who is your fav baseball player ever

[cards kid]

mine is stan the man

[J2K]

Kirby Puckett without a doubt. I never saw him dog it down the line on a groundout... ever. I remember one of the first spring training games years ago, he hit a sure groudout right to the second baseman, he hustled down the line as if the man upstairs had told him it would be his last at-bat ever! You just don't see that these days. Also note he reached 2000 hits in less games than anyone... even Pete Rose. Damn you Dennis Martinez!

[thechefs2003]

George Howard Brett. Hustled down the line every hit, played the game the way it was meant to be played. Loyal to his adopted hometown of KC when he probably could have taken more money elsewhere. Never heard him complain one bit. Oh and he was a great player.

[sturg1dj]

mine doesn't belong with the greats....but Tony Phillips. Remember him? Growing up as a Tiger's fan in the early to mid-90's I had aging Whitaker and Trammell, Travis Fryman, Cecil Fielder and Mickey Tettleton. My favorite, however, was Tony Phillips. Hustled, had a temper, could play any position. I couldn't copy his swing because he crouched down too much and it wasn't comfortable, so I instead copied the way he spit which he did through his teeth.

looking back, those teams were known for being all or nothing, home runs or strike outs...and they did strike out a TON. but Phillips and Tettleton did something that I as a Tiger fan am not used to. They worked the count and drew walks.

if I were to say a favorite that didn't play on my team it would probably be George Brett, and the funny thing is that I only got to see an older Brett play.

[George H Ruth]

Ken Griffey Jr, he was just a perfect player when he was in his prime, did everything well, hit home runs, drove in runs, played his position really well, and he was a great teamate. It's just ashame that when he left Seattle to go the Reds he was never the same.

Missed a lot of games because of injuries, and was never able to find his home run stroke again. Yes grant it that he hit over 30 home runs, but never was able to hit that 50 mark again. When he was with the Mariners he was on pace to beat Aaron's record, but now that he missed so many games in recent seasons there's no way that he will be able to achieve it.

He was such a joy to watch when he was with Mariners, he still is a joy to watch with the Reds, but when he was in his prime, boy was he ever good.

He also has in my opinion the sweetest stroke in baseball, it's such a joy to watch this guy hit a home run.

[Brian McKenna]

Baltimore born and raised - Brooks Robinson

[BoSox Rule]

Pedro Martinez

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Guess who my all time favorite player is? :think:

[George H Ruth]

Sorry guys, but can you explain why those guys are your favorite player, it's pretty boring reading what you guys wrote, I'd love to find out why those players are your favorites of all time.

Just like I told you guys why Griffey is my favorite player.

[fenrir]

probably frank thomas or greg maddux. im also a mays fan, but out of the players ive seen play it's between thomas and maddux. arod and pujols are up there too.

[Wade8813]

All of the Mariners stars have been favorites over the years, A-Rod, Griffey, Edgar, Buhner, Moyer, Ichiro, Boone...

The same applies for my 2nd favorite team, the Braves, although since I don't hear any of the local media hype, they tend to have to be bigger names for me to notice them as much - Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine, Chipper, Andruw (I didn't become a Braves fan until somewhere in the mid-nineties, so players before then didn't make my list).

I've also loved the biggest and best - Ruth, Walter, Williams, Hornsby, etc. And then there were those who I thought were the best, when I was a kid - Nolan Ryan and Sandy Koufax. I thought the world revolved around strikeouts.

I don't know who I'd pick if I had to choose one all-time favorite.

[Old Sweater]

Mickey Mantle, the Yankees were my #1 team as a kid growing up and were on TV more then the other teams here in Colorado.


