What Baseball Player Has Made the biggest impact of your Life?

can it be a softball player?

Jessica Mendoza-

She is a great all around player, and person at that. She will try her hardest and play with passion, you can see she truly loves the game. She isn't afraid to get down on the bases or in the field. She has inspired me in so many ways, on the field and off. She reminded me to play just b/c you love it and not to be so serious, and b/c of that I have gotten better. She has not only inspired me on the field but off as well, if you've ever met her you know she is a nice person, and she cares about politics and tries to get the rest of the team involved in the election. Jessica Mendoza is a great player and has inspired me!

It's gotta be Cal Ripken Jr., former SS for the O's. While I am a huge Rangers fan, the O's are the team I was raised to love and support.

From the second I was born, my dad was probably whispering in my ear all the great accomplishments of Cal...

He had a great work ethic, he played hard, he respected his coaches and teammates, and he always stayed after games to sign autographs.

We went to his HOF induction ceremony last year... It was surreal. Everyone was saying that he and Tony Gwynn were two of the greatest gentlemen to ever play the game, and I agree. They were both class acts.

Cal has and is still inspiring me to persevere and do my best in everything I do. =D

alfonso soriano

he never has played for a team i love but when i was about 8 he was one of the teachers at yankee camp in tampa.he wasnt a star yet but i knew he would be one day,he was the nicest most polite baseball player i had ever met and he is the one that got me so into baseball,he taught me everything i know today,he is the reason i been playin aau ball for the last 3 years,he will always be an inspiration to me,even after its been 7 or 8 years since then i remember

1- Frank Thomas, 1B/DH, White Sox. The most hated great baseball player in Chicago, but he played honest and did not cheat. The media was never fair with Frank and always gave him a hard time. He played for the White Sox and us White Sox fans will give you hell and love in equal portions. I respect him as a player and respect what he did for my team.

2- Ozzie Guillen, SS/Manager, White Sox. He speaks the truth and takes all the heat. A lot of people would rather lie and avoid scrutiny and I think that is actually a major flaw in our society today. Look at our leaders, spineless politicians who lie to us and avoid negative press. I wish our "leaders" were as honest as Ozzie.

Grady Sizemore. He is such a humble player and is fine with he team. He says he loves Cleveland and hopes to stay here a long time. I am his biggest fan ever!! He wont mind signing some baseballs for fans, even if they dont ask. I think he shows that a baseball player can be great, but still have time to enjoy his fans and make each and every one of them feel special. He is a great baseball player, but more importantly, a great guy.

The Reds players of the Big Red Machine days of 1975 and 1976. They are why I got interested in baseball and have been a diehard Reds fan since that time.

I have to say Tony gwynn

he was just a nice guy that played baseball really well, he didn't have lighting speed or great power or even looked like a professional athlete but he made it happen on the field....i really admire that and he is by far my all time favorite baseball player.....

Roberto Clemente's passion for the game and his excellence in the field made me a pure baseball fan and that's why in my high school days I used number 21, even though I was pitching.

Also Nolan Ryan because he took such good care of himself that he pitched almost to 50 years old. Great hall of famers.

For me, it was Cal Ripken. He was one of the big reasons I got into the game. From playing everyday to his modest demeanor, he was truly one of baseball's greatest gentlemen. Not to mention the fact that he was a great player as well. Definitely my inspiration and one of the biggest reasons I got into baseball.

I'd probably have to say Nomar Garciaparra.

When I was 7 or 8 and I was just starting to get "into" baseball, he was the player all over the media. Everyone admired his little OCD batting glove habits, the way he hit home runs...just everything. He was without a doubt the star of the Red Sox. Maybe it's just because I was young, but I thought his playing style was so interesting and unique...I think I've always compared current Red Sox players to him.

So because of that, I'm gonna say that No-mahh has made the biggest impact for me.