Top Five players in your lifetime (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Know-It-All]

Ozzie Smith - nothing like watching him do a backflip to start the season plus the best fielder I have ever seen.

Nolan Ryan - phenomenal, most dominating pitcher I have seen pitch

Albert Pujols - pure hitter with power and nice guy

Todd Helton - pure hitter and nice guy, plus he was real nice to my youngest sons when they met him (turned them into Rockies fans God forbid)

Orel Hershiser - good character guy, very good pitcher (too bad he was a Dodger or he'd be higher on my list)

Saw another posting that listed favorites from favorite team (in my lifetime) -

So here is my list for the Cardinals (my favorite players, not necessarily "best" players)

Talent -

1. Ozzie Smith/Albert Pujols/Bruce Sutter/Darryl Kile/Willie McGee

Fun to watch -

1. Al Hrabosky

2. Joaquin Andujar

3. Steve Kline

4. Todd Worrell

5. Vince Coleman

 

[Toxic Gatorade]

My Top 5 Favs.....

1. The Big Hurt, Frank Thomas.......the early 90's version. Even though I'm a diehard Chisox fan, I've followed him with the A's and now Toronto. Back in those days, I made a decision on who I was going to like better, Big Hurt or Ken Griffey. I couldn't have gone wrong either way but the in me swayed me to Frank.

2. Johnny Bench..........This guy is the main reason I wanted to play baseball as a kid. He was an awesome catcher and overall great player. He was the All-American looking kid that could have been your next door neighbor. Classy guy.

3. Pete Rose........let this damn guy in the HOF, huh? Betting, smetting.........the boy proved his worth on the field. That's all that matters right? Nuffced.

4. Nolan Ryan.........growing up a Houston kid and going to alot of Opening Day ceremonies with my Dad, I got to see a ton of Nolan Ryan/Fernando Valenzuela matchups as a kid. No matter where you sat in the Astrodome, when Ryan threw that ball, you could hear it pop the catchers mitt. Thru my lifetime, it dawned on me that he was a true freak of nature and that I was blessed to see him in person. I always hear my Dad talk about Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, etc..........well at least we can talk about another great SP together, Nolan! God Bless the Big 'Ol Texan.

5. Craig Biggio.........yeah, it may sound stupid.......but I've enjoyed this guy his entire Houston career. He plays the game hard = the way it's supposed to be played. An All Star at 2 different positions (catcher, 2B). He's been the spark for the Astros for many years and now he's coming around to the vaulted 3,000 Hit Club. He's taken many of plunks to the body just to get on base for the team. The leadoff HRs, the doubles in his career, runs scored. When I watch the Astros games with both of my sons (15 & 8), I constantly remind them that this will be the player they will talk about with their kids one day. Biggio is to my kids what Nolan Ryan was to me. He's one of those players that you are so fortunate to see on a regular basis.

 

[daddo39]

I would have to divide this between pitchers & hitters.

Hitters

----------------------

Pete Rose- Charlie Hustle,he turned every team he played on into a winner.

Brooks Robinson- the Human Vacuum Cleaner at 3rd base. Good hitter too.

Roberto Clemente-Singlehandedly beat my beloved Orioles in the 71 series.

Cal Ripken Jr- Redefined the position while showing the greatest of work ethic.

Kirby Puckett- Had so much enthusiasm for the game.

Pitchers

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Bob Gibson- They lowered the mound because of his dominance.

Steve Carlton- Lefty was as crafty as they came.

Roger Clemens- Probably the greatest right handed pitcher ever.

Nolan Ryan- It's all been said.

Mark Fydrich- The Bird will never be forgotten for his mound antics.

 

[avoiding injuries]

my beloved Orioles

I could use some company in the Orioles thread.

 

[dirtyhalos]

jim abbott!!!!

more to come later

 

[Eviloutsider]

3 Lists....

Top 5 Homer Players from the past. (1987-2006)

1) Rob Deer-I am a sucker for the deep ball.

2) Robin Yount-Nothing more to say than what's already been said.

3) Russell Branyon-3TO

4) Teddy Higuera-When he went down, the whole team went down with him.

5) Richie Sexson-Before he went to Seattle he could actually hit pretty well.

Sorry, I disliked Molitor for some reason, so he doesn't make the list.

Top 5 most exciting players that I have saw live at Miller Park/County Stadium from 1992-2007.

1) Ken Griffey Jr.

2) Randy Johnson

3) Rickey Henderson

4) Mark McGwire

5) Barry Bonds

Top 5 Players to see in the future....

1) Prince Fielder-Homer pick but this guy has MVP skills.

2) Cole Hamels-Stud, barring arm problems, for the next ten years.

3) Felix Hernandez-He still is two years away from being at his peak.

4) Homer Baily-We will soon see what everyone is talking about.

5) Alex Gordon-There is a reason why he is projected better than both Zimmerman and Braun.

On a side note the most excited I have ever been to see a player was Ben Hendrickson on his call up to the bigs two year ago. What a let down. It will be fun seeing Yo Gallardo this year at some point though.