Cool Like That

Baseball has returned in some capacity and I for one am excited. Not just because I no longer have to wake up at the crack of dawn to see Korean League Baseball just to get my fix for baseball. I had hopes coming into this season that baseball would get out of it's own way and let some personalities shine and just let guys be cool. So it is in that spirit I give you my favorite players growing up who were just cool.

Ozzie Smith, SS, St. Louis

I know it's weird to have anyone from St. Louis on this list but growing up there was no cooler shortstop than the Wizard of Oz. He couldn't really hit for power but he was so damn so smooth in the field that it didn't matter. The slender man who looked suspiciously like Frankie Beverly could get to any ball hit in the hole usually didn't matter who was running to first. They were as good as out. 

Andruw Jones, CF, Atlanta

During his hey day with the Braves Jim Edmonds got quite a bit of attention for his eye popping diving catches in center field. Andruw Jones however always seemed to be camped out under fly balls or just jogging to get under it. Because while Edmunds was constantly out of position, Jones was never out of position. He had such a positional awareness that there was no need for him have to go full tilt and dive most of the time, he was already there. And then throw in his power, few were as cool as Andruw Jones.

Barry Bonds, LF, San Francisco/Pittsburgh

Now if you're one of the "he used steroids, he can't be the GOAT" types you are not gonna like what i have to say. Barry Lamar Bonds is the greatest baseball player of all time. Period. End of discussion. Everything he did, from the time he was in Pittsburgh to the end of his career in San Francisco was effortless. He is the all time home run king, lone member of the 500-500 club. That's 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases. Not to mention the sole owner of 17 other records. Go argue with your mama if you disagree, that's dope as hell.

Ken Griffey Jr., CF, Seattle

There is no player on the planet earth in any sport that comes close to being as cool as Michael Jordan. That man is Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball players historically are swag deficient, Griffey was dripping with it. He was charismatic, he hit for power, and if you don't think he had the prettiest swing in baseball history I do not trust and I will call the feds on you because clearly you are a terrorist.

Not to mention he has the greatest baseball shoes ever made with the Swingman. I'd argue it's the second dopest shoe behind the Allen Iverson's The Question. Not counting Jordans of course.

Well folks, there you have it. Back when baseball used to just let guys be cool. It's my hope that the game doesn't suck the joy out of young guys like Ronald Acuna, Juan Soto and Tim Anderson who all go out and actually play and have fun instead of treating it like you are at a seminar for tax actuaries like the St. Louis Cardinals.