10 Greatest Baseball Players You Have Seen Play?

[Zomby Woof]

And yes, I mean at a real live ballgame in a real live ballpark. :-)

Chronological:

1. Willie Mays, as a player-coach, with the Mets, in an exhibition game with their AAA franchise the Tidewater Tides, 1979 (not long before he was banned from the game).

2. and 3. Pete Rose and Mike Schmidt, with the Phillies, at Veterans Stadium in 1982.

4. Ryne Sandberg, with the Cubs, Wrigley Field, 1983.

5.- 10. Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and Alex Rodriguez, and Ichiro Suzuki, with the Mariners, at the Kingdome and Safeco Field, 1988-2003


Highlights include, but not limited to:

I saw Griffey hit his first ML home run, which was off the first pitch, first at-bat, opening night 1989 against the White Sox.

Saw Johnson pitch several shut-outs, one of them a 2-hitter, which was against the Angels.

I have seen Ichiro do more double-steals than anyone, and throw farther than anyone from outfield. Of course, seeing him hit is sheer pleasure. He is the essence of cool out on the field. Or even off.

And Edgar... my favorite Mariner alongside Ichiro. Pure class, and I loved watching him whack lots of doubles, a major feat considering his lumbering pace around the bases.

[havocmom]

1. Got to see Nolan Ryan pitch against Don Sutton

Loved those Freeway series games in LA before the season started.

[GOPisEvil]

2. OK, my list

1. Barry Bonds, Enron Field (OK, it was Minute Maid Park).
2. Roger Clemens, Ballpark in Arlington, 1994, Memorial Day weekend. Predictably, he hit someone and damn-near caused a fight.
3. Ozzie Smith, Busch Stadium
4. Tony Gwynn, first at Busch, then later at The Big Q.
5. Mark McGwire, I saw him hit #28 of 70 in 1998 at The Big Q.
6. Jeff Bagwell, same game as Bonds
7. Craig Biggio, same game as Bonds
8. Ivan Rodriguez
9. Rafael Palmeiro
10. Fernando Valenzuela, Mike Piazza, Eric Karros and a whole host of Dodgers during the 1980s. I lived in San Antonio, which was the AA affiliate of the Dodgers.


Saddest I've ever been at a ballpark: I had Dodgers ticket in late August 1994, when I was going to be in LA on vacation. Of course the strike started, so I had to drive to Dodger Stadium to get my refund. :-(

[maveric]

3. Yaz, Tony Gwynn, Reggie Jackson, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal

Pedro Martinez, Jim Rice, Denny Mclain (1968, won 31 games that year), Greg Maddox, Mike Schmitt. To name a few.

[5thGenDemocrat]

4. Here's ten OF the greatest I ever saw

Frank Robinson
Reggie Jackson
Harmon Killebrew
Carlton Fisk
Hank Aaron
Carl Yastrzemski
Roger Clemens
Robin Yount
George Brett
Al Kaline (I interviewed him, too).
All hall-of-famers. And that's a short list of the players I've seen -- I've been to more than 100 Tiger games, plus doubleheaders at both Jarry Park (Montreal) and Wrigley Field. Yes, I'm old.
John
But my FAVORITE ballplayer ever was and still is Mickey Lolich.

[two gun sid]

7. '68 was great wasn't it?

My dad took me to a bunch of games that year. I still think the 68 Tigers were one of the greatest teams ever.

[bif]

19. I was there the night tthey clinched the pennant!

Against the Yanks. I sat right behind the Yankees dugout in field box seats. And yes, I went out on the field!

[5thGenDemocrat]

46. Don Wert hit a single to left scoring Al Kaline

Lindy McDaniel was the Yankees pitcher and Jake Gibbs was catching.
John
Ah yes -- I remember it well.

