So I can't stand Bruce Jenkins as much as the rest of you, but his latest article mentions that LaRussa called Albert Pujols the "perfect" ballplayer and then Jenkins goes onto talk about who should be in the debate for that esteemed title. I think it brings up a good topic on not only what defines a prototypical baseball player, but which players throughout history fit such a definition. And also how they might stack up against other players.

Anyway who are your favorite prototype players, or "perfect" ballplayers if you will. Both of all time and per position. Jenkins also made a list of different attributes and listed which players he thought best fit for each one. Here is the list below:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/17/SPBA17IHO2.DTL

Eyes: Barry Bonds

Plate discipline: Bonds

Swing: Ted Williams

Bunting: Richie Ashburn

Body (overall):

Bo Jackson

Instincts:

Willie Mays,

Joe DiMaggio

Clutch: Reggie Jackson

Gall: Joe Morgan

(A little man, but few played bigger.)

Opposite-field power: Orlando Cepeda,

Mike Piazza

Straightaway power: Frank Howard,

Richie Allen

Throwing arm:

Roberto Clemente

Hands (on defense): Omar Vizquel

Glove (infield):

Ozzie Smith

Glove (outfield)

Willie Mays

Toughness: Kirk Gibson, Bob Gibson, or for that matter, Josh Gibson

Character: Jackie Robinson and Hank Greenberg (Robinson broke the color barrier, while Greenberg helped break down anti-Semitism in baseball.)

Speed (raw):

Willie Davis (Among

true ballplayers, the fastest man ever from first to third.)

Speed (stealing bases)

Rickey Henderson

Hustle: Pete Rose

Baserunning (smarts and aggression):

Frank Robinson

Imagination: Luis Tiant