Who is your favorite childhood baseball player?

[RedsFan1941]

the reds’ Big Klu for me!

[mocean]

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.

[perezfan]

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.

[nolemmings]

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

[MarcosCards]

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?

[Jakkal]

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.

[swish54]

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.