Eckstein has been called the least talented player ever to play a critical role on two World Series...

Eckstein has been called the least talented player ever to play a critical role on two World Series champions, but he is a guy who will do whatever it takes to win, including in the last few days taking a 97 mph Brian Wilson fastball in the gut (he took another one in the arm last night in the middle of their ninth-inning threat), faking out a baserunner and hanging in on a DP while getting rolled over. Eckstein is the best $850,000 anyone spent this winter.

"When you have a player like that, it becomes contagious," Towers said. "He sets the standard. He's so fricking intense. And he has the best in-game instincts I've ever seen."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/05/27/padres.gonzalez/index.html

over 2 years ago mavadjdj 7 comments 0 recs |

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So what happened?

Why was he kicked out so fast. Is it just our club wasn’t good enough to carry him, or is he just a character player when we had very little character?

by mavadjdj on May 27, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

Didn't we trade him?

I have no idea what we got back… probably not as good a return as Fabio Castro.

They're not just hitting home runs. They're doing the little things, like hitting doubles.

by Torgen on May 27, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Somebody named Chad Beck

by Tom Dakers on May 27, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Love the Eckster

I think the guy is great. When you see him at Rogers before the game, he was always out on the field before anybody, running, warming up and working out.

Against pitchers, his short stature and choking up on the bat put him in many multiple-pitch confrontations that drives out pitch counts on the opposing team.

He is a good fielder, contact hitter, grinder and hard worker. Love the Eckster.

That said, I do not know that I would want my claim to fame to be taking pitches for the team. Wasn’t that Coach’s (from Cheers) playing style … look how he turned out. LOL

by aagoodfella on May 29, 2009 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

I was never a big fan

His arm was always Shannon Stewartesque and it made me nervous everytime he had to throw to 1st. Always thought he would be better served playing 2nd.

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on May 29, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Coach

used to step into the balls to get hit mostly in the head I believe, but thanks for the memory i had forgotten that.

by mavadjdj on May 30, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I will never like Eckstein,

I didn’t like him that much while he was here, and after he took out Hill costing him the entire last season and a possible career I liked him even less.

I believe in Karma. That means I can do bad things to people all day long and I assume they deserve it. - Dogbert

by JohnnyG on May 29, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions