#176 Al Martin

SPRINT : intransitive verb \ ˈsprint  \
: to run or go at top speed especially for a short distance

He led the NL in runs scored, so I guess he was fast.

Batting average .276

Home runs 132

Runs batted in 485

Pittsburgh Pirates (1992–1999)

San Diego Padres (2000)

Seattle Mariners (2000–2001)

Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003)

LG Twins (2004)

#175 Jeff King

SMOOTH : adjective \ ˈsmüt͟h  \
: excessively and often artfully suave

"No need to ask, he's a smooth operator..."

Batting average .256

Home runs 154

Runs batted in 709

Pittsburgh Pirates (1989–1996)

Kansas City Royals (1997–1999)

#174 Mark Johnson

POTENTIAL : adjective \ pə-ˈten(t)-shəl  \
 existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality

Potential is not always reality.

Batting average .232

Home runs 38

Runs batted in 137

Pittsburgh Pirates (1995–1997)

Anaheim Angels (1998)

Hanshin Tigers (1999)

New York Mets (2000–2002)

#173 Micah Franklin

LEARNING : noun \ ˈlər-niŋ \
: the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something : the activity of someone who learns

Micah was learning the blues after only 17 games at the major league level.

Batting average .324

Home runs 2

Runs batted in 2

St. Louis Cardinals (1997)

Nippon Ham Fighters (1999–2000)

Hanshin Tigers (2000)

Hyundai Unicorns (2002–2003)

#172 Jay Bell

KEYSTONE : noun \ ˈkē-ˌstōn  \
: something on which other things depend for support

Jay Bell was probably the wise old veteran in the Pirates clubhouse.

Batting average .265

Home runs 195

Runs batted in 860

Cleveland Indians (1986–1988)

Pittsburgh Pirates (1989–1996)

Kansas City Royals (1997)

Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–2002)

New York Mets (2003)

2× All-Star (1993, 1999)

World Series champion (2001)

Gold Glove Award (1993)

Silver Slugger Award (1993)

Emotion Recap - Page 19

#163 Ricky Bottalico - PROSPECT

#164 Darren Daulton - LEADER

#165 Lenny Dykstra - NAILS

#166 Charlie Hayes - PRIMED

#167 Dave Hollins - WILLPOWER

#168 Gregg Jefferies - PERPARING

#169 Michael Mimbs - CRAFTY

#170 Curt Schilling - STRIVING

#171 Heathcliff Slocumb - CLUTCH

#171 Heathcliff Slocumb

CLUTCH : adjective \ ˈkləch  \
: successful in a crucial situation

Often considered one of the most lopsided trades in history, in 1997 he was traded from the Red Sox to the Mariners for Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek. Guess who got the better deal.

Win–loss record 28–37

Earned run average 4.08

Strikeouts 513

Saves 98

Chicago Cubs (1991–1993)

Cleveland Indians (1993)

Philadelphia Phillies (1994–1995)

Boston Red Sox (1996–1997)

Seattle Mariners (1997–1998)

Baltimore Orioles (1999)

St. Louis Cardinals (1999–2000)

San Diego Padres (2000)

All-Star (1995)

#170 Curt Schilling

STRIVING : verb  \ˈstrī-​viŋ  \
: to struggle in opposition

Opposing batters struggled more against Schilling than he did against them.

And Oakland A's fans of course.

Win–loss record 216–146

Earned run average 3.46

Strikeouts 3,116

Baltimore Orioles (1988–1990)

Houston Astros (1991)

Philadelphia Phillies (1992–2000)

Arizona Diamondbacks (2000–2003)

Boston Red Sox (2004–2007)

6× All-Star (1997–1999, 2001, 2002, 2004)

3× World Series champion (2001, 2004, 2007)

World Series MVP (2001)

NLCS MVP (1993)

Roberto Clemente Award (2001)

2× MLB wins leader (2001, 2004)

2× NL strikeout leader (1997, 1998)

Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame

Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame

#169 Michael Mimbs

CRAFTY :  adjective \ ˈkraf-tē  \
: adept in the use of subtlety and cunning

According to baseball-reference, Mimbs is most similar to pitcher Ewald Pyle.

Who is Ewald Pyle you ask? Got me.

Win–loss record 12–19

Earned run average  5.03

Strikeouts 178

Philadelphia Phillies (1995–1997)

#168 Gregg Jefferies

PREPARING : intransitive verb \ pri-ˈper  \
transitive verb
: to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity

Being the first two-time winner of the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award will definitely prepare you for the Major League level.

Batting average .289

Home runs 126

Runs batted in 663

New York Mets (1987–1991)

Kansas City Royals (1992)

St. Louis Cardinals (1993–1994)

Philadelphia Phillies (1995–1998)

Anaheim Angels (1998)

Detroit Tigers (1999–2000)

2× All-Star (1993, 1994)