1. Granderson – what John said. Everything that’s right about baseball, and has a long career as an analyst ahead of him after his playing days are over.

2. Verlander – Maybe not as filthy as Greinke or Lincecum, but he’s damn close…plus my granddad was a professor at Old Dominion for 20+ years.

3. Ryan Braun – Love his swing, and his swagger.

4. Hanley Ramirez – Just an incredible talent.

5. Miggy Cabrera – Consistently hits the ball harder than anyone.

1. Tim Lincecum
2. Joe Mauer
3. David Wright
4. B.J. Upton
5. Hanley Ramirez

HM: Joey Votto

1. Ichiro Suzuki-I love that he can field and hit

2. Pablo Sandoval-Gotta love Slammin’ Sandy

3. John Smoltz-I like how he overcame TJ and he’s a good pitcher

4. Tim Lincecum-The franchise/friek makes my favorite team even better

5. Nate Schierholtz-LET HIM PLAY

bonus-my 3 least favorite

1. Jonathan Sanchez-F him
2. Alex Rios-F him
3. Matt Herges-F him

1. Granderson
2. Papelbon
3. Yadi Molina
4. Josh Hamilton
5. Brandon Inge

Top3:
Chase Utley
Joe Mauer
Prince Fielder

Next 5
Kevin Youkilis
Lance Berkman
Curtis Granderson
Manny Ramirez
Dan Haren

1. Grienke
2. Papi
3. David Dejesus
4. Ichiro
5. Kila Kaaihue

Andrus
Andrus
Andrus
Andrus
Andrus

Albert Pujols- for his altruism and other worldly ability to hit/field/play baseball
Tim Lincecum
Hanley Ramirez
Chase Utley
Justin Upton (He’s the next Griffey-he makes everything look easy, hopefully minus the injuries)

Tim Lincecum
Kevin Youkilis
David Wright
BJ Upton
Ian Kinsler

B.J. Upton
Justin Upton
Felix Hernandez
Zack Grenkie
Albert Pujols

Ichiro
Cano
Pujols
Lincecum
Hanely

Hanley Ramirez
Felix Hernandez
Chipper Jones
Griffey Jr
Smoltz

I also have had trouble in the past with social anxiety because I would have trouble speaking in front of a crowd when I had a presentation in the past and would actually stutter at times during presentations. Luckily I have worked on this and while i’m not perfect by any means, I don’t stutter as much and i’m much more confortable in talking in front of a large group of people. I sucked at most presentations unless I had powerpoint, but that was the first time I went through college and that was when I was taking science a career that I have realized that isn’t much unless you have a masters at the very least.

Im a huge rangers homer so im gonna do my favorite rangers and a rest of the league list.

Rangers
1. Elvis Andrus
2. Kinsler(The degree to which ranger fans(this means you lonestarball and newbergreport members) have turned on him and the speed with which they did it piss me off)
3. Chris Davis-i know he sucked this year but i went to navarro with him, and my mom works there so id known skip johnson and woah dill(the navarro coaches although skip is the pitching coach for ut now) my whole life. That plus the fact i played in high school with several of the local kids who played for navarro meant i hung out with the team and got to know him pretty well. He really is a great guy.
4. Nelson cruz
5. Derek holland

rest of the league
1. Chase utley- Relative to his position hes basically almost as good a bat as pujols, hes a better baserunner and since his position is harder and he plays it just as well hes a better defender than pujols. I realize i double counted his position for him there and im not arguing hes as good as or better than pujols just that while i know everyone knows hes good, im not sure everyone realizes HOW good. For reference, hes always been the best player on the Howard, rollins, utley phillies even though rollins and howard won mvps.

2. Albert Pujols-Hes going to go down as the best right handed hitter of all time and when people look at his career this will be looked at as his prime which is why i dont see why we have to wait to say that. Hes essentially the roger federer of baseball.

3. Pudge-Hows he caught all those innings with so many of them being in the texas heat and yet is still able to do what he does at a relatively high level is beyond me.

4. Felix-theres no one in baseball whos more fun to watch when hes on. Just wish he was more consistent.

5. Lincecum-Love the delivery, think the fact that he looks like the kid pitcher from dazed and confused is hilarious. His stuff is only about half a tick below felixs when felix is at his best but hes much much more consistent.

