It's one of the all-time great myths among White Sox fans -- this notion that Aaron Rowand is a great center fielder, nay, a great player because he's "willing to run into walls." He's "scrappy." He's "grindy." He has "the fire AND the passion." And he's also on this list mocking the 10 "scrappiest" players in baseball.
The author points out that Rowand, who checks in at No. 7 on the list, has a .326 OBP with 112 strikeouts and 27 walks this season. In other words, he can't hit. He never really has been a good hitter, but people think he is because he crashes into walls.
Cubbie cult hero Reed Johnson checks in at No. 6. (He's a grinder.) Of course, free-agent-to-be Chone Figgins appears at No. 4. I can foresee a big bidding war for Figgins this offseason. I've been crossing my fingers and hoping Sox GM Kenny Williams refrains from giving the 32-year-old Figgins a five-year contract worth millions. Repeat after me: FIGGINS IS NOT. THAT. GOOD.
I find it outstanding that Boston's Dustin Pedroia is No. 1 on this list. Last fall, this blog pointed out what a dweeb Pedroia is. He is the weakest MVP in the history of the American League. ESPN's marketing campaign won him that award. Like everyone else mentioned here, Pedroia is just not that good. But he is scrappy. And grindy.
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