Who is your favorite baseball player, past or present?

[Bertha Venation]

[Mudoria]

1. Dale Murphy

[Captain Hilts]

87. I HATE the Braves, but Murphy should get more cred now than he's getting. nt

[qwertyMike]

99. Rod Carew

Quiet guy. The best.

[madinmaryland]

2. Roberto Clemente.

[arbusto_baboso]

3. Mine too! He was my boyhood hero.

I cried for days when his plane crashed. Baseball was never quite the same for me after that.

[carpetbagger]

32. Agree.

I remember spending a weekend in the Florida Keys with a friend in elementary school, looking out over the straits towards the Carribean, talking about Clemente's death. He was far more cool than a pirate. It's hard to watch him, or anyone else who seems larger than life, without projecting that ending onto his ballplaying. But I love watching old clips of the guy on the field.

[cloudbase]

35. Another one for Clemente.

I grew up a five minute walk from Forbes Field. Back then a seat in the bleachers was $1, and it wasn't too hard to sneak into the better seats. I saw many legends play there, but Roberto was my favorite.

[BuelahWitch]

42. And another!

:hi: I have wonderful memories of listening to Pirates games with my grandpa in the early '70s. Clemente was our favorite.

[PRETZEL]

73. By far my most favorite player of all time,

there will never be another player that would come close.

[Richardo]

4. See avatar

<--- #21

[Bunny]

29. He's mine, too.

[Forkboy]

5. Louis Tiant is my favorite.

Clemente is my most respected.

[madinmaryland]

7. I always like his unique style of pitching.

[Forkboy]

9. Every kid around here wanted to pitch like that.

All the little league pitchers tried doing his exaggerated delivery. Funny as Hell.

I suppose trying to copy Tiant at that age was better than trying to copy Bill Lee by sprinkling marijuana on their pancakes. :)

[madinmaryland]

11. Hopefully, they aren't trying to emulate this guy...

:hide:

[Captain Hilts]

58. Saw Tiant pitch a Monday Night Baseball game on TV when it was obvious he

was wearing pink boxers under his uniform.

I, too, loved to watch him pitch.

[livetohike]

6. Roberto Clemente

I was lucky enough to see him play at the old Forbes Field many times. We would sit in the right field seats so we could see his amazing fielding. He was the best.

[Shell Beau]

8. Gotta go with the classic

The Great Bambino!

[pokerfan]

10. The Say Hey Kid

[brendan120678]

14. Glad to see that you posted a picture...

of Mays, the star of the NEW YORK Giants, and not a picture of Mays, star of the SF Giants.

However, this one would have been even better:

[Brother Buzz]

16. It should be noted Mays chose SF Giants for his Cooperstown bronze

His choice.

[pokerfan]

21. here we go

:popcorn:

[brendan120678]

68. Yes yes...I know.

He had most of his accomplishments with the San Fran Giants. I can see why he chose that one.
Plus, the NY may have been confusing to some, as it wouldn't be discernible if it was for the NY Giants or the NY Mets, because the two logos are in the same style.

[Brother Buzz]

83. Don't forget, 'The Catch' was made in the Polo Grounds and placed Mays above the fold

"Willie Mays: The Catch" by Thom Ross. This Sculpture first appeared on a hill outside of Petaluma, California, on May 6, 1984, to commemorate Willie’s 53rd birthday. Today it resides on a hillside above Spring Creek Ranch, Jackson, Wyoming, the artists present bailiwick.

[Captain Hilts]

109. That is SO cool!

[Zomby Woof]

64. I saw him play for the Mets

June 1979, in an exhibition game between the Mets, and what was then their AAA club, the Tidewater Tides, in Norfolk, VA.

He didn't get a hit, but it was exciting seeing him play - his unique batting stance, his presence. I say this as a Dodgers fan, lol. He is my favorite player to ever wear the uniform of the Dodgers' artchrival.

[Mojambo]

12. Edgar Martinez.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_wWWrYsIEI0s/Rgis-B1xnGI/AAAAAAAACPc/qs-DKd22_-A/s320/Edgar+Martinez.jpg

[Zomby Woof]

63. I LOVE Edgar!

I will never forget his performance in the '95 ALDS against the Yankees. I saw him many many times at the Kingdome and Safeco Field. My favorite I have seen play, and I have seen lots of great players.

He legitmized the DH, which is a concept I have never fully embraced, but he made it respectable by his sheer classiness and strong work ethic.

One of the finest people to ever wear a baseball uniform.

[Mojambo]

65. Everyone likes to talk about Junior coming back from the injury to help them win the div in 1995

But it was Edgar Martinez that carried that 95 club.

And the game 4 and 5 performances in the ALDS were historic.

[JonLP24]

13. Ken Griffey Jr

[Symarip]

15. Willy Mays Hayes nt

[Gidney N Cloyd]

23. Hits like Mays and runs like Hayes. nt

[TZ]

25. OMG you posted in a baseball thread?!

You must have been bored today!:rofl:

[Bertha Venation]

17. I wish I could choose one

Nolan Ryan used to be number one, but now . . .