[SaveElmer]

5. Here we go...

1. Harmon Killebrew
2. Tony Oliva
3. Rod Carew
4. Zoilo Versailles
5. Cal Ripken
6. Brooks Robinson
7. Frank Robinson
8. Kirby Puckett
9. Reggie Jackson
10. Catfish Hunter


among others

[two gun sid]

6. I saw Denny McClain pitch in 1968 at Tiger Stadium

2. Reggie Jackson with the A's
3. Whitey Ford with the Yankees
4. Al Kaline with the Tigers
5. Catfish Hunter with the A's
6. Pete Rose with the Phillies
7. Boog Powell with the Orioles
8. Rod Carew with the Senators
9. Mickey Mantle with the Yankees
10. Steve Carlton with the Phillies

Those were the first 10 that came to mind.

[5thGenDemocrat]

14. First game I ever was at Tiger Stadium in 1968

Denny took one of his six losses (against 31 wins) vs Baltimore, 5-3. Frank Robinson hit one homer about 450 feet and, two pitches later, Boog Powell hit another -- which, as far as I know, is still in orbit.
John
One of the astronomers here could check that for me.

[two gun sid]

23. Wow. You saw him lose in 68. Not many can say that....

Do you remember why Don Wert wore that special batting helmet? I'm kinda thinkin' he got hit in the ear with a pitch. I can't remember.

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. Hank Aaron...as number 44 for the Milwakee Brewers in the twilight

of his career. Robin Yount...number 4...he was fantastic! Paul Molitor...number 4, Mr Ignitor! Stomin Gorman Thomas, thrilling home run hits...Cecil Cooper....Coooop!!!! Lou Whitaker...ahhhh all these names. The time when baseball was great and not the sick, sad machinated "thing" it has become. None of these players are worthy of my dime or my television viewing today. It's a joke. :(

[bobthedrummer]

21. Warren Spahn, Rollie Fingers, but most of all Hank Aaron

we had some baseball moments in Milwaukee, especially with Harvey's Wallbangers-what a team, what a season.

[AllegroRondo]

71. I was 6 when my dad took me to see Hank

in his last season with the Brewers. I'll never forget it.


Also on my list:

Robin Yount
Paul Molitor
Rollie Fingers
(and after moving to St Louis...)
Ozzie Smith
Willie McGee
Mark McGuire

[General Zod]

9. Here's mine....

1. Roberto Clemente. He was probably 38 or 39, but he was still a great player.

2. Tom Seaver. Best pitcher I ever saw live.

3. Johnny Bench. Best catcher ever.

4. Pete Rose. Great player, but a despicable human being.

5. Mike Schmidt. Man, he could hit it a loooooooong way.

6. Willie Stargell. "Pops" lead the Pirates to the 79 championship

7. Steve Carlton. Another great pitcher, just below Seaver.

8 Dave Winfield. Great all around athlete.

9. Joe Morgan. Best Second baseman.

10 Carlton Fisk. Just behind Bench as best catcher I ever saw.

[Dave Sund]

10. Have to think...

1. Roger Clemens at Safeco Field against Seattle in 2002.
2. Carlos Beltran at Kauffman Stadium, numerous times in 2002-2003. To be honest, I've seen him play a lot, and every time I saw him play, he did something spectacular in the field. He was a joy to watch. Too bad they had to trade him.
3. Sammy Sosa at Wrigley Field against Pittsburgh in 2001.
4. Ichiro Suzuki, several times, in 2002 and 2003.
5. Miguel Tejada at Kauffman Stadium in 2003 against the Royals.
6. Edgar Martinez, in 2003, twice, at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals. Hit two home runs in the first game I went to.
7. Eric Chavez, at Kauffman Stadium in 2003.
8. Barry Zito, at Kauffman Stadium in 2003.
9. Jason Giambi, at Safeco Field in 2002.
t10. Mike Sweeney or John Olerud.

Hon. Mention to some of my favorite Omaha Royals: Jermaine Dye, Johnny Damon, etc.

[jus_the_facts]

11. ahh ya bloody braggarts.....

