Pittsburgh Pirates

Archive for January, 2011

If you think that gift ideas for him are limited, you are way behind. It is time to brush up on your knowledge of which items would surprise and please him, whether you are thinking about your dad, the special someone in your life, your young son, or anyone else on special occasions, be it his birthday or his first day at college.

The only thing you need to know is your loved one’s favorite baseball team and it opens up a vista of gift ideas. Here are a few ideas worth exploring that suit varying tastes and fit your budget too.

– whether he loves the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox, giving him a ticket to the next game is a superb choice. You can go all the way, buy the ticket online, and surprise him just when he thought he was never going to the game.

The atmosphere, the crowd, the madness – he would be just too happy! You sure do not want to miss such an opportunity. If this is not a possibility, you may opt to buy DVDs of the famous games instead.

– a photograph signed by Babe Ruth, a baseball signed by Eddie Collins, a baseball bat signed by Carlton Fisk, and many such items are objects of dream for a sports fan. You can also invest in signed jerseys and caps.

If you are considering these gifts, make sure you buy from a reliable store that gives you an authentication certificate too. These baseball memorabilia may be a little on the expensive side, but the value of these for him is worth more than what you pay for.

– select stadium seats, dirt collages and such other items that bring back the memories of the great games. For example, you may be able to get original seats of the now-dismantled Yankee Stadium – something that is sure to please any fan.

You can also opt for stadium photo collages, small models of the stadium, and so on. These collectibles are sure to be his prized possessions through life. Such gifts reflect your thoughtfulness and care, making it even more special.

When you are out shopping for baseball memorabilia and collectibles, it is necessary to keep in mind certain points. Here are a few handy tips.

– gives you a wider variety of products and the option of comparing prices before you buy.
– ensures original products, be it signed baseball or baseball display case.
– beware of the fake ones; choose a reliable store and do not miss to get the certificate.

If you are not too sure about what to buy for him on a special occasion, opt for a gift card. Different stores offer such cards of varying denominations to suit your budget. This gives him the option to buy just the right thing he wishes for – be it a ticket to a game or a particular baseball collectible.

Article by Danica Reynes

If you want to store and show your valuable baseball cards, you can select which cards you would like to put on display, put cards in binders, use tough plastic sleeves, exhibit your most priceless baseball cards in plastic-type cases, organise your cards practically, and consider positioning your cards in glass display cases.

A bunch of valuable baseball cards is something which an avid card collector could be proud of and will definitely take the opportunity to show for some individuals to see. Yet, you must also remember that it’s important to protect your cards against harm, especially when they might often be exposed to wetness, heat, and dirt. The following are some strategies on ways to exhibit your precious baseball cards and guard them from potential destruction:

Choose which cards you desire to put on display

Collectors usually show their most valuable cards for other card enthusiasts or individuals to view. So it may not be necessary to exhibit all your cards, even those which are not valuable. Organize your cards and properly pick ones that are of great value to you.

Place cards in binders

Get binders and plastic sleeves for cards having openings that fit the rings of your own binders. All these materials can be purchased in any hobby stores within your area or through the Internet. Make sure that you choose ones which are not very large for your baseball cards. Fit all your not too expensive cards into the plastic sleeves and organize them appropriately. This will make searching easier for you and your visitors.

Make use of tough plastic sleeves

You can use hard plastic-type sleeves to display your more expensive baseball cards. You should also put the cards inside the soft plastic-type sleeves before putting them in tough plastic-type sleeves for double protection. All that you should do is to purchase soft plastic sleeves that are exactly the ideal size for your cards, and insert the cards into them. Then, place the soft plastic sleeves directly into bigger tough plastic sleeves before you’ll place them on display.

Display your most priceless baseball cards inside plastic cases

For your not too expensive baseball cards, organize them in plastic-type cases using a screw-shut pattern. These plastic-type cases are efficient at keeping your cards from any destruction. The card will be put in the center of two thick plastic-type sheets that will be screwed together tightly. Most of these plastic cases have holders or can be put up on the walls for display.

Manage you cards properly

Baseball cards are best showcased if they are set up neatly. People will also consider well-arranged card collection more fascinating to see compared to a display that doesn’t make sense at all. You could try arranging them by player, team, or from the newest to oldest player.

