Favorite Ballplayer

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:40 pm

As long as we're getting to know each other's likes and dislikes, I thought I'd throw one out there that was more in line with what we do here.......

My favorite baseball player of all time is Tom Seaver.

I grew up in awe of the Mets pitching staff, Koosman, Matlack, but especially Tom Terrific. I used to try to emulate his motion, hands coming together over my head during the windup, knee dragging the dirt during the follow through. When he was traded during the Midnight Massacre of '77 and cried on TV, a 10 year old kid cried while watching.

When he came back in '83 and pitched opening day to beat Carlton 2-0, I was there with my Dad & brothers. I never forgave Cashen for letting him get away again at the end of that season (though '86 did bring Cashen back into semi-good graces...

).

#41 pitched for other teams, but he will always be the Franchise for the Mets and their greatest player. He's the only pitcher I've ever rooted for against the Mets when facing them.

There's a special pride in knowing a Met, my favorite player, has the highest percentage of votes for any player ever voted into the Hall of Fame.

Its funny. I don't identify with players like I did when I was a kid. I've aged, times have changed, the game has changed. I wonder if any kids today still do.

Glenn

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:54 pm

My favorite of all time Harmon Killebrew.

Those Twins teams of the late 60's and early 70's were my best memories of a kid.Collecting baseball cards and just saturday afternoon the game of the week and monday nights that was it to catch your favorite players.There was no internet or espn so tough to catch Killebrew until they got to theplayoffs which back then they always did.Did a lot of looking at box scores in the Providence journal back in the days.I can remember finding out about Killebrews 500th homer in the paper of Balt Mike Cuellar then a couple inningslater 501, YEAH BOY.Even named my dog Killebrew but we called him Killer for short.

Glory Days Harmon Clayton Killebrew was the man.

JerseyHitman · Post by **JerseyHitman** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:23 pm

Thurman Munson was my guy.

And to answer Glenn's question, yes. Kids today do have the same feelings we did about ball players. My sons favorite is Derek Jeter.

A quick story if I may:

When my son was 3 years old I took him to his first Yankee game. He already loved the game because he and I would watch just about every game together on television. We got to the stadium early to watch BP. Me in my 15 jersey and he in his 2. We were standing right next to the Yankee dugout and Jeter saw my sons jersey, said "nice shirt kid" and gave my son a ball. That was it, my son had his first man crush.

I had my Yankee captain and now my son has his. He is 8 years old now and every year the first thing on his Christmas list is a number 2 Yankee jersey.

Atlas · Post by **Atlas** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:33 pm

Originally posted by JerseyHitman:

Thurman Munson was my guy.

And to answer Glenn's question, yes. Kids today do have the same feelings we did about ball players. My sons favorite is Derek Jeter.

A quick story if I may:

When my son was 3 years old I took him to his first Yankee game. He already loved the game because he and I would watch just about every game together on television. We got to the stadium early to watch BP. Me in my 15 jersey and he in his 2. We were standing right next to the Yankee dugout and Jeter saw my sons jersey, said "nice shirt kid" and gave my son a ball. That was it, my son had his first man crush.

I had my Yankee captain and now my son has his. He is 8 years old now and every year the first thing on his Christmas list is a number 2 Yankee jersey. Great story!

My daughter (8yo) has a Fat head of Jeter over her bed and a huge portrait of Munson on her wall

(not to mention a photo of Joe D and Mickey M. and a holograph of Rivera)

Geoffrey Stein · Post by **Geoffrey Stein** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:34 pm

Originally posted by JerseyHitman:

Thurman Munson was my guy.

And to answer Glenn's question, yes. Kids today do have the same feelings we did about ball players. My sons favorite is Derek Jeter.

A quick story if I may:

When my son was 3 years old I took him to his first Yankee game. He already loved the game because he and I would watch just about every game together on television. We got to the stadium early to watch BP. Me in my 15 jersey and he in his 2. We were standing right next to the Yankee dugout and Jeter saw my sons jersey, said "nice shirt kid" and gave my son a ball. That was it, my son had his first man crush.

I had my Yankee captain and now my son has his. He is 8 years old now and every year the first thing on his Christmas list is a number 2 Yankee jersey. Awesome story, Joe.

I was just flipping through my old baseball cards the other day, and I came across my Cecil Fielders -- he was my favorite player as a youngster.

Growing up in the sticks in Michigan with no cable and three stations, I became a pretty big Tigers fan: I remember watching the games in bed with my dad on an old 13-inch black and white television.

And to a 7-year-old, there was nothing cooler than a fat guy who could hit the ball for miles. Cecil was by far my favorite.

I remember the year he hit 51 homers -- it was huge news (which makes me hate the steroid era even more).

Upper Deck produced a special card for that amazing feat, and it was without a doubt my favorite. I came across that one the other day and couldn't help but smile.

Greg can speak to this, but besides cable television and video games, I think the greedy folks that ran the baseball card market into the ground have hurt kids and baseball. Back in the day, I didn't need some shiny card with a piece of shirt -- just getting a cool action shot was enough for me.

[ February 25, 2010, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Geoffrey Stein ]

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:39 pm

This thread has the time machine rollin...I can't be the only kid you played this with friends...

We had a different shake of the dice for damn near each favorite player (like a batting stance) or each scenario...ahhh youth.

J. Halenka · Post by **J. Halenka** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:40 pm

Robin Yount hands down

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:41 pm

APBA!

I started playing when I was 6. Put me way ahead on the math curve!

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:49 pm

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

APBA!

I started playing when I was 6. Put me way ahead on the math curve! If i remember right Dough is a big Willie Mays fan.

Willie could do it all but hung on a little too long in that Mets uniform.

