Which Player is Baseball's New Role Model?

[BASEBALL_TRIVIA_NUT]

BASEBALL_TRIVIA_NUT

Now that Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn have retired, there
is a need to identify the one or two current major league
players you feel should be the new role model(s) for major
league baseball.

Who is your choice for that very demanding role and
why is he your choice? Or, if you there are two you
would like to choose, identify them and the reasons for
for your choices.

Have at it!!!

[erictelevision]

Sammy Sosa, for his effervescent love of the game, and his patriotism toward his adopted country last season, (post 9/11).

[The Commissioner]

Mike Mussina and Shawn Green. Both are workhorses that carry themselves with a great amount of dignity both on and off the field. I've never heard of either of them refusing to sign an autograph either.

[carrp]

Luis Gonzalez.

He's baseball's current Ironman and has a personality that would play well with the media. He's not playing as well as he did in 2001, but he'll get stronger and more consistent as the season progresses.

[baseballwise]

All of these guys are great role models. Of course I'm partial to Sammy.

[The Commissioner]

I'd also have to add Vlad to this list. He doesn't try to garner a lot of press for himself. He doesn't complain about his teammates or the lack of fan support. He just keeps his mouth shut and plays the game with the quiet dignity and grace of a true superstar, while at the same time never shutting out the fans. Assuming he stays healthy, he will have compiled a Hall of Fame career while flying under the media radar. Another class act and a definite role model.

[mikey_s]

...yes and no.

As much as I am a fan of Vlads. He is still young and a little shy/reclusive with the fans. He will get better as he grows up. Right now I would go with Sammy. Aside from his money squabble a couple of years ago he has been a pretty class act.

[NickG]

Curt Schilling. He was a great influence on Randy Johnson, as well as a great leader. This is a guy when, asked what MLB could do to improve itself after the last World Series, answered bluntly, "Get a new commissioner."

Pitchers have more time to be role models, anyway.

[Brannu]

How things change after a few years. Luis Gonzalez? Sammy Sosa? Shawn Green? Wow.

Well, in 2005, I would go with Albert Pujols - for the things that he does on and off the field. He's super committed to that down syndrome thing.


(Yes ... I am really bored this sunday afternoon)

[nmadd]

How things change after a few years. Luis Gonzalez? Sammy Sosa? Shawn Green? Wow.

Well, in 2005, I would go with Albert Pujols - for the things that he does on and off the field. He's super committed to that down syndrome thing.


(Yes ... I am really bored this sunday afternoon)

I second Pujols. I can't think of anyone else that comes close, IMO.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I'd also have to add Vlad to this list. He doesn't try to garner a lot of press for himself. He doesn't complain about his teammates or the lack of fan support. He just keeps his mouth shut and plays the game with the quiet dignity and grace of a true superstar, while at the same time never shutting out the fans. Assuming he stays healthy, he will have compiled a Hall of Fame career while flying under the media radar. Another class act and a definite role model.

I think Vlad should be one. No doubt about it.


Curt Schilling. He was a great influence on Randy Johnson, as well as a great leader. This is a guy when, asked what MLB could do to improve itself after the last World Series, answered bluntly, "Get a new commissioner."


But Curt Shilling? Eventhough he is/was a good pitcher, I think his big mouth will rule him out as a role model.

I would like to add Jeter. As far as I know he is never complaining. Always gives his best.

[baseball junkie]

Sorry people but I can't agree with Sammy Sosa or Albert Pujols -- tell me either got that big without juicing.

If baseball wants to play the NBA game and build its brand around particular players (which I think is a great idea) then I think they should seriously consider the following players:

Derek Jeter, anchor of 4 WS champs, great character guy;

Dontrelle Willis, you've got to love this guy he's only 23, he's the best pitcher in the game and he can hit the cover off the ball;

Grady Sizemore, CF for Cleveland, 23, should definitely be one of baseball's new role models. Take a look at his stats last year -- in what was ostensibly he rookie season and then take a look at him and it is clear he's not juicing;

Chipper Jones, anchor of Braves during their division title run and clearly not a juicer. He'd fall more into the veteran, future Hall of Famer category;

That gives us Jeter from the north, Sizemore from the midwest, Willis and Jones from the south, so we need one from the west.