...us po'folks don't get to go see no stinkin' baseball games...s'all just an illusion on TV...only Astro and Brave baseball all season at that....and since I have nothin' nice to say about that new sig line yer sportin' there...heh don't EVEN get me started!! :sarcasm:

BASEBALL aside...how's it goin' ZMule?! :hi:

[jandrok]

16. What the hell is wrong with only getting Astro's games...huh?

Sounds like good baseball television to ME!

:woohoo:

[jus_the_facts]

29. eh...I'm a Yankee fan....

:dilemma:

...ya'll got Andy so it's not so bad only gettin' some Astroball...but I loathe the Braves with a passion. :D

[Zomby Woof]

39. On that we agree!

The Braves and Cardinals are the nadir of NL ball. x(

:hi: Amberiffic!

[jus_the_facts]

72. LOL...yes we can agree on THAT.....

....I'll keep my other *BoSUX* comments to m'self!! :evilgrin:

:hug:

[jandrok]

60. I'm with ya there.

Can't stand the Bravos. Not much of a Cubbie fan, either. Hate the Redbirds with passion.

I'm a lukewarm Yanko fan by default. My Dad lived in NYC for many, many years and passed on some his Yankee love to me as I was growing up. As far as American League teams go, they're my guys.

[jus_the_facts]

74. Gotta love 'em....

....I DO..I DO!! :D

[WindRavenX]

12. Well, I am young...

...but let's see (in no particular order)
1. Reggie Jackson. Ok, technically I was still in the womb, but that counts coz my mum went to YS while preggers.
2. Wade Boggs
3. Don Mattingly
4. Tino Martinez
5. Derek Jetaaaah
6. Mariano Rivera
7. Bernie Williams
8. ARod
9. Edgar Martinez (I know, he broke my heart in '95, but what can I say- he's all class and was a fantastic hitter)
10. Roger Clemens.

[Bok_Tukalo]

13. My "sports moment"

I saw Juan Gonzales hit three home runs in one game at Arlington Stadium.

A great thing on it own ... but he did on "Gatorade Hat Night" when 10,000 free hats were given out.

It was cool.

[Jersey Devil]

24. Sports moment - Perfect game for David Cone on Yogi Berra Day, 5/17/98

My oldest son couldn't make the game and gave me his tickets. I took my youngest and we have the tickets and scorecard framed and hanging by the fireplace.

[jandrok]

15. Here's my list....

I moved to Houston in 1982, when I was 18. The first time I went to see an Astro's game I witnessed Nolan Ryan pitch against Steve Carlton. They were both chasing Walter Johnson's strikeout record at the time, and Carlton was actually a little closer at that junction in their respective careers. Mike Schmidt and Pete Rose were also on the field that day for the Phillies. Over the years that I lived in Houston, I caught quite a few games at the old Astrodome.

So that's 4 so far. Of course I'd add Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio to the list, future HOF entrants both.

I've seen Barry Bonds play. I've seen Mike Scott pitch. I saw Daryl Strawberry.

I'll throw you a curve on the last one on my list. I've seen Roy Oswalt pitch in the minors, back when he was playing for the (then) Double AA Round Rock Express.

[bif]

17. Al Kaline, Ray Oyler, Lou Whittaker and

Alan Trammell, Mickey Mantle, Yaz, Yogi Berra, Harmon Killebrew, and of course, Gates Brown. I don't mean the most famous, but the best, in my opinion. Sure, laugh at Ray Oyler, be he was among the best fielders that ever played the game.

[two gun sid]

22. Your right, he couldn't hit for shit but he was awsome....

as a shortstop. I played SS because I liked Ray Oyler. I still have a baseball card of his.

[maveric]

25. As were Mark Belanger and Paul Blair from the 60's-70's Orioles.

Belanger was a lifetime .218 hitter but he could play shortstop like not many others.
Blair was the best fielding center fielder I have ever seen.

[Jersey Devil]

28. Saw Blair at the end of his career with the Yanks - even then, maybe the

best outfielder I ever saw from a defensive point of view.