Since the Rockies have been around my favorite is Larry Walker. The guy could do it all but just to see him throw the ball, deke the runners in RF and run the bases was just amazing to me how natural it came to him. I don't think that Walker had to think about doing anything but hitting, the rest he just done.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Guess who my all time favorite player is? :think:

Probably some guy named John. :highfive:


Growing up I loved the A's. Of course Rickey and the bash bros...but I used to love watching Dave Henderson too. He had a lot of swagger...fit right in with that bunch. That gappy smile, that chillin' stance, his catching style in the outfield and throwing it in while holding his leg up longer than necessary.

[digglahhh]

All Time: probably Teddy Ballgame

In my lifetime: Pedro Martinez

The guy I most enjoy watching in any sport is Kobe Bryant though.

[Urbanshocker13]

Favorite player of all time, George Herman Ruth! The Babe! I know not the most original choice but you can' t help but love the Babe's personallity. He was larger than life, really loved to have a good time and was filled with charisma. Plus his life story is just amazing, the poor kid that was basically abandoned and was rasied in a reform school became the best baseball player of all time, and one of the most famous people in the world! Besides all that his feats on the ball field where amazing! He dominated the sport, he was like nothing seen before, Many of his moments on the field are mythic and allot of them are true! He wasn't perfect but that just make him even more interesting, a writer couldn't write a character like Ruth, he was one of kind!

Real close to the Babe are Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig. Mickey was my dad's favorite player growing up like tons of kids of his generation. Mickey, the country kid landing in New York City with a cardboard suitcase and a cheap suite and became a hero to millions! He hit mamouth Homeruns and was one of the greatest ballplayers of all time. He always seemed to have a childlike energy and sweetness about him. But Mickey was very troubled, he was far from perfect he did many things that hurt his playing and his life, mickey in alot of was is a very tragic hero. But that for me makes him even more indearing, because he is human. You can understand mantle and his short comeings, You can look up to someone as an idol but it's better when you can see that he is a real person.

Another tragic Yankee hero Lou Gehrig. Probally the only hitter that could hit behind Ruth! Truely a great player, strong and powerful one of the best hitters of all time! Mostly overshadowed by Ruth (and later Joe D) he sometimes out played him! The only player that could come close to Ruth in the Yankees powerful lineup. As he was one of the few that where close to Ruth in hitting ability, he was an opposite to Ruth's larger then life personallity. Quite, humble, hardworking, honest, and reserved, he also played the game with class and was classy off the field too. He died way too young. I wish I could have seen any of them play live!

A player I did get to see play, is my fovorite player growing up the same as many Yankee fans my age, Don Mattingly. For Yankee fans my age there wasn't any championship teams to cheer for in the 80's and early 90's only Donnie! Some years the Yankees where just plain horrible but we always had Mattingly. He was a great hitter, could hit homers and was graceful in the field. He just looked like a ballpalyer, dirty uniform, eyeblack, tobacco in his cheek, mustache and unshaven face. He played the game right and always played hard. In a time of flashy loud cockey ballplayers like Conseco, Mattingly was quit, humble and classy. I played 1rstbase like donnie and I made sure to have a baseball card from every year he played, from his rookie card to his last year. A back Injury diminished his skills and career way quickly, he missed a championship by one year and his injury will make him come up short for the HOF as well. But Mattingly is more important to Yankee fans than his stats and awards. For many years he was the Yankees, and is still one of the most popular Yankees.

Sorry if I am rambling, or being too sappy or nostalgic or chessey. Guess I just got a little carried away with explaining myself.

[Scoops]

My all-time favourite is Joe DiMaggio. My favourite player I've seen in person is Ken Griffey Jr. DiMaggio is the epitome of the Yankees to me, even more than Ruth (who is obviously the greater player). Plus: He married Marilyn Monroe, come on! For Griffey, aside from his grace in the field (earlier in his career :P ), I have always loved his swing. Absolutely loved it. One of the most beautiful things in baseball.

Also: Urban Shocker has the greatest name in the history of sports, and possibly in the history of names (Urbain Shockor is kinda cool too).