1.) Alex Rodriguez – I like watching him strike out in pressure situations or watch him crush a ball 450 feet.
2.) Derek Jeter – he may not be as good as he is hyped, but he seems to work for every base hit and seems like he’s always aware of the moment.
3.) Vlad Guerrero – his career is slowing down, but the freak of nature can still hit a ball from his nose to his toes a long way.
4.) Manny Ramirez – he’s kind of Barry Bonds in more ways than one; you might not like him, but you stick around for his at-bats.
5.) Todd Helton – I seem to have an unhealthy fascination with Helton’s ability to foul off pitch after pitch until he gets a ball he can drive into the gaps for a double. If nothing else, that is the ‘myth’ I cling to, when thinking about Helton.

Ichiro
Curtis Granderson
Beltran
Mariano
Pujols

Petey
David Ortiz
Ichiro
Manny
Tim Wakefield – There is something so anachronistically pleasing about watching a knuckleballer ply his trade.

Pablo Sandoval – Wild swings and gesticulations

Nate Schierholtz – Getting better and better as a hitter, a potential triple every time it goes to the gap, and hustle on defense with a cannon for an arm

Jonathan Broxton – Don’t like the hated Dodgers but I have to admire the Gagne-like dominance

Votto – Nice swing who’s putting it all together this year.

Dexter Fowler – It’s hypnotizing to me to see someone that tall, lanky and super athletic in a baseball field.

Too tough. Five good guys who play the game the right way:

Albert Pujols — seemed genuinely modest at the ASG.
Joey Votto — class act despite a very trying period in his life. Also modest to a fault.
Justin Upton — nothing spoiled about this budding star.
Chase Utley — the best position player on a team loaded with positional talent.
Sean Casey — yeah, no longer playing but The Mayor is the all-time nice guy of his era.

On a related note, it was thrilling to see one guy on John’s list (Greinke) strike out another (Wright), locked up by a breaking ball that truly deserves the modifier filthy. Apologies to Roy Halladay, a great player and person in his own right, but Greinke very purposefully and quietly demonstrated in his inning of work why he deserved to start the game.

Mauer – He’s so unique, particularly if the addition of a power game is for real.

Beltran – He makes it look easy, gets on base, and the power-speed combination with great defense sets him apart.

Greinke – He toys with batters.

Reyes – Unlike anybody else in the game, speed, contact, patience, power, defense. A unique leadoff talent.

Choo – One of the most underrated players in the game. Walks a ton, hits for power, perfect in steals this season, solid defense, the kind of guy you could do well batting anywhere from 1-6 in the lineup.

Dan Haren
Chase Utley
Grady Sizemore
Mark Ellis
Carlos Beltran

Retired:
1. Robin Ventura- so clutch, so fun-lovin’, so ridiculously good defensively…a stealth top 15 thirdbaseman of all-time?
2. Al Leiter Why most Mets fans despise him is beyond me. Loved that he sweated through his hat by the 3rd inning!
3. Mike Piazza A class act who brought the franchise back from the dead.
4. Eddie Murray Something about his steady career seems lost in this era. Never was the best player in the league, never was less than above average.
5. Darryl Strawberry/Dwight Gooden Oh what could have been….

Current
1. Carlos Beltran How good could somebody be at everything he does, and still be underrated? Too bad he doesn’t have Jimmy Rollins’ mouth…
2. David Wright The golden boy.
3. Ichiro Something wonderfully old school about him.
4. Zack Greinke Seems I’m not alone here- love that he’s overcome so much!
5. Ken Griffey Jr Pray he’s never been on anything…if not, HE is the true best player of the last generation.

1. Hanley Ramirez – His tools and his skills are other-worldly. He’s 6’3" and physically a massive SS. If he were in a bigger market (or played for a team that actually cared year in and year out) he would be on par with Pujols. I just think he’s fun as hell to watch.

2. Pujols – God. He’s the best player of the past 25 years. We will tell our grandkids we saw him play. FWIW, he hits balls that aren’t mistakes. He crushes the pitchers’ best pitches. Gotta tip your hat to him.