Consider placing your cards in glass displays

Placing your baseball cards in glass display cabinets is also a good method to display your cards to your visitors. You can place these cases inside your a special room or living room in your home especially for your collection. Glass displays also assure that your cards will be properly protected from moisture and dirt.

Even the smallest deterioration in the collection reduces its worth. So it is best to store and display your cards in the best way possible so that it won’t be hard for you to sell them if you have any plans to auction them in the future.

Way too often, backing up bases gets to complex and very confusing for a pitcher and it should not be. An errant throw can often determine the outcome of a baseball game. Baseball pitching tips should include teaching pitchers which base they should back up and how to properly back up the base. Once again, this is one of the so called “little things” that often have a huge impact on the game. The following shows which base to back up if you are the pitcher and there’s a hit that goes into the outfield. Remember that you must know where the runners are ahead of time and cannot try to figure out which base you should be backing up after the ball is hit.

Nobody on Base. On singles, back up throws to second base. On extra base hits, watch the play unfold and back up the base where you think there may be a play.

Runner On First Base. You back up third base.

Runner On Second Base. You back up home plate.

Runners On First and Second Base. You have to think quickly and move very quickly. Quickly get into a position between third base and home, standing about ten feet in foul territory. You have to watch the play unfold, anticipate and make a very quick judgment. You either dash toward home and backup the throw there or backup the throw to third base. Watching the play unfold is the ONLY way to know which base you have to back up. Smart teammates should pay you a mound visit to give you a breather after this one because you may be sprinting all over the field.

Bases Loaded. Same exact thing as runners on first and second base mentioned above. You must move quickly and watch the play unfold.

Runners On First and Third Base. You back up third base.

Runners On Second And Third Base. Back up the plate!

There are several things a pitcher should remember about backing up bases. First of all, a pitcher must know where the runners are beforehand. Remember that once the ball is hit, the pitcher becomes a defensive player just like everybody else! It is a shame to have a game decided because a pitcher failed to back up a base due to a lack of focus or because he didn’t know which base to back up.

When backing up a throw from the outfield, avoid making the very common mistake of being too close to the base. Try to get about ten steps or so behind the base and line up yourself so that there is an imaginary line going from the player throwing the ball, the base you are backing up and to you. Way too often pitchers back up the base and the throw gets by the infielder and gets by them also. By being about ten steps behind the base, you will have much better range to your left and to your right. The chance of the ball getting by both the infielder and you will be minimal.

The proper way for backing up bases is one of the more important baseball pitching tips. Unfortunately, it is not taught nearly enough. It should rank high on everyone’s list of baseball coaching tips. Remember, you must know where the base runners are beforehand in order to back up bases properly. Show everyone how well schooled in baseball you are!

About the author:

You CAN improve and overcome any baseball weaknesses if you are a player, a coach, or a baseball parent and your son is struggling! Larry Cicchiello has hundreds of baseball articles on line and has some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips available at http://www.LarryBaseball.com. Get ready to be raising a few eyebrows!

 

Stan “The Man” Musial

St. Louis Cardinal Great

Heroes Of Baseball

Stan Musial is arguably the greatest St. Louis Cardinal of all time. Stan “The Man” Musial played twenty-two Major League Baseball seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. Stan Musial hit 475 homeruns, he had 3630 hits, he amassed 1951 RBI’s, and he walked 1599 times and had a career batting average of .331. Most amazingly, Stan Musial only struck out 696 times. It takes some modern ballplayers only three and a half years to strike out as many times as Stan Musial struck out in his entire career. Stan Musial also ended his career with an incredible 177 triples. He was an amazing ball player. He was a great hero of baseball.

Stan “The Man” Musial won numerous awards during his illustrious career as a St. Louis Cardinal. He was named the NL MVP three times in 1943, 1946 and 1948. Stan Musial won three World Championships in 1942, 1944 and 1946. He was named to twenty Major League Baseball All-Star Games. Stan Musial was also named to Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Stan “The Man” Musial retired in 1963 and was voted into the Hall Of Fame in 1969. The St. Louis Cardinals retired his #6 Jersey in 1963. Stan Musial is one of the greatest heroes of baseball.

Like many Major League ballplayers in the 40′s, 50′s and sixties, Stan Musial did not become a rich man. He did have a lofty 0,000 salary in 1960, but his salary does not compare to modern Major League baseball players. Stan Musial was a silent giant of baseball. He never complained. He was never kicked out of any Major League Baseball game during his entire career. He did his work on the field and the St. Louis fans looked at Musial as their hero.

