Hate to Love

Last week, I asked if anyone had any blog bat-around ideas and Chris (The Collector) suggested that I write a post about my favorite players on my least favorite teams.  As soon as I read his comment, I was into it.

Back in the early years of this blog, I actually had a series called "Players I Hate to Love"... which essentially covered this topic.  Unfortunately I haven't added to that series in over eight years.  I considered resurrecting this series... but I've also considered ranking my least favorite sports franchises for several years.  So this gives me a chance to kill two birds with one stone.

But before I reveal my picks, there are a couple of things I wanted to clarify:

#1:  With the exception of the New York Yankees, my least favorite teams are very fluid and constantly change.  My selections are based on how I'm feeling today.  If I did this again next month, they might not be ranked the same way.

#2:  I originally wanted to focus on current players and avoid adding retired players to this list.  Unfortunately, I struggled with this when it came to the sports outside of baseball.  In the end, I decided any player who I actively rooted for during my lifetime was fair game, but retired guys who played before I was born were off limits.

So without further ado... my favorite players on my least favorite teams:


5th Least Favorite Team:  Los Angeles Dodgers

When you're the best team in baseball, you're gonna receive some hate.  I honestly don't hate the Dodgers.  I've actually rooted for them on occasion since they represent my home state.  At the same time, they stand in the Padres way to the World Series, so they make this list.

My Favorite Dodger:  Fernando Valenzuela

1988 Fleer Baseball MVP #40

I went back and forth between The Tornado, El Toro, and The Claw.  Three aces from three different eras.  Today I'm going old school and picking Fernando.  I vividly remember Fernandomania from my childhood and pulling for him, because he was a fellow lefty.  If I didn't already have too many player collections, I'd probably start one of him.


4th Least Favorite Team:  Houston Astros

Although I was bummed to hear about the Astros banging on trash cans, I didn't loathe them like some baseball fans.  I'm one of those guys who assumes that most teams are cheating on one level or another which stinks... but is part of baseball.  What put them on this list was the fact that it took some of the players almost a month to come out and apologize to their fans.  Like I tell my students... when you make a mistake... take responsibility for your actions... learn from it... and move forward.  I'm not one to hold grudges, so the Astros may or may not be on this list again in the future.

My Favorite Astro:  Jose Altuve

2019 Topps Chrome Negative Refractor #20

Altuve has been one of my favorite players for a few years now, because of his ability to hit.  Plus he's a fellow member of the "Short Guy Club".  I hope he can leave the scandal behind him and go out there, play hard, and not repeat his mistakes.


3rd Least Favorite Team:  Dallas Cowboys

I've never liked the Cowboys.  I can't think of a single time I've ever rooted for them and can't think of a scenario where I would.  In fact, picking a favorite player from this franchise was really the only one I struggled with.

My Favorite Cowboy:  Emmitt Smith

1992 Pro Set Ground Force #150

I always rooted for Barry and Thurman over Emmitt back in the 90's.  But pulling an Emmitt rookie, parallel, or insert always brought a smile to my face.


2nd Least Favorite Team:  San Francisco 49ers

Now that the 49ers are Super Bowl contenders again, Niners Nation have dusted off their jerseys and are loud and proud.  Unfortunately... that means I have to hear about it on a regular basis from friends and family.  If there's a season and they return to the Super Bowl, there's an outside chance they'll hop into the #1 spot next year.

My Favorite 49er:  Jerry Rice

1997 SPx Gold #1

As a Bay Area native who grew up in a 49er household, I had the pleasure of watching him play on a weekly basis... even if I was always rooting for the other team.  The guy was in a league of his own... and definitely made life easier for guys like Montana and Young.


Least Favorite Team:  New York Yankees

I was pretty scarred by the trade that sent Rickey Henderson to the Yankees back in 1984.  I'm not sure if I hated the Yankees before then, but I didn't like them either.  "Stealing" my favorite player took things to the next level.  The thing that shot them to #1 was their success from the mid 90's through the 2000's.  These days I'll root for any team that's playing against them.

My Favorite Yankee:  Ron Guidry

1978 Topps #135

Are you surprised that I didn't choose Rickey?  Well... I didn't root for him while he wore Yankee Pinstripes.  I did root for Guidry.  Like Fernando, he's a fellow southpaw.  Plus I think it's pretty cool when a player spends their entire career with the same franchise.

Okay, it's your turn...

Who are your favorite players on your least favorite teams?

Feel free to leave your responses in the comment section below... or better yet... write a post and share a link instead.

Thanks Chris for sharing this awesome topic.  It'll be fun reading everyone's responses.

Happy Thursday and sayonara!