Favorite Sports Players

On an evening I was having dinner with just my daughter (I think it was on one of those $5 movie nights), I told her I was having problems with coming up with some favorites list. She's the one who came up with this one. At first I thought I only had one favorite player, but as we talked, I realized there are others I love, too. Here's my list of favorite sports players (past and present), in alphabetical order.

Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds. Back in 1976, while stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA, I became a Reds fan because I became a Johnny Bench fan (even though I was a Dodgers fan first and never lived anywhere near Ohio). Don't know exactly what it was that drew me to him, but it stuck and has lasted ever since.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins. I wouldn't even know who this player is if it weren't for the fact my daughter got me hooked on hockey (and the Penguins). And maybe he helped cement my relationship with the Penguins (being a fan, that is). I love to watch him play.

Steve Garvey, Los Angeles Dodgers. I grew up a Dodgers fan (back when Sandy Koufax played). Since moving away from the area, I don't keep track of the players any longer, but Steve was the last Dodger I was a fan of (that I can remember, anyway!!).

Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers. He went to the University of Southern California – a college I would have liked to have attended if I knew what I wanted to do and didn't join the Army instead. I love his enthusiasm on the field. I will definitely miss him when he retires.

Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds. Right now he's my all-time favorite player. I watched him play with the Dayton Dragons (the Reds' Single A Farm Team) and loved him them. I love the way he plays – the way he seems to love to play. And I'm thrilled he signed a contract to be with the Reds for a long, long time. I've got to get out to Cincinnati and watch a game this season (and maybe get a jersey). The Reds are hot!!

Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams. I got hooked from his story of how he got to the NFL. Who doesn't like a good underdog story? And he played for a team I grew up rooting for. The year he took them to the Super Bowl (and won) was THE BEST!!

There are so many players out there, so many teams, I'd be amazed if I hit your favorite. But if I did, let me know. You can also tell me your favorites and see if they're on my "hate" list. Yeah, I have a lot of those, but don't think I'll list them. I don't need to give them any more thought than necessary.