Effort. It?s a lost art in just about everything, but most obviously in baseball. Too often, you see guys not running out fly balls. Even a speed demon like Alfonso Soriano, who could easily get to second on a dropped fly, sometimes can be found barely jogging to first. A lazy outfielder that lets a groundball slowly roll to them can become victim to a runner legging a single into a double. A few weeks back, this happened twice, once to the Blue Jay?s Vernon Wells and then again to the Yankees? Bernie Williams. However, there is a flip side of the coin. These players, the ones that are hardworking, hustlers, are the ones that can be found on the Top 10 All-Hustle List. These guys give 100% everyday and always leave their blood and guts on the field. They are ranked 1-10, with 1 being the player who gives the most effort. There is one player at each position and there are 2 pitchers (couldn?t decide on one).
10. Catcher-Yadier Molina, Cardinals. Yadier is the third catcher of the Molina brothers. Yadier?s offensive numbers are average at best, but what he lacks on offense, he makes up on defense. Molina has thrown out 20 of 31 base-stealers for an old school percentage of 65%. In addition to that, he?s picked off 5 or 6 runners. What really shows his effort is his durability. In the Cards? 84 games this season, Molina has started 73, an outstanding number for a catcher.
9. Outfield-Torii Hunter, Twins. ?Spiderman?, as he has been rightfully nicknamed, can drop some jaws in centerfield. He climbs walls, jumps for balls, and dives on the Metrodome turf in grand style. He goes all out in the outfield and is inspiring to watch.
8. Third Base-Brandon Inge, Tigers. Last year, Pudge overtook Inge as the starting catcher on the Tigers. No problem! Inge willingly moved to third base and has had great success since. His offensive improvement since the change has been undeniable. From ?03 to ?04, Inge raised his BA 84 points, his OBP by 75 points and more than doubled his RBI total. Now, Inge is the leadoff man on the somewhat respectable Tigers and has again shown improvement. Not to mention, he has played in all 82 games for the Tigers this season, displaying durability and work ethic.
7. First Base-Todd Helton, Rockies. Helton has the burden of being the only hitter on the Colorado Rockies. For this reason, Helton?s numbers have plummeted this season. Through this though, Helton never complains, never asks for more help or denounces his team. There?s no denying Helton is a standup guy or that he was a great hitter. That hitting, believe it or not, wasn?t a result of steroids, or Coors, or even pure talent. It was a direct result of hours and hours of practice. Days of hitting a ball off a tee in his garage.
6. Outfield-Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners. Being the first Japanese position player to migrate to the MLB, there was tons of pressure on Ichiro. He handled it masterfully, winning the ROY award. He proved to the world that he was phenomenal player, both on offense and defense. In the field, he?s a faster Torii Hunter with an arm like Vlad. At the plate, Ichiro shows that power is overrated. Last year, Ichiro broke the George Sisler?s hit record, and he is always a threat to steal a base.
5. Outfield-Brady Clark, Brewers. At age 28, it seemed as if Clark would be a career minor leaguer. But Clark persevered and, after a trade from the Mets to the Brewers, Clark blossomed. In 2002, on the Mets, Clark got just 12 ABs. This year, Clark has played in 82 of his team?s 84 games and has already tied his number of doubles (18) and homers (7) from last season. Also, his average is up 34 points from last year.
4. Second Base-Craig Biggio, Astros. Biggio is the ultimate team player. On offense, he does what his team needs him to do. If he needs to get hit by a pitch to help his team, he does it with a smile on his face. In fact, he has been hit by 268 pitches, good for 1st all-time-and believe me when I say, that?s not easy. Biggio?s a great bunter, too, with 86 career sacrifices. He?s also been a reliable hitter for the ?Stros throughout his career. In the field, Biggio is just as flexible. Back in?02, Biggio was put in centerfield in favor of Jeff Kent, and not a word came out of Biggio?s mouth. He simply played his best out there. In the Astros 83 games this year, Biggio has played in 81 of them.
3. Pitcher-Curt Schilling, Red Sox. Schilling exalted himself to legendary status with his performance in last year?s playoffs. In game 6 of the ALCS versus the rival Yankees, Schilling took his blood sock and pitched amazingly, winning the game and pulling the Red Sox even, 3-3. His will to win eventually led to the first World Series rings in Boston in 86 years.
2. Pitcher-Roger Clemens, Astros. Clemens is a physical specimen and it seems like he?s only now coming of age. This recent success can only be attributed to his outstanding work ethic. His workout routine is practically legendary. It?s been said that during spring training, Clemens gets to the ballpark at 6 AM and often stays past the rest of his teammates. Clemens looks for perfection every outing and accepts nothing less.
1. Shortstop-Derek Jeter, Yankees. Don?t put it past the Yankee captain to start a rally or perform in the clutch. Jeter?s reputation by his mentality, ?no play is impossible, as long as you?re willing to give up your body to make one?. Look at his backhand flip on the first base line to nail Jeremy Giambi and the A?s in the playoffs a few years back. Or you could rewind to his dive into the stands from last year. Either way, it?s easy to see that Jeter gives 100% no matter the situation and single-handedly keeps the Yankees in games.