[:: All-Time Fave Oakland A's - Middle Infielders (2nd Base) ::]

(We have 26 days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, so what better time to start a mini-series on my all-time favorite Oakland A's? Keep in mind, this list does not comprise of the best players at each position, just the players who are distinctive in my twisted little mind.)

There comes a time in every girl's life when the New Kids on the Block posters come down and the Oakland A's posters replace them. Okay, maybe not every girl, at least that is what happened in my life....

"Standing out there between the lines for the first time, it's one of those things that goes right there with getting married and the birth of your kids." - Mike Gallego

There is nothing more gratifying than to know that your favorite players value the game as much as you. They've struggled to reach the Show and it paid off. When we can see and hear the joy the players possess, being a fan is even more delightful.

My all-time favorite Oakland A's player is the fabulous 2nd Baseman (now Colorado Rockies' 3rd base Coach and Infield Instructor), Mike Gallego. Mr. Gallego played 1,111 Games for Oakland (1985-1991) until he signed with (who else?) the NY Yankees.

Sporting a .989 Fielding Percentage in 1991 (.977 overall), Gallego made me dizzily infatuated with the way he guarded the right side of the infield. Witnessing a 5'8 middle infielder (5'8 was very generous) make countless diving stops and turn run-saving double plays is priceless. The Walt Weiss-Mike Gallego combo used to make my heart flutter with baseball excitement.

At the peak of my Gallego obsession (1991) he hit 12 home runs. Understand, he was never the stellar hitter, with a career batting average of .239, so each of the 12 meant so much to me. Instead of loitering in local shopping malls I spent many afternoons in the confines of my bedroom listening to A's away games on the radio. There was nothing more important than an A's game in the early 90's.  Somewhere in my mom's house it's possible to find complete Oakland A's games recorded -- some of which include Gallego home runs.

Many may have forgotten Gallego and the miraculous plays he used to execute, but I am not one of them. At (close to) 5'8 he was shorter than the average baseball player, but he had sparkling defense for a man of any height. Being small in stature simple added to the charm. Take a gander at his baseball card. The fact that he appears, uh, 5'8 on a baseball card with nothing around him is fascinating.

Mike Gallego epitomizes one of the things I love most about baseball -- the unexpected/unnoticed hero. Yes, each sport has their big superstars, but there's always the unsung hero who makes a huge difference. In a time where power hitters outshine defensive masters, it's rare to point to a strong defender and say, "he's the MVP" or "he won the game tonight." The recognition is hardly there, but without the swift guys with weighty contributions the game would be an incomplete masterpiece.