Baseball has always been my favorite sport, and anyone who has ever met me or seen my office knows that I am a huge Giant’s fan. Even as a little girl I have always loved baseball. To me, there’s nothing like the smell of cut grass, hot dogs, and anticipation before a game. In honor of my favorite sport I have decided to put together this list of my top 10 favorite baseball players for all the readers of my blog.
1. Steve Garvey
Garvey, well known for playing 193 consecutive, errorless games at first base, an MLB record, is the only player in the history of baseball to have played an errorless season at the position. His 1984 NL championship game-winning home run hit, also known as his “blast”, is one of the most unforgettable hits in baseball history.
2. Greg Maddux
With an eerie talent of guessing what a hitter is going to do next, Maddux has made a name for himself using his brain just as much as his arm. Not only does he hold the major league record for seasons leading his league in games started, but as of November 2007, Maddux holds the record for most gold gloves in MLB history.
3. Barry Bonds
Following in the footsteps of his father Bobby and godfather Willie Mays, Barry Bonds is a definite baseball legend. Among his many, many achievements, Bonds holds 7 MVPs, 8 gold gloves, the record for most home runs – as well as the record for most home runs in a season, 73 – and is the only member of the 500/500 club and third member of the 700 club.
4. Hank Aaron
Best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, Aaron held the record of most home runs (755) until 2007. Aaron’s resolve during the home run chase raised the bar for players and fans alike. He and his brother also hold the record for most home runs by a team of brothers, and Aaron himself was inducted into Cooperstown in 1982.
5. Ted Williams
A man of many trades, Ted Williams was a great ball player but also an expert fly fisherman as well as an expert fighter pilot. Some of his baseball achievements include the record for reaching base in most consecutive games (84) as well as two-time MVP and a two-time triple crown winner.
6. Chipper Jones
With a name to suit him, Chipper Jones plays for the fun and love of the game and the love of his family. Jones isn’t all fun and games though, a 6-time NL All-Star, NL MVP in 1999, as well as a World Series winner in 1995 with the Atlanta Braves, he is made history already and is still making it.
7. Ivan “Pudge” Rodriquez
Some see “Pudge” as the best all around catcher in baseball today. Being the first catcher in history to have more than 20 home runs and 20 steals in the same season, it is no surprise at age 29, he was the youngest catcher ever to amass 1,000 hits. Pudge is also the first American League catcher to hit .300 or better five years in a row.
8. Mark McGwire
With a portion of interstate named after him (interstate 70 in St. Louis, to honor his 70 home run achievement) Mark McGwire earned the love of baseball enthusiasts’ nationwide. Although his 70 home runs in a season record was broken by Barry Bonds in 2001, he still holds the records for most home runs by a rookie (49).
9. Mike Schmidt
A 1980 World Series MVP, Schmidt made his mark in MLB history. In addition to being a 12-time NL All-Star, he was a 3-time NL MVP and won 10 gold gloves. Combined with immense patience and a deep-rooted love for the game, it was no shock when he was introduced to the baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.
10. Pete Rose
Well known for his records of most games (3562) at bats (14053), hits (4256), and singles (3215), Rose was simply determined. Some say Rose was not the most skilled (though still very talented) player in the game, but certainly the most determined. He must have been doing something right though, at the end of his career he left as a World Series MVP (1975), 3-time World Series winner (1975, 1976, 1980), a 17-time NL all-star, and winner of 2 gold gloves.