America features some of the finest athletes in the world today. From hard-hitting football stars to high flying basketball heroes, some of the most famous faces in the world come from the realm of American sports. As popular as football and basketball are, however, baseball is still referred to as America's pastime. Though the sport is economically light years from its humble beginnings in vacant lots in the 1800's, the game has remained relatively true to its style, and today's players are larger than life, just like those from decades ago. Here are some of the best baseball players in America today.
It is often said that good pitching will beat good hitting, and Roy Halladay lends a good deal of credibility to that statement. This long-time Toronto Blue Jay signed with the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2010 season and has led the league in innings pitched several times. Halladay has also increased his strikeout total in each of the last five seasons. His teammate Cliff Lee is no slouch on the mound, either. His best win totals came as a Cleveland Indian, but his ERA has steadily gone down over the past few years.
There are plenty of great pitchers who do not wear a Phillies uniform, and Justin Verlander is one of them. This career Detroit Tiger possess one of the best win-loss records in baseball, a statistic that dates back to his first full season in 2006. He uncharacteristically led the league in losses in 2008, but every other season has seen him notch at least 17 wins. The possibility is there that Verlander will start the All-Star Game on the mound for the American League this season.
Standing in the batter's box, the reigning National League MVP, the Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto, continues to simply hit the baseball. His strikeout totals are up a little this season, but his hitting in the clutch is exemplary. Votto is not the only first baseman who can hit, as his Milwaukee Brewers counterpart Prince Fielder can launch the ball into the upper deck during any given at bat. Fielder carries a respectable batting average, but it is in the power numbers such as home runs and RBIs where he truly shines.
Of course, there are numerous other denizens of the diamond that play on another level from mere mortals, but those above are the names you will see in the papers over and over. Children all over the US, as well as many other places on Earth, dream of someday staring down a batter or launching the ball over the wall the way their heroes do at the old ball yard. The best baseball players in America today are the idols of the best baseball players tomorrow.
It is often said that good pitching will beat good hitting, and Roy Halladay lends a good deal of credibility to that statement. This long-time Toronto Blue Jay signed with the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2010 season and has led the league in innings pitched several times. Halladay has also increased his strikeout total in each of the last five seasons. His teammate Cliff Lee is no slouch on the mound, either. His best win totals came as a Cleveland Indian, but his ERA has steadily gone down over the past few years.
There are plenty of great pitchers who do not wear a Phillies uniform, and Justin Verlander is one of them. This career Detroit Tiger possess one of the best win-loss records in baseball, a statistic that dates back to his first full season in 2006. He uncharacteristically led the league in losses in 2008, but every other season has seen him notch at least 17 wins. The possibility is there that Verlander will start the All-Star Game on the mound for the American League this season.
Standing in the batter's box, the reigning National League MVP, the Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto, continues to simply hit the baseball. His strikeout totals are up a little this season, but his hitting in the clutch is exemplary. Votto is not the only first baseman who can hit, as his Milwaukee Brewers counterpart Prince Fielder can launch the ball into the upper deck during any given at bat. Fielder carries a respectable batting average, but it is in the power numbers such as home runs and RBIs where he truly shines.
Of course, there are numerous other denizens of the diamond that play on another level from mere mortals, but those above are the names you will see in the papers over and over. Children all over the US, as well as many other places on Earth, dream of someday staring down a batter or launching the ball over the wall the way their heroes do at the old ball yard. The best baseball players in America today are the idols of the best baseball players tomorrow.
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