JerseyHitman · Post by **JerseyHitman** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:50 pm

I was a Strat-o-Matic guy myself and just ordered my son his first Strat-o game this year for Christmas.

We are currently playing a best of seven Yankee vs Redsox series. (I am the hated Sox) Yanks are up 2-1 so far. Rivera blew a three run lead for the Sox win. My son was yelling: "This game sucks! It is nothing like real baseball! Mariano never losses a 3 run lead!" I was laughing for twenty minutes.

DrDobs · Post by **DrDobs** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:06 pm

I'll throw mine out there for what it's worth..

Fred McGriff was always my favorite player - I really dont' know why. I think I just liked his stature, professional attitude, and the fact he was pretty much on all around threat. Spoke softly but carried a big stick (literally).

Jon

MadCow Sez · Post by **MadCow Sez** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:07 pm

This will be a it off the wall but it is one of the reasons why baseball is the greatest sport.

The most down to earth player I ever met was the immortal...Tony Batista.

When stationed in AZ in 1999 I took my kids to Tucson Electric Park's ST complex to watch the DBax players get ready for the season. My youngest daughter, at the amazing age of 2, loved the "let's run away from mama and daddy and see what we can get into" game. She ran onto the field where Batista was doing bunting practice and he promptly herded her back to me. I was apologizing to him and the coach and Batista was just chuckling as my daughter tried to evade him and run off again.

The epilogue: In 2002, I managed to score front row tickets for an Orioles/Rays game at Camden Yards. Batista was with the Os and came over to greet the fans up front. I mentioned the incident with my daughter and he laughed about it and said that he thought she had great speed down the line. It was nice to just chat a bit with him.

Refreshingly humble and a true gentleman.

JEagle · Post by **JEagle** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:23 pm

Donnie Baseball.....greatest ever..seeing him in a dodger uniform brings tears to my eyes

WOODERSON · Post by **WOODERSON** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:27 pm

Cal Ripken

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:28 pm

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

APBA!

I started playing when I was 6. Put me way ahead on the math curve! I still have my APBA cards from the mid sixties Dan. Too bad you're not coming to Vegas this year

Duke Snider while he was in Brooklyn was my first hero. Thankfully, 'The Mick' stayed.........

"Ringo by Lorne Greene" ?

husky88fan · Post by **husky88fan** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:28 pm

Catfish Hunter

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:34 pm

I think I've got mine too, Bob.

Gotta love, Ringo.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:32 pm

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

I think I've got mine too, Bob.

Gotta love, Ringo.

I recall that from a video I was sent!

Not bad...not bad. A bit talky...but

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCyuq-ofnPc

Watched the first half of "The Wild Bunch" for the first time...I'll finish manana!

[ February 25, 2010, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

jblume33 · Post by **jblume33** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:41 pm

Graig Nettles. Could he man 3rd or what? Who was better, who made you want to go outside and dive for grounders more than Nettles?

Roy's Outlaws · Post by **Roy's Outlaws** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:55 pm

I've got a pitcher and a hitter as my favorite. the pitcher was Tom Seaver as he has the same birthday as me.(but i'm younger by a few years). I loved that 69 Mets team,but have NEVER rooted for them again after they traded the Franchise. this get me in a bit of trouble because my wife is a huge Met's fan and hate my ripping on them.

My hitter is Mickey Mantle, I was 8 years old when he retired in 1969. I drove my parents crazy to get tickets to Old Timer day that year so I could see him play.(or at least see him in uniform). Looking back on it now, It was the only baseball game I ever went to with my father.

MGBMARTY · Post by **MGBMARTY** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:12 pm

I still have some old strato-matic cards. By I did not know they still made the game. Favorite player and the reason I will always be a die hard Bucco fan Roberto Clemente. People talk of Mays and Mantle granted both great players,Clemente has to be included with them. What a gun in RF. Took so much slack for being a hypochondriac

Marty

kgrady · Post by **kgrady** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 1:34 am

I still have 6 or 7 seasons worth of APBA cards from the 1980s. Brings back great memories!

My favorite player as a kid? Well. I had two because there were two teams I rooted for. The Mets were the local team and my NL favorite, whereas the Red Sox were my absolute favorite. On the Sox, Fred Lynn was my favorite player. As for the Mets, it was Felix Millan. Why? I was a small kid with a slow bat. Couldn't get around on the pitch. My dad instructed me to emulate Millan, who choked up on the bat more than any player I've ever seen. I still wasn't much of hitter, but it gave me a fighting chance.

Kevin

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:28 am

Nolan Ryan by far. Grew up as an Angel season ticket holder; well at least my dad was. We had seats right behind the 3rd base bag. You cant appreciate how hard a guy throws until you see them from up close and that guy was amazing.

rockitsauce · Post by **rockitsauce** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:07 am

Originally posted by kgrady:

As for the Mets, it was Felix Millan. Why? I was a small kid with a slow bat. Couldn't get around on the pitch. My dad instructed me to emulate Millan, who choked up on the bat more than any player I've ever seen. I still wasn't much of hitter, but it gave me a fighting chance.

Kevin I have an absurd memory. I can't remember where I put my phone & keys, but ridiculous "stuff" from the 70's.....anyway, pretty sure back in the day, Ed Ott (Pirates catcher, big guy) slammed little Felix to the ground after arguing over Ott's overzealous attempt at a breakup of a DP. The only guy in MLB smaller than Milan then was maybe Freddie Patek...or Ozzie Smith.

I was probably around 7, have had a strong disdain for bullies since.

Reminds me now of the old saying, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog...something like that.

Whatever it is, it's true.

Dirt Dogs · Post by **Dirt Dogs** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:20 am

Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg

I used to watch all the Cubs games when they would be on TBS on tv. The man was amazing to watch hit and field.