To a fan who couldn’t comprehend his midsection or smoking, former Phillies first baseman John Kruk once commented “I ain’t an athlete, lady. I’m a baseball player.”

Short of football lineman, most professional athletes don’t resemble the average fan who watches them play, but baseball has never been par for the course. The game has had a history of pudgy and downright fat players who not only succeeded, but were All-Stars and Hall of Famers, such as Ruth, Tiant, Puckett, Gwynn and Cecil Fielder.

One need look a bit harder these days (unless Todd Coffey got the call from the pen), but the hefties are still around, and still contributing...continue...