10 Easiest Players in Baseball to Root for

Athletes are like musicians: even if you love what they do, it's not hard for a fan to lose touch with their greatness due to a disappointing action or series of words. Think of Kanye West's treatment of Taylor Swift, Rafael Palmeiro's usage of steroids or LeBron James' decision to leave his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and form an NBA superpower.

For every villain, however, there is a hero who has stolen our hearts.

From acts of loyalty to their status as an upstanding sportsman, professional baseball players have found a way into our good graces. For some, that spot lasts a short period of time. For others, it lasts an eternity.

As for who have become the easiest players to root for, the following slides should offer a perfect insight into just that.

Honorable Mention: Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians

Position: Center Fielder

Age: 29

Experience: Ninth Season

If you're a fan of the Cleveland Indians, it's understandable why you might be frustrated with Grady Sizemore. If you have even the slightest form of a heart, however, you can't help but pull for Sizemore in his fight to overcome injuries and re-emerge as one of the game's best.

Once a perennial 30-30 guy, Sizemore is now struggling to even hit the field. Fingers crossed for what was once the brightest of futures.

Career Statistics

.269/.357/.473, 948 H, 601 R, 216 2B, 43 3B, 139 HR, 458 RBI

10. Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles

Position: Center Fielder

Age: 26

Experience: Seventh Season

Through his first two seasons in the league, Adam Jones saw the field just 73 times. The past five seasons, however, have seen Jones emerge as one of the game's premier center fielders and an early favorite for AL MVP.

Boy, do we love an underdog or what?

Jones has become one of the most well-rounded batters in the MLB, but is also a menace in the field. While this would make him a fan favorite to begin with, the fact that he plays for the lowly Baltimore Orioles certainly helps his likeability.

His coming up from an underrated prospect to an unexpected star makes him one of the easiest players to pull for.

Career Statistics

.278/.322/.451, 702 H, 359 RS, 94 HR, 331 RBI

9. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox

Position: First Baseman

Age: 36

Experience: 16th Season

Paul Konerko has spent 16 seasons in the MLB, knocking out over 400 home runs and tacking on 1,300 RBI. He's also tallied more than 2,000 hits, nearly 400 doubles and over 1,000 runs. Most impressive of all? Konerko has done this all as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

Good karma for the long-time first baseman, as he's having a career year at age 36.

When it comes to appeal, Konerko has as much of it as any. He's displayed the most valued trait, loyalty, while consistently producing and always upholding a positive image. He's never been a target of negative media attention and is widely considered to be one of the most professional players around.

Career Statistics

.284/.360/.502, 2106 H, 1076 RS, 378 2B, 409 HR, 1300 RBI, 838 BB

8. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

Position: Third Base

Age: 26

Experience: Fifth Season

Evan Longoria is one of the fastest rising stars in the MLB, going from early fan favorite to a legitimate star on the hot corner. Despite battling injuries in 2012, Longoria has found postseason success early in his career and established himself as a perennial All-Star.

Longoria's appeal derives from a series of factors. Not only is the Rays' slugger one of the spokespeople for New Era, the most popular hat line in the world, but he's also a member of a franchise that was built from the ground up. A franchise who has bested the multi-billion dollar Yankees on multiple occasions.

Who doesn't love an underdog?

Career Statistics

.276/.362/.516, 600 H, 356 RS, 154 2B, 117 HR, 420 RBI

7. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

Position: Catcher

Age: 29

Experience: Ninth Season

For those who spend their time hating LeBron James, your favorite athlete should be a guy named Joe Mauer. Much like James, he was drafted by the state that he grew up in. Unlike James, Mauer is still in Minnesota despite tempered success of the franchise and the potential $150 million that a team like the New York Yankees could offer him.

So you tell me, what's not to like?

Aside from being the spokesperson for Head & Shoulder's, Mauer is a recognizable face of the MLB. He's widely considered to be the best hitting catcher in the league, likely a result of his three batting titles between 2006 and 2009. If not that, then it's his four Silver Slugger awards from 2006 to 2010.

That, of course, comes before you tack on his three Gold Glove awards from 2008 to 2010, as well as his AL MVP award in 2009. If you don't understand what I'm getting at, my point is simple: this guy does it all, works his tail off and always keeps a positive attitude.

Joe Mauer is as likable as any player under 30.

Career Statistics

.323/.404/.469, 1168 H, 578 RS, 232 2B, 87 HR, 535 RBI, 503 BB

6. Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

Position: Starting Pitcher

Age: 35

Experience: 15th Season

Loyalty, respect and professionalism are three traits which most athletes fail to achieve to the fullest extent.

Roy Halladay has never done much to stand out off the field. He admirably led the down-in-the-dumps Toronto Blue Jays for 12 memorable seasons, posting a career record of 148-76 while picking up a Cy Young Award and a 20-win season.

Never once did Halladay complain, insult his team or ask for a trade in an irrational manner. He also never once made the playoffs.

