Our 10 Favorite Players in Baseball

We’re back! Finally we’ve come back with a new post. This new post is our top ten favorite baseball players. Disclaimer, this is not the top ten best players in the game, but our ten favorite players. Because of my friend Matt Toogood “2 be true” you will see an absence of Philadelphia Phillies players. Sorry Matt. Anyways, I’ll let Danny explain his list. Here’s mine, you’ll see a striking similarity between both our lists.

Chris’ Honorable Mention:
Dustin Pedroia: I’ll be honest here, if he plays on a different team, he’s on my list.

Joba Chamberlin: This is a tale of two different players. Bullpen Joba who fistpumps, screams, throws up around 100 mph and is feared is on my top ten list. Starter Joba, who throws too many pitches, and is gone by the 4th inning is nowhere close.

Roy Oswalt: Roy throws hard, has an intimidating demeanor, and throws at Carlos Delgado pretty consistently. Who wouldn’t like that?

Lance Berkman: Hits for power, a good team player, is “wholesome.” I like him and Carlos Lee.

Russell Martin: Russell Martin JUST missed the top 10. I became a fan during last year’s All-Star game when he put on a defensive clinic behind the plate.

Chris’ Top 10 in no particular order.
1. Derek Jeter: Consummate professional. Cry all you want about, “well he doesn’t hit 40 HR’s!” I’ll take hitting over .300, gold gloves, 4 World Series rings and the title “Mr. November” any day of the week. He plays hard and at least for me, Jeter diving into the stands against the Red Sox in 2004 is a highlight that defines his career.

2. Mariano Rivera: This man has become the best post-season closer of all time, using one pitch. He’s dared hitters to hit the fastball and may have set a record for breaking most opponents’ bats.

3. Mark Texiera: Tex is the Yanks MVP of this season so far. If you’ve read this blog so far, than you know it’s not just the power numbers that give Tex’s value. His catlike reflexes and defensive ability have saved an incredible amount of runs. Meanwhile, Jason Giambi’s feet are still stuck in cement.

4. Albert Pujols: What’s not to like about Pujols? He hits for power, average, and in the clutch. He isn’t a poster-boy for steroids (has always been big). He’s wholesome, and helps people out in need. His homerun against Brad Lidge in the 2005 NLCS will be remembered for years to come.

5. Jose Reyes: A few years ago Peter Gammons said the following, “Jose Reyes hitting a triple is one of the most exciting things to watch in baseball.” Can’t say that I disagree with him. Despite an injury plagued season this year, Jose is electrifying on the basepaths

6. Joakim Soria: I’m going with a wildcard here. Soria is the best closer you’ve never heard of. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t seen him pitch since last year’s All-Star game. I saw him blow it by the league’s best hitters in the high 90’s and then change speeds dropping a 12 to 6 curveball in the high 60’s to low 70’s mph. A star in the making.

7. Josh Hamilton: The feel good story of the year. He can hit for power, average, and defend. While I often wonder what could have been, he can still hit over .300, over 30 HR’s and 120 RBI’s after a history of excessive drug use. Who wouldn’t applaud that?

8. Tim Lincecum: Tim Lincecum is an enigma. He probably weighs about 120 pounds wet and looks like he belongs at an emo concert rather than starting on a Major League pitching staff. He blows it by hitters with ease and is leading the NL in strikeouts this year. He’ll be a perennial all-star.

9. David Wright: While Reyes may be my favorite to watch on the Mets, I feel like Wright is the leader of the Mets. He does nothing poorly.

10. Carl Crawford: I considered either putting Crawford or his teammate “the human highlight reel” BJ Upton on here. I went with Crawford here. While they both are fun to watch on the field, Crawford edges him out at the plate and is a terror on the base paths.

Now, unlike Chris, I have no experience in making lists (Chris enjoys making grocery lists of females he would like to date on a regular basis…hence why he’s single). On the other hand, after careful consideration here is my “Top 10 List” in order:

1. Derek Jeter: In an era where everyone is tainted by steroids, Jeter has put in consist number over the past 13 years, and is well on his way to 3,000 hits. Beyond that he seems to be having another career year this year with a .305/9/30.

2. Albert Pujols: No pub, takes less salary to play for his original team, strikes fear in every pitcher the way my dad did me when would leave an empty sweet tea jug in the fridge.

3. Josh Hamilton: Sad that this year has been stolen by injuries, but beyond the numbers he sets and explain for everyone to follow and has provide the leadership the Rangers have need since Pudge left in 2003.

4. Mark Texiera: It’s funny how you don’t really appreciate a player until you see him play 50 times. “Tex” has an amazing glove, plays with heart and passion, and can tear the cover off the ball.

5. Ian Kinsler: 2B is a position that gets overlooked often, but Kinsler has hit the ball anywhere on the field, plays gold glove defense, and does it all with a smile on his face.

6. Matt Kemp: Young, plays the game right….in 3 years you will be looking at .320/40/120. Mark it down.

7. Mariano Rivera: “Everyone can hit a fastball…” except Mo’s cut fastball. Never shows anyone up after a save, takes responsibility when he messes up (rarely), and has dominated for the past 13 years.

8. Dustin Pedroia: Obviously he must be a stud given that a Yankee fan would put a Red Sox in his top 10…but I am a baseball fan more than a Yankee fan so. My favorite Red Sox player since “Nommmaaahhhh”.

9. Tim Lincecum: 5’11” and 170 lbs (I weighed 170 in the 7th grade but was 5’4”) and he makes big league hitters look like I did when I was 10 and got struck out/owned by this huge 11 year old bearded kid named Rory.

10. Johann Santana: Never gets run support yet seems to always put his team in a position to win. Should have been a Yankee instead of a second class Met.

Honorable Mention:
Chipper Jones: Brought back the high-sock look and should go into hall as the best switch hitter since Eddie Murray.

Lance Berkman: From Houston, went to Rice, and plays for the Astros now who he carried though the 2005 playoffs. Closing in on 1,000 RBI’s and is a career .299 hitter who you NEVER hear about.

JJ Hardy: Played against him in High School (just a little pat on the back)
Joe Mauer: On another level than every other catcher in baseball right now…on pace to hit .425/41/131. Are you kidding me?

Grady Sizemore: Rough year this year, but move him to 3-hole and he would drive in 130 and steal you 30 bases at the same time….plus I may name my first born son “Grady.”