100 Most Likable American Athletes (30-21)

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
70-61
60-51
50-41

40-31

30. Venus Williams

Lynwood, California

Professional Tennis

Venus Williams is the second biggest American name in tennis (only slightly behind her sister). She also is a major force on the sport and nobody dislikes her. Williams has won 7 gland slam single titles and several more doubles titles with Serena. More importantly, to me at least, is the fact that she has 4 Olympic Gold Medals. 3 of these medals with her sister Serena and one single gold medal for 2000. For a long time, Venus was the #1 player in the world even ahead of her sister, but she has since fallen off that pace. Still, she is elite in the tennis world. Despite all her injuries and ailments, Venus is once again on the upswing and looking to head towards the top. Her records and achievements speak for themselves and there are quite a bit more of them than I mentioned. She will always be one of the biggest and most beloved tennis players in the world.

29. Serena Williams

Lynwood, California

Professional Tennis

Serena Williams is perhaps the most famous and likable female athlete around. She has dominated the tennis world in the past and is still a major force. In fact, she is still ranked #1 in the world. Her biggest claim to fame is that she has won more prize money than any female athlete in history. Williams has won more than 63 million in prize money already. All of this and she just turned 33 in September. She has also won an unprecedented 18 Grand Slam Singles Titles. That total is 11 more than even her spectacular sister. However, my favorite fact about Serena is that she has won 4 gold medals for tennis. Recently winning the singles and doubles championships in London. Additionally, Williams is famous for her charity work. Williams has developed a secondary school in Kenya, and has been involved in camps, and clinics for at risk youth here. She also has received an award for her work in promoting cancer research. Really from Serena on in this list they have a bit of an argument for the #1 overall spot on this list.

28. Chris Paul

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Current Team: Los Angeles Clippers

The current NBAPA president is very popular with fans. More than his popularity though, everyone loves CP3. I have been a CP3 fan since his days at Wake Forest and loved him on the Demon Deacons. I may have incorrectly picked the team to win it all in both of Paul's seasons. Anyway, ever since he was able to lead that team to a #1 ranking, I have been a fan of CP3. It is hard not to be as you watch his unselfish and spectacular play on that court. Yet, somehow he didn't go #1 in the draft. He should have been a lock to go to Milwaukee, but they selected Andrew Bogut. The rest is history as Chris Paul was just selected to his 8th all-star team. He is a fantastic player and probably the best point guard in the league. Paul also was a member of the redeem team that won the 2008 gold medal. That gold medal was his first, but not his last as he also won in 2012. Don't be surprised if he comes back and gets another one in 2016. Gotta love CP3.

27. Rickie Fowler

Murrieta, California

PGA Tour

Rickie Fowler was born in California, but currently resides in Jupiter, Florida. He is a professional golfer and one of the best Americans on tour. While he only has 1 PGA Tour Win he is known as a major force on the tour. Fowler didn't turn professional until 2009 and already has finished in the top 5 of 5 different major championships. Those top 5 finishes included four top 5s just last year. He was 2nd at the US Open, 2nd at The Open Championship, 3rd at the PGA Championship, and 5th at The Masters. You get the feeling that Fowler is just on the cusp of truly breaking through. Before turning pro, he was the #1 amateur golfer for 36 weeks in 2007 and 2008. Fowler has been on two Ryder Cup teams representing the US well in 2010 and 2014. Additionally, Fowler is a member of the "Golf Boys." It is easy to see his likability from the Golf Boys video posted below and from his play on the tour. Finally, the fact that he goes to weekly bible study and is just an all around great guy does not hurt his case.

26. Torii Hunter

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Current Team: Minnesota Twins

Torri Hunter is back with the team that he broke through with as he resigned in Minnesota. This makes Hunter incredibly likable in that he was able to return to the team he started with an maintain his fanbase in each of his three major league stops. The fact that he gives it his all everyday and is always smiling sure does not hurt his case. He has been selected to five all-star games and is admired for being one of the best right handed hitters in the game. More importantly though he plays great defense and has been rewarded for that defense with 9 gold gloves. In fact, his most memorable moment was robbing Barry Bonds at the All-Star Game (video below). He is probably most liked for his off the field pursuits. Hunter is involved in a great deal of charity work and received the Branch Rickey Award in 2009 for all of the great charity work that he has done. Torii Hunter is a happy guy that is always smiling that has made his community a better place.