In 1968 a Statue of Stan “The Man” Musial was erected outside Busch Memorial Stadium. This was to show the world the hero status of the greatest St. Louis Cardinal baseball player ever to play in the Major Leagues. In 2001 Bill James (a baseball statistician) named Stan Musial the tenth greatest Major League Baseball player of all time and the second best left-fielder of all time. The best left-fielder of all time was Ted Williams the great Boston Red Sox player. Both men are heroes of baseball.

Stan “The Man” Musial was a great Major League Baseball player. He gave everything he had to the game and became a hero of baseball in St. Louis and around the country. He is still known as one of the greatest Major League Baseball players of all time. It would have been great to have had a chance to watch Stan Musial play baseball. He was born in 1920 and still lives in Donora, Pennsylvania.

Sources
Wikipedia
baseball-almanac.com

Just as you need the right type of gear in order to be proficient in any sport, having the right equipment when playing baseball including baseball gloves and bats that suit you best will help you in playing a better game. A baseball mitt that fits improperly may not only adversely affect your game play, but can also result in an injury if the glove is to loose and falls off while you are attempting to catch a ball, or affect the circulation in your hand if the glove is too tight. If you are new to the game of baseball or are trying to improve your performance in the game, the following tips will help you in selecting the most suitable baseball gloves and bats to optimize your game.

Selecting the Right Baseball Mitt

Selecting the right size and type of baseball gloves and bats is essential to your performance in the game as they will have a significant affect on your ability to control the ball. The position you intend to play is the first step in selecting the right type of baseball glove as there are four primary types of gloves designed specifically for playing certain positions that include catcher, first baseman, infield, and outfield. The gloves for any of these positions are available to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed individuals, however, this can be a little confusing to those who are new to the game of baseball as a baseball mitt designed for right-handed individuals actually goes on the left hand while the mitts designed for left-handed individuals, will go on the right hand.

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Selecting the right size baseball glove is an extremely important factor when choosing your glove as it will significantly affect your game performance. Adults who will be playing a position in the outfield should select a glove that is twelve to thirteen inches while those who will be playing infield should choose a glove that is ten to twelve inches in size. Gloves that are designed for specific positions such as first base and catcher will usually be stated in the manufacturer specifications. Most high quality baseball gloves come with an adjustable strap that allows you adjust the tightness of your glove around your wrist and should be adjusted until the glove fits you comfortably.

Selecting the right Baseball Bat

While baseball bats come manufactured with many different types of material, the two most preferred by professional players are made from either hard maple or white ash. The maple bats are more durable and have a higher level of hitting power when compared to the ash bats, however, they are also quite a bit heavier and the majority of players today prefer a bat that is lighter in weight. The most common baseball bat size for an average adult is approximately thirty four inches in length, however, to accommodate both children and smaller adults, there are shorter sizes available that typically start at around twenty four inches and you should select the bat that is most comfortable for you based on your size and body type. Taking your time by carefully selecting high quality baseball gloves and bats that are appropriate for you will improve your playing performance and will also give you more enjoyment while playing the game.

If you want to play your best game then you need to be very confident and relaxed but if you select the wrong bat then this will also affect your mental state as well. If you feel uncomfortable with your bat then this will discourage you and you will not be able to perform your best. So do remember that when you are buying then buy it from an accredited retail store that have the good quality bats. After choosing good quality baseball bats then comes the other point that needs to be considered. To decide the size of the baseball bat that you want to buy is another important point that you should take into account.

After choosing the correct size then comes the point of bat speed. It is recommended to choose the heaviest with which you feel comfortable. To see whether you are comfortable or not you can take the bat and swing it very hard, and then notice whether you can maintain your balance with that bat or not. If you are not able to handle that heavy bat, then you should choose a size lower than that one. This will help you to get the swing that you want. So choosing the perfect size that suits you is also very significant for a good performance.

You can get quality baseball bats from . They are known for making good quality baseball bats since a very long time. The aluminum and wooden bats that they manufacture are very durable and also light weight. Many amateurs as well as professional players prefer Easton baseball bats because of the premium quality bats that they produce. The baseball bats from the Easton baseball bats have the perfect blend of weight and the length of a baseball bat. This perfect combination helps the players to maintain a perfect swing which will also help to improve their performance.