[maveric]

32. He was very underrated IMO.

[sir_captain]

36. Didn't Oyler hit under .200 in 1968?

[Donkeyboy75]

47. .135, to be exact.

[5thGenDemocrat]

48. He hit .135 (not a typo) in 1968

I believe that's still the lowest batting average for a day-to-day starting position player in MLB history. His career batting average was .175, with a season best of .207 (in 1967). He did have a hell of a glove, though.
John
He also drank himself to death by 1981. One of the first of the '68 Tigers to die (Norm Cash stepped off a dock in Charlevoix and drowned while he was loaded, too.) The '68ers were a hard-living bunch, for the most part.

[Jersey Devil]

18. My list goes back a ways

Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Yogi Berra, Pete Rose.

There were a lot more. Saw my first game at the Polo Grounds, former home of the NY Giants, in 1955. After the Giants moved I rooted for no one for a few years, took a try at the Mets and wound up a Yankee fan since my kid wouldn't go to a Mets game.

There are so many others who could be in that group but those are the first 10 I could think of.

Oiks: On edit, how could I forget Ted Williams, Tom Seaver & Nolan Ryan?

[maveric]

26. Bob Gibson was something else!

Pitched inside, knocked guys down and nobody EVER charged to mound at him!
He'd go nine innings and hit a homer or two in the game too.

[Jersey Devil]

27. Yep, killed the Yanks in '64

when the Cards beat them in the World Series. That's how it was those days. Willie, Mickey, Aaron would hit a HR and they knew next time at bat they were going to be ducking a fastball. It was how the game was played. Even more amazing, they didn't really have helmets, though I do recall some that were more like hard caps.

[maveric]

30. And the Sox in 67.

After missing half the season with a broken leg. He shut them down and hit a couple homers too.
Then he killed the Tigers in 68(although Detroit won the series), struck out 17 or 18 Tigers in one of the games. he was amazing.

Gibson also played for the Harlem Globetrotters too.

[5thGenDemocrat]

49. Of course, Mickey Lolich was even better in the '68 WS

Won three games, including Game 7 vs Gibson.
John
If Mickey'd been a Yankee, he'd be in the Hall of Fame by now. He won over 200 games, pitched 376 innings (IIRC) one season ('71?), and still has the second or third most career Ks by a lefty in baseball history.

[tyedyeto]

20. Can I remember that far back? I can remember the recent ones........

As to years ago:

Stan 'The Man' Musial
Rollie Fingers
Willie Mayes
Willie McCovey
Don Drysdale
Reggie Jackson

Lived in the SF Bay area for most of these


More recent:

Mark McGuire ( he could also be in the above group)
Randy 'Big Unit' Johnson
Sammy Sosa
Barry Bonds (even tho I have an intense dislike for him)

[NV Whino]

31. Sandy Kofax

And I don't know how to spell his name. Maybe Roy Campenella, too. Well, then there's Duke Snyder.

[GalleryGod]

52. Sandy Koufax !

:woohoo: :yourock: :applause: WoW! could he pitch!

[salin]

33. er... what's baseball?

next in line a smear at apple pie... ;-)

[WilliamPitt]

34. Hm

Pedro, Jeter, Nomar, Manny, Schilling, Rivera, Greenwell, Yaz, Rice, Reggie. I also saw Lowe pitch his no-hitter.

It's nice having the Sox-Yanks rivalry in my back yard.

[sir_captain]

35. Hmmm.... good question

I'm going to have to think this one out and then rank them.

Ignoring thr whole steroids issue, there's Bonds, of course. I'll add to that list Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, The Unit, Pedro Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Don Mattingly, Mike Schmidt, Griffey.

Probably would rank in this order:
1) Again, ignoring steroids, Bonds.
2) Seaver
3) The Unit
4) Clemens
5) Mariano Rivera
6) Alex Rodriguez
7) Pedro Martinez
8) Mike Schmidt
9) Greg Maddux
10) Nolan Ryan

with honorable mentions to Griffey and my favorite of all-time, Mattingly.