[Urbanshocker13]

Also: Urban Shocker has the greatest name in the history of sports, and possibly in the history of names (Urbain Shockor is kinda cool too).

Well thank you!!:highfive: That is the best name ever!! Not a bad pitcher either!

[Iron Jaw]

In order:

1. Ken Boyer
2. Brooks Robinson
3. Stan Musial
4. Bob Gibson
5. Dave McNally
6. Frank Robinson
7. Boog Powell
8. Bill White
9. Jim Palmer
10. Harmon Killebrew

[OleMissCub]

Tyrus

Raymond

Cobb

[Chickazoola]

Cal Ripken Jr. because he played for the Orioles(which were my favorite team when I first started watching baseball), and he just seemed like a good guy for a n 11 year-old to worship.

For old dead players:
Larry Doyle simply because he is the author of the greatest quote in baseball: "It's good to be young and Giant", which is profound on so many levels.
Johnny Evers because he was small, ornery, tough, and smart. All qualities which I have or someday hope to possess.
Al Simmons because was just really good at what he did, and the subject of another great quote: "At 37, every ballplayer has the face he deserves". The epitome of the hard drinker and hard hitter, but without the mythology of Hack Wilson.

Honorable mention to Vladimir Guerrero(I am a long suffering Expos fan), and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (who was one of the main reasons I got into the deadball era and subsequently all of baseball history).

[Buzzaldrin]

1) Bob Caruthers
2) José Cruz (senior)
3) Billy Hamilton
4) Ted Williams
5) Indian Bob Johnson
6) Karmon Killebrew
7) Joe Niekro (I loved when he pitched- you had time for a sandwich and a coke before the ball got to the plate)
8) John McGraw (as a player)
9) Babe Ruth
10) Al Simmons

[rsuriyop]

My favorite? Probably the guy pictured on my avatar ;)

[Androctus]

JOHN KRUK
did everything wrong. You couldn't teach baseball the way he played it. Unortodox hitting stance, in horrible shape, smoked, drank, and he had a mullet to boot. Its a wonder scouts ever looked at that mutt and saw a big league player. But usually by the third inning, Krukker was covered in dirt, had ripped his pants somewhere, and was obviously just having a good ole time. He had undeniable natural ability, a love for the game, never complained, played hard every day, and phans in Philadelphia loved him for that.

[Bill Burgess]

My Favorite Players.

1. Ty Cobb - Ty was my Dad's greatest player. I read his autobio by Stump in 1961, and he's been my primary research subject ever since.
2. Honus Wagner
3. Buck Ewing
4. Walter Johnson - Always my favorite pitcher, by far. In fact, up until HS, I wanted to BE him. Wanted to be a ML pitcher like Walter.
5. Rube Waddell - Rube was my earliest favorite, before Ty. Always loved the lovable nut.
6. George Sisler - He reached the top, and was felled by eye trouble. Still came back and played with double vision! Try that!
7. Barry Bonds - Live in Mt. View, CA about 30 miles south of SF. See him play all the time. He was amazing at his peak.
8. Eddie Collins
9. Nolan Ryan - I didn't follow BB, 1966- mid-80's. It was Nolan who got me to refocus on my childhood obsession.
10. Pete Alexander
11. Warren Spahn - My favorite player, along with Willie Mays, in my childhood. Later idolized Sandy Koufax. Warren was the perfect pitcher.
12. Joe Jackson
13. Tris Speaker
14. Willie Mays
15. Oscar Charleston
16. Pop Lloyd
17. Biz Mackey
18. Mickey Cochrane

[George H Ruth]

My favorites players.

1. Ty Cobb
2. Honus Wagner
3. Buck Ewing
4. Walter Johnson
5. Rube Waddell
6. George Sisler
7. Barry Bonds
8. Eddie Collins
9. Nolan Ryan
10. Pete Alexander
11. Warren Spahn
12. Joe Jackson
13. Tris Speaker

Wow first off I'm surprise that Babe Ruth isn't on your list, and second off I'm extremly surprise to see MR Juicer himself on the list Barry Bonds, esoecially so high. But everyone is entitled to their opinions.

