2009 NL Cool Name Roster

As promised, here is the NL version of my Cool Name Roster. One thing I learned is that I like more NL players' names than AL players' names. Maybe it's because I hear the AL names all the time, so I'm more used to them. Or maybe it's because the NL attracts more players with cool names. Who knows?

Let's review the rules:

• This roster is based solely on the coolness of the player's name. Actual baseball ability, attractiveness, personality, or personal-hygiene have nothing to do with it.


• The player was listed on his team's active roster at the listed position (on mlb.com) as of whenever it was I looked it up (a couple days ago). The player doesn't have to be a starter for that position.


• Fun to say trumps fun to spell. Extra consideration if it's fun to say while you're pretending to be a ballpark PA announcer.


• If a certain position's choice seems to be lame, it's because that's as good as it gets (it was kind of hard to find a cool name for a couple of positions).

So here is the NL Cool Name Roster

C - Yorvit Torrealba (COL)
1B - Micah Hoffpauir (CHC)
2B - Alfredo Amezaga (FLA)
3B - Emilio Bonifacio (FLA)
SS - Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
LF - Jeremy Hermida (FLA)
CF - Kosuke Fukudome (CHC)
RF - Hunter Pence (HOU)
SP - Jair Jurrjens (ATL)
RP (up to 5) - Kiko Calero (FLA), Carlos Villanueva (MIL), Scott Schoeneweis (ARI), Yusmeiro Petit (ARI)
CL - Francisco Cordero (CIN)

Notable Mention: 3D Kevin Kouzmanoff (SD) [just because it's cool to say Kooooooooooooouzmanoff]

2009 AL Cool Name Roster

It's that time of year again...the first couple of off-days of the season, I compile my roster of Major Leaguers with the names I think are the coolest. This year's version is slightly different than last year's -- guys switch leagues, rookies are called up, and I change my mind.

Let's review the rules:

• This roster is based solely on the coolness of the player's name. Actual baseball ability, attractiveness, personality, or personal-hygiene have nothing to do with it.


• The player was listed on his team's active roster at the listed position (on mlb.com) as of whenever it was I looked it up (a couple days ago). The player doesn't have to be a starter for that position.


• Fun to say trumps fun to spell. Extra consideration if it's fun to say while you're pretending to be a ballpark PA announcer.


• If a certain position's choice seems to be lame, it's because that's as good as it gets (it was kind of hard to find a cool name for a couple of positions).

So here is the AL Cool Name Roster

C - Jarrod Saltalamacchia (TEX) [I was mad last year because he was stuck in the minors at the beginning of the season and couldn't make the list. He gets extra double consideration because his name is fun to say AND fun to spell]
1B - Wilson Betemit (CWS)
2B - Marco Scutaro (TOR)
3B - Matt Tuiasosopo (SEA)
SS - Mike Aviles (KC)
LF - Rocco Baldelli (BOS)
CF - Coco Crisp (KC)
RF - Shin-Soo Choo (CLE)

DH - Ty Wigginton (BAL)

SP - Armando Galarraga (DET) [gotta roll the Rs -- Arrrrrmando Galarrrrrrrraga]
RP (up to 5) - Jonathan Albaladejo (NYY), Ron Mahay (KC), Chris Jakubauskas (SEA)
CL - Joakim Soria (KC)

Notable Mention: P Josh Outman (OAK) [a pitcher named Outman -- Out-man -- har har]

These are my favorites; what are yours?

I'll do the NL Roster next off-day

Day at the Dome

Twins 2 – Orioles 3
Orioles take series 2 – 1

What a great day! The only downer was that the Twins lost. But we still had fun.
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When we first got to the Plaza, the first thing I noticed was that fabulous aroma of the Cinnamon Roasted Almonds was missing. What?!?!? Where are my Almonds? I must have those wonderful Almonds! It’s tradition. This could very well be the reason the Twins lost – they have a perfect winning percentage when I go to games AND have Almonds. **pout**
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We reached our seats in the Homerun Porch, way down in row 9. Very nice. As we were settling in, the pitchers were warming up. When Juan Rincon was finished, he chucked his ball waaaaaay up into the upper deck. Everyone there let it drop, and it bounced down past bunches of people and settled two steps above where I was standing. “Well, lookie here,” I said as I snapped it up. My kids were happy.