3. Justin Upton – Just too much fun when he’s on. A bit too inconsistent for my tastes overall, but the kid’s just oooooooozing talent. In 5 years, he will be the cornerstone of some franchise’s (not the Diamondbacks) 3 or 4 WS titles.

4. Halladay – Is Greg Maddux with a fastball. Just so economical and not only out pitches you but out THINKS you. And that is a rarity in this day and age. (FWIW – I see so much of Halladay in Hanson…)

5. Longoria – Kid’s just a freak. When I lived in Durham, I would often see the Bulls. They were dominant when he was there. I remember talking some smack to him (I’ve been a Braves fan since 1980) but he took it in stride and went 3-4 that game with 2 MONSTER HRs. The next time they were playing Richmond and he seemed to remember me went 2-4 with a game-winning RBI double in the 8th. Kid’s just the total package and he really seems to love the game.

HM:

Mauer – A freakin’ machine, it seems. His swing is something of beauty and I only wish that when I have a son that he’s left-handed and learns to catch, just so I can show him how to play the game right.

2011-

Jason Heyward – Monster. Total Monster.

1. Matt Cain – Love the stuff, love the demeanor. Goes right after hitters. Lince is the better pitcher, but I prefer watching Cain. Has days where his stuff is untouchable.

2. Ryan Freel – Balls out, all the time. Something awesome about a guy who you know made it to the bigs on effort rather than talent. No one else pushes as hard as he does.

3. Victor Martinez – Classy. Plays the game the way it should be played.

4. Andrew McCutchen – Speed for days.

5. Pablo Sandoval – Watching Pablo hit for average? Awesome. Watching Pablo hit for power? More awesome. Wathcing Pablo run the bases? PRICELESS.

Also, anyone who plays an awesome center field and robs home runs could be on this list. Torii, Gomez, Jones, Cameron to name a few…

Carlos Delgado: Always been my favourite player. Always will be.

Roy Halladay: Best pitcher I have ever seen, which includes Clemens and The Unit.

Adam Lind: Reminds me of Shawn Green offensively. What a swing.

Ken Griffey Jr.: Junior is amazing to watch. Not so much any more, but he is probably the best athlete I have ever seen.

Aaron Hill: Watching Hill play defense and hit tons of doubles is amazing.

1. Felix Hernandez – filthy.
2. Tim Lincecum – filthy.
3. Evan Longoria – talented & exciting.
4. Mariano Rivera – such a pleasure to watch.
5. Zack Greinke – filthy.

Thanks, great insight.
I’m disqualifying any Orioles
1. Justin Upton- The power in that swing is just incredible. The ball just jumps off the bat. I remember young Griffey, having flashbacks.
2. ZG – Half of this is the skill, the other half is appreciation for beating SAD.
3. Vlad – Man has hit more bad pitched out of the park…
4. Brad Ziegler – Ok, Im a sucker for the submarine pitch.
5. Oswalt – Honestly, if you look at his pitches from game to game none of them shout “elite” but but watch him when hes on and he may be the best in the game. And when his curve is working its sick.

All Time
1. Ozzie Smith – duh
2. Lee Smith – That chubby bastard took an hour to make it to the mound, then ended the inning in less time
3. Al Bumbry – Personal bias, favorite player all time
4. Rickey Henderson – Rickey was fast. Rickey was funny. Rickey would tell you how fast Rickey was.
5. Eddie Murray – The man just hit. I dont think I ever remember him going 0-4 in a game as a kid.

I really enjoy everyone’s lists, especially those that include less-heralded players. Those are the really interesting ones. That said, what I found interesting about mine is that they include two of my favorite team’s (Mets) biggest rivals. Anyway, in no particular order:

Chipper Jones – kills my Mets, but what a good player
Ichiro Suzuki – just fun to watch, both in the field and at the plate
Derek Jeter – as so many have said, just goes about everything so well
Pedro Martinez – way past his prime, but during his prime, no one was more fun to watch pitch
Adam LaRoche – don’t know why, I always thought he had such a nice swing, and I’ve sort of rooted for him

