I Present The Top 5 MLB Batting Stances Of All Time
We're onto list season so that means we are getting everyone's top 5 this or favorite that, and one list that we can ALL debate in a calm fashion is batting stances. It's the thing you do anytime you pick up a roll of wrapping paper, a broom, anything. You do your go to batting stance. I think there are 2 that are no-doubt top 5s and are going to be on everyones list. Carl hit his top 5 above so your boy decided to come out with my top 5 batting stances of all time. Here is my list that I came up with.
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5. Julio Franco
Good ole Julio Franco man, guy played forever. Made his debut in 1982 for the Phillies and retired in 2007 with the Braves. That man played so damn long. Not only is he known for playing until he was almost 50, that batting stance is one of the most famous ever. Butt sticks way out, bat high above the head, curled over and pointed right into the outfield. It's a batting stance that helped him hit only 173 homers but also lead him to a .298 average. I love the stance though, it's so exaggerated it's wild that he was able to bring the bat down and get it to the ball. It's a great batting stance, perfect one to lead off my top 5.
4. Tony Batista
I'm not sure how well known Tony Batista's stance is outside of Baltimore but good lord is it great. I know I said Franco's was exaggerated but this is insane. He starts off with both feed pointing right at the pitcher and the bat lined up right in the middle of his chest. Then he turns his shoulders into a normal hitting position. From the hips up it looks like a completely normal stance…except for the fact that his legs are still facing the pitcher. Then he swings that front foot around and unloads. This was a big batting cages stance for me. I'm sure it helped him with staying back and timing or something like that but it's so very clearly one of the more bizarre stance we've ever seen. This is a stance that would get you cut if you showed up to a tryout and did it. Maybe it's the Happy Gilmore swing for baseball, so weird but belongs in my top 5.
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3. Cal Ripken Jr. Violin Stance
The man of a thousand stances, Cal seemingly did it all. The violin was one of my personal favorites. He would plop down in the box, give it a little squat and would move the bat back and forth on that shoulder almost like he was playing a violin. I don't know why people love it so much but they do. Again, he had a ton of stances and this is really the one that people remember. When I was with Cal this summer I asked him about the stances and he basically told me that nothing in your stance matters as long as when the pitcher is about to release the ball you are in a position to attack. It's all about being comfortable before the pitch, and that made him comfy for a few months. This was a great waffle ball stance as well, very easy to do with the light bat. Then you whip it around and smoke one over the neighbors fence. Long live the violin.
2. Ken Griffey Jr.
Maybe the most well known stance of all time, the Kid has the trademark wiggle. I will say this, I could never get it down from the right side. For whatever reason the wiggle just doesn't look good righty, but when Griffey Jr. does it lefty it is quite literally the sexiest batting stance. Smooth, sleek, it was perfect for Griffey Jr. He kept it so calm and collected before the swing and then BOOM. Would explode right into the ball and send it 450. Everyone would try it but no one could get it down like the Kid. You couple the wiggle with the backwards hat and it was over. Great stance, really one of the classics.
1. Gary Sheffield
My favorite player that never played for the Orioles, there really is no doubt that Sheffield has the best stance of all time. YOU 100% have copied it. You've tried it. You can't not pick up a wiffleball bat and waggle it back and forth as hard as you can. Something about it just feels so good, so natural. He did it from an early age to try and get the timing down while working with his uncle, some guy named Dwight Gooden. This stance just shows how strong Gary is, how strong his wrists are too. It's incredible that he was able to do that all before the ball was pitched and then he would just unload. Probably the most intimidating stance ever too. He's waggling the bat right in your face like it's a stick, he's daring you to throw the pitch in there. Easily my favorite stance ever, it has to be number 1. Has to be.
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Couple of other good ones that didn't make the cut. Ruben Sierra, Craig Counsell, Kevin Youkilis, Jeff Bagwell, Mickey Tettleton, Ichiro, Brady Anderson to. Just so many good ones but this is my solid top 5. Chime in with any that I missed!