[TheStringIsOut_NC]

My all-time favorite player is going into the Hall of Fame this year.

I really only got to watch him at the tail end of his career, but I remember sitting up late on summer nights waiting for Baseball Tonight highlights, hoping maybe he got into a game. Even then, in low-profile short relief, the presence was intimidating, the fu-manchu fierce...Goose Gossage defined, in my mind, everything a relief pitcher was supposed to be. I've since seen many old videos or listened to decades old broadcasts and there was a buzz when Gossage came into a game. No music. No scoreboard lights show. Just a rabid crowd and an electric sense that something big was going to happen. Three straight strikeouts on 100-mph heat. Or maybe that electricity recast as a lightning bolt sent hurtling back into the bleachers by legendary adversaries like George Brett.

Other players who have always had a special place in my heart:

- Ray Lankford
- Jack Clark
- Ozzie Smith
- John Tudor
- Joe DiMaggio
- Frank Robinson
- Bert Blyleven
- Bobby Grich
- Ted Simmons
- Harland Clift
- Satchel Paige

[Frank]

*Pete Rose*--As a kid growing up the Pirates were my favorite team,but I loved watching Pete Rose play the game.He always played hard-knew the game-had fun playing it-and played to win. He never mind playing where they needed him to play-over 1,000 games played in the outfield,and over 600 games each at 1b,2b,3b...One of the greatest lead-off hitters of all time.and one of the most competitive players of all time. From 1965-1982 he was definitely one of the games greatest *Superstars*...

[Bill Burgess]

Wow first off I'm surprised that Babe Ruth isn't on your list, and second off I'm extremely surprised to see MR Juicer himself on the list, Barry Bonds, especially so high.
Everyone says that, so don't feel strange. I'm almost embarrassed to post my favorites. I live near San Francisco, and so I have seen Barry so often, that I came to appreciate his amazing skill set. I have become so familiar with the Babe that he feels like family by this time. So maybe that is why the magic has worn off a little. Probably no excuse though. I'm sorry. There is no excuse for me. I have no defense. Someone should take me to the woodshed. Whip me good.

[George H Ruth]

It's fine, like I mentioned everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I respect every player on your list except Barry Bonds, personally I never liked him, even before he was accuse of taking steroids. Anyways don't want to go off topic here, because this is a great topic so far.

[Chickazoola]

Everyone says that, so don't feel strange. I'm almost embarrassed to post my favorites. I live near San Francisco, and so I have seen Barry so often, that I came to appreciate his amazing skill set. I have become so familiar with the Babe that he feels like family by this time. So maybe that is why the magic has worn off a little. Probably no excuse though. I'm sorry. There is no excuse for me. I have no defense. Someone should take me to the woodshed. Whip me good.

I am a big Barry Bonds guy too. It was fun to watch him dominate no matter how he did it. For a couple years he was the perfect offensive ballplayer.

[yanks0714]

Who else but The Mick. I have a picture of a young Mickey Mantle hanging in the room as I type this. Mickey Mantle was the rage when I was old enough to understand the basics of baseball in 1957. I loved the Yankees, to the chagrin of my father a life long Red Sox fan. Mickey was the face of the Yankees. I loved watching Mickey play. He seemed so shy when interviewed, an 'Aw, shucks' type of guy with a grin on his face. I even liked the way he's remove his batting helmet, from the rear instead of the visor. he even put it back on that way.

Even though Mickey was my idol I couldn't even bring myself to try to copy his stance, crouch, stride, or anything. It was almost as if I were afraid to embarrass Mickey. I copied Eliston Howard's severe closed stance. Although with my pathetic hitting (hey, I was an outstanding defensive player) I probably would have embarrassed Ellie too!