These guys are tied for first

Tim Salmon - the only Angels Rookie of the Year


Brian Downing, 70s-80s, catcher (sometimes OF)

[Ohio Joe]

18. Don Mattingly - nt

[Captain Hilts]

90. Too bad he wasn't ten years younger. He deserved better. nt

[TZ]

19. Cal Ripken, jr.

Johnny Bench. Tie cause I rooted for the Reds and the O's growing up

[madinmaryland]

71. Not these guys...

[TZ]

79. I like Ryan Zimmerman

but he has a long way to go before he can replace two HOF players in my eyes.

[Captain Hilts]

88. He and David Wright are both from the Hampton Roads area. Go Ryan and David! nt

[LostInAnomie]

20. Ryne Sandberg

[Gidney N Cloyd]

22. Ron Santo or Ernie Banks

You could always tell they really liked the game and were glad to be out there on the field.

[murielm99]

72. I'll take Ernie Banks. n/t

[Scout]

24. Aurelio Rodriguez and Al Kaline

sorry, i can't choose between the two!

[Captain Hilts]

55. Bestill my heart! AR, former Senator. Al Kaline, great guy! Great pair!

Norm Cash, Gates Brown, etc. Put Eddie Brinkman in the mix! He died recently...last guy to choke up on the bat.

[Kingofalldems]

26. Jim King

[nickgutierrez]

27. Don Mattingly, then Bernie Williams.

It's a shame Mattingly couldn't stick around for the '96 team, when Bernie hit his stride and led the team to all those titles.

(Yes, they were Bernie's teams - all the talk about Jeter being The Captain is poop.)

[MrSlayer]

28. Rickey Henderson was my favorite player as a kid.

Chase Utley is now.

[HERVEPA]

30. Gene Freese

[MajorChode]

31. Lawrence Berra

[backwoodsbob]

33. two players I hold equally as favorites

Whitaker and Trammel

[Captain Hilts]

59. Gotta go a deux with those two!

[backwoodsbob]

70. greatest doubleplay duo in history

solid players and good people too

[Captain Hilts]

77. Absolutely. nt

[Bertha Venation]

74. Trammel - MVP, 1984 World Series

Those amazing Tigers opened the season 34-0. :wow:

[backwoodsbob]

94. actually they opened 35-5

but was still a great season

I was there when we won in all our cop car burning glory :)

[rug]

34. Phil Rizzuto.

[JTG of the PRB]

36. Todd Helton and Larry Walker.

Two hometown heroes, my two favorite players of all-time.

[flvegan]

37. Carl Yastrzemski.

Current player? Jonathan Papelbon.

[TZ]

38. Not Ortiz?

:hide:

[flvegan]

44. Why would Ortiz be my favorite?

Oh, you were making a funny, weren't you. Evil, naughty zoot.

[Captain Hilts]

39. Ted Williams. Frank Howard. Mookie Wilson. Clemente. Mays. nt

[fishnfla]

47. Frank Howard? really?

I knew him when I was younger, went to school with his kids. There was a golf driving range in GB near where he lived. He'd line up on the tee and just knock the snot out of the golf ball, over the railroad tracks almost into the Fox River

[Captain Hilts]

56. Yeah! I've met him a couple of times. Even discussed my dissertation with him

when he was in Toronto as a Yankees coach. Terrific fellow.

Neat you knew him!

[mikeargo]

40. Jim Rice

Hall of Fame, baby!

[Broken_Hero]

41. A tie,

A three way tie between Will Clark, Edgar Martinez, and Jay Buhner...

[SoxFan]

43. Fred Lynn

He was one of the most exciting players in the game in the 1970s. He could hit for average and power, while playing fantastic defense in center field. I firmly believe that if he had stayed with the Red Sox, he'd have made it to the Hall of Fame, along with his fellow Gold Dust Twin Jim Rice.

[Bertha Venation]

75. He hit a grand slam in an All-Star game (can't remember which one)

and as he circled the bases he yelled "it took me nine years to do that!"

[fishnfla]

45. Jackie Robinson, Robin Yount, Paul Molitor

[NightWatcher]

46. Al Kaline

[jmowreader]

48. Randy Johnson

Not only is he a quality human being, he's one of the best pitchers to ever play the game.

[Captain Hilts]

57. My mother and I would always call each other when the Big Unit was pitching on TV. God, he hates

the Braves! Randy's gameface is at its best/worst playing against Atlanta.

Great choice!

[Steely_Dan]

49. Reggie Jackson

He was an asshole, but I loved him. Mr. October.

-P

[tigereye]

50. past -Clemente (I'm from Pittsburgh, so it makes sense)

current - Jason Bay (sadly traded to Boston from our endlessly struggling Pirates) but I am glad to see him doing well. Just seems like a decent, kind, non-show-offy, non-steroid using, good all-around player.



I really don't know how we here in Pgh can have 2 great sports teams, and not pony up the dough to help our struggling team and maybe win another World Series trophy some day, to go with the 5 wins we have had over the past hundred plus years!


