Playing favorites on an off-day

When I became a Rangers fan three years ago (yeah, I know, I'm just an infant compared to some), it was because of one player ­ Mark Teixeira. He drew me to the game and the team. As the 2005 season wore on, more players grabbed my attention, and Tex was no longer the only draw.

My friend Amy was already an avid Rangers fan (and life-long one) and I was just beginning my love affair with the game of baseball and the boys in Arlington. Amy and I attended more than 30 games together that season, and there was rarely a day we didn't talk. Many of our conversations revolved around the Rangers and our favorite Rangers players. We loved the whole team, but there were definitely those who appealed to us more than others. We decided that each of us should have a top five list.

This top five didn't come without rules, however. They had to have appeared in a Rangers uniform (despite the appeal of certain minor leaguers). Once a player was in the top five, they could not be removed unless they were no longer in the Rangers system. They also could not be demoted for any reason. Promotion was available, however. If one of the players was traded or released, everyone on the list moved up.

My initial top five was much different than today's top five. Tex had the top spot. Behind him were Laynce Nix, Kameron Loe, Jason Botts and MarkDeRosa. When some of those players were traded or released, my top five was jumbled. There was a long time when I only had three or four on my list. With the rules that were in place, I didn't give away a spot lightly.

This year is another story. I started the season with four favorites,unsure if I would be able to add a fifth. I'm struggling though. There are two players I really wanted to add to my roster. I have been contemplating and analyzing it throughout this season. I toyed with the idea of taking liberty with the rules and adding a sixth spot. But I decided against it, as I believe it might compromise the integrity of having a top five.

So, without further ado, here is my current top five and a few words about each of them.

1. Kameron Loe

I can still recall the first time I saw this tall, lanky kid making his way from the Rangers bullpen in right field on May 6, 2005 vs. Cleveland. I remember saying to Amy, "how tall is that guy?" We didn't find out his exact height until we returned home that night, but we were both amazed at the length of his legs. He pitched two scoreless innings that night, allowing just one baserunner (a single to Casey Blake), but I admit, Kam didn't immediately overwhelm me. It took me a few months to warm up to him, and I don't recall the exact game or what won me over, but today I'm one of Kam's biggest fans. I was terrified when a Vlad Guerrero line drive ricocheted off his head in 2006, I was thrilled when he made the rotation in 2007 and I was heartbroken when he failed to make the big club roster this season. I think Kam is capable of big things and I can't wait to see him realize this. (The photo was taken of me, Kam and Amy at the 2006 Sluggers of the West AwardsBanquet. Josh Lewin was actually behind the camera. Ha ha.)

2. Jason Botts

Botts was another one who had to win me over slowly, although it really only took a few weeks. I was at the Ballpark in Arlington when this big guy made his major league debut on September 14, 2005 against Erik Bedard (then with Baltimore). He was 0 for 3 with a walk and two strikeouts as the DH. Not too promising, but three days later, I was there again when he got his first major league hit (and his first RBI) in his first AB of the night. He went 3 for 4 in the 7-6 Rangers win (all three hits were off Joel Pineiro of the Mariners). I was also in the Ballpark on May 28, 2006, for one of my final games before moving back to Iowa when Botts launched his first major league home run of Kirk Saarloos of the Oakland As. Clearly, Botts and I have shared a lot of firsts. Here's one more -- Jason was the first Rangers player I met. I talked with him and got a photo on Fan Appreciation day in 2005. I was overwhelmed by his size but his personality put me at ease. He was really nice, and teased me a bit about my shirt. In case you can't read it, it says "All I Need Is Loe." Jason began singing the words to the tuneof the Beatles' "All You Need is Love." It was way cute. I just hope he didn't sing it to Kam when he returned to the clubhouse. (My friend Amy snapped the photo during the aforementioned Fan Appreciation Day in 2005.)

3. Ian Kinsler

I experienced love at first sight when I saw Ian Kinsler debut on April 3,2006. Actually, I'd already been drawn to him during spring training. The reports on him, alone, were enough to intrigue me. And when he belted his first major league hit off Curt Schilling in his first major league AB, I knew this kid was something special. He finished the day 1 for 2 with a walk,but he was already on my list. He went on to a hot start to his rookie season. If not for missing a significant amount of time after injuring his hand in Anaheim, Kins might have had a shot at the rookie of the year award. I doubt Ian lost too much sleep over that, however. From what I can see, Kinsler is a true team player. Sure, individual honors are nice, but he'd rather see the team do well...and do whatever he can to contribute to that. I like the approach Kinsler brings to the plate and the effort he uses in the infield. I was thrilled when the Rangers signed him to an extension during the off-season, and look forward to what he can do for and with my team. (The photo of me and Kinsler was snapped by a fellow but unknown fan in May 2006.)

4. C.J. Wilson

Everyone has a friend that they love but who sometimes drives them crazy. C.J. is that player on my top five. He's dramatic on the field and charismatic off of it. Despite this, it took me more than a year to warm up to C.J. When I first saw him, he was being groomed as a starter. I witnessed a few of his starts in that 2005 season, and he did little to draw my confidence let alone any love. I thought he was cocky and unreliable. Now, I don't see him as either of those. Okay, so maybe he's still a little cocky, but it's at a level I don't mind. I absolutely remember when C.J. won me over, and it wasn't with anything he did on the baseball field. Between the 2006 and 2007 seasons, I kept reading about C.J.'s fan interactions and his charity work. I had also started reading his blog. This new insight into Wilson's personality put him in a position to become one of my favorites. And he cemented it when he began working -- and performing well -- as a latereliever. Although C.J. continues to infuse some drama in his outings, I remain one of his supporters, and I get excited when he comes into a save situation. I wish he'd smile more on the mound, but I suppose the stern expression part of his closer mentality. I have not yet had the opportunityto get a photo with C.J. I hope to sometime in the near future. (The photo here was taken by me in Minnesota during the 2007 season.)

5. David Murphy

Murphy has been with the Rangers for less than a year, but already he feels like a major fixture. He came over from the Red Sox in exchange for Eric Gagne (the Rangers also acquired Kason Gabbard and Engel Beltre in the steal...I mean deal) on July 31, 2007. He did not make his Rangers debut, however, until 10 days later on Aug. 11 vs. the Tampa Bay (then Devil) Rays. He was just 1 for 3 that first day, but rebounded with a 3 for 4 outing the next day. In the historic 30-3 game in Baltimore, Murphy was 5 for 7 with five runs scored and two RBI. Murphy, much like Kinsler, goes about his business in a very quiet way. He makes some great plays in the outfield, buthe does them in such a way that downplays just how great they are. He makesit all look effortless. Murphy doesn't seem to want a lot of attention, but if the first few months of his 2008 season are any indication, he better get used to receiving it anyway. He was named AL rookie of the month for April, and it was a well-deserved honor. That's also when he earned a spot in my top five. He's the only player on my top five to whom I have never even spoken. But I'm hoping to change that soon. (This photo was also taken by me in Minnesota during the 2007 season.)

All five of these players have earned a spot in my top five because of the way they play the game and how they conduct themselves in general. The selection had nothing to do with their looks. I shouldn't have to add that caveat, but because I'm a female baseball fan, it's sometimes assumed that I like a player because I think he's "hot." Not true in my case. My list of baseball crushes is a whole other entry, one that will probably never be published here in order to protect the innocent (aka the players).