Mickey was my #1 idol growing up. My other favs inother sports were Johnny Unitas, Wilt Chamberlain, Cassius Clay (Muhammed Ali), and for some reason I could never fathom, Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks??? Bobby Hull, the Golden Jet, was on that team too but I liked Mikita. Don't ask me why.

When Mickey passed on, a grown man's eyes were wet as he bit his lip. I doubt mine were the only ones wet.

[NJMetfan4life]

Mike Piazza. Growing up and still growing up in New Jersey I was and will always be a Met fan. Piazza was doing what he needed to in my eyes. At, the one game after 9/11, his homer helped the country, breaking records for catchers, always great. But, In 2006, I was rooting for the Padres, last year, the A's. This year, I'm not sure yet.

Honorable Mentions:

-Tom Seaver
-Babe Ruth
-Jose Valentin
-David Wright
-Jose Reyes
-Mickey Mantle
-Ted Williams
-Keith Hernandez
-Cy Young
-Walter Johnson
-"Sholess" Joe Jackson
-Gil Hodges
-and Yogi Berra

[Sultan_1895-1948]

1) Bob Caruthers
2) José Cruz (senior)
3) Billy Hamilton
4) Ted Williams
5) Indian Bob Johnson
6) Karmon Killebrew
7) Joe Niekro (I loved when he pitched- you had time for a sandwich and a coke before the ball got to the plate)
8) John McGraw (as a player)
9) Babe Ruth
10) Al Simmons

Good to see you on here Buzz. You still got that Wilhelm I sent ya?

[Sultan_1895-1948]

I am a big Barry Bonds guy too. It was fun to watch him dominate no matter how he did it. For a couple years he was the perfect offensive ballplayer.

No matter how he did it.

[Go get em Tigers]

Born in Wisconsin, I was a Brewer fan as a kid. I was so proud that the home run king wanted to return to Milwaukee to finish his career. I only wish the Braves had let him go before he broke Babe's record, like he wanted to.

[philkid3]

It has been Rusty Greer since I was little. He was just so folksy, always a Ranger and a whole lot of fun.

Before Pointy McFinger tested positive and blamed it on Tejada he was up there. I don't devalue his greatnes, but he is no longer a hero and I will no longer be outraged when he's kept out of the Hall of Fame.

Active it's probably Hank Blalock or Michael Young, but I don't have a whole lot of love for any current player.

Pudge and the Express are also both up there, along with Cal Ripken Jr.

[DiMag4Life]

I'll let you guys draw your own conclusions. :lightbulb:

Honorable mentions: Lefty Gomez, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Fred Lynn, Bob Feller, Honus Wagner, Dom DiMaggio, Alan Trammell, Roy Halladay, Yogi Berra, Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky, Pete Reiser, Carlos Delgado, Stan Musial, Dave Stieb.

EDIT...... forgot Tommy Henrich and Phil Rizzuto.

[dabigyankeeman]

All time favorite - Mantle. I grew up in New York watching him play in The Stadium (thats Yankee Stadium to you non-New Yorkers). When he was healthy, he could hit a 450-ft homer then the next time up drag a bunt past the pitcher and make the second baseman field it and he was safe by ten feet. In the field he could run into death valley in The Stadium and catch anything, what a sight it was to see him 450' out there catching a ball. Nobody knows how bad his legs were the second half of his career. I played golf twice with Hector Lopez who played with Mickey, and Hector told me that before games Mantle would have his legs wrapped from ankle to groin, and that he (Lopez) couldnt believe anyone could play with such injuries, but just seeing Mickey play that way made everyone on the team try harder. A good-looking guy with a great name that rolled off your tongue playing for the Yankees, if he had stayed healthy he would have career stats that you wouldnt believe.

As to a favorite player from before my time - the Babe. How can you not love a guy who can eat ten hot dogs and then go hit more home runs in a season than any other TEAM in the league?????