:cry:

[triguy46]

51. Lou Gherig, second Bob Gibson, third Freddy Patek

[CatholicEdHead]

52. Kirby Puckett

[Sugarcoated]

53. Tug McGraw

[rurallib]

54. Ernie "let's play two today" Banks!

Always up. Always play full out. Always available for the kids.
Then:
Pete Rose (played the game like it should be played as did:
Kirby Puckett and:
Henry Aaron!

[JanMichael]

60. Frank White, 2nd base, who played for the KC Royals.

Was at a game in Oakland in 1977 or so (when I was 9 or 10 years old) and went down to the dugout around 30 minutes before the first pitch and asked him for his autograph. He said sure and took off for almost 15 minutes. I was ready to go back to my seat when he reappeared and handed me a ball with the signitures of every Royals player in the dugout! George Brett, Willie Wilson, Freddie Patek etcetera.

Saw him again 10 years later in Florida during the pre-season and told him the story - he said "damn I'm getting old" and then said he appreciated fans and wished me luck in the future.

[Bertha Venation]

76. That's a great story, JanMichael

:)

[Captain Hilts]

108. White had THE best look of disgust when a play didn't pan out. He was great. nt

[Zomby Woof]

61. Sandy Koufax

My favorite I have actually seen play? Edgar Martinez.

My currently active favorites are Matt Kemp and Ichiro.

[Iggo]

62. Don Drysdale, Pete Rose, Ken Griffey Jr.

Gun to my head?

Pete Rose.

[rurallib]

80. Rose played the game the way it should be played every game.

not having Rose in the Hall of Fame pretty much makes a mockery of the hall.

[Iggo]

84. Yep. When I was growing up...

...the grownups would point to him and say, "See? Now THAT'S how you PLAY!" and it stuck.

You don't have to win every game, but you goddam better play to win. Otherwise what's the point?

Not having him in the hall of fame kinda hurts my brain and makes the hall of fame seem like a joke to me.

But it ain't my hall and it ain't my rules, so I'm sure they're not losing any sleep over it.

[rockymountaindem]

66. Current: Dustin Pedroira and Kevin Youkilis. Past: Andres Gallaraga and Dante Bichette

I'm not old enough to remember any of them other people, but I remember watching the Blake Street Bombers as a kid :rofl:

[MilesColtrane]

67. Fergie Jenkins

Followed closely by Don Drysdale.

[KG]

69. Mark Fidrych

[peekaloo]

82. genuinely nice guy and every bit as loopy as he appeared.

during the Tigers' spring training he would host barbecues on the Holiday Inn walkway in front of his room. any and everybody he came into contact with that day was invited. problem was it would "smoke out" his room and he would have to be relocated each time.

RIP.

[Captain Hilts]

86. I worked at the Mets AAA ballpark the day he retired for good from BB while in the Sox system. nt

[abq e streeter]

96. Another vote for The Bird, (among a small handful of others I'll list below)

great talent and what refreshing innocence... Played baseball as well as lived life, the way it should be done.

[tekisui]

78. Greg Maddux

I grew up watching him paint with the ball.

[bif]

81. Gates Brown

[Captain Hilts]

89. LOVED him!

Here's a slimmer version of him!

[bif]

100. The Gator was one of the best clutch hitters

I remember one afternoon he won both games of a double header with key hits in the ninth inning! Probably '67 or '68.

[gbate]

85. Brooks Robinson.

[Kat45]

91. Tony Conigliaro

Loved him when I was a kid. But his was such a sad, tragic story.

[Captain Hilts]

93. Oh, man. Yes. [SI Cover photo, not for squeamish]

[datasuspect]

92. Red "Shucky" Stackhousen

[LNM]

95. Danny Gladden

Not the greatest or most famous but I loved him. He batted lead-off for the Twins and when they'd brush him back he'd pop up out of the dirt and park it over the left field fence. :applause:

[abq e streeter]

97. Besides Fidryich, other free spirits incl. Bill "Spaceman " Lee and Rube Waddell

and for character and inspiration, Jim Abbott, Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig. My favorite player as a kid was Little Louie Aparicio. Ernie Banks too....got to meet and talk with him for a couple of minutes in 1988, and he was every bit the class act and true gentleman that he'd always appeared to be.

[abq e streeter]

98. One more shout out; for Dock Ellis--I'm in awe of someone that can throw a no-hitter on acid

[Sanity Claws]

101. Babe Ruth

I can't believe no one has named him.
Next choices in order:

Mickey Mantle
Lou Gehrig
Joe DiMaggio

Can you figure out what team I (used to) root for?

[Joey Liberal]

102. YAZ! nt

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

103. Nellie Fox

[opiate69]

104. The only one in MLB history who needs only one name..

[jellen]

105. Craig Counsel

[RoyGBiv]

106. Ryne Sandburg ...

Total Class.

[ellisonz]

107. Jackie Robinson

[Wapsie B]

110. "The Killer," Harmon Killebrew