Worst "Best Players"

The Logical Betting mailbag is brimming with good potential topics, and this one was so good it got jumped over one I've had started for awhile. Let's see what the mailman brought us today, Mr. Trolley:

Dear Logical Betting,

It's me, ZWR! You might remember me from my contribution on the Roy Halladay post and the fact I am the first official sponsor of your blog, which is the greatest thing I have ever done, if you don't count about 1,634 other things I've accomplished. It took me awhile to write, since I'm still mad at you for jinxing Roy with your 26-5 prediction... speaking of which, will you pick the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup while you're at it?

I digress. In your infinite wisdom, who are the worst "best players on their teams" in each of the four professional sports? Feel free to reference my NHL choice if you can't come up with one on your own. Sorry about your Red Wings, by the way.

Now that my question got answered on your blog, make my official sponsorship #1,635 on the list of great things I've done.

Off to visit the penguins,

ZWR

sent from my iPhone

Dear ZWR,

Hey, buddy, no problem on answering the question, it's a great idea. Yet another great barroom conversation brought to you by Logical Betting and its devoted readers. If we keep this up, our readership will be able to form its own AA group.

I'm sure "Flyers fan" ranks about 1,818 on your list, and "watching 1997 Stanley Cup Finals" ranks in the Top 10. Sorry, had to get that one in there. And I do like the Blackhawks in the Finals, so you're welcome on that Cup win.

Out and about,

Logical Betting

Alrighty, folks, let's get out another list so you can join into the debate. I know that Reggie will be writing me about this one, and I'm looking forward to his and Mojo's responses especially. Share them on the blog, too, gentlemen. We're unofficially sponsored by Aquafina because I'm still staying with the in-laws for a few more days before we move into our new place, and I'm not drinking beer. And yes, I'm a little disturbed by how much that bothers me. On to the list!

MLB

This one was tricky, since some of the teams here are still somewhat competitive this year, and I struggled with trying to figure out which of these guys is better than the other, and maybe just doesn't produce cause their team isn't that good. Then there is the whole "how old are they, and would I rather have a younger player" factor. Anyways, here is my list of candidates (no Lost reference intended):

Adam Lind/Ricky Romero/Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays; Gordon Beckham/Mark Buehrle/Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox; Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals (I think they are off the list when Strausberg gets called up soon, though), Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates; and Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals.

I know I'm missing someone, and I know that Reggie will find them for me, so until he comes up with a better one and I post an addendum to this, I'm going with Gordon Beckham. I don't think he's necessarily the best player on their team, but he's the one I would take off the White Sox if I had to pick one guy.

NBA

I struggled a bit here with some of the rookies on bad teams. For example, I would definitely take Tyreke Evans (Sacramento) over a lot of guys in the league. And not a lot of people who read us here care about the NBA except me, the wife, Mojo, and Fah T. So I'll be brief, and give you my list:

Devin Harris, NJ Nets; Andre Igoudala, Philadephia 76ers; Ben Gordon/Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons (*sigh*); and Mike Miller, Washington Wizards.

For the record, if LeBron leaves Cleveland, they automatically win, with their entire roster tying for first. Actually, we'll give it to Anderson Varejao cause of his hair. I'm going with Igoudala here, though I think Ben Gordon is a close second. At least Gordon was a nice piece of a feisty Bulls team for awhile, and make some clutch shots in his career. Igoudala is a nice player, but like most on the 76ers roster, he's not as good as he seems. Could be a part of the lack of talent in Philly in general, though. Whatever. The wife is mad at me for it, but I am here to speak the truth.

NFL

This could not have been any easier. I'm not even listing the candidates. Acceptin the award for the entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, your quarter back, Mr. Josh Freeman! Josh, would you like to say a few words?

Wow, thanks, LB, I'm so proud to be accepting this award on behalf of the first franchise to go winless in a season and the only sports team to make tangerine an official team color. I'd like to thank Aqib Talib, Ronde Barber, and Gerald McCoy for allowing me to accept this award on their behalf. If any of you can figure out which of them is actually the best player on our team, good luck. No matter who you choose, it's gonna be a long year for us. Oh, and of course, I have to thank God, because that's what all athletes do.

Thanks, Josh, and congratulations. I looked over every NFL roster, and no one could touch Tampa. It's sad, really. One sport to go, kids.

NHL

Gonna make this even easier... Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers. That was ZWR's pick, and I don't feel like looking over any more NHL rosters. Sucks for my investment in them, though. But while we're on the NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that Steve Yzerman will be their new G.M. As a die hard Red Wings fan, I have no idea what to think of this, and haven't had a chance to email my fellow Red Wings fans to gather thoughts, or to talk to J.B. about it. My initial reaction is to hope the Red Wings beat the Lightning every year in the Cup Finals, but at the same time, I wish the NHL would contract Tampa, so I don't want them to be viable. At least he's with a team that I have no hatred for, so I can sort of root for them. I wish he could have stayed with the Red Wings franchise, though. Something about this just doesn't seem right. J.B., this is my RSVP to hang out this weekend to talk about this.

Comments and continued great suggestions on the comments section or my personal email or Facebook, if you happen to get this through me there. Thanks again to ZWR for his continued support of Logical Betting. Check out his ever growing blog at www.zoowithroy.com. A-b-dee, a-b-dee, a-b-dee, that's all folks!