Since Mantle retired, there have been a couple of special players for me - Reggie Jackson - a big mouth but he backed it up with his bat, nothing wrong with running your mouth when you can back it up, and Nolan Ryan - the ageless wonder who could still throw it by you at age 47 and also he could beat up Robin Ventura in a fight!

Current players, I would have to say Derek Jeter - he epitomizes the class of the Yankees. His stats may not be the gaudiest, and he is not the best fielding shortstop, but he has the knack for coming thru when you need him, for getting that big hit or incredible play at the right time.

Other players i have always admired - Lou Gehrig, Joe D, Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson (who did more than him with so much against him), and sometimes its not superstars that you like, such as Lou Piniella or David Cone, just something about those guys i always liked.

[brett]

George Howard Brett. Hustled down the line every hit, played the game the way it was meant to be played. Loyal to his adopted hometown of KC when he probably could have taken more money elsewhere. Never heard him complain one bit. Oh and he was a great player.

If George had just taken his off-season conditioning seriously every year...

That's ultimately what I hold against him. He did it prior to '85 and went injury free. Then he took it easy in the offseason after '85. From '74 to '84 he went from probably about 175 to 210 or 215. 190 was his optimal playing weight.

If he had played 155 games every year with full mobility, and hung in at third through 1990, he might be considered the best third baseman of all time.

I would pay to watch him hit. I would pay to watch him swing the bat.

[brett]

Sorry guys, but can you explain why those guys are your favorite player, it's pretty boring reading what you guys wrote, I'd love to find out why those players are your favorites of all time.

Just like I told you guys why Griffey is my favorite player.


Brett was a hero because he came from Cali, to KC and became a true hometown boy. He played all 20+ years there. If he hit a grounder, he was running for an infield hit. If he hit a single, he was turning and looking for a double EVERY TIME. If he hit a sure double, he came around second with fire in his eyes every time. 2 inside the park home runs to clinch the division in '85. Sliding into the dugout on a pop-foul in the ALCS. Taking Yankees upper deck. A swing that was worth coming to the ballpark to see.

[Buzzaldrin]

Good to see you on here Buzz. You still got that Wilhelm I sent ya?

It was Early Wynn, not Wilhelm! But sure, I have it next to the bed (which I suppose is creepy to some people). You doing okay, Sultan?

Oh, and reasons for my favorite player:

Bob Caruthers- other than Ruth, the best hitting pitcher of all time, a guy who could put up a 200 OPS+ and a 2.32 ERA in the same season. Who followed that up the next year by finishing second in the league in slugging while leading it in winning percentage. Who had possibly the best five year peak ever as a baseball player, but whose arm was destroyed by over 2,000 innings in those five years and was out of baseball before he turned 30.

He also did one of the coolest things in baseball history in the 1886 World Series. When Cap Anson bragged to the papers that the Browns had no chance agains the Cubs after the Cubs won 6-0 in the opener, Caruthers cornered Anson in a St. Louis hotel lobby, pulled out $1,000 cash (in 1886! that's about three times an average year salary!) and demanded Anson put his money where his mouth was. Then Caruthers went out the next day and one hit the Cubs- winning 12-0... the worst loss in Chicago history.

[Bill Burgess]

Who else but The Mick. I have a picture of a young Mickey Mantle hanging in the room as I type this. Mickey Mantle was the rage when I was old enough to understand the basics of baseball in 1957. I loved the Yankees, to the chagrin of my father a life long Red Sox fan. Mickey was the face of the Yankees. I loved watching Mickey play. He seemed so shy when interviewed, an 'Aw, shucks' type of guy with a grin on his face. I even liked the way he's remove his batting helmet, from the rear instead of the visor. he even put it back on that way.

