Charlie,
allow me to make a few additions to your Brass Balls awards nominees for the most watchable infield positions.

First, first base. Missing is a sweet hunk of Puerto Rican manhood extraordinaire . . . named Carlos Delgado. He is so handsome, sexy, virile and he has the most beautiful and sweetest smile in major league baseball. You stated in your column that the awards are based on: offensive performance, defensive skills, face and muscles. I think my sweet Carlos has all of the above . . . and then some. You named some guys who, in my humble opinion, are as ugly as Leona Helmsley's butt!! I know that's my opinion but it's my opinion that matters here. All five men mentioned don't do a damn thing for me.
Carlos Delgado wins !!!! From top to bottom such masculine beauty must be appreciated and rewarded.

Next is third base . . . and again based on your criteria my unanimous choice is . . . Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. A fine looking, sexy man who is not only a good offensive and defensive player but a hunk. Every inch of him, like Carlos, smells and tastes sweet. I wish I could say that from experience but I say that in a wishful fashion.
Anyway . . .in the looks department he beats the other five men you have selected by a mile. My Albert is the 2002 third basemen of outsports. So there !!!
I have a particular love for brown and black-skinned men and yes that does play a role, a significant one I admit, in my choice of selections.
So there you go Charlie. Just a couple of changes in your brass balls awards.

later gators,
Alfonso

Well, I had a MAJOR problem with first base. How can Mark Grace possibly win? His best years are so far behind him, in both the baseball and the looks category. The dude seriously looks very worn out, and while he's a good team leader, that alone shouldn't win him the award. And WHERE was Paul Konerko? Not only is he very good looking, but he may have had the best first half in the American League and is one of the best first basemen in the game today. Oh yeah, and if you ask me, he is the heart and soul of the White Sox team. Major omission if you ask me...

Have to say that I had the same response when I saw the nominees for First Baseman....HOW , oh, HOW could you have left Carlos off this list!!!!
I demand a recount!!!!

[quote]Originally posted by Alfonso:
Charlie,
allow me to make a few additions to your Brass Balls awards nominees for the most watchable infield positions.

First, first base. Missing is a sweet hunk of Puerto Rican manhood extraordinaire . . . named Carlos Delgado.

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Delgado has not been getting the job done on offense since he signed his mega-bucks $17 million contract. And he killed me this year on my fantasy baseball. I finally benched him and got first-base eligible Aubrey Huff of the D-Rays (who is NOT a looker). If you can be replaced by someone off the D-Rays' roster: INELIGIBLE.

[quote]Originally posted by Alfonso:
Next is third base . . . and again based on your criteria my unanimous choice is . . . Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals.

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In 2002, Pujols played 118 games in left field and only 41 at third (plus another 21 at what I still think will eventually be his position: first base - it adds up to more than 162 because some games, he played more than one position). Be patient. His 2002 position is coming up.

Although Carlos Delgado did not have a monster season, lets just take a look at his stats (not to mention his incredible smile):

Delgado: Runs-103, Doubles-34, Home Runs-33, RBI-108, OBP-.406, SLG-.549, BA-.277

Grace: Runs-43, Doubles-19, Home Runs-7, RBI-48, OBP-.351, SLG-.386, BA-.252

Mientkiewicz: Runs-60, Doubles-29, Home Runs-10, RBI-64, OBP-.365, SLG-.392, BA-.260

Spezio: Runs-80, Doubles-34, Home Runs-12, RBI-82, OBP-.371, SLG-.436, BA-.285

Sweeney: Runs-81, Doubles-31, Home Runs-24, RBI-86, OBP-.416, SLG-.533, BA-.340

Giambi: Runs-120, Doubles-34, Home Runs-41, RBI-122, OBP-.435, SLG-.598, BA-.314

Of this group, Delgado's numbers are second only to Giambi, and none of these guys has a body to compare with Carlos.

Hey CITT,

Just what is your problem with the Giants? Not only was your World Series preview article completely slanted against my boys from the Bay, but now your skipping over the delectable JT Snow and the lickable David Bell.

Has the LA smog blown over to Vegas and clouded your vision completely? Or are you going to start giving some credit to a very talented and attractive SF Giants??

[quote]Originally posted by SFHoya:
Hey CITT,

Just what is your problem with the Giants? Not only was your World Series preview article completely slanted against my boys from the Bay, but now your skipping over the delectable JT Snow and the lickable David Bell.

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I'm in total agreement here SFHoya. He also glossed over Rich Aurilia, that delectable Italian hunk.

aurilia is Mexican-american (per Univision)

CITT, slight correction, but the delectable, if slightly dorky-looking, Josh Phelps, did not take "over the catching position in Toronto midseason from some anonymous drone." In fact, he was predominantly the DH. Our catching duties were handled by household names Ken Huckaby and Tom Wilson.

[quote]Originally posted by ung:
aurilia is Mexican-american (per Univision)

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Uh, I think his wife Raquel may be Latino, but Richie is a nice-a Eyetalian boy from Brooklyn.

no. it's true he was born in Brooklyn. and he is married to Raquel García. But Aurilia is not an italian name and his full name is Richard Santo Aurilia.

I quote "...por doblete del pelotero de origen mexicano Rich Aurilia ..." from Meridiano.com.ve