I'd pick either second-year Diamondback's first baseman Chad Tracy or Rockies' first baseman Todd Helton -- although with Helton you run the risk of hyping a player from the juiced era.

It would help if the Dodgers could manage to develop a few decent prospects.

[Brannu]

Sorry people but I can't agree with Sammy Sosa or Albert Pujols -- tell me either got that big without juicing.

If baseball wants to play the NBA game and build its brand around particular players (which I think is a great idea) then I think they should seriously consider the following players:

Derek Jeter, anchor of 4 WS champs, great character guy;

Dontrelle Willis, you've got to love this guy he's only 23, he's the best pitcher in the game and he can hit the cover off the ball;

Grady Sizemore, CF for Cleveland, 23, should definitely be one of baseball's new role models. Take a look at his stats last year -- in what was ostensibly he rookie season and then take a look at him and it is clear he's not juicing;

Chipper Jones, anchor of Braves during their division title run and clearly not a juicer. He'd fall more into the veteran, future Hall of Famer category;

That gives us Jeter from the north, Sizemore from the midwest, Willis and Jones from the south, so we need one from the west.

I'd pick either second-year Diamondback's first baseman Chad Tracy or Rockies' first baseman Todd Helton -- although with Helton you run the risk of hyping a player from the juiced era.

It would help if the Dodgers could manage to develop a few decent prospects.


If you want to cover the west ... you do have Ichiro in the Northwest. Rich Harden?

Anyway ... let me remind those who didn't notice ... this thread was originally posted in april of 2002. :)

[charlesblalack@yahoo.com]

I agree with Vlad and Pujols. I admire hispanic players for their hard work from often 3rd world roots to get recognized in the big leauges.

[baseball junkie]

Ah, Ichiro is an excellent idea! He totally slipped my mind. MLB seriously needs to market him more. He's the closest player we have to a Ty Cobb or a Tris Speaker or a Tony Gwynn playing today.

[charlesblalack@yahoo.com]

Ah, Ichiro is an excellent idea! MLB seriously needs to market him more. He's the closest player we have to a Ty Cobb.
Ty Cobb a role model? I hope your reffering to similarity as a ballplayer, although that too would be inaccurate. If you aren't informed, look for tons of info on Cobb's racism, violence, and etc. written on BBF.

[baseball junkie]

Yes as a ball player. How else would they be similar? And yes I already know all about Ty Cobbs racism -- I saw that movie with Tommy Lee Jones too.

[VTSoxFan]

I have always thought of Tim Wakefield as a pretty good role model. He excels at something difficult even within the realm of a difficult career (the knuckleball is not for everyone). He failed at it, re-learned how to do it, and has come back, and spent ten more or less successful years with the same team. He's adopted the town he plays for and is active in many charities, and this is recognized by his annual nomination for the Clemente Award. His current manager says that "he always has his spikes on" -- he's ready to assume any duty they ask him to do -- starting, relieving, closing; stopper or mop-up guy. He's self-effacing and dedicated to his teammates and fans. I am proud to own a "Wakefield-49" shirt. If I had a kid, I'd say, "play like Wake. You don't have to be a superstar; just love what you do, and appreciate what is given you, and you'll do well."

[ThePeach]

Ah, Ichiro is an excellent idea! He totally slipped my mind. MLB seriously needs to market him more. He's the closest player we have to a Ty Cobb or a Tris Speaker or a Tony Gwynn playing today.

How is Ichiro a Ty Cobb? He's no where near as tough. And, yes, I DO think of Ty Cobb as a role model in a funny sort of way. He had to put up with a LOT of ****, and continued to shine all the way threw it. I think it's a shame he gets such a bad rap. He was NOT a racist; he was just an agressive guy who had his buttons pushed several times by various people. That included both black and white guys; he didn't discriminate, he beat up everybody. :laugh But I don't know of any credible sources you can find of Cobb saying anything "racist". That's all media generated.

And, yeah, I do like Pujols, he's great, but if I was going to pick one modern day role model it'd be.. DER-EK JE-TER. :)

[ThePeach]

Yes as a ball player. How else would they be similar? And yes I already know all about Ty Cobbs racism -- I saw that movie with Tommy Lee Jones too.