Even though Mickey was my idol I couldn't even bring myself to try to copy his stance, crouch, stride, or anything. It was almost as if I were afraid to embarrass Mickey. I copied Eliston Howard's severe closed stance. Although with my pathetic hitting (hey, I was an outstanding defensive player) I probably would have embarrassed Ellie too!

Mickey was my #1 idol growing up. My other favs inother sports were Johnny Unitas, Wilt Chamberlain, Cassius Clay (Muhammed Ali), and for some reason I could never fathom, Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks??? Bobby Hull, the Golden Jet, was on that team too but I liked Mikita. Don't ask me why.

When Mickey passed on, a grown man's eyes were wet as he bit his lip. I doubt mine were the only ones wet.
Did you know that we have a Mickey Mantle Thread, just to honor him. It could use some cool anecdotes/stories to spice it up. Also, I started a Books Thread, and was looking for someone to organize the Mickey books. Here it is. http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1092097&postcount=7

Are you up to this little project? :)

All one has to do is copy/paste those books to their own post and work on organizing it. Look at the top of the thread at how I did the first few player books. That's what we're going for.

[frehleyscomet]

I am a big Barry Bonds guy too. It was fun to watch him dominate no matter how he did it. For a couple years he was the perfect offensive ballplayer.

Same here. Big Bonds fan.

1) Dave(cobra)Parker
2) Willie(pops) Stargell
3) Barry(invest in)Bonds

[rkoch]

I just wish Don Drysdale and Bob Gibson could have pitched[thrown] to Barry. If he gave his famous gesture to the sky, I m sure he would of had a growth out of one of his ears that would have said Rawlins on it. This guy is a boil on baseballs buttocks.

[philkid3]

I just wish Don Drysdale and Bob Gibson could have pitched[thrown] to Barry. If he gave his famous gesture to the sky, I m sure he would of had a growth out of one of his ears that would have said Rawlins on it. This guy is a boil on baseballs buttocks.

I'm not a big Bonds fan, but. . . his gesture to the sky? That's a big deal?

I would say Drysdale throwing a freaking ball at someone's head for something so silly and trivial would be "a boil on baseball's buttocks."

[Buzzaldrin]

Let Marichal take a swing at him.

[Iron Jaw]

Let Marichal take a swing at him.

Oh, I'm sure Juan would have thrown a few in his direction had they played against each other.

But as far as swinging goes, Juan preferred to pelt the catcher types.:)

[MadHatter]

Spike Owen, followed by Carl Yastrzemski, Todd Benzinger, Wally Judnich, Tony Mullane and a slew of others.

[brewcrew82]

When I was growing up I was a big fan if Rickey Henderson, though I cannot remember what it was about him that I liked so much. Fast forward to now and I'd still say Rickey is my favourite player. I really admire the fact that at his age, for the love of the game, he is willing to play Independant ball even after all he achieved at the Major League level.

Whilst Rickey is my all-time favourite, honorable mentions go to: Cecil Cooper, Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Dave Stewart, George Brett, Mickey Tettleton and the list goes on.

[elmer]

All time favorite - Mantle. I grew up in New York watching him play in The Stadium (thats Yankee Stadium to you non-New Yorkers). When he was healthy, he could hit a 450-ft homer then the next time up drag a bunt past the pitcher and make the second baseman field it and he was safe by ten feet. In the field he could run into death valley in The Stadium and catch anything, what a sight it was to see him 450' out there catching a ball. Nobody knows how bad his legs were the second half of his career. I played golf twice with Hector Lopez who played with Mickey, and Hector told me that before games Mantle would have his legs wrapped from ankle to groin, and that he (Lopez) couldnt believe anyone could play with such injuries, but just seeing Mickey play that way made everyone on the team try harder. A good-looking guy with a great name that rolled off your tongue playing for the Yankees, if he had stayed healthy he would have career stats that you wouldnt believe.

As to a favorite player from before my time - the Babe. How can you not love a guy who can eat ten hot dogs and then go hit more home runs in a season than any other TEAM in the league?????

