Eckstein and Grebeck come to mind.

Being a short guy myself, I like this thread! I would have to say that Marcus Giles of Atlanta at 5' 08" comes to mind for me. Even though Eckstein is an inch shorter, Giles is probably a better ballplayer.

I always liked Mark Lemke of the Braves, but he doesn't play anymore. I sort of have a thing for shorter guys. (But I like tall guys too.) (I also like guys who are my height.)

Erm, so you like guys, right?

I'd like to put in a vote for Adam Kennedy, Angels second baseman. And from the old school, Freddie Patek, the Royals SS.

David Eckstein came to mind too, but I would also add Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles. I was surprised to find he is 5'9" (same height as me, but I guess that's on the short side, even for baseball)...he looked much smaller than that when I saw him standing next to John Olerud at first base at Safeco Field back in July), but of course Olerud is quite tall.

I wonder what would be considered 'short' if this thread referred to basketball. 6'4"?

I definately think Giles is a babe and so is Kennedy. But I think my favorite hobbit is Eckstein. He looks adorable when he's running around the bases.

Jimmy Rollins--despite his penchant for swinging for the fences. wink

Mike (Comeback) Hampton. Listed generously (by 3 inches?) at 5'10".

You think he's THAT short? Even 5'10 is extraordinarily short for a pitcher.

Tim Raines was probably one of the better recent shorties.

Amusing thread, as I recently had the stunning realization that I have kidding myself about how tall I am.

For So Long, I have always reported myself as being 5'8, when I am in fact, 5'6. Sad but true. But the real suprise it that as far as I can tell, I don't care how tall I am. I *feel* tall.

W H A T!!!!! eek!

5'6" is SHORT?

No one told me...... wink

You didn't get the memo??

Baseball players are pretty big and burley guys these days. They make me feel really little when I see them up close on the field (okay, I am little at 5'8", 150 lb). But one does wonder if the "official" heights & weights of the players are accurate. Very few are even listed under 6' these days.

Marcus Giles at 5'-8" is a hottie, and I was just noticing a pretty good picture of Hampton on the front page of the Braves website today. Big arms for a pitcher. At 5'10", he must be one of the shortest pitchers in MLB, and he's on a roll right now.

I've actually gotten about a half inch taller in my late thirties, I think due to working out, building up my back muscles and improving my posture.

There is an independent league player in the midwest who is 4 ft 11, cant think of his name.

Now this is a topic right after my own heart!....but there's a guy playing professional baseball who is 4'11", Jacob? -- wow!....you know he had to overcome a lot of obstacles and "experts" who said he was too small to ever play pro ball....I imagine his height would have to be a record if he ever made it to the big leagues (with the exception of Bill Veeck sending the midget, Eddie Gaedel, up to pinch hit way back in the 50s)....what position does he play anyway ? -- middle infielder, I guess, since that's where most of them seem to be....I've always been a big fan of shorter athletes ever since I was a kid (I'm sure the fact that I'm 5'9'' myself has absolutely nothing to do with it wink ) since they typically have had to persevere and work extra hard to prove all the naysayers wrong and, besides, their small, compact bodies are so damn cute too.

As far as today's players are concerned Brian Roberts is definitely #1 on the list but David Eckstein, Bret Boone (does he still qualify at 5'10''?), Keith Ginter (Brewers), Jamey Carroll (Expos), Augie Ojeda (Cubs), and Scott Strickland (Mets) are all hotties that I sure wouldn't kick out of bed....can you tell I am a bit obsessed with some of these short studs?

from maxallen:

But one does wonder if the "official" height & weights of the players are accurate...

This is true in all sports. When I played in the Los Angeles Kings' Charity Golf Tournament a couple of years back, I was surprised that Ian Laperriere (listed as 6'1") is shorter than me (5'10".) But only by a hair.

Back to the topic at hand: I'd say David Eckstein, but Paul LoDuca isn't all that tall either and has been a bright spot for the Dodgers.

~Adam

I dubbed Marcus Giles "my little monkey" last year, and I'd love to turn him into my little monkey. What a hot guy, and fantastic player. I love watching him hit doubles, as the replays show the speed he kicks into as he rounds 1st base. God, what strong legs my little monkey has!

Definitely Brian Roberts of the Orioles. While he is listed at 5'9", I have met him several times and believe he is probably shorter than that. He is about 170 lbs, and pretty muscular.
A fine player, with a great grin! And seems to be a truly nice guy. Always willing to sign autographs and interact with fans.