Baseball is one of the favorite games of the people of the United States. There are lots of people who love to play this game. In this game there are usually two teams which consist of nine players each. It is very important to learn the game before you start playing it.

Do you know that these days you do not need to go out to play the game? It is possible to play the game just by sitting inside your home. This might seem interesting to you especially if you are a lover of this game.

Have you heard about fantasy baseball? There are certain companies which have successfully created the baseball simulation which can be played at home. Other than this, there are lots of other facilities of this game.

But before that it is important to choose the company from which you are going to buy your fantasy baseball. Though it is called fantasy but when you start playing it you will find it quite real. The fantasy baseball league is taken from the real life. The players are real.

Other than this, there are lots of other features which are quite interesting. You need to choose your baseball simulator very carefully. It is always very important to buy the original games. There are different kinds of games available these days but the actual fantasy baseball is usually created by a particular company.

You need to find out details about the company. Most of the popular companies have their official website these days. You will get lots of information regarding the company on the website itself.

You will also find certain secrets of wining the baseball sim in the website. If you want the report then you just need to enter your email id and ask for the report. The report will be sent to your inbox. Other than this, you even have the option of getting daily updates from the website regarding the game.

One of the websites even offer a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the baseball simulation. If you are interested to learn how the fantasy baseball evolved over the years then you can learn it from the website itself.

The game can be customized according to your needs. You can change certain settings which will help you play the game in a better way. If you get this simulation then you will be able to play 162 full seasons of games.

Other than this, the company also offers an engine with the help of which you can get a detailed summary of the game as well as the score. So play the fantasy baseball league today and become the top scorer.

Article by pamela Davis

Baseball was a really younger sport within the mid-eighteen a whole bunch, so batters usually made their very own bats. This led to a whole lot of experimentation with the form and dimension of the baseball bat. It did not take long for gamers to learn that the most effective bats had been these with rounded barrels. With all of the shapes and sizes being used, some rule had to be established about the bat. In 1859, it was established that baseball bats might be no larger than two and a half inches in diameter, though they could possibly be any length. After ten years, a restriction of forty two inches was placed on the length of the baseball bat, but still no regulations governing the shape.

1884: The Louisville Slugger is Born

Baseball bat’s hottest title, nonetheless to this present day, is the Louisville Slugger. Seventeen-year-old John Hillerich watched Pete Browning break his bat at an 1884 Louisville game. John noticed as Pete Browning got frustrated, and after the sport supplied to make him a new bat. Pete Browning joined John Hillerich at his father’s woodworking shop, where Pete supervised the development of his new bat. Browning went three for three along with his new bat. Phrase spread rapidly, but not as quickly as the demand did as soon as everyone knew about these bats. It wasn’t long before every baseball bat that John and his father constructed was slapped with the well-known Louisville Slugger trademark.

Evolution of Rules

In the Nineties, bats may not be flat on the end, in accordance with the foundations committee. They elevated the diameter by 1 / 4 of an inch as properly, making the maximum diameter two and three quarters of an inch. Within the early nineteen tons of, one of many best players, Honus Wagner, was the primary player paid to have his identify burned into Louisville Slugger bats. Regardless of the continuous evolution of the rules regarding the size and shape of bats, the bats of today look much like the ones of 100 years in the past, the largest distinction being that right this moment’s bats are much lighter and have thinner handles.

The Rise of Aluminum

William Shroyer patented the first steel baseball bat in 1924, though they weren’t seen in baseball till introduced by Value in 1970. Price quickly produced the first aluminum one-piece bat, and the primary little league aluminum bat. Easton introduced a much stronger bat within the late ’70s . These skyrocketed the recognition of aluminum bats, though they weren’t allowed in major league games. In 1993, each Easton and Worth introduced titanium bats, and in 1995 Easton and Louisville Slugger launched the lightest grade of aluminum bats out there to date. Persevering with developments embrace double walled bats, and scandium-aluminum bats.

It doesn’t matter what sort of baseball bat a player makes use of right this moment, the sport stays one of the world’s favorites. Not many can resist the sunny days and cool nights within the stands, with the cracking sound, followers on their toes, and the smell of scorching canine in the air.

