Favorite player

[VTSoxFan]

Whenever I see one of those "most hated player" threads, I want to offer a little antidote to the vitriol.

Who is your favorite player, and why? This isn't a poll; the choices are unlimited. Maybe your favorite is a Hall of Fame-bound, or maybe your favorite is a perennial minor-leaguer, who always takes time to say hi to the fans and sign bushels of autographs for the kids.

Have at it, people. What player or players always make you appreciate The Game? Who do you go to watch? Whose jersey do you have? Whose play, or attitude, or charitable works inspire you?

[hellborn]

I still like Keith Foulke a lot.
He became a top closer with an OK fastball, amazing change, sparkling control, and a bulldog attitude. I loved watching hitters wave at that change (especially lefties) and try to hit a mediocre fastball above the letters (mostly righties). He sacrificed his body to help the Bosox to a WS title in '04, going out there over and over when his stuff was way off (FB was hitting 85 some nights) and he must have been tired and hurting. He fell apart in '05 and had some unfortunately churlish moments with the press and fans...but, the fans were getting on a guy who had given them everything the year before. He got it back a little in '06, but then just walked away in '07 when he felt that he still wasn't right. Didn't force the Tribe to cut him or just hang around and collect his money, he just decided he wasn't going to be able to contribute to his satisfaction and took it home. I had a lot of respect for that.
I'm not sure if he's still in camp for the A's, but I wish him all the best! I still wear a Bosox Foulke tshirt sometimes.

[Brooklyn]

Whenever I see one of those "most hated player" threads, I want to offer a little antidote to the vitriol.

Who is your favorite player, and why? This isn't a poll; the choices are unlimited. Maybe your favorite is a Hall of Fame-bound, or maybe your favorite is a perennial minor-leaguer, who always takes time to say hi to the fans and sign bushels of autographs for the kids.

Have at it, people. What player or players always make you appreciate The Game? Who do you go to watch? Whose jersey do you have? Whose play, or attitude, or charitable works inspire you?

My favorite former player is Ripken. I went to school in Baltimore and it was hard not to appreciate how he played the game and everything he did for the community.

My favorite current player is David Wright, for a lot of the same reasons. I prefer the quiet, do your job kind of player, to the flamoboyant superstar.

[stejay]

I like Derek Jeter. He shows what a real Yankee is. I also like A Rod and Pettite a lot too.

[Zagi-CRO]

Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Granderson, Liriano, Verlander, Pence .. that's it!

[redlegsfan21]

My favorite player has been mayor of Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and now Boston. Mr. Sean Casey.

[Old Sweater]

Mickey Mantle was the first.

[Dodgerfan1]

I've become quite impressed with Russell Martin. He's probably my current fave. All-time favorite would be George Brett.

[Jermz]

Favorites all-time growing up were Cal Ripken, Will Clark & Kevin Mitchell.

My two favorite teams are the Orioles & Giants. So currently I really like Matt Cain, Aaron Rowand & Nick Markakis.

From other teams, I really like Prince Fielder, Mark Teixeira & Matt Holliday.

[KHenry14]

Currently it's Noah Lowry of the Giants. I just love pitchers who can win on gumption and a wicked change-up, and not just blowing people away.

All-time it's Mays. He did it all and he had so much fun doing it!

[Nutriaitch]

Tony Gwynn and Ichiro. I was never a power hitter growing up or in High School. I always had to find the gaps, or slap one somewhere and run it out. So I've always been partial to guys that hit for average rather than power.

[DodgerBlue8188]

I'd probably have to say currently Russell Martin. He puts 110% every time and probably plays more games than he should.

[NightHawks2007]

I was always a big fan of Nomar Garciaparra. The first time I saw the Red Sox play the Tigers in Detroit he signed my Red Sox hat, then went 3 for 4 despite losing 3-0.

[Captain Cold Nose]

My favorite current player is Frank Thomas. Has been since Rock Raines hung them up. It was good times for me when the two were teammates. Even bought a 1917 Chisox Cooperstown cap at the time.

[Sean Casey]

No surprises here...my favorite current player is certain backup first baseman for the Boston Red Sox.

For all-time favorites, I can't help but admire Cy Young's durability, work ethics, and moral values. Plus, he played a huge role in establishing the Red Sox as a legitimate team in a city that the Braves had already been well-established in. Who knows...if it weren't for him, it might have been the Red Sox that moved to Milwaukee and then Atlanta!