Most memorable game I've been to involving any of these guys was a game in 2000 at The Stadium. Clemens vs. Pedro. Red Sox won 1-0. Clemens struck out 15 and gave up 3 hits. Pedro was almost as good, striking out about 10 in the CG SO.

Also was there when Clemens nailed Piazza in the head.

[Zomby Woof]

37. I've seen Pedro and Clemens

Clemens when he was with the Sox.

I guess 10 is too limiting. Dammit all.

[sir_captain]

38. Oh, I could go on for a while!

I've averaged around 15 games a year for the last 15 years or so. Even went out to CA for a baseball trip one summer--I started in SD and drove up to Seattle seeing games all along the way.

That Clemens-Pedro game was probably the best one I've ever been to, along with a Pedro-David Cone game in Fenway and a 16 inning game in SD won on a Bonds walk-off. I was also at David Wells' perfect game, though honestly, it wasn't as good a *game* as the Clemens-Pedro one. That was seriously a thing of beauty, even if the team I was rooting for lost.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

40. Here's my list:

Ernie Banks
Billy Williams
Bob Gibson
Lou Brock
Hank Aaron
Don Drysdale
Sandy Koufax
Roberto Clemente
Willie Stargell
Johnny Bench
Pete Rose
Willie Mays

My Mom was a huge baseball fan all her life and lived and died for her beloved Cubs and back in the 60's when old man Wrigley still owned the Cubs every Friday game was Ladies Day.

Once school was out, she would take me and my brother up to Wrigley Field on the El to watch whoever the Cubs were playing. I think you could get box seats on Ladies Day for about $3.00 and we always had good seats either behind the Cubs dugout or the visiting dugout.

I got my love of baseball from my Mom. She kept a mean scorecard too.

[Wapsie B]

41. The only one I've seen deserving to be on that list

is Johnny Bench.

[A HERETIC I AM]

42. "Boog Powell" Of the late 60's, early 70's Washington Senators

Classic American baseball slugger. Thats it. Not a top ten, just a top 1

[two gun sid]

43. Do you mean Harmon Killebrew? Powell played for the Orioles.

[A HERETIC I AM]

44. I stand corrected. Thanks! yes! Both of them, in fact.......

I saw a game way back when at RFK stadium between the Orioles and the Senators in which both men played. I wracked my brain trying to think of Harmon's name but i always remembered "Boog". Yes. Thanks. Harmon Killebrew AND Boog Powell. 2 classic American Baseball Sluggers of that era.


Thanks so much for the flood of nostalgia.

[two gun sid]

45. You must have seen Rod Carew with the Senators, too.

[DelawareValleyDem]

62. huh? Carew never played for the Senators

http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/carewro01.shtml

[two gun sid]

75. You're right I'm wrong. I was thinking Carew signed with...

the Senators but he did not. He signed with the Twins. Killebrew played for the Twins and Senators.

[Bunny]

50. Roberto Clemente

[Richardo]

55. Roberto Clemente, Nolan Ryan (Angels version), Hank Aaron,

Pete Rose, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski, Johnny Bench, Carl Yaztremski, Rod Carew, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale. Off the top of my head.

[Zech Marquis]

51. yhe one game I went to

was in Baltimore at Memorial stadium--the day Jim Palmer had his retirement ceremony :-) Nothing impressed as much as seeing Carl Ripken hit a home run to right field, but the Seattle Mariners had a field day on them!

[liberalpress]

53. My Top Ten

10. Jimmy Pearsall

9. Al Kaline

8. Thurman Munson

7. Roger Maris

6. Brooks Robinson

5. Richie Zisk

4. Bert Campaneris

3. Bobby Bonds

2. Al Hrabosky

1. Mickey Mantle

[livetohike]

54. Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron

Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Pete Rose, Stan Musial, Barry Bonds and Orlando Cepeda.

Many from the 60's. My Dad would take me to Forbes Field in Pgh. He was a huge baseball fan and I was his first born. (RIP Dad - this is our first baseball season without him).