Sandy Koufax’s 1953 senior yearbook from Lafayette High School, Brooklyn, New York (Lelands)

Sports memorabilia collectors are willing to shell out big bucks for high school yearbooks featuring future big league baseball stars and Hall of Famers. So take a closer look at those old yearbooks gathering dust at second-hand stores, garage sales and flea markets, as they could bring some added cash to your bank account.

Here are ten valuable yearbooks that top many collector’s wish list. There are thousands more, but these gems serve as a good starting lineup for those treasure hunters who want to hit a grand slam on their first trip to the plate.

Babe Ruth (1895-1948)

The vaunted Sultan of Swat, George Herman “Babe” Ruth was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. The Babe actually went to high school? Well, sort of. Look for Ruth’s 1914 senior yearbook from Baltimore’s St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys which, admittedly, was more an orphanage/reform school than a traditional high school. The yearbook/report is officially titled Forty-Sixth Annual Report St. Mary’s School for Boys and Thirty-Sixth Annual Report St. James’ Home Baltimore Maryland 1914. One example, picturing the teenaged Ruth inside, sold at auction for ,400.

Mickey Mantle (1931-1995)

The Mick, who played his entire career with the New York Yankees, was inducted into Cooperstown in 1974. The big prize is Mantle’s 1949 senior yearbook, Bengal Tales, from Commerce (Oklahoma) High School, where he is pictured in no less than eleven photos. This yearbook is rare, given the fact that Mantle’s graduating class numbered only 49 students. Editions in near mint condition can sometimes top the ,000 mark.

Jackie Robinson (1919-1972)

Jack Roosevelt Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball’s color line in 1947, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962. Robinson’s 1937 senior yearbook, The Sequoian, from John Muir Technical High School, Pasadena, California, is always a crowd pleaser. One example, signed three times by Robinson, fetched ,024 at auction.

Ted Williams (1918-2002)

Ted Williams, the last player to hit .400 in Major League Baseball, was summoned to Cooperstown in 1966. Teddy Ballgame’s 1937 senior yearbook, Dias Cardinales, from Herbert Hoover High School, San Diego, California, is a heavy hitter, often topping the ,000 mark.

Lou Gehrig (1903-1941)

The fabled Iron Horse of the New York Yankees, Lou Gehrig was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939. Sweet Lou’s 1920 junior yearbook, The Commerce Caravel, High School of Commerce, New York City, is always a home run with collectors. One example brought ,625 at auction.

Sandy Koufax (1935-)

The hard-throwing Sandy Koufax, who spent his entire injury-abbreviated career with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, was inducted into Cooperstown in 1972. Koufax’s June 1953 senior yearbook, Legend, from Lafayette High School, Brooklyn, New York, is a keeper. Examples in near mint condition can sell for ,200 or more.

Cal Ripken Jr. (1960-)

The reigning Iron Man of baseball, having played in a record 2,632 straight games, Cal Ripken Jr. was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. Ripken’s 1978 senior yearbook, Arrivederci, from Aberdeen (Maryland) High School is the big catch, featuring young Cal as a standout athlete for the Eagles. This one is valued at around 0 in top condition.

Cal Ripken Jr.’s 1977 junior yearbook from Aberdeen (Maryland) High School (Huggins and Scott)

Duke Snider (1926-)

Edwin Donald “Duke” Snider, legendary home run hitter for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, was inducted into Cooperstown in 1980. Snider’s senior yearbook, Dar-U-Gar, from Compton (California) Union High School, is a real gem. Look for one of Duke’s fellow seniors, Pete Rozelle, the future Commissioner of the National Football League. This edition is valued at approximately 0-800.

Don Drysdale (1936-1993)

Don “Twin D” Drysdale, one of the most dominating pitchers of the 1960s, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984. Drysdale’s 1954 senior yearbook, Crimson and Gray, from Van Nuys (California) High School, is always popular. Not only does it feature Drysdale as a star pitcher for the Wolves baseball team, but also a fellow senior with a mop of dark blond hair named Robert Redford, the future Hollywood superstar. This yearbook generally fetches 0-500 at auction.

Pete Rose (1941-)

Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader, Pete Rose remains banned from the game for life following his admission that he gambled on baseball games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Although currently ineligible for the Hall of Fame, Rose nonetheless retains a large and vocal following among fans and collectors. Rose’s 1959 junior yearbook, The Western Hills Annual, from Western Hills High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, is valued at around 0.

