All time nice guy team?

Darin · February 27, 2009 12:56PM

Since there was an all time psycho team, I thought this would be interesting. I can think of several, but I'll just name one.

Stan Musial

He was from my Dad's generation, and his favorite player. Really nice guy, and humble.

SDSportsFan · February 27, 2009 1:01PM

Gary Carter, Dale Murphy and Nolan Ryan.

Steve

VitoCo1972 · February 27, 2009 1:10PM

Nicest athletes I've ever met in person...

Tom Glavine
Phil Mickelson
Jack Nicklaus
Drew Bledsoe
David Robinson

IchiroDeported · February 27, 2009 1:15PM

lets stick with baseball

Maddux is my pitcher, ive got Dale Murphy and Stan the Man in the outfield, how about Pat Neshek in the pen? Pete Obrien at first and Ron Santo at third...

MuckyMutt · February 27, 2009 1:16PM

One of my all-time favorties - Warren Spahn

And another two great guys, Bob Feller and Minnie Minoso

Ironmanfan · February 27, 2009 1:17PM

Brooks Robinson for sure; Joe Garagiola (?) once said that "if Mary Poppins played baseball, she would have the wording B. Robinson across her back"

lsutigers1973 · February 27, 2009 1:21PM

Already been mentioned, but my all tiem favorite hitter and pitcher, Dale Murphy and Greg MAddux.

storm888 · February 27, 2009 1:24PM

Wally Moon , O.F.

Swell fellow.

JackWESQ · February 27, 2009 1:26PM

Dale Murphy.

I only wish others would realize his greatness. He won back-to-back MVPs (1982 and 1983) and went 30-30 (1983) when it was truly an accomplishment.

6'5" and 215 lbs and stealing 30 bases (with only 4 caught stealing)? Wow! I wonder he is the largest person ever to steal 30 bases. Well, Jose Canseco at 6'4'' and 240 llbs stole 40 bases in 1988, but ... yeah.

/s/ JackWESQ

bigwilli · February 27, 2009 1:37PM

Enos " Big Country" Slaughter........met him in a shop in Cooperstown....One nice guy , sat there and chatted for a good 10 minutes.

drewsef · February 27, 2009 1:43PM

Harmon Killebrew has to be included in there

dontippet · February 27, 2009 1:50PM

Dave Dravecky

qualitycards · February 27, 2009 1:54PM

I agree w/ Ironman, Brooks Robinson is #1
I've met Brooksie 3 or 4 times and is a true gentleman all the way

JVette · February 27, 2009 2:11PM

Al Kaline - Mr. Class

killingdream · February 27, 2009 2:32PM

I'll never forget Phil Niekro being such a great guy to me when I was a 11 year old kid. There were a lot of nice guys but the longest conversation that I ever had with a major league player was the 15 minute or so one I had with Niekro outside3 Rivers .Also I don't care what anyone says but Barry Bonds was incredibly kind to me and provided a moment that I'll remember the rest of my life. It was the night that the Pirates won the division in 1990. My friend and I were two long haired metalheads that were often frowned on by society at the time. We went to the stadium to greet the Pirates after they came home from St. Louis. When we ran into Bonds we said congrats and asked for autographs. He said hanks but shut down our autograph request. We were so pissed but then he smiled and said that he'd have us as his guests at the team victory party across the street from the stadium at the Clark Bar. He said that we could get all the autographs that we wanted and more there. Well we went there and it was incredible!! Pirates were tending bar and serving us!! Everyone signed autos and everyone talked to us and partied with us. It was a night that I seriously will remember forever and it was all brought about because of the hospitality of Bonds. I agree that Bonds turned into a moron but he wasn't always that way.For him to invite two long haired metalheads into the Pirates inner sanctum that night was something else!!

CubsFan41 · February 27, 2009 2:56PM

Ryne Sandberg

dontippet · February 27, 2009 3:08PM

Cal Ripken

NickM · February 27, 2009 3:17PM

Ernie Banks

Nick

skilow · February 27, 2009 3:53PM

Steve Trout and Bob Walk

Darin · February 27, 2009 4:54PM

Another old timer would be Dom Dimaggio. And Bobby Doerr. And Johnny Pesky. At least I think Ted Williams would agree with those three.