[Richardo]

56. Nice story, livetohike...my Dad courted my Mom at Forbes Field

She's so proud that she 'scouted' Roberto Clemente in his rookie season ("I just KNEW he was going to be great!") :)

[livetohike]

59. That's a great story too!

Here's to your Mom and Dad :toast:. That's the thing about Roberto - you knew you were watching someone special. He was my favorite player (still is). My best friend treated me to "Roberto Clemente Night" at Three Rivers Stadium as a birthday gift back in 1970. I still have the program and of course my memories......

He was "The Great One".

[noonwitch]

57. I saw Mark Fydrich pitch at Tiger Stadium

He didn't have a long career, but he was popular in Detroit, for his antics, like talking to the ball and such.

I've also seen Willie Horton (my all-time favorite), Alan Trammell, Cecil Fielder, Lou Whittaker, Dave Rozema, Kirk Gibson, etc. We went to lots of Tiger games when I was a kid, and I've been to a few as an adult. I haven't been to one since they moved to Comerica Park-I probably will this summer.

[Cooley Hurd]

64. Fidrych was fun, wasn't he?

I used to love to watch him literally BITCH at the ball!:D

[peekaloo]

69. Fydrich once hosted a barbecue at his spring training hotel.

In the room!

[Solly Mack]

58. So what if you've been to games but don't know players?

But you know one of the players was Hank Aaron...(back in my chldhood)

so that would be my list: Henry Aaron. I saw him all the time growing up in Atlanta.

[Cooley Hurd]

61. I saw Tom Seaver pitch at Shea in '77...

They won.

[Magrittes Pipe]

63. I saw the tail end of the Big Red Machine.

Bench and Morgan, can't get much better at their positions than that. Tom Seaver pitching. Saw Barry Larkin's best years. Watched Schmidt play agaist my Reds many times.

I Saw Barry Bonds in the 1990 NLCS; Mark McGwire and Rickey Henderson in the World Series that year. Seen 'em both many times since. I watched Roger Clemens shut out the McGwire/Henderson/Canseco Athletics. Wade Boggs manned third in that game, of course.

[Jack Rabbit]

65. An old fan of the San Francisco Giants

Right off the bat, I can name:

Willie Mays
Willie McCovey
Juan Marichal
Orlando Cepeda

I saw McCovey hit three home runs in one game in 1963.

In their final seasons, both of these players were wearing Giants' uniforms, so I saw them:

Duke Snyder
Warren Spahn

I was at Candlestick park to witness Spahn's last major league win; it came in the second game of a double header against the Chicago Cubs in 1965.

Playing for the Cubs that day were . . .

Ernie Banks
Billy Williams
Ron Santo

Williams, Santo and Banks made up what was perhaps the most feared murderers' row ever to play for a losing team.

On one other occasion, I saw the Giants play the Cincinnati Reds. So I would be remiss if I did not mention . . .

Frank Robinson

Later, we moved to the Los Angeles area.

Maury Wills
Don Drysdale

I saw Marichal beat Drysdale in a pitchers' duel at Dodger Stadium in 1968.

I also saw Frank Robinson again, the year he played for the Dodgers. He homered that night.

One night, my Dad took me to Anaheim to see a game between the Angels and the Detroit Tigers. Pitching for the Angels that night was . . .

Nolan Ryan

He pitched a complete game, striking out 10.

Since growing up, I haven't gone to many games. I did go see the Oakland A's a couple of times and saw . . .

Rickey Henderson

I regret to say I haven't been to see the Giants in several years. So, I've never seen Barry Bonds.

[ImpeachBush]

66. Not in this order, of course, but I've seen ...

Pete Rose
Tony Perez
Johnny Bench
Dave Concepcion
Lee May
George Foster
Ken Griffey Sr.
Tom Seaver
(Yes, I saw the Big Red Machine live in their heyday!)

