Darryl Strawberry for me - 1986 was the first world series I saw as a kid (on TV, not in person). I imitated his leg kick in my swing throughout my childhood.

Tony Perez was my favorite. Rose, Morgan and Bench got all the attention... and with good reason. But Perez quietly delivered every time they needed it most. I've still never seen a better clutch hitter, or a guy who could continually get that crucial 2-out hit. Even Sparky admitted that Tony was the Heart & Soul of those pennant-winning Bid Red Machine teams.

I even made my Mom sew a number 24 onto my little league jersey (they were not numbered back in the '60s). I live in the Seattle area now, and boy could the M's use a Tony Perez! And the way Votto is playing, I suppose the same could be said of the Reds. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

This guy, from the first year I started buying packs:

https://photos.imageevent.com/imover.../66tobb455.jpg

Ernie Banks was my childhood hero, too. Those were great times. Regardless of how things ended in '69, I loved that team. They were a strong contender for several wonderful years, after being a doormat for a couple decades. Have a great day, bro. ---- Brian Powell

Brooks Robinson
 

Brooks Robinson was my childhood hero and still my favorite all time player. I loved the O’s players and teams, but Brooksie stood out. I’m a Orioles fan for life; I try to take the good with the bad and at times I have to live in the past...

As a long-suffering Reds Fan, same here... LOTS of living in the past. :mad:

And Brooksie absolutely stifled us in the '70 World Series. That series was perhaps my biggest disappointment as a young kid, as I really expected the Reds to win. But play after play, it cemented the fact that Brooks Robinson was one of the greatest 3rd Basemen ever.

I’m glad I’m not the only one and that there’s others that can relate :)

I guess the O’s knew going into the ‘70 WS that there would be plenty of action on the SS/3rd base side with all the pull hitters on the Reds. What most people don’t consider is that Brooks was 33 years old at the time and been making plays like this, year after year, over the past 15 years or so. As an O’s fan we knew, we got to see first hand, day in and day out, but the rest of the baseball world got to see just a glimpse of how great Brooksie really was at third. Of course in my mind, and likely each and every old school B’more fan, that he IS the greatest 3rd basemen ever...

Mostly.....

Attachment 355458


With a side of...

Attachment 355460

Don’t Knock The Rock
 

Arriving in Detroit through a straight-up trade for batting champ Harvey Kuenn in 1960, Rocky Colavito caused young boys to cheer and women to swoon.

With a rocket arm, a powerful bat, and Hollywood good looks, he was one for the ages in Detroit. Take a look at his 1963 Topps (#330) card — royalty in an Old-English D.

Who remembers the behind-the-back bat stretch he’d do while on deck?

Ken Griffey Jr. - I tried so hard to copy his swing when I was young but could never pull it off even half as smooth.

If you're my age and grew up in L.A. there was only one option. It was the first baseman who hit .300, collected 200 hits, and drove in 100 runs seemingly every year--and most importantly was a Topps all-star every year.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...51b4e6a1fc.jpg

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Fred Lynn and Jim Rice. Lynn may have the slight edge in that I'm a lefty as well and could copy his swing.

My favorite is Andre Dawson. Started heavily watching the Cubs in '87 as a 6 year old kid during his MVP season and was a fan ever since.