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Jason1) Ozzie Smith is the first player that really brought my attention to baseball. Outstanding talent, way above-average person and ambassador of the game, and he didn't disappoint when I introduced my 3 year old son to him at Cooperstown last year, lighting the fire for a new generation
2) Kirby Puckett. Again an outstanding player, rags to riches story from my hometown Chicago, infectious smile and attitude that reassures you that this is a game that's fun to play, and a "baseball name" like I had never heard the likes of before! Not to mention an invaluable demonstration that a guy built like me could make it to the majors. I am truly fortunate to have met him at Cooperstown last summer.
3) I have adopted my father's favorites: Eddie Mathews and Roy Campanella. The stories he has of their impressions upon him as a boy have stuck with me.
4) Lee "Jeep" Handley. My cousin played for Cin and Pit in the 30s and 40s. He led the NL in SBs in 1937 (with a whopping 17!), and it was documented that Jackie Robinson was quoted as crediting Lee with being the first player in the major leagues to wish him well upon his promotion to the majors. He was also a bit of a competitor, apparently getting tossed from games for aggressive behavior. He got tossed from a game at Wrigley during the only time my grandfather was able to make it to see him.
5) Just to round out a top 5, would be Rickey Henderson. I met him at a card show when I was young and brought a drawing I had done of him. He was great, complimenting me on it, asking me if I had traced it (I hadn't), signed it, and said to keep it up. That could have gone much worse, but he was really very nice.