25. Russell Wilson

Cincinnati, Ohio

Current Team: Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson has sure made a name for himself in the NFL early on. He has only been in the league for 3 seasons and already has been to the big game twice. Not only that, but he won in just his second year in the league. Nobody will complain about the success Russell Wilson has had as a 3rd round draft pick. A rookie of the year award and 2 trips to the Super Bowl is not to shabby for 3 years in the league. Add in the fact that he is incredibly humble and well liked around the league and you got yourself a keeper. Heck, I can't stand the Seahawks and I think the world of Russell Wilson. How can you not like a guy that makes weekly visits to his local children's hospital? A guy that visits soldiers as well. He is the National Ambassador for the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association and also has his own foundation. A great guy that looks like he will be racking in Super Bowl Championships.

24. Ashton Eaton

Portland, Oregon

Track and Field

Ashton Eaton is the highest ranked track athlete on this list and for good reason. He is the decathlete champion from the most recent Olympic Games. Being that the decathlon is the best measure we have of the ultimate athlete, him winning instantly makes him one of the greatest athletes in the entire world. The fact that he represented the United States while doing it instantly makes him beloved in this country. Including his triumph at the Olympics, Eaton has 4 gold medals and 1 silver. He has the Olympic win, the 2013 Moscow World Championship in the decathlon and 2012 and 2014 World Indoor Championships in the Heptathlon. His silver medal came in the 2011 World Championship decathlon event. He plans to retire after the 2017 World Championships in London at age 29, but he has a lot left in the tank before then.

23. Anthony Davis

Chicago, Illinois

Current Team: New Orleans Hornets

Anthony Davis has emerged as a superstar for the New Orleans Hornets. Many expect him to be the best player in the league moving forward especially as Durant (26) and LeBron (30) continue to age. Davis just turned 22 today and is scratching the surface of what he can do in the NBA. The league also has many more dominant wing players than big men. With Duncan retiring soon, the path is clear towards Davis' greatness. It helps that he was voted by the fans to start this all-star game and made his second appearance at the event. His experience in the 2012 Olympic Games does not hurt either especially considering it was fresh off him being selected in the NBA Draft. Happy Birthday to Anthony and we look forward to the amazing things he is going to do for the NBA.

22. Ryan Miller

East Lansing, Michigan

Current Team: Vancouver Canucks

Ryan Miller is one of the best known goalies in the NHL by the general public. He also happens to be the Olympic goalie for the last two Olympics which makes him more likable in this country. Back in 2010, he was the MVP of the Olympic Hockey Tournament where the US finished with the silver medal. Miller certainly played well enough for the US to win gold, but we couldn't score against Canada. Then in 2014, he only got one start, but the United States won his start. He is now also the 30th goaltender to win 300 games in the NHL. Going back to 2010 again, he won the NHL Foundation Player Award, the Vezina Trophy (top goaltender), and was NHL First All-Star Team. Miller has had an outstanding career which has taken place mostly in Buffalo and is continuing to do great things in Vancouver. Now that he has had his first child, Miller continues to get more and more likable.

21. Troy Polamulu

Garden Grove, California

Current Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Troy Polamulu is best known for his amazing play on the field. While that play on the field has dropped a bit, he still is fantastic. Nobody considers him the best player in the leaguue anymore as many did, but everyone still thinks he is very good. The way he plays and conducts himself makes him incredibly likable. Back in 2012, Polamulu was also found to be the NFL's most likable player. I believe that survey largely holds true today. However, I do think a few players have passed Polamulu in that department due to his drop in play. This guy is incredibly popular, but also soft spoken and a family man. Perhaps the fact that he doesn't run his mouth constantly adds to that likability. Troy has been on the cover of Madden and appeared in shampoo commercials. The guy is a straight icon. His 8 Pro Bowls and 5x as All-Pro do not hurt. Polamulu is simply a beast.

-Noland

Orioles Off-Season So Far...

We are right in the middle of football season and basketball season just started, so naturally, nobody is talking about Major League Baseball. There is good reason for people to not talk about baseball too much, but the Hot Stove is still an exciting time in the game. I believe it is interesting to follow player movement, but even I lose track sometimes in the offseason. Therefore, I decided to do the work for you and fill you in on what my team has done to this point.

Let's start with the Orioles and their major league free agents.
2B Alexi Casilla 30
OF Nelson Cruz 34 (Signed 4 year deal with Seattle)
C Nick Hundley 31
2B Kelly Johnson 32
OF Nick Markakis 31 (Signed 4 year deal with Atlanta)
RP Andrew Miller 29 (Signed 4 year deal with New York Y)
SP Johan Santana 35
SP Joe Saunders 33
OF Delmon Young 29

Out of all those players, I believed that Nick Markakis was the most likely to return.