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Scotty Baker seemed a little shaky, even though he didn’t pitch too badly. He did throw a lot of pitches, and he seemed to take forever. The Twins hitters got a lot of hits, but didn’t drive very many of them in. So it was fun and disappointing at the same time.

Joe Nathan and Dennys Reyes running sprints



Scotty Baker warming up


Delmon Young playing outfield
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Dear Alexi,
I sincerely apologize for all the awful, rotten, confidence-bursting things I said to or about you last season. This season, you’re playing like a real major leaguer. Keep it up.
Love, k-bro
(Alexi went 3 for 5 with a run and an RBI)
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I see that the Twins drafted a kid named Shooter Hunt. How cool is that? If he makes it to the majors, he’s so totally making my Cool Name Roster.
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Nicky’s on the DL again? No! He had a great game today (2 for 3 with a walk and a run). How frustrating for him. Hope you get well soon, honey.
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And finally, the “Go to the Ballgame Because You’ll See Something You’ve Never Seen Before” moment of the game: In the eighth inning, Redmond hit a lead-off single. It’s not surprising that they would put in a pinch-runner for him. However, it is surprising who they put in to pinch run – Kevin Slowey. I don’t remember ever seeing a pitcher used as a pinch-runner. And yeah, he did look completely out of his element when he dove back to first on pickoff attempts.

Cool Name Roster -- NL

It's another off day, so it's time for the National League version of my Cool Name Roster.

American League version is here.

A review of how it works:

• This roster is based solely on the coolness of the player's name. Actual baseball ability, attractiveness, personality, or personal-hygiene have nothing to do with it.


• The player was listed on his team's active roster at the listed position (on mlb.com) as of whenever it was I looked it up (last night). The player doesn't have to be a starter for that position.


• Fun to say trumps fun to spell. Extra consideration if it's fun to say while you're pretending to be a ballpark PA announcer.


• If a certain position's choice seems to be lame, it's because that's as good as it gets (it was kind of hard to find a cool name for a couple of positions).


• This is my list. However, I am willing to take suggestions for "bench names".

C - Yorvit Torrealba (COL)
1B - Prince Fielder (MIL)
2B - Chase Utley (PHI)
3B - Augie Ojeda (ARI)
SS - Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
LF - Wily Mo Pena (WAS)
CF - Lastings Milledge (WAS)
RF - Hunter Pence (HOU)
SP - Tim Lincecum (SF)
RP - Wilfredo Ledezma (SD)
CL - Brad Lidge (PHI)

Notes:

The National League was way harder than the American League.

I am totally bummed that Jarrod Saltalamacchia is lingering in the minor leagues. His name is both fun to say and fun to spell.

According to mlb.com's interactive player/team search feature, the Washington Nationals don't have a catcher. That must be really hard on the umpires.

Cool Name Roster -- AL

For the first off day of the season, I thought I'd share my annual American League Cool-Name Roster.

Here's how it works:

• This roster is based solely on the coolness of the player's name. Actual baseball ability, attractiveness, personality, or personal-hygiene have nothing to do with it.


• The player was listed on his team's active roster at the listed position (on mlb.com) as of whenever it was I looked it up (a couple days ago). The player doesn't have to be a starter for that position.


• Fun to say trumps fun to spell. Extra consideration if it's fun to say while you're pretending to be a ballpark PA announcer.


• If a certain position's choice seems to be lame, it's because that's as good as it gets (it was kind of hard to find a cool name for a couple of positions).


• This is my list. However, I am willing to take suggestions for "bench names".

C - Kenji Johjima (SEA)
1B - Morgan Ensberg (NYY) [seems more like a librarian's name than a baseball player's]
2B - Placido Polanco (DET)
3B - Marco Scutaro (TB)
SS - Edgar Renteria (DET)
LF - Frank Catalanotto (TEX) [isn't he that guy who does John Madden impersonations? jk]
CF - Coco Crisp (BOS)
RF - Nick Markakis (BAL)
DH - Jack Cust (OAK)
SP - Boof Bonser (MIN)
RP - Jimmy Gobble (KC)
CL - Huston Street (OAK)

Next off day: National League