My Favorite Left-Handed Swings

Bullpen Brian by Correspondent Written on July 10, 2009
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SEATTLE - APRIL 19:  Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Detroit Tigers during the game on April 19, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

I've put together a list of my favorite left-handed swings.

This is not to be confused with 'the best' or 'most productive' swings.

Many of these players are retired now, but I enjoyed their sweet swings as a youngster.

I'm looking forward to hearing back which left-handed swings you enjoy.

So here we go!

Ken Griffey Jr.

SEATTLE - APRIL 18:  Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Detroit Tigers during the game on April 18, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Junior is my all-time favorite.

The bat waggle, arm extension, and Griffey's pose make his swing the sweetest in all of baseball.

Paul O'Neill

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O' Neill's swing wasn't always pretty, but sure was quick. He hit to all fields and with plenty of power too.

My favorite part was Paulie's short stride.

Tino Martinez

NEW YORK - APRIL 18:  Tino Martinez #24 of the New York Yankees hits a grand slam against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during a thirteen run second inning of their game April 18, 2005 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Borough of New York City.  (Photo by Al Bell

Tino's swing had an old school feel to it. His simple approach, explosive swing, and timely hitting made it tough to dislike the guy despite the Yankee pinstripes.

Fred McGriff

12 Aug 2001:  Fred McGriff #29 of the Chicago Cubs at bat during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Giants defeated the Cubs 7-6.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel  /Allsport

The Crime Dog made hitting for power look easy. His long stride and long swing were the aspects that I liked most about his swing.

It's too bad McGriff fell just seven home runs shy of 500.

Jim Edmonds

CHICAGO - JUNE 22:  Jim Edmonds #15 of the Chicago Cubs stands ready at bat during the game against the Chicago White Sox on June 22, 2008 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the White Sox 7-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Jimmy Ballgame was the left-handed version of Jeff Bagwell. He possessed a wide stance, short swing, and a ton of power.

His follow through was terrific and the guy had a sweet home run trot.

Darryl Strawberry

17 May 1998:  Outfielder Darryl Strawberry of the New York Yankees in action during a game against the Minnesota Twins at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.  The Yankees defeated the Twins 4-0. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig  /Allsport

Straw's swing looked effortless. Once he uncorked that long body of his, it was pure light-tower power.

His majestic moonshots to right field were a thing of beauty.

Brady Anderson

29 May 1999:  Brady Anderson #9 of the Baltimore Orioles at bat during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Stadium in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Orioles 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn  /Allsport

Anderson's power came from that high leg kick, which was sneaky considering he started from a flat-footed stance.

His 'Joe Cool' approach at the plate was only topped by his 1970s mutton chops.

Hal Morris

1991:  CINCINNATI REDS BATTER HAL MORRIS RUNS TO FIRST BASE AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH A PITCH, DURING THE REDS VERSUS CHICAGO CUBS GAME AT WRIGLY FIELD IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

What made Morris' swing interesting was his movement of both feet during his swing.

His happy feet, however, kept him in the big leagues for 13 seasons as a career .304 batter.

Will Clark

9 Mar 1999:  Infielder Will Clark #12 of the Baltimore Orioles at bat during the Spring Training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at the Rodger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. The Orioles defeated the Cardinals 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire  /

I remember Clark's exaggerated body waggle the most.

He'd get everything he had behind each swing and then finish it off with a mighty follow through.

Thrilling, indeed.

Mo Vaughn

FLUSHING-APRIL 1 : Mo Vaughn of the New York Mets in action during the Opening Day Game against the Seattle Mariners at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York on April 1, 2002. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Vaughn looked like a fat guy driving a punch bug.

Man, it was an ugly stance.

But, it worked for 328 career home runs and .293 batting average.

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