Get ready for the 2010 Fantasy Baseball season by dominating your draft with some of the best fantasy baseball rankings, stat projections, and player info, all right here for free. Third Base (3B) Rankings are based on a 1-year standard scoring system in mixed AL/NL fantasy baseball leagues for the 2010 season.

Scoring system stats include: runs scored, homeruns, rbi, stolen bases, and batting average – (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG). AB = at bats during the 2009 season.

In these rankings, for a player to qualify at Third Base (3B), they must have played in at least 10 games or started at least 5 games at the Third Base (3B) position during the 2009 season. Each players 2010 fantasy baseball position eligibility and their age for the 2010 season is provided after their name.

Top 10 – Third Base (3B) Rankings 2010

#1 – Alex Rodriguez – 3B – New York Yankees (34)

Rodriguez may be getting up there in age, but as long as he is batting in that potent Yankees lineup, there is no reason to expect a drop off in stats anytime soon. 30 homeruns and 100 rbi are essentially a guarantee from ARod in 2010 with plenty of potential for even more.

2009 Stats: 444 AB, 78 R, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 14 SB, .286 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 110 R, 35 HR, 120 RBI, 10 SB, .300 AVG

#2 – Evan Longoria – 3B – Tampa Bay Rays (24)

At just age 24, there is plenty of reason to expect an ever better year statically from Longoria in 2010 than what he put up in 2009. Longoria should be a perennial 30 homerun and 100 rbi third baseman over the next decade. An increase in stolen bases to around 10-15 is also a very good possibility for Longoria in 2010.

2009 Stats: 584 AB, 100 R, 33 HR, 113 RBI, 9 SB, .281 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 100 R, 35 HR, 115 RBI, 12 SB, .295 AVG

#3 – David Wright – 3B – New York Mets (27)

After tallying 116 homeruns over his first four seasons as a starter for the Mets, Wright experienced a major power outage during the 2009 season as he managed to knock out just 10 homeruns. So on the heals of being label a fantasy baseball bust for the first time in his career, Wright at just age 27 is primed for a major comeback in 2010. I would expect a reemergence to at least 25 homeruns for Wright during the 2010 season. Combine that with the potential for 20 plus stolen bases, and Wright could very easily be a draft day steal for fantasy baseball teams in 2010.

2009 Stats: 535 AB, 88 R, 10 HR, 72 RBI, 27 SB, .307 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 110 R, 28 HR, 115 RBI, 18 SB, .310 AVG

#4 – Ryan Zimmerman – 3B – Washington Nationals (25)

Since his emergence onto the major league scene back in 2005, Zimmerman was seemingly on the cusp of taking over the role as a potentially elite fantasy baseball 3B. Then last season, Zimmerman finally broke out with a career year in 2009 that included 33 homeruns and 106 rbi. At just age 25, Zimmerman offers plenty of potential to put up even better stats, with an eventual 40 homerun campaign not that far fetched.

2009 Stats: 610 AB, 110 R, 33 HR, 106 RBI, 2 SB, .292 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 100 R, 35 HR, 110 RBI, 5 SB, .300 AVG

#5 – Mark Reynolds – 3B/1B – Arizona Diamondbacks (26)

A career year last season may have set up Reynolds to be the dreaded fantasy bust this season. And realistically, after posting 44 homeruns and 24 stolen bases last season, Reynolds could easily have an extremely hard time matching those stats once again in 2010. I would expect stats closer to 30 homeruns and 15 stolen bases this season. So draft Reynolds based on those 30-15 stats rather than the 40-20 homerun-stolen stats. However on the upside for Reynolds is the fact that he offers fantasy baseball teams duel position eligibility at 1B and 3B, which helps boost Reynolds fantasy value heading into the 2010 season.

2009 Stats: 578 AB, 98 R, 44 HR, 102 RBI, 24 SB, .260 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 90 R, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 15 SB, .260 AVG

#6 – Kevin Youkilis – 3B/1B – Boston Red Sox (31)

Simply put, Youkilis is a steady and reliable hitter who plays in a potent run scoring Boston lineup. Combine that with his duel eligibility at 1B and 3B, and fantasy baseball teams have a solid sure bet starter for their team. On the downside, Youkilis is more of a 25 homerun and 90 RBI guy, rather than the big bopper of 35 homeruns and 120 RBIs.