Since Mantle retired, there have been a couple of special players for me - Reggie Jackson - a big mouth but he backed it up with his bat, nothing wrong with running your mouth when you can back it up, and Nolan Ryan - the ageless wonder who could still throw it by you at age 47 and also he could beat up Robin Ventura in a fight!

Current players, I would have to say Derek Jeter - he epitomizes the class of the Yankees. His stats may not be the gaudiest, and he is not the best fielding shortstop, but he has the knack for coming thru when you need him, for getting that big hit or incredible play at the right time.

Other players i have always admired - Lou Gehrig, Joe D, Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson (who did more than him with so much against him), and sometimes its not superstars that you like, such as Lou Piniella or David Cone, just something about those guys i always liked.

You are SOOOO right

[baseball junkie]

Kevin Elster ....

followed closely by Tom Seaver, David Cone and Mookie Wilson.

[Manhattan]

A-Rod is my all-time #1 favorite baseball player. I have 2 Alex Rodriguez Yankee Blue T-shirts. And A-Rod will break Barry Bonds' all-time home run record. :):):):):):):):):):

[PhilaPhanDave]

My All-Time favorite growing up was Pete Rose. I liked him ever since the "fight" in the NLCS with Bud Harrelson in '73 (my first recollection of him), and his play in the '75 WS made me like him even more. I was thrilled, to say the least, when he signed with the Phillies in December 1978.

I never saw him play, but I really would have liked Mickey Mantle. I've read numerous books about his career, and he was truly a superstar.

Others:
Steve Carlton
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Greg Maddux
Tony Gwynn
Ryne Sandberg
Ron Guidry

[Stray Cat]

Tony Gwynn, he played for the same team and is still involved in baseball.
He's a good commentator also and Hall of Famer. :gt

[Sultan_1895-1948]

And A-Rod will break Barry Bonds' all-time home run record. :):):):):):):):):):

I think you mean Hank's.

[sturg1dj]

I think you mean Hank's.

nope, he means Barry's :dance

[Iron Jaw]

nope, he means Barry's :dance

Are you saying.........A-Rod is on 'roids?:rofl:

[sixpointone]

Mine is Johnny Bench.

I became a fan as a kid and always tuned into The Baseball Bunch.

I met him in 1990 and he was very nice to me, which only made me an even bigger fan.

So, without any hesitation I am a proud lifelong Johnny Bench and Cincinnati Reds Fan.

[Bench 5]

I have many favorites so I can't necessarily name one. Here's my list:

Johnny Bench - symbol of perfection when I was a kid, everyone wanted to be like Johnny.

Ernie Banks - Mr Cub, came to speak at my high school years ago.

Babe Ruth - I was always a fan of the Sultan.

Rogers Hornsby - Became one of my favorites when I started studying his career.

Walter Johnson - Such a legend and classy.

Frank Thomas - The Big Hurt is my favorite active player. Sad to see him leave the Sox family.

[swingman24]

If you could'nt guess,it's easily Junior. In my mind he was the most exciting and fun to watch player since Mays. And I say was because clearly he is not the Griffey he was with Seattle. But he is still quite good. I first saw Griffey play when I was 9 years old and at that age you are so impressionable,I just gravitated towards him. When your 9,10,11 years old you really start to understand how the game is played and you begin to know how to separate the average player from superstars. And Griffey radiated a confidence,attitude,talent, and ability that seemed to be head and shoulders above everyone else(with the exception of Bonds,before the juice).At that age I saw Junior and was in awe. No one will ever take Griffey's place with me mainly because of the age I was when he started playing. It's sad to say because of how much I love baseball but a lot of the magic leaves the game and the players as you get older. As Griffey became a full fledged superstar I became a teen and as Junior began to break down and get older I became an adult. So Griffey will always be intertwined with my childhood and teenage life.

[tryAgainNO000]

I like Kirby Puckett..