100 Most Likable American Athletes (100-91)

Last week, I established the rules for this countdown and previewed it. It is now time to get to the show...This group of 10 is not as well established as later down the list for the most part, but each deserves inclusion.

100. Devon Still

Camden, New Jersey

Current Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Does Devon Still a guy with little name recognition and only 40 career tackles deserve inclusion on this prestigious list? Absolutely, he does. This is a guy that is perhaps the most likable player in the league. The only reason he is this far down is that he plays such a minor role for the Bengals. He isn't and never has been a starter in the NFL. However, he is a guy that everyone likes. Why is he so likable and why does everyone root for this guy? Well, it's because of his daughter to be perfectly honest. As you can see by his Leah Strong eye black, Devon Still loves his daughter Leah. His daughter has cancer and is her dad's biggest fan. Money from his jersey sales (which are quite high) go toward pediatric cancer research. Through every interview and every trial, Still shows a tremendous amount of class and dignity. It is impossible not to like and root for the guy. Find out more about this story here.

99. Nick Markakis

Glen Cove, New York

Current Team: Atlanta Braves

Nick Markakis was my favorite Oriole for the last decade and I have not been shy about it. Myself and many other Orioles fans have grown to love the way he approaches the game. Many other baseball fans have as well and love that arm and that defense that he displays. My favorite thing about Markakis is that he is a great teammate, a clubhouse leader, and he leads by example. It doesn't hurt that he has his own foundation and is incredibly active in it. He supports his organization and is just a great person all around. The guy is straight class. No Oriole fan is mad at him for leaving for Atlanta and we are just appreciative of the years of service he gave to our organization. That says a lot about what Baltimore thinks of Nick Markakis. There is quite a bit of displeasure with ownership about letting him go though among fans. Still, I and O's fans everywhere wish Nick the best.

98. Jennifer Kessy

San Clements, California

Professional Volleyball

Kessy was on the silver medalist beach volleyball team in 2012 in London. At that time she played with April Ross and lost to only May and Jennings. However, the duo has since split as Ross is now teaming with Jennings following May's retirement. This has led to a lot of speculation as to whether Jennifer Kessy is even going to continue playing volleyball. The answer to that question is yes. Kessy is still playing and still active and therefore qualifies for this list. It is very likely that you will see her again in the 2016 Olympics. As likely as it is that you will see her and as likable as she is, she is still unlikely to beat her former partner and not as established so she has to be ranked behind her likable partner. You do feel a bit bad for her being ditched though if you know the story. Still, Kessy at 98 is a good fit and we will always cheer for her in Olympic play.

97. Kevin Ware

Bronx, New York

Current Team: Georgia State Panthers

You remember Kevin Ware? He was the guard that had one of the most gruesome leg injuries we have ever seen during an NCAA Tournament Game with Louisville. That team that would go on to win the National Championship with its #winforware slogan. Everyone loved Kevin Ware at that point and supported him hoping he'd get the opportunity to play basketball again. He is from Georgia and decided to transfer closer to home at Georgia State after briefly entering one game during the 2013-2014 season to a standing ovation. His transfer was made official in April 2014. Ware is a junior guard #0 for the Panthers. This season he is averaging 7.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. It is amazing to see Ware play 30 minutes a night and have so much success after that horrid injury. Absolutely everyone is pulling for him. Wouldn't it be special if he had a great NCAA moment as a senior next season?

96. Boo Weekley

Milton, Florida

PGA Golfer

Boo Weekley is my favorite golfer. For some reason I just love the guy. While I know he isn't that for most golf fans, I don't know anyone that dislikes him either. He only has 4 professional wins and has only entered the Top 25 of the rankings once, so he can't be any higher, but he is quite entertaining. His biggest claim to fame and what I remember him for was a dominant performance at the 2008 Ryder Cup. It was there that Weekley was filmed riding his driver like a cowboy horse ala Happy Gilmore. Maybe that's what did it for me. I love watching America compete in anything and seeing them win that Ryder Cup was awesome. That 2008 Ryder Cup has been my favorite golf event to watch to date. Those that know who this guy is from that and other events absolutely love the guy. However, he is not the most popular guy because he lacks success. Likable, but not well known is his story. Hopefully he starts winning some tournaments and more can grow to know this guy.

95. Walter Dix

Coral Springs, Florida

Track and Field

Here you go, the first Seminole on the list. Walter Dix has been a great track athlete for years dating back to a national championship at FSU as a Freshman in 2005. In the 2008 Olympic Trials Dix finished 1st in the 200m and was the runner-up in the 100m. During the Olympics he won a bronze medal in both the 100m and the 200m finishing behind Usain Bolt in both events. During the 2010 track season he won the outdoor 100m and finished 2nd in the 200m. He won both events in 2011. Dix is an 18-time NCAA All-American, NCAA 200m record holder, and USA men's jenior 100m record holder. Dix was considered the most consistent sprinter the US had to offer during the 2012 Olympic Trials. However, a pulled muscle during the 100m forced him to pull out of the trials and lose a little bit of his star power. The sprinting attention may have switched to Gatlin and Gay, but Dix is still very much a factor. Dix anchored the US team to a victory over Jamaica in the 4x100 at the Penn Relays this season and looks to be a force heading into the Olympic Games of 2016 again. He was injured all of 2012 and 2013, but it appears he is back and could soar up this list. If he beats Usain Bolt at the Olympics the sky is limitless on how likable he can get.

93, 94. Bob & Mike Bryan

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Professional Tennis

That is Mike Bryan on the right and Bob Bryan on the left celebrating their victory in doubles competition at the 2012 Olympic Games. They are the big names in men's doubles and two of the bigger names in tennis. As Americans we like them because they represent our country in international competition and do well. They are nowhere near as popular as guys like Federer and Nadal, but they don't have to be. They are as likable as it gets among active American male tennis players.

92. BJ Raji

New York, New York

Current Team: Green Bay Packers

You can see that personality jumping off the page just from this picture. BJ Raji has personality and is one of very few defensive tackles that can get into commercials. He has personality, is an incredible football player and everyone likes him. You could make an argument that this guy is the most likable Packer and that is saying something on the same team with Aaron Rodgers. Raji keeps football fun and stays out of trouble and those two things lead to instant likability. They don't have enough players like this anymore.

91. Brandon Philips

Raleigh, North Carolina

Current Team: Cincinnati Reds

Brandon Phillips is another guy that just is beloved. He is always smiling and having such fun playing the game. Phillips was voted the best baseball player to follow on Twitter as well. This guy just seems like a lot of fun and would be a baseball player I'd like to meet. You never hear anything bad about Phillips, but you usually hear a lot of good. He is one that is a keeper for sure and Cincinnati is glad that Phillips is theirs.

Continue with me on this countdown next Wednesday as even more likable athletes are revealed. These guys are the good guys.

-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

Beat The Streak Challenge

On mlb.com they are doing a beat the streak challenge where you can win 5.6 million dollars. You win the prize by correctly picking players that will get a hit that day. First one to 57 wins the jackpot unless there is a tie. Check out the game here. There are recommended picks and items to make it easier, but it is not as easy as it sounds. This year they added a tempting double down feature which makes things more interesting. You can now pick two players, but they both need hits for your streak to continue.

Yesterday I picked JJ Hardy and Joey Votto. If you had to pick which one wouldn't get a hit, who would you pick? Well Votto went hitless and JJ Hardy blasted a home run in his first at bat so what do we know. Streak Gone!

Tonight I got Brandon Phillips

And Elvis Andrus!

Some hits would be nice gentlemen.

-Noland