100 Most Likable American Athletes (70-61)

Weeks ago, I started looking at the most likable athletes in this country following the retirements of Derek Jeter and Champ Bailey. That continues today with the latest look at some awesome American athletes. First, let's look back at what we have gone over so far...
Preview
100-91
90-81
80-71

70. Vince Carter

Daytona Beach, Florida

Current Team: Memphis Grizzles

If this was back in his Raptor days like this picture, Carter would be a lock for the top 10. Unfortunately, many people don't even realize he is still playing. While that fact is sad and he is a shell of his former self, Carter is still a heck of a player. A heck of a player and one still loved all over the place. How can you not love Vince Carter for all the highlight reel moments he has provided? The guy is a walking highlight reel and has always been entertaining. He plays on a very good team this season as well that is a darkhorse contender.

69. Odell Beckham Jr.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Current Team: New York Giants

Odell Beckham Jr. rose to fame with the catch in the picture above. It is a catch that is talked about around the world (or at least the United States). Many consider it to be the greatest catch of all-time. Following the catch, Beckham took off in his rookie year and was Eli's most trusted target at the end of the season. He ended up with fantastic numbers and is the Rookie of the Year. It seemed tough to imagine before this catch as he was behind a couple other receivers. However, post catch he passed all the rookie receivers in every stat category. Everyone seems to love Odell Beckham Jr. Back in my NFC East Draft Grades for this class, I mentioned my thoughts on Beckham as the best route runner in this draft and his sure hands. I was proven right by Mr. Beckham this season.

68. Adam LaRoche

Fort Scott, Kansas

Current Team: Chicago White Sox

Adam LaRoche once again has a new team as he recently signed with the Chicago White Sox. LaRoche has left a favorable impression at each of these stops he has made. He seems to be one of the most down to earth professional athletes there is. This guy seems to do things many people love. LaRoche is also an avid hunter and good friends with Willie Robertson. He has even appeared on TV with the Robertson family. If you have seen the show Buck Commander, LaRoche is a co-owner of that show. Additionally, he is a strong Christian athlete and he helped established "Faith Day"as a member of the Washington Nationals.

67. Jonathan Quick

Milfred, Conneticut

Current Team: Los Angeles Kings

Quick won a silver medal as part of Team USA in the 2010 Olympics, but rarely played. This past Olympics he was the starting goalie on a team that did not medal, but he played quite well. He also happens to be the goalie for the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. All of those factors make Quick one of the most recognizable and likable hockey players from this country. It does not hurt that he is one of the best goalies that the NHL has to offer.

66. Jimmy Butler

Houston, Texas

Current Team: Chicago Bulls

Butler can best be summed up by one quote that a GM made about him prior to the 2011 NBA Draft. "His story is one of the most remarkable I've seen in all my years of basketball. There were so many times in his life where he was set up to fail. Every time, he overcame just enormous odds.When you talk to him - and he's hesitant to talk about his life - you just have this feeling that this kid has greatness in him." Doesn't that just about say it all? However, I will go on.
Butler was abandoned by his dad when he was an infant and forced to live in a single parent household. That parent kicked Butler out of the house when he was just 13 years old. As a student until he went to college, Butler was forced to bounce between houses of his friends. Still, Butler had a successful HS career and ended up going to a junior college after light recruiting. Following his Freshman Season, Butler transferred to Marquette. Finally, he was drafted by the Bulls in that 2011 draft. Once Butler finally got his chance to start with the Bulls in 2012, he never looked back. Now, he is expected to command a max deal and there aren't many players more deserving. Everyone that has seen his game loves the guy. He still is not a mega star yet, but he is getting there.

65. Jeff Demps

Winter Garden, Florida

Current Team: Indianapolis Colts

Jeff Demps is the one and only Gator on this list. He also is the only true two-sport athlete. Demps made it as a track athlete, but is also on the Indianapolis Colts. There is no doubting Demps' likability or his pure speed. The guy is a superstar in every sense of the word. Despite him being a Gator, I wish him nothing but the best. You can bet that I will be cheering Demps on with the rest of the country during the Olympics in Rio next year.

64. Earl Thomas

Orange, Texas

Current Team: Seattle Seahawks

Earl Thomas is the only member of the Legion of Boom that I truly like and I know that there are several people that agree with me on that. Thomas is also the best safety in the league, with less competition after Eric Berry was diagnosed with Lymphoma. This guy just goes out every week and plays his heart out. Most correctly see him as the anchor of that amazing defensive backfield in Seattle. On his website, Thomas does a great job talking about how being a father is the most important role in his life. How refreshing is that in today's day and age? Thomas loves his kids and treats them as priority #1. Additionally, Thomas has a foundation that does a lot of good. What isn't there to like about this guy.

63. David Wright

Norfolk, Virginia

Current Team: New York Mets

In 2014, David Wright was voted as MLB Network's Face of MLB, so you know he is well liked. This guy also seems to be in the all-star game just about every season. There is a lot to like about this guy and his game. Everyone that I have heard from seems to like the guy. However, I do get a vibe that it is more indifference towards him than like. Therefore, I couldn't put him in the Top 50 even if he is the face. He is one of the hardest guys to peg on this list. That being said he is one of the best 3rd baseman in the game and he definitely belongs here.

62. Paul George

Palmdale, California

Current Team: Indiana Pacers

Paul George is a guy that is falling off a bit largely in part to the fact that he may never be the player he once was. You could argue George for a top 25 spot prior to his injury, but now it seems that many are writing him off. Everyone likes him and wants him to succeed, but it seems a bit far-fetched for him to be elite again. Still, he got hurt playing for our country and he was a top 10 player in this league before the injury. The Pacers surely are not even close to the same team without him. Get well Paul because the NBA needs you. It may be coincidence that Paul George changed his number from 24 to 13 shortly before his gruesome injury. This guy is elite and loved by fans everywhere so if he comes back strong he could be the most liked player in the league.