In a book I have there's a story about a group of ballplayers who run into Sandy Koufax before a game. They stop and talk to Koufax for a bit before Sandy has to go get ready for the game. One of the guys says, "That Koufax sure is a nice guy".
Another says, "If he's such a nice guy, how come he's going to strike out 18 of us tonight?"

rbdjr1 · February 27, 2009 5:36PM

Jim Thome

baseballjeff · February 27, 2009 7:01PM

<< Jim Thome >>

You beat me to the punch!

Rocky Colavito, when Herb Score had his injury the first person by his side was The Rock. I'd also add Roger Maris.

fandango · February 27, 2009 10:03PM

Don mattingly...never yelled in public his life..met him three times, always very nice

FavreFan1971 · February 27, 2009 10:07PM

Just the opposite

Bonds
Manny
Carlos Lee
John Rocker
Johnnie Bench

baseballfan · February 27, 2009 10:16PM

ernie banks
stan the man
ripken

Dboneesq · February 28, 2009 12:00AM

KillingDream ... real nice story ... a night you will NEVER forget the rest of your life!

MeteoriteGuy · February 28, 2009 12:10AM

We need a manager.....how about Dick Howser?

MBMiller25 · February 28, 2009 12:36AM

<< Phil Mickelson >>

I have horrer stories I can tell you about Phil Mickelson....He is not a nice person.

Darin · February 28, 2009 12:39AM

<< 

<< Phil Mickelson >>

I have horrer stories I can tell you about Phil Mickelson....He is not a nice person. >>

Tell them, tell them. We need to know in case we ever meet him.

I've heard rumors that his persona of being a likable person is an act that he puts on.

MBMiller25 · February 28, 2009 12:42AM

<< I've heard rumors that his persona of being a likable person is an act that he puts on. >>

That sums him up very well. His act on the golf course if completely different from how he is off the course. My neighbor three doors down from me is a PGA tour official, so I have gotten some great stories about Phil Mickelson and his wife. I guess she is a piece of work as well.

lsutigers1973 · February 28, 2009 12:45AM

Does anyone remember Dale Murphy's game against the Braves his first year with the Phillies? Murphy hits a hoemrun. Hs next at bat, Glavine is instructed to hit Murphy. Glavine throws it right at Murphy but only at about 45 MPH. Murphy knew immediately what was going on. Next pitch, Murphy steps back as soon as the pitch is thrown. Third pitch, same thing. Murphy is out of the batters box before the pitch even leaves Glavine's hand. Glavine walks off the mound before he is even officially ejected. That was the respect Glavine had for his former teammate. Both were class acts.

bigjaco · February 28, 2009 12:48AM

Wonder if childhood encounters compare. Paul Molitor, Jim Ganter and Rollie Fingers were very nice to me... even if Gumby isn't in the HOF.

CrimsonTider · February 28, 2009 12:59AM

LSU, I was watching that game. I have to give Glavine mad props on that one. He did what he had to do, but did it in a way that showed serious respect for Murphy. I love seeing his name mentioned all across this thread.

Maybe one day he will get into the HOF. I believe that he will.

thekid8 · February 28, 2009 1:30AM

Gary Carter

TheThrill22 · February 28, 2009 1:37AM

Even though she's yet to play an inning in the majors and isn't a guy, my nomination goes out to Felicia!

nightcrawler · February 28, 2009 2:07AM

<< lets stick with baseball

>>

No!

Joe Daley He's a super nice guy, hands out his auto faster than you can ask for it. And what a great guy to BS with, they don't come any more personable than Joe. And he owns a great cards and collectables shop near me.