That movie was a fabrication at best, and a blatant lie at worst.

[Brannu]

And, yeah, I do like Pujols, he's great, but if I was going to pick one modern day role model it'd be.. DER-EK JE-TER. :)

One thing that annoys me about Jeter is that, in that "I Live For This" promotional commercial ... he didn't comment on anything about his love of baseball and what it's like to playing the game ... only thing he said is he wanted be remembered as a Yankee who played for "the greatest fans in baseball."

He lost me with that. Like The Yankees transcend baseball.

[BoofBonser26]

Sorry people but I can't agree with Sammy Sosa or Albert Pujols -- tell me either got that big without juicing.
Pujols got that big without juicing.

[baseball junkie]

Let's see how is Ichiro Suzuki similar to Ty Cobb.

A.) Suzuki has lead MLB in singles in all five of his seasons in America. Cobb lead MLB in singles six times.

B.) Suzuki has five straight AL gold gloves. Cobb apparently was no slouch on defense either.

C.) Suzuki owns the records for hits in a single season with 262 in 2004, something Cobb came close to in 1911 when he cracked 248 hits.

D.) Suzuki and Cobb both own one MVP Award, dating to 2001 and 1911 respectively.

E.) Suzuki owns a .353 career batting average and 1,278 base hits from his years in Japan and a .332 career batting average and 1,130 base hits from his years in America. Combine them and you'll find that as a professional ball player, at the age of 32, Suzuki has 2,408 base hits. Cobb through the age of 32 had 2,522 base hits.

Those are the main reasons, I could probably list more why I think Cobb and Suzuki are similar.

[ThePeach]

Let's see how is Ichiro Suzuki similar to Ty Cobb.

A.) Suzuki has lead MLB in singles in all five of his seasons in America. Cobb lead MLB in singles six times.

B.) Suzuki has five straight AL gold gloves. Cobb apparently was no slouch on defense either.

C.) Suzuki owns the records for hits in a single season with 262 in 2004, something Cobb came close to in 1911 when he cracked 248 hits.

D.) Suzuki and Cobb both own one MVP Award, dating to 2001 and 1911 respectively.

E.) Suzuki owns a .353 career batting average and 1,278 base hits from his years in Japan and a .332 career batting average and 1,130 base hits from his years in America. Combine them and you'll find that as a professional ball player, at the age of 32, Suzuki has 2,408 base hits. Cobb through the age of 32 had 2,522 base hits.

Those are the main reasons, I could probably list more why I think Cobb and Suzuki are similar.

Yes, all of those things are similar, but I was talking more along the lines of actual spirit, and personality. Plus, Ichiro doesn't have the reputation (or ability) on the basepaths, nor does he have Cobb's power (yeah, Cobb did have power with the bat).

[RuthMayBond]

Let's see how is Ichiro Suzuki similar to Ty Cobb.

B.) Suzuki has five straight AL gold gloves. Cobb apparently was no slouch on defense either.Cobb wasn't that good, and Ichiro's got them in a short time

<D.) Suzuki and Cobb both own one MVP Award, dating to 2001 and 1911 respectively.>

Ichiro didn't deserve his, Cobb deserved more. You probably don't want to compare power :laugh

[ThePeach]

Did you know that Cobb is second all time in outfield assits to Tris Speaker, even though he had an arm injury in the middle part of his career?

[digglahhh]

I know its a bit too late as he will probably hang it up soon too but Craig Biggio was a hard nosed guy. Played and excelled at different positions on the diamond and has handled himself with refreshing humility throughout his HOF career.

Ken Griffey Jr. was a marketer's dream before the injury.

Derek Jeter is a good selection.

David Wright is a fine young man too, and a hell of a ball player. When the team told him that they are fully aware that his value far surpasses his salary. He replied by saying something to the effect of, how can a guy in his early 20s complain about making a coupla hundred thousand a year.

[redlegsfan21]

Sean Casey-Was a fan favorite in Cincinnati, he gives lots to charities and helps promote baseball as a family game. He works well with others and the clubhouse loves him. He would help the popularity of baseball through kindness, helpfulness, ect.
Albert Pujols-Fan Favorite in St. Louis, he is hard work in the process. He would help popularity through his charitible yet hard work in baseball.