In 2009, Halladay's agent told the Blue Jays that he wanted to be traded before the season or not at all, thus moving him to a winning team or keeping him in Toronto with no distractions. The Blue Jays obliged, moving Doc to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Halladay responded to the move by taking out a full-page ad to thank the city of Toronto and the loyal Blue Jays fans who had supported for him through 12 unbelievable seasons.

If that's not class, I'm not sure what is.

Career Statistics

363 GS, 66 CG, 20 SHO, 192-97, 1990 SO, 3.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP

5. Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners

Position: Right Field

Age: 38

Experience: 12th Season

In a day and age in which loyalty is a lost virtue, there is no player in professional sports who has displayed such a strong allegiance to a team through thick and thin than Ichiro Suzuki. For that fact alone, it is nearly impossible to root against one of the greatest contact hitters of all time.

Ichiro set an MLB record by going 10 consecutive seasons with at least 200 hits. He also tied an MLB record for outfielders by winning 10 straight Gold Glove awards. He ranks sixth all-time in leadoff home runs, tied with a man who's belted a few out: Barry Bonds.

What separates Ichiro from the rest is that he's done all of this for one team, a team that has rarely ever provided him with any form of support. This breeds nothing but support for Ichiro as he fights his way through the record books.

Career Statistics

.324/.367/.420, 2510 H, 1164 RS, 294 2B, 77 3B, 99 HR, 631 RBI, 433 SB

4. Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves

Position: Third Base

Age: 40

Experience: 19th Season

What can you say about Chipper?

A sure-fire Hall of Famer, Chipper Jones has never once become complacent with the status of his career. He's a former World Series Champion, NL MVP, seven-time All-Star and NL batting champion. He's also a member of the 2,500 hit, 450 home run and 1,500 RBI clubs.

What's most impressive is that Jones' most recent All-Star Game appearance came in 2011, a season in which Jones topped all of his 2010 totals except stolen bases.

As a lifelong member of the Atlanta Braves, Jones shares a trait with many other names on this list: loyalty. Jones has been the dugout leader in 11 postseasons, as well as the calming force after legendary manager Bobby Cox called it quits.

Chipper Jones is a leader, a professional and an outstanding player in every aspect of the word. He's also as easy to love as any.

Career Statistics

.304/.401/.531, 2653 H, 1580 RS, 459 HR, 1587 RBI, 149 SB

3. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

Position: Designated Hitter

Age: 36

Experience: 16th Season

Take your pick. Is it the friendly smile? The consistent production? The fearless approach and execution with the game on the line? Regardless of why you like David Ortiz, it's clear that there is no logical reason not to.

Even if Yankees fans will beg to differ.

After six mediocre seasons in Minnesota, David Ortiz became a man reborn upon joining the Boston Red Sox. He's hit at least 30 home runs in six different seasons, as well as at least 40 in two and 54 in 2006. Ortiz has also tallied at least 100 RBI in six separate seasons and played a major role in the Boston Red Sox's first title win since 1918.

And their second title of the decade as well. A consummate professional with a big heart and an outstanding knack for coming up big when he's needed.

Career Statistics

.284/.379/.546, 1838 H, 477 2B, 396 HR, 1315 RBI, 993 BB

2. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

Position: Short Stop

Age: 38

Experience: 18th Season

When you are the most well-known player of the most polarizing franchise, one might assume that you'll have your haters. When you've been in the spotlight for nearly two decades, one might assume that you've done or said some things to alienate yourself. When you're involved in the most ferocious rivalry in all of professional sports, it's pretty obvious that you'll have alienated a fanbase.

Unless you're Derek Jeter.

If you put the phrase "consummate professional" into Google, Derek Jeter's photograph should be the first thing to show up. If you enter the phrase "heart of a champion," you should find the same result. If you even begin to type the words "dedication and loyalty," Derek Jeter's name should be the first option.

From his five World Series titles to his 3,000-plus hits, all the way down to his infamous dive into the crowd, Jeter epitomized greatness. The fact that he reached the 3,000 hit plateau with a home run is just a testament to how clutch Jeter really is.

Columnist Note: Happy Birthday, Derek Jeter!

Career Statistics

2,496 GP, .313/.382/.448, 3,180 H, 247 HR, 1,221 RBI, 345 SB

1. Jim Thome, Philadelphia Phillies

Position: First Base

Age: 41

Experience: 22nd Season

Jim Thome came up in the steroids era and managed to stay clean. He also managed to hit more home runs than Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco. Heck, he's hit more home runs than all but seven players and is one home run away from passing Sammy Sosa for seventh all time!

All the while, Thome has maintained a level of love and admiration from fans in every city.

The latest feat for the do-it-all first baseman comes at the age of 41, as he won twice with one stroke of the bat. At first, Thome won the Philadelphia Phillies the game with a walk-off home run. Upon re-entering the dugout, Thome won $5,000 from Jonathan Papelbon, who had promised anyone that amount of money if they hit a walk-off home run to make up for his first blown save of the season.

The legend of Jim Thome grows as he continues to establish himself as one of the best of all time. The appeal of Jim Thome follows accordingly.

Career Statistics

.277/.403/.556, 2,302 H, 446 2B, 609 HR, 1689 RBI, 1733 BB