All-time
Greg Maddux – see my comments on Pedro
Tony Gwynn – could still probably hit .300
Cal Ripken
Mike Piazza – I remember my Yankee-fan friend calling me telling me he got traded to the Mets and thinking he was pulling my chain
Keith Hernandez – love him as an announcer, too
John Olerud – I guess I’m a sucker for sweet-swinging left handed first basemen

My list (in no particular order):
Pujols – incredible how he keeps getting better
Torii Hunter – amazing glove, nice speed/power combo, plays with a smile
Curtis Granderson – see above, plus seems like a really smart guy
Orlando Hudson – hadn’t fully appreciated how good this guy is until watching him play for my Dodgers
Kevin Youkilis – love the patience and the versatility

Honorable mention to Griffey Jr – the sweetest wswing you’ll ever see

current favorites:

1. David Wright [ what an odd season he’s having]
2. Pujols
3. Pedro Martinez [his days are long and gone, but boy when he pitched…]
4. Nick Blackburn [kinda reminds me of Brad Radke]
5. Ichiro [someone Juan Pierre can’t even sniff the shoes of…]

all-time favorites:

1. Kevin Elster (haha, yeah)
2. Keith Hernandez (talk about leadership and grit)
3. Gary Carter/ or Mike Piazza (gotta love grinders)
4. Darryllllllllllll Strawberry (did he EVER hit some moonshots…)
5. Ozzie Smith/Ricky Henderson/David Cone (Loved the Whiz) and (“I am the Greatest” yes, yes, you were Ricky)
close 6s: Brade Radke (soft spot cause I like gamers, and he was on my roto teams all the time), Ron Darling, El Sid, Tim Raines Sr., and Andy Van Slyke.

least favorite:

1. Albert “Don’t Call me Joey” Belle
2. Luis Castillo/ Oliver Perez
3. Greg Maddux (what is this, a buisness, or a game? I DO admire and respect him…just dislike him)
4. Tommy Glavine (sorry, Mr. Big Strike Zone Guy)
5. Any of the Steroid Era Big Men ( Big Mac, Sammy, Barry, A-Roid etc).

yep I grew up a Mets fan and surprisingly I don’t hate any Yankees :); in spite of 50% of my family being Yankees fans.
I’ve always disliked the divsion rival players more than the crosstown rivals more.

1. Carlos Beltran- probably the most underappreciated guy in the game by most casual fans. Does everything. Does it easy. The guy is a warrior (who somehow has a rep as being soft)
2. Chase Utley- Sick player. Works his ass off to be great. What a hitter.
3. Dan Haren- beast. Eats innings. Great ratios, another very underrated player in a division dominated by pitchers. We hear about Webb, Lincecum, Cain, Johnson, we know about Bills and Kershaw, Jake Peavy, but Dan Haren is quite possibly the best of that group right now.
4. Grady Sizemore- How can you not love Grady? I love his whole game.
5. Gary Sheffield- What a pro. Dude is a “gamer”, which doesn’t really mean anything, unless you are already really good, which sheff is. This guy see’s tons of pitches and is a great average hitter, considering he is one of the best power hitters ever. He plays hurt and he has the most incredible bat speed I have ever seen. I can watch Sheff hit all day. Even in his 40’s, the man can flat RAKE.

1 – Yovani Gallardo (I favor pitching, and this kid’s going to be great)
2 – Prince Fielder (showing why he’s such a special hitter in 2009)
3 – Ryan Braun
4 – Joe Mauer
5 – Evan Longoria

Dude is the best hitter on the planet; made three defensive moves in his first two years to help the club and went from mediocre to plus at first; is probably the slowest guy in the game with at least 50 stolen bases; and has struck out exactly as many times since the start of the 2006 season as Ryan Howard did last year.

Love this topic! My list is similar to lots of the others:

1. Ichiro: he’s the most idiosyncratic good player of this era, succeeding with a pre-Ruthian style in the steroid era.
2. Beltran: makes it look effortless. The most physically graceful star of the era, I think.
3. Lincecum: makes it look effort-ful.
4. Mauer: don’t know why. Maybe it’s b/c he’s the cornerstone of my rotisserie team. Or maybe because it’s b/c he seems like such a good guy.
5. Griffey, Jr.: the most graceful star when he was in his prime—that swing!