Recently, I have thought a lot about the concept of, “favorite players.” We all have them, we all root for them, and we all mourn them when they’re no longer on our favorite teams. I wonder a lot about why people choose a certain player as their favorite or better yet what about a player draws them to us in the first place. I thought about my favorite players and their qualities to figure out what it is I admire in a player.
As a Phillies fan, my all-time favorite players are Carlos Ruiz and Jimmy Rollins. When I think about what it is that I love about these players, it is their passion for the game, their respect for their teammates, and their appreciation for their fans. While both were very good players, that was not the first criteria that came to my mind when thinking about their better qualities. I find it both odd and kind of humorous that my first reaction was not to think about all of their successes on the field as the most prominent reason I respect them above other players. I then thought about my favorite Phillies of recent years and my first thought was, Freddy Galvis. Again, I found that he was unwaveringly passionate about baseball, a seemingly loyal and compassionate teammate, and a supporter of the fans. I think of Galvis as a talented player especially with the glove, however, I do not think he was ever the most talented or the best player on the team so it is, once again, strange that I was completely distraught when the Phillies traded him, and, embarrassingly, I would have preferred almost anyone else traded before him even though that is not what is best for the team.
After letting all of these thoughts bubble to the surface, as embarrassing as they might be, I realized that maybe it’s alright if our favorite players are not the best players on the team. That’s the beauty of having your own favorite player. YOU can make the criteria of what you respect in a player. It is not about what analysts or the media say, it’s about what you appreciate and respect in a player. It is also alright if what you respect most in a player is sheer talent and not personality ( I also respect that reasoning, as well). Whatever the reason, I do believe that having a favorite player makes you feel that much more connected and devoted to your team or any team for that matter. I have had players that I respect and follow on other teams or in other sports, which in turn makes me follow whatever team that player happens to be on (however, none of these players or teams will ever replace the Phillies). This is especially helpful when your favorite team disappoints you or doesn’t make the playoffs.
While I wrote this to help us all understand more about the impact a favorite player can have and why it is perfectly fine to have a favorite player that isn’t “the best” player, this post also has a sad note, which is that having a favorite player comes with a consequence. While it gives people immense joy to root for their favorite players during the season, it is also gut-wrenching (a bit dramatic, but true) when your favorite player has been traded away or not resigned. I am not going to lie, the day that the Phillies traded Carlos Ruiz, I cried in my car when I found out (totally embarrassing, I know)! While it may seem odd to non-sports fans, having your favorite player traded away feels like a close friend is moving away forever. While I know that I do not know my favorite player personally, in some ways it feels like I do. We spend countless hours rooting for these players and celebrating their successes, so it can be heartbreaking when it comes to an end. Just remember, no matter, how much others’ don’t understand these feelings, I get it, and it is understandable to be saddened the loss of your favorite player. It’s also good to remember that there are probably plenty of others who are equally sad at the departure of any given player.
Going into the 2019 MLB season, I can honestly say, I do not have a favorite player on the Phillies. My favorite player, last year, was traded away. There are several players I like and many that I root for, but I am still trying to figure out who I will root for above everyone else this season. Only time and baseball will help me decide! To those of you who have a favorite player on your team, go root for them and to those of you who don’t, go watch baseball anyway. You’ll find one soon, I promise!
The Baseball Phanatic 