JTB · February 28, 2009 3:20AM

He'd probably only make the minor league squad, but Eduardo Perez is the only person who ever thanked me for asking for his autograph.

lanemyer85 · February 28, 2009 4:40AM

I'll go with the players who have played during my lifetime

C Varitek
1B Sean Casey (He's called "The Mayor" for a reason)
2B Ryne Sandberg
SS Ozzie Smith/Cal Ripken Jr/Alan Trammell (too tough to call)
3B Mark DeRosa (also the best interview of any current player)
LF Big Puma - Lance Berkman ( I know he doesn't play LF anymore but he used to)
CF Robin Yount (honorable mention to Doug Glanville)
RF Dale Murphy
DH Jim Thome
SP John Smoltz/Rick Sutcliffe/Maddux
RP "The Shooter" Rod Beck/Kerry Wood

for the guys I'd like to sit down and talk baseball with over a beer
Mark DeRosa
Mark Grace
George Brett
John Smoltz

neenish · February 28, 2009 4:56AM

Doug DeCinces has to be one of the nicest baseball people I've met. Got to also include Joe Rudi who used to hang out and have lunch next door to my dad's work. That's where I met him many times growing up. Forgot to add Manny Mota as well.

PoppaJ · February 28, 2009 7:04AM

As far as old-timers are concerned, I would have to say Waite Hoyt!

Waite Hoyt was one of my father's dearest friends. As a kid, I remember Mr. Hoyt always telling us funny stories about Babe Ruth.
One day my father took me to the radio station where Mr. Hoyt was working at the time. I noticed a multi-signed baseball on his desk and asked if I could see it. He said "here you can have it!". It was signed by him, Edd Roush, Enos Slaughter, Stan Musial, Bob Feller, Johnny Mize and a few others. Later I found out that those were the guests that stopped by to see him that week.

Boy could he call a game! Good times

PoppaJ

thenavarro · February 28, 2009 7:19AM

Catcher Jim Sundberg

In my opinion, one of the most under rated players on the field. Off the field, was always involved in various community organizations and in giving back to the DFW metroplex area. My favorite player bar none growing up. Usually always won the Rangers award for community service and relations.

6 time gold glove winner, I believe all consecutive but not sure, 3 time all-star, finally got a world series title with the KC Royals and performed admirably during the series. Got a raw deal with the Rangers when manager Doug Rader took over. Batted around .250 for his career Sunny is back with the Rangers now in a PR role.

Mike

alifaxwa2 · February 28, 2009 7:24AM

Roberto Clemente

firedawg45 · February 28, 2009 9:01AM

pete rose for the hall!

killingdream · February 28, 2009 1:13PM

<< KillingDream ... real nice story ... a night you will NEVER forget the rest of your life! >>

Yeah Bonds has probably never been that hospitable. It was probably associated with the euphoria of the victory. Also as the possibility of the Pirates returning to the championship seems more amd more dreamlike every passing year.

In addition I have to add Willie Stargell to the conversations. I met him many times and he was always in a good mood and willing to share his time.

1960toppsguy · February 28, 2009 1:25PM

boog powell

Clemaz · February 28, 2009 1:51PM

Chuck Tanner

PowderedH2O · February 28, 2009 3:03PM

I must concur with Dale Murphy for one. I can remember in Spring Training of 1984 (I lived in West Palm Beach where the Braves and Expos trained) Dale Murphy signing autographs for EVERYONE. One guy in his forties had Dale sign eight of the same photo, and Dale did it with a smile on his face. Some other really nice guys that I recall from Spring Training in the 80's iand 90's include: Frank White, Gary Carter, George Brett, Howard Johnson, Jim Wohlford, Terry Francona, Willie Stargell, David Segui (a ridiculously friendly guy!!!), Pedro Martinez, Ron Kittle, Herm Willingham, and Bob Horner.

bobbyw8469 · March 1, 2009 12:42AM

All team nice guy:
Nolan Ryan
Roger Maris
Cal Ripken
Honorable mention to Josh Hamilton (The SAVED Hamilton)

PowderedH2O · March 1, 2009 4:49AM

One I forgot to add: Bob Feller... as nice as they come.

PSASAP · March 1, 2009 6:56AM

Brooks Robinson and Stan Musial are as great off the field as they were on. Tony Gwynn is another guy I admire and respect.

HighChopper · March 1, 2009 7:07AM

Pete Rose = Dick. Threw my autographed all star ball into batting practice ... intentionally with a smirk on his homely face. Complete Massengill.

Sixto Lezcanco
Mike Proly
Joe Decker
Johnny Bench
Ted Nugent
George W. Bush

All time nice guy team?

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