[cooper921]

Ok, serioulsy. David Eckstein. Every kid growing up should wanna be like him. he's the best hulster in the game hands down.

[Williamsburg2599]

Ichiro.He proves that you dont have to hit one out everytime to be sucsessfull, he's modest,He has pride in his country and didnt drop out of the WBC and he has put up some amazing stats.

[wamby]

I don't believe that athletes are role models. I never regarded any athlete like that when I was a kid.

[Tigerfan1974]

Sammy Sosa, for his effervescent love of the game, and his patriotism toward his adopted country last season, (post 9/11).
Sosa, a role model!? Whatever.

[Tigerfan1974]

Hopefully a new role model could be a nice clean cut, hard working, successful player - Michael Young!?

[chrismarullo]

One thing that annoys me about Jeter is that, in that "I Live For This" promotional commercial ... he didn't comment on anything about his love of baseball and what it's like to playing the game ... only thing he said is he wanted be remembered as a Yankee who played for "the greatest fans in baseball."

He lost me with that. Like The Yankees transcend baseball.


Keep in mind they had to edit that down to a 30 second spot. He probably sat down and gave them 2 or 3 minutes worth of sound bytes and they used what they thought would make a good promo.

[Dontworry]

Wasnt Jeter voted " the face of baseball " ?

[wamby]

Sosa, a role model!? Whatever.

I thought the same about Schilling.

[MyDogSparty]

David Wright.

[Elvis]

Barry Bonds...

























... New transvestite role model.

[christian gentleman]

derek jeter, SS, #2, new york yankees baseball club

maybe a second:

Joe Crede, 3B, chicago white sox baseball club

[Dasperp]

I generally don't like thinking of baseball players as role models either, but Dontrelle Willis would be a good one, especially for a sport that is really losing the interest of young African-Americans.

[The Big C]

Sorry people but I can't agree with Sammy Sosa or Albert Pujols -- tell me either got that big without juicing.

Grady Sizemore... it is clear he's not juicing;

Chipper Jones...clearly not a juicer.

That is moronic. You think you can just look at any guy and determine from a glance what he is and isn't putting into his body? Did you look at Alex Sanchez and think to yourself "That is a guy that is clearly juicing"? How about Wayne Franklin. It could be anyone at any time, and presuming guilt for Pujols just because he is a big strong guy is incredibly stupid.

Are we going to say that from now on, any muscular power hitter is automatically guilty of steroid use? I can't believe no one else said anything about this. Just looking at a guy is not enough to tell. Did you look at Raffy Palmeiro and say "That guy uses horse steroids, no doubt about it"? Anybody could be on the things, including guys like Chipper Jones (not that I am insinuating he is). It isn't just the muscular power hitters using steroids, and you seem to think that even if it was, you could tell which ones it was of those. In the future I hope you will refrain from such idiotic posts/accusations, unless you have some better reasons (read: evidence) for making them.

[Yankeezim]

Did you look at Raffy Palmeiro and say "That guy uses horse steroids, no doubt about it"? In one word, "Yes".


Anyone who follows baseball, especially a Cub fan, would have noticed the massive size Palmiero put on after his time with the Cubs. One of the main reasons the Cubs let Palmiero go was because Grace was projected to have more power than him. Instead, Palmiero literally "blew up", and became a home run machine.

If he had juiced earlier in his career, we would have seen Grace spend the rest of his career in another uniform. That, IMO, would have been a disgrace.


I do agree with you that there is no definitive way to tell if someone is on steroids (for us as fans). However, you can make an educated guess as to who is doing it. I could list quite a few I have suspicions about, but what would that prove? Major League Baseball itself really doesnt want to find these guys, IMO. Just the few they need to make an example to point at and say, "See? It's working!"

[Yankeezim]

I believe that Derek Jeter is the type of person young people should try to emulate today. I dont know what the man is like personally, but he carries himself very well as a professional.

I also admire Dontrelle's love of the game.

[Myankee4life]

Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, and Vlad Guerrero.