John's Favorite Blue Collar Player: Mark Kotsay

by John Sickels on Oct 7, 2005 1:52 PM EDT in News Comment 10 comments

John's Favorite Current Blue-Collar Player: Mark Kotsay

By "blue collar" player, I mean your stereotypical scrappy type, the guy who gets his uniform dirty. Pete Rose is the perfect example here, except Pete Rose was an XXXhole and always one of my least-favorite players. His hustle always seemed, well, not-as-genuine as it should have been, in the sense that "Charlie Hustle" seemed like an act, at least to me. But a real "blue collar" guy, in my mind, hustles and looks genuine while he does it.

Anyway, the guy I have in mind right now is Oakland outfielder Mark Kotsay. I've enjoyed watching him play since his college days. I have nothing to prove this, but I think that one of these years, probably '06 or '07, that Kotsay is going to break out and have a terrific year, like .330 with 25 homers or something. He'll have one year like that, then settle back into his current pattern of .290sih, 15 homer production for the rest of his career.

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He's a nice player, but

I would rather have a blue collar guy like Marcus Giles, has always had to work harder than the next guy and looks like he loves doing it.

by JFP on Oct 7, 2005 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jonny "HUSTLE" Gomes

Blue-collar personified

by The Rocc on Oct 7, 2005 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

giles

I like Giles a lot too. Both Giles actually, marcus and Brian.

by John Sickels on Oct 7, 2005 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The "Kots"

There aren't enough Kotsays in MLB. It is utterly ridiculous to think how far a team could go with eight Kotsays in the field.

by duke on Oct 7, 2005 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brady Clark

How about Brady Clark this year? Here is a guy who has been overlooked his entire career. Finally he got the chance to be an everyday player and the hard work paid off. He was outstanding this year and really sparked the Brewers. I know he's something like 32yo, but I'd really like to see the Brewers bring him back next year. It never hurts to have a "blue-collar" guy like Brady around all the youngsters. Hopefully they can learn from him.

I also like Mark Kotsay, David Eckstein, and Craig Biggio (it'd be great to see him in the HOF!). Its hard not to root for those guys.

by andy 5 on Oct 7, 2005 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

clark

I love clark. Personal favorite.

by John Sickels on Oct 7, 2005 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aaron Rowand

a poor man's Mark Kotsay.

by shaftr on Oct 7, 2005 9:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

and that's a neat comparison because both guys were stars at cal state fullerton.

i LOVE kotsay, which is a little strange for me as a stathead-oriented A's fan because he doesn't walk much or hit for power, despite being one of the highest-paid players on the team. but he hits for enough average that his offensive contribution is still decent, and i absolutely trust that if a ball goes out to center and it can be caught, he'll catch it. that's a good feeling. plus, he's come up with big plays and big hits to win ballgames a disproportionate number of times. that's kind of a subjective impression, but that's how it is with blue-collar guys. :)

another thing about kotsay that doesn't get mentioned enough is his arm. he doesn't have a cannon, but it's pretty strong, and most importantly, his throws are always on the mark. he doesn't airmail the cutoff man or throw to the wrong base. that's why he's got so many outfield assists (more than anybody in baseball over the last six or so years). just a guy who's always got his head in the game.

by jpahk on Oct 7, 2005 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blue Collar

David Eckstein: Someone once wrote about Rick Burleson that he'd take the ball in his mouth and run it to first base if it meant getting an out. Eck is like that too.

Jason Kendall: No catcher's uniform is as dirty as his.

Though he's supremely talented, Scott Rolen brings the lunch bucket to work everyday. If he were a hockey player he'd be like Cam Neely.

I won't get married until the Red Sox win the World Series. AGAIN!!

by Shep on Oct 8, 2005 10:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rolen

good call on that one!!! i kind of forgot about him w/ all of his injuries this year. the guy's a superstar, yet he plays like he's fighting for a roster spot. if only more superstars were like him!

by andy 5 on Oct 8, 2005 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs