Top 5

I think most of you know already my love of lists and of choosing favorites. Our little group even had an entire blog dedicated to lists, based mostly on the legwork of Nate. I don't know why this particular list came to mind the other day, maybe the talk of Spring Training vacations or upcoming fantasy baseball, but I put together my list of favorite baseball players of all time. Because of the history necessarily involved in addition to my own relative shallow experience in first-hand baseball knowledge, I'm incredibly curious about everyone else's list. I've only watched baseball for a bit of the 90's and most of the 00's, which swings my list heavily towards recent players. Now, I know most of the big names from other eras, but I can't really put any of them on my list since I haven't gone out of my way to watch old games or research the personalities. I'm confident I could pick out the best players of each generation, but they're mostly flat images made up of statistics and awards. They could never be considered a favorite. So, you out there, feel free to add a top 5 of your own in the comments with the more detailed the explanations the better. Here we go:

1. Ken Griffey Jr.

Without a doubt the easiest choice on the list. The first player I ever really attached to, in my mind, in any sport. The 90s Bulls teams were cherished, naturally, but I feel like Griffey was the first ever choice I made and thankfully it is one that I still respect. I liked the home runs, the crazy highlights in the field, but what stands out most was and is his character: the easy affability and joy in playing baseball. The time he stole a fly ball from his dad, hearing about him as the lead judge of the Mariner's clubhouse kangaroo court. He seemed like the one guy I would absolutely want to hang out with in sports, the guy I would want on my team no matter what. I could watch highlight reels of his catches all day. Oh, and until my Dad finally put a stop to it, I would do the Griffey one-handed follow-through on my swing.

2. Ozzie Smith

The Wizard is a bit tough, being a Cardinal, but I started out baseball as a shortstop and Ozzie Smith was my little league goal for the position. I wasn't a power hitter and we weren't allowed to steal bases yet, so the way to set myself apart was as a fielder, which was not helped by being a lefty who wanted to play shortstop. Through a collection of spins and reloads I would fire across the body to first, until finally forced to give it up for center field.

3. Randy Johnson

My favorite pitcher and one of the most dominant leftys of all time. He was unstoppable in videogames and as long as he wasn't walking people, pretty much unstoppable in real life. I loved that Mariners team.

4. Ichiro Suzuki

Probably common to everyone, but what I look for in a player is the best aspects in how I played (in reality or just imagined). I like baseball players that steal bases, play great defense, and are usually shortstops or center fielders. Ichiro had these, played for the Mariners, and did it year after year.

5. Jeff Bagwell

I liked his crazy batting stance and his stubbornness to not give up the inside corner.

Honorable Mentions

Ernie Banks - If I had seen him play I'm sure he would be top 3, but a great guy.

Jose Reyes

Brandon Phillips

I may have forgotten someone, but I feel like that is the main list. So throw in some new considerations, any stories or rationale for how you found favorites, and we can talk a bit of baseball. I'm surprised at the lack of Cubs, but maybe I shouldn't be. When they were good, they still weren't all that likable. Or they were too tragic. I liked Prior and Wood, but you know. Maybe Randall Simon. I liked the old "I'm going to swing at anything, maybe even a pickoff attempt at first."