2009 Stats: 491 AB, 99 R, 27 HR, 94 RBI, 7 SB, .306 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 95 R, 25 HR, 95 RBI, 3 SB, .305 AVG

#7 – Pablo Sandoval – 3B/1B – San Francisco Giants (23)

During just his first full season in the majors last year, Sandoval quickly established himself as one of the best hitters in all baseball. Displaying an Albert Pujols/Vladimir Guerrero type of plate coverage, Sandoval a switch-hitter, can essentially hit any pitch throw at him, as he has already raked in a career .333 batting average over 717 at bats in the major leagues so far. Combine that type of batting average with outstanding power, and Sandoval at just age 23, has the potential to be a perennial 30 plus homerun, 100 plus RBI, and .320 plus batting average hitter over the next 10 years. Entering the 2010 season, Sandoval will offer fantasy baseball teams duel position eligibility at both 1B and 3B, with his future full time position likely to be 1B.

2009 Stats: 572 AB, 79 R, 25 HR, 90 RBI, 5 SB, .330 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 90 R, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 5 SB, .325 AVG

#8 – Chone Figgins – 3B – Seattle Mariners (32)

Much like his new teammate in Seattle, Figgins offers fantasy baseball teams the same type of luxury that Ichiro Suzuki offers. Stolen bases, stolen bases, and runs scored. As for the power numbers, there is little to be excited about as Figgins has never hit 10 homeruns in any major league season yet.

2009 Stats: 615 AB, 114 R, 5 HR, 54 RBI, 42 SB, .298 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 110 R, 5 HR, 55 RBI, 45 SB, .290 AVG

#9 – Aramis Ramirez – 3B – Chicago Cubs (32)

Injuries may have derailed Ramirez’s 2009 season, however there should still be plenty in the tank for Ramirez to return to his 25 homerun and 100 rbi form during the 2010 season. Based on his stats from last season, Ramirez will likely come at a huge discount in numerous fantasy baseball drafts this year. However make sure you do not let him slip too far, as Ramirez is a reliable and proven 3B option. He could easily become one of the top comeback players and fantasy baseball draft day steals in 2010.

2009 Stats: 306 AB, 46 R, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 2 SB, .317 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 90 R, 25 HR, 100 RBI, 2 SB, .300 AVG

#10 – Ian Stewart – 3B/2B – Colorado Rockies (25)

During his first full season in the majors last year, Stewart bounced around between playing 2B and 3B for the Rockies, so even though Stewart will enter the 2010 season as the Rockies full time starting 3B, he will still qualify as a 2B in fantasy baseball leagues during the 2010 season. Boasting 30 homerun and 100 rbi potential, Stewart should contribute outstanding power numbers to the 2B position for fantasy teams this season. However after posting a dreadful .228 batting average over 425 at bats during the 2009 season, Stewart offers much of the same type of stat potential as Dan Uggla, only Stewart is a less reliable and proven option. Yet with a career .293 batting average from over 2200 at bats during his time in the minor leagues, there is ample reason to believe an immense batting average improvement could be in store from Stewart during the 2010 season

2009 Stats: 425 AB, 74 R, 25 HR, 70 RBI, 7 SB, .228 AVG

2010 Stat Projections: 85 R, 30 HR, 95 RBI, 5 SB, .275 AVG

Third Base (3B) Rankings: #11-20

#11 – Adrian Beltre – 3B – Boston Red Sox (31)

#12 – Michael Young – 3B – Texas Rangers (33)

#13 – Chris Davis – 3B/1B – Texas Rangers (24)

#14 – Jhonny Peralta – 3B/SS – Cleveland Indians (28)

#15 – Gordon Beckham – 3B – Chicago White Sox (23)

#16 – Jorge Cantu – 3B/1B – Florida Marlins (28)

#17 – Casey McGehee – 3B/2B – Milwaukee Brewers (27)

#18 – Chipper Jones – 3B – Atlanta Braves (38)

#19 – Mat Gamel – 3B – Milwaukee Brewers (24)

#20 – Alex Gordon – 3B – Kansas City Royals (26)

For additional Fantasy Baseball Rankings and Info check out my blog at Hawk Fantasy Sports