He is a great clubhouse guy and the players on the team love him. Buck loves Markakis too and the Orioles wanted to keep him. The question is what price were the Orioles pay in order to retain Markakis. He is 31 years old, which is still in his prime, and he can still play. I honestly thought he was older because he has been in Baltimore so long. This is a guy that I really wanted the O's to keep because I felt he was underrated for this team. However, he of course didn't stay instead opting to sign with the Braves. Several national outlets seem to be trashing the move, including the one I posted, but I believe Markakis will be a steal for Atlanta.
The Orioles made a qualifying offer to Nelson Cruz and he turned it down.\Cruz is gone after signing a 4 year deal with Seattle. However, the Orioles get a 1st round compensation pick and I didn't really want Cruz last year, but was pleasantly surprised last season with his production. That being said he won't be worth the money he got over the entire term of the contract IMO.
Andrew Miller will be priced out of the Orioles range after an outstanding 2014 campaign. We will miss him, but he is going to make sick closer money elsewhere.
I personally would like to keep Joe Saunders and Delmon Young in the same roles they were in last year, but won't lose any sleep if they move on.
The other players are all expendable and it doesn't really matter if they stay or go. Although I could see one or more returning to Baltimore. Hundley may come back and be needed if Wieters isn't ready to go.
In addition to this list, Buck Britton was signed by the Dodgers.

Who the O's have added to the fold...
11/7 SS Ozzie Martinez (Minor League Deal)
11/18 LHP Frank Gailey (Minor League Deal)
11/18 RHP Oliver Drake
11/18 RHP Tim Gustafson (Minor League Deal)
11/19 3B Michael Almanzar (Minor League Deal)
11/19 RHP Mikey O'Brien (Minor League Deal)
11/19 RHP Kenn Kasparek (Minor League Deal)
11/19 LHP Chris Jones (Minor League Deal)
11/19 2B Derrick Gibson (Minor League Deal)
11/20 SS Paul Jarish (Minor League Deal)
11/20 RHP Terry Doyle (Minor League Deal)
11/20 Promoted RHPs Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson to 40 man roster
11/20 OF Alex Hassan (Waiver Claim via Oakland)
11/22 LHP Ronan Pacheco (Minor League Deal)
11/26 SS Rey Navarro
11/26 LHP Scott Barnes (Trade via Cleveland)
Barnes later claimed off waivers by Texas on 12/8
12/3 RHP Eddie Gamboa

12/8 IF Steve Lombardozzi outrighted to Norfolk
12/8 LHP Pat McCoy outrighted to Norfolk

One very intriguing story from this list is Eddie Gamboa. He became a knuckleballer a few years back while in this Orioles organization. This guy has never pitched in a major league game, but he was in spring training last year and he did become a free agent in the offseason. It seemed that the Orioles really wanted to keep Gamboa.
Other than that, it has been mostly minor league free agent signings that I honestly do not know a tremendous deal about, but these are good depth moves that have worked for Duquette since he has arrived in Baltimore. One of these signings included Michael Almanzar who was last year's rule 5 pick that this organization loves. Getting him on a minor league deal has to be seen as a coup.
Speaking of the Rule 5 draft, Wright and Wilson had to be added to the 40 man to not be selected in that Rule 5 draft. Either one would have been taken by some other team if they were available.

There is still a lot of work to do and the Rumor Mill is churning. Do not be discouraged by the lack of early mega news. Things happen very quickly.
The Orioles have been tied to Torii Hunter and Matt Kemp among others. As a fan, I would certainly love either one of those guys in black and orange. However, that is impossible on at least one of them. That is because Torii Hunter is headed back to Minnesota.

Honestly the only thing that has me worried about this offseason is the report of Duquette being offered the job as Toronto's president. If he truly wants that position it could be a major issue for the Orioles whether they can prevent him from taking it or not. Eventually if he really wants it he can force his way into the position and it could get ugly. I hope that nothing happens on this front and that he isn't interested in leaving Baltimore. We will see what happens on this front.

If you want more daily information on the Orioles offseason, you should be following Roch Kubatko and Steve Melewski over on MASN. Both can be followed on Twitter as well.
Here's to the O's making some smart moves!

-Noland