61. Michael Bradley
Princeton, New Jersey
Current Team: Toronto FC

Michael Bradley is a popular midfielder for Toronto FC and the US Men's National Team. He scored the opening goal against Mexico in April 2012 for the National Team. Bradley also started all of the World Cup games for the US. An interesting note about Bradley is that he speaks 5 languages. He can speak English, Dutch, German, Italian, and Spanish. He recently had a baby girl as well which adds to the likability factor. However, most know him here as the Center-Midfielder on the National Team of course.

-Noland

Most Overrated Athletes In MLB

Doing an overrated list isn't as fun because it is putting down incredibly gifted athletes, but it can be even more telling and have people take a second look. That being said, enjoy my list of overrated baseball players.

Pitcher
CC Sabathia         New York Yankees
What does Sabathia's massive contract get you? A 9-9 record and a 4.65 ERA. The guy is a great pitcher, but he is not the top 5 pitcher he is made out to be. Maybe in the past he was, but not right now. Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in the game right now, anybody that says otherwise just does not know.

Catcher
AJ Pierzynski         Texas Rangers
AJ Pierzynski is overrated offensively and defensively. The guy just does not have to glove of Wieters or Perez. He also doesn't have the pop of Wieters and isn't as consistent with the bat as Perez. Despite having better protection in the lineup than Perez, Pierzynski doesn't outproduce him. His skills are also in decline and he won't be catching much longer.

1st Base
Adam Laroche      Washington Nationals
Adam Laroche has the 33rd best average of those playing 1st this year. I don't think there are 33 paid higher than Laroche. Chris Davis among others make far less than Adam Laroche. The Nationals are not getting very good value for his production.With 46 RBIs though he is almost at half of Davis's total so far.

2nd Base
Brandon Phillips    Cincinnati Reds
Brandon Phillips is one of my favorite players and a great baseball player. He is not however an all-star level player this year and definitely not an all-star starter. If it was just defense than maybe, but he is nowhere near Carpenter among others on the production scale.

Shortstop
Jhonny Peralta       Detroit Tigers
Jhonny Peralta is not a good defensive shortstop. There is no way he is a better SS than Elvis Andrus and it is a joke that he was selected to the all-star game over Andrus. Add unto that the Biogenesis link and Peralta belongs on this list.

3rd Base
Chase Headley       San Diego Padres
This guy is constantly mentioned in trade rumors as a team's answer at 3rd base. Most of those teams have better answers at 3rd base though. The Tigers have Cabrera, the Orioles have Machado, the Rangers Beltre, the Rays Longoria, the Giants Sandoval, the Red Sox Iglesias, the A's Donaldson, and on and on. Why would these teams want to give up top picks for an inferior player in Headley?

Outfield
Jose Bautista         Toronto Blue Jays    RF
BJ Upton               Atlanta Braves         CF
Melky Cabrera      Toronto Blue Jays    LF

I can't stand Jose Bautista. There aren't many players that irritate me more than JoeyBats. Why was this guy an all-star starter? He didn't deserve it. He is a liability in the field and hasn't been doing to hot with the bat. He is only hitting .251 which is 35th among right fielders. Not outfielders, right fielders.

BJ Upton needs no words. The guy may be the most overpaid player in baseball not named A-Rod or Pujols. He isn't even hitting .200.

Melky Cabrera has been caught multiple times with steroids and is linked to Biogenesis. He should be out of the game. For now he will just be overrated as another guy that the Blue Jays gave way too much money.

DH

David Ortiz             Boston Red Sox

My thoughts on Ortiz are well documented. The guy for some reason gets a pass, but he shouldn't. If you can't stand A-Rod and Braun than Ortiz should also fit into that category. Look at the Ortiz label for more on Big Papi.

-Noland

Davey Johnson Says Nationals Infield The Best

According to MASN's Dan Kolko, Davey Johnson has said that the Nationals infield is the best he has been around. In this post the former Orioles manager and player says that Laroche, Espinosa, Desmond, and Zimmerman were better than Powell, Robinson, Belanger, and himself. Keep in mind Davey Johnson was a heck of a baseball player when he played. Also keep in mind that while managing the Orioles, Johnson managed some stud defenders as well. He managed Roberto Alomar while he was with the O's. You find me a better defensive second baseman than Roberto Alomar when he played and I will find you a liar.

So, why did Johnson say this? Is it just a motivating technique to get his guys to believe in himself. Does he just not want to make it seem like he wasn't that great. From everything I've heard that Orioles infield was the best. Given it was before my time, but the games I've seen show that there wasn't really anyone better than Brooks. My dad always said that there wasn't anyone better than Boog either. Brooks Robinson won 16 gold gloves back when gold gloves meant something. The SS switched for the Orioles in Johnson's time but, Luis Aparacio won 9 gold gloves and Mark Belanger won 8. Heck, Johnson himself had 3 gold gloves. So I would think he is exaggerating a bit, but it is high praise.

"I've been around a lot of good infields, but (there's) no question in my mind," Johnson said

That is absolutely crazy to me. However, when you look at it, the Nationals are filthy defensively. Is there a better defensive 1B than Adam Laroche? There sure are not many. What about Ian Desmond? Desmond is absolutely amazing at SS. He is definitely top 5 defensively. Danny Espinosa I will admit to not seeing much of, but I hear good reports. Than there is Ryan Zimmerman. I will admit to being a Zimmerman fan, I think he is one of the most underrated players in the game all around. He is a terrific athlete. I can actually see a little bit of what Johnson was saying.

-Noland