All Star Athletes: 10 Best Players Born in Connecticut

It's been along time since I've updated this series, but now that my schedule has become a little lighter, I'm back at it. Today we look at a state that doesn't boast quite the numbers of other states on the list, but still has a few quality athletes.

Let's get this started and take a look at the 10 best athletes from Connecticut.

Honorable Mentions

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 02: Ryan Gomes #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket past Al Thornton #12 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center on November 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User ex

Here's the guy who missed the cut:

Ryan Gomes

10) Jim O'Rourke

Born: Bridgeport

Sport: Baseball

Position: Outfield

Notable Stats: two-time home run champion, 2,600+ career hits.

O'Rourke isn't a guy that most people have heard about because his playing days came before 1900. Back then he was quite the hitter and led his team to countless pennants. His career was recognized in 1945 as one of the earliest inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

9) Joey Logano

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 08: Joey Lagano driver of the #20 Home Depot Toyota during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 8, 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Harrelson/Get

Born: Middletown

Sport: NASCAR

Notable Stats: Youngest racer to win a Nationwide and Sprint Series race, 2009 Rookie of the Year

Logano might be too young for this list, but he would seem to be the future of NASCAR. The young man has already had 49 top ten finishes and eight wins in the Nationwide Series. If he can continue this kind of racing, it won't be very long until he's winning championships.

8) Mo Vaughn

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: First baseman Mo Vaughn #42 of the New York Mets swings at the pitch during the MLB game against the San Francisco Giants on August 22, 2002 at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 3-1. (Photo by Jed

Born: Norwalk

Sport: Baseball

Position: First Base

Notable Stats: three-time All Star selection, 1995 AL MVP

Vaughn doesn't have great career stats, but he did have a four-year period from 1995-1998 when he posted big numbers with the Red Sox. Vaughn's years with the Sox caused him to be one of the more intimidating hitters in the Majors during the mid-90s. His stance and power scared quite a few pitchers and helped him to win the MVP in 1995.

7) Bill Romanowski

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 26: Bill Romanowski #53 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after the play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders

Born: Vernon

Sport: Football

Position: Linebacker

Notable Stats: two-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time All Pro selection, four-time Super Bowl Champion

Romanowski might have the biggest biceps in the history of the NFL. Those things are disgusting. He used those puppies to become one of the most feared safeties in the NFL. He played a great all-around game and came up with over 1,000 career tackles, 39.5 sacks, 18 forced fumbles and 18 interceptions.

6) Dwight Freeney

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Matt Schaub #8 of Houston Texans fumbles the ball while being tackled by Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyon

Born: Hartford

Sport: Football

Position: Defensive End

Notable Stats: five-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All Pro selection, 2005 AFC Defensive Player of the Year

Freeney overcame his lack of size with his insane speed off the edge. He helped to create the speed rush position that has become so popular lately in the NFL. His 90 career sacks make him one of the best at what he does.

5) Marcus Camby

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 01: Marcus Camby #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the lane against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on November 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Trail Blazers 110-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

Born: Hartford

Sport:Basketball

Position: Center

Notable Stats: 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, four-time All-NBA selection

Because of injuries, Camby was never able to become quite the player people thought he would when he was drafted with the No. 2 pick in 1996. That said, he has always been an amazing shot blocker and has averaged a career double-double in points and rebounds. He may not be a league MVP, but he's been a great defensive presence throughout his career.

4) Floyd Little

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 7: Floyd Little poses with his bust during the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium on August 7, 2010 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Born: New Haven

Sport: Football

Position: Halfback

Notable Stats: six-time Pro Bowl selection, led the league in rushing for six straight years.

Little was one of the greatest running backs of his time. Playing for the Denver Broncos, he used his versatile offensive abilities to dominate the league and become of the most explosive offensive player of his day. He was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

3) Jeff Bagwell

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HOUSTON - AUGUST 30: Houston Astros hitting coach Jeff Bagwell #5 looks on from the dugout at Minute Maid Park during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 30, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Born: Killingworth

Sport: Baseball

Position: First Base

Notable Stats: 1994 NL MVP, four-time All Star selection, three-time Silver Slugger

It's been said that Bagwell is statistically one the top five best first basemen to ever play. He played all 15 years for the Houston Astros and will go down as one the best players to ever play there.

2) Willie Pep

Born: Middletown

Sport: Boxing

Notable Stats: 229-11-1 career record

Pep probably isn't known by many that aren't huge boxing fans, but his career record speaks for itself. Two-hundred-twenty-nine career wins is just ridiculous, and Pep might just be the greatest featherweight boxer to ever live. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

1) Calvin Murphy

Born: Norwalk

Sport: Basketball

Position: Point Guard

Notable Stats: Set NBA records for most consecutive free throws and highest free-throw percentage in a season.

Murphy didn't make a lot of All-Star teams, but he was a great scorer and possibly the best free-throw shooter to ever live. He also played mean defense, and his game got him inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1993.

That's it for today's list. Tell me who I missed in the comments and check the next page for the last five lists.

Links

Colorado: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/510841-all-star-athletes-10-best-players-born-in-colorado

California: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/505685-all-star-athletes-10-best-players-born-in-california

Arkansas: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/505316-all-star-athletes-10-best-players-born-in-arkansas

Arizona: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/504611-all-star-athletes-10-best-athletes-born-in-arizona

Alaska: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/498004-all-time-athletes-alaska-edition