lincecum, for his silly delivery. So in conclusion, yeah, I like baseball a lot.

One pitch dominance is awesome. Current players, LeBron James.

all time player: Joe Sewell
player from a couple of years ago who had one decent year and was never heard from again: Oscar Robles
player who I loved in his rookie year, who will be my favorite player of if he starts hitting again: Travis Buck
favorite player/person: Nick Swisher
player who Ive had an irrational love for for years, even before his breakout: Carlos Quentin

He has been since I was 9 years old in 1987 when I got to see him play in A ball. I’ve always appreciated how much he enjoys playing the game and has the most aesthetically pleasing swing I’ve ever seen.

Basically the Big 3 current White Sox sluggers, as each of them have been huge over the years, are great guys and still provide solid production.

Also, Aaron Rowand. He’s my all-time favorite. His style of play is how I think baseball should be played, and his defensive plays over the years have been nothing short of inspiring. Fangraphs says he’s been worth 78 million in his career.

Non-White Sox, I’d have to go with Albert Pujols. Beyond that, I’ve always liked Ryan Zimmerman, and of course Maddux and Smoltz.

Although Bernie was definitely my first. For old time players, I have to go with Satchel Paige. And currently, I’m fluctuating between Longoria, Upton, and Zobrist. Also have to love Grienke for all that he’s overcome.

also Joe Mauer and El Duque

But I will always have a soft spot for Ray Lankford, since I was born in 1984 and he was the constant bright spot in the 90’s Cardinals.

Barry Zito.

He’s not that good anymore, but my irrational player-manlove for him still runs strong.

I defy you to find someone who looks like he enjoys the game more. Plus, he has crazy talent. Probably rushed this year so he’s a bit overmatched, but he’ll be a good one. Plus, he turned down a Harvard education to sign with the Rockies out of the 14th round. That would be a tough call.

David Wright & Carlos Beltran get a mention. My favorite non-Met is Pujols by a country mile. I always loved watching Greg Maddux pitch. And my favorite old-time players are Mantle, Musial, and Nap Lajoie.

followed closely by my avatar- Roberto Alomar

Current favorite: Ryan Zimmerman
Honorable mentions: Nick Markakis, Elijah Dukes, Justin Upton

Ask me this time next year and my answer will probably be Stephen Strasburg.

David Wright, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton

Benny Agbayani.

He’ll be my favorite active player until he retires.
Honorable mention: Mauer, Ichiro, Lincecum, Kinsler, Michael Young

In the past:
Mattingly, Charlie Hough, Paul Olerud, Dave Winfield

But one of my all time favorites is Mickey Tettleton, that guy was something else.