Jim Thome
Eddie Murray
Orel Herschiser
Omar Vizquel
Manny Ramirez
Robbie & Sandy Alomar
(Yes, I saw the Tribe in their more recent "glory" years)

[Pendrench]

68. I'm glad someone mentioned Eddie Murray

It's funny that when people talk about great players Eddie tends to get overlooked.

[ProfessorGAC]

67. In No Particular Order

1. Nolan Ryan (3 times at Comiskey. One was a 17 K game.)

2. Roberto Clemente (Many times at Wrigley. He was my dad's favorite player and we used to go to a couple Pittsburgh games a year.)

3. Ernie Banks (Many times at Wrigley and St. Louis)

4. Bob Gibson (A few times at Wrigley and Busch)

5. Rod Carew (Once at Comiskey)

6. Koufax at Wrigley (No i didn't see the perfect game.)

7. Dale Murphy (Twice at Wrigley, once in Atl.)

8. Johnny Bench (A few times at Wrigley and once in Cincy.)

9. Hank Aaron (Twice in Milwaukee and several times at Wrigley.)

10. Willie Mays (A few times at Wrigley)

Honorable mentions by a Cub fan: Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg.
The Professor

[LynneSin]

70. My list which goes beyond 10....

Only because I've seen the Cincinnati Reds play back in the late 1970s and there's a ton of great players on that list including:

Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, David Concepcion, Ken Griffey Sr and George Foster (he won the game for them with a Grand Slam Home Run)

I saw one of Pete Rose's consectivive hits - It was a few days before the streak ended and this hit he had to bunt off of Phillies pitching and hustle to get the hit

Tom Browning - I'm putting him on the list because he had pitched one perfect game and I almost saw him do it again in early 90s - he was 2 outs away from it. Nothing is more amazing to be in a ballpark when a pitcher is close to a perfect game. Again this game was in Philly, but all of the fans just kept quiet (including the Philly Phanatic Mascot who started to quiet the crowd down late in the 8th inning).

I saw game #2 NLCS in Cincinnati - 1990. So that list includes a few more great baseball players including Barry Larkin, Chris Sabo & Eric Davis to name a few.

BTW, in 1990 I also spent a night drinking with Larkin, Marianno Duncan and Jose Rijo in Philadelphia.

Finally, probably the most sigficant player I've seen play in a very unique situation. I saw Ken Griffey play twice in minor league baseball. The Vermont Reds had just become the Vermont Senators back in 1989 and I saw them when they were in town playing the Harrisburg Senators. I made it a point to go to the game because I figured Griffey would be something special, just like his dad!

[bertha katzenengel]

73. Nolan Ryan. Don Baylor. Fred Lynn. Jim Edmonds. Vida Blue.

Reggie Jackson. Thurman Munson. Joe Rudi. Tim Salmon. Jim Abbott. Carlton Fisk. (Okay, that's 11)

Many more, I'm sure. These are all I can think of.

And I caught a foul ball.... hit by Chili Davis.... pitched by The Express himself, Nolan Ryan. September 1989, Texas at California. :bounce:

[redsoxliberal]

76. okay

1. Pedro Martinez
2. Mariano Rivera
3. Cal Ripken
4. Ken Griffey jr
5. Wade Boggs
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Frank Thomas
8. Derek Jeter
9. Alex Rodriguez
10. Curt Schilling

Honerable mention : Mike Piazza

[leftofthedial]

77. not counting old timers games . . .

Willie Mays
Mickey Mantle
Frank Robinson
Hank Aaron
Tom Seaver
Nolan Ryan
Eddie Murray
Larry Walker
Andres Gallaraga
Brooks Robinson

[Worst Username Ever]

78. Well, the entire 1987 Twins were pretty phenomenal, IMO...

Got to watch one of the world series games. Pretty cool, their 1st (of two) world series champion years ever.

[saltpoint]

79. Real good question.

1 Roberto Clemente
2 Cesar Geronimo
3 Hank Aaron
4 Tom Seaver
5 Juan Marichal

6 Gregg Maddox
7 Warren Spahn
8 Ozzie
9 Frank Robinson
10 Rawley Eastwick