Likeable Players on Each Baseball Team (AL)

published August 3, 2009

Steroid's black tentacle of taint reached out and touched one of the most likeable ballplayers in recent years. David Ortiz was a big fat guy with a huge smile and goofy personality. He could also hit the ball a ton, and in clutch situations. That's why fans feel so betrayed in the allegation that he was named among 104 players on the 2003 'anonymous' testing list. Loyal fans will continue to follow baseball and root for their teams, but this steroid thing will not go away until all 104 names are released. There is this new generation of players coming up since the roids era, a very likeable, hard playing, down to earth crop of players making an impact on the game. Here's a player from each team that we can root for.

Baltimore Orioles - Nick Markakis - Markakis was a star pitcher college and projected to be a great left handed power pitcher in the bigs - an asset any team would love to have. The Orioles however took a gamble and brought him up as a hitter. It paid off as he's averaging .300, 20 HR's, and 100 RBI's, as well as playing in a every game so far this season.

 

Boston Red Sox - Jon Lester - It is not often a player comes back from cancer. Not only that, but Lester pitched a no-hitter, has a world series ring and got the win in the Game 4 of the 2007 World Series clincher. He's emerged as one of the top lefties in the game, and has a high strikeout total. The great Peter Gammons has projected him to be a future Cy Young award winner.

 

Chicago White Sox - Mark Buehrle - Mark Buehrle has always been a model of consistency and White Sox fans have known this for a while. When he pitched a perfect game, the whole world found out that he was good. Shortly after, he broke his teammate Bobby Jenks's major league record of most players retired in a row. He peered over to his teammate and tried to suppress his laughter. It's good to see players still having fun. He also has the quickest pace out of any pitcher in the game, speeding up an average baseball game by 20 minutes.

 

Cleveland Indians - Grady Sizemore - Ladies love this babyfaced center fielder, and why not? He plays the game with more intensity than anyone else in the game. He was originally going to be a football player, as he broke his high school's all time rushing record. Instead he's emerged as a genuine 5-tool ballplayer (speed, hits for power and average, good defense and good arm). If he doesn't break all the bones in his body from crashing into outfield walls, he'll have a fantastic career.

 

Detroit Tigers - Curtis Granderson - Detroit is a city ravaged by the economic woes, so it's refreshing to see that the Tigers are doing well. Granderson has led the league in triples the last two years, and this year has added a good power stroke to his game. This gives Tigers manager Jim Leyland the dilemma - bat him lead-off or 5th where he can drive in more runs. Granderson is also heavily involved in community education in a community that needs all the support they can get.

 

Kansas City Royals - Zack Greinke - in 2005, Greinke was anything but a good pitcher. He led the league with 17 losses, and had a bloated 5.80 ERA. In 2006 it was revealed that he was dealing with depression and social anxiety disorders and left baseball. He returned last year and had a respectable year. In 2009, he's been the best pitcher in baseball despite pitching for a hapless Royals team and also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He's still very young and primed for a great career provided the mental issues that plagued him early do not return.

 

LA Angels - Chone Figgins - First off, it's "CHONE" not "SHAWN." That being said, it's my favorite name in baseball to say. He's also one of the best leadooff hitters in the game and a prolific base stealer. He's also valuable in that he can play any position on the field (with exception of pitcher and catcher). How many teams would love a great .300 speedster as a lead-off hitter that can play all positions and produce runs?

 

Minnesota Twins - Joe Mauer - Catchers do not win batting titles. In fact, in the American league no catcher had ever won a batting title. That was until Joe Mauer did it - twice. Joe Mauer is a megastar in the making, with many people claiming that his swing is the best they've ever seen, including hall of famers Paul Molitor and Cal Ripken Jr. He is quickly emerging as not only the best catcher in the game, but the best player in the game period. He also loves rap.

 

New York Yankees - Mariano Rivera - It's hard to find anyone likeable in this team full of overpaid prima donnas. But Mariano Rivera has a certain quality that makes him slightly likeable. He is a small, skinny rat faced man. He's also the best closer in baseball history, giving hope to all small, skninny rat faced men in the world. He's also done it with more humility than most ballplayers out there and no matter what team you play for, it's an admirable trait.

 

Oakland A's - Justin Duchscherer - The A's are a lowly team and it's hard to find many bright spots. Jack Cust is loved by the fans, but his link to steroids is enough to keep him off the list. Justin Duchsherer has not pitched a single inning this year due to injury, but in 2008 he was one of the best pitchers in the bigs. Nicknamed "The Duke of Hurl," he's bound to return to form and hopefully lead a new cropping of young A's to success.

 

Seattle Mariners - Ichiro - Ichiro Suzuki has got to be one of my favorites to ever play. He is a lock to lead the majors in hits, breaking the major league mark in 2004. He has got one of the finest arms in the game. Too often have I seen a runner gunned out by an absolute perfect throw from Ichiro. One of the more likeable moments was from this year's all-star game, when he got a baseball signed by President Obama. Not often do you get to see a world famous and top tier baseball player excited like a little girl in a boy band concert.

 

Tampa Bay Rays - Carl Crawford - The Rays are team loaded with awesome and likeable young talent. Carl Crawford is one of the most likeable in the game. He's led the league in stolen bases 4 out of the last 6 years, not including this year where he leads again. He set a modern day record of 6 steals in one game! He's not only the fastest player in the game, but some are touting him as the fastest ever.

 

Texas Rangers - Josh Hamilton - Josh Hamilton is a feel-good story. He was once a #1 pick and primed to be a superstar. He then fell into drugs and alcohol hard. You name it, he did it. His career was all but over because of drugs. With a lot of help from friends and family, he kicked the habit and returned to baseball. In the home run derby of 2008, the whole world saw Hamilton belt 28 home runs in a single round, shattering the record. Though his career will likely be cut short as a result from his drug days, it's good to see his tattooed arms take the field and continue to play the game as hard as anyone.

 

Toronto Blue Jays - Aaron Hill - Roy Halladay would be on the list, except for the fact he's not going to be a Blue Jay for that much longer. Aaron Hill is a quiet everyday 2nd baseman. In May 29, 2007, he stole home off the Yankee's Andy Pettite. He's also one of the best defensive 2nd basemen in the game. He's always hit for good average, and this year he's started hitting the longball. He's one to watch down the road as a future star.

Tomorrow we'll continue with the most likeable baseball players on NL teams.

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