One of the best parts about the sports markets is the video games that come with it. Madden, 2K, EA Sports have all changed the way we see and play the game. One franchise often forgotten, however, is Backyard Sports. Debuting in 1997 with Backyard Baseball, this creation of Humongous Sports became one of the favorite games for kids growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, myself included. I remember playing against my brother and usually losing to him, but it was still incredibly fun. I decided to figure out which ten players are the best in the game. I will only be ranking according to the original 1997 version, and only in baseball.

#10: Angela Delvecchio

Angela is one of those players who often times gets passed by for someone bigger or with more poise. However, you won’t find a more surefire pitcher than her. One of her other big strong suits is her ability to hit the ball. Simply put, you don’t see strong hitters and pitchers anymore, and Angela is of a dying breed.

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#9: Kenny Kawaguchi

In doing research for this article, I found there was a somewhat negative connotation surrounding Kenny, and I don’t get it. This kid came out every day and worked just as hard as everyone else, despite being IN A WHEELCHAIR. He’s a prime example of one of the best parts about this game; its initiative to be inclusive of all. Not only that, he can flat out play. He’s not the best hitter, but his wheels give him the speed, and he’s a pitcher who can last the entire game. If you want to be able to win without having to change pitchers ever, Kenny is your guy.

#8: Dante Robinson

What I like about Dante is how much power he puts behind his swing for such a little guy. Every time he goes up to bat, he puts his entire body into it and powers the ball into the outfield. He’s also fast, but doesn’t have the strongest arm, so he’s a logical infielder.

#7: Maria Luna

Maria is a small cookie, but that doesn’t mean she can’t play baseball. She doesn’t have a facet that really stands out, but she is definitely a good all-around player. And that’s a good thing to have on a team. This is not about making all-star teams, so Luna is a great choice for just about anything (except pitcher).

#6: Dmitri Petrovich

Dmitri gave hope to nerds across the country that they too could excel at sports. I usually made him my catcher, as he can field decently well, but is strongest in his hitting capability. He just needs to get a little faster, and better at throwing!

#5: Achmed Khan

Khan always drove me nuts. One minute, he’s missing every chance to make a play in the infield, distracted by his music, and the next he’s hitting a home run. He’s a fantastic cleanup hitter that can stymie any pitcher. Also, credit to him for pioneering the headphone athlete look.

#4: Jocinda Smith

Lucinda is another well-rounded player, but unlike our previous ones, she stands out in her hitting capabilities. She can knock any ball deep for a base hit and really set a strong offensive tone. Because of that, she makes a great leadoff or early hitter. Her fielding is great as well, but keep her away from the outfield.

#3: Pete Wheeler

How can you not love Pete? He’s just such an innocent soul who doesn’t know much about the game, but still wants to play. Just because he doesn’t know what he’s doing doesn’t mean he should be underestimated. When you think Pete Wheeler, you think speed. This kid usually has a high batting percentage simply because he almost always beats the ball to the bag. He’s another strong leadoff batter, and an often forgotten facet of his game is his arm. That, coupled with his speed, make him an excellent outfielder, plus he can be a great reliever on the mound.

#2: Kiesha Phillips

If Kiesha was real, she’d make the MLB. I bet the league would change its rules to let her into the game. She’s built like a lineman and has the strength of one, meaning if you need someone to smack the ball out of there, she’s your gal. Sometimes when you take strength you forfeit speed, but that is not the case with Kiesha. She is every bit as fast as she is strong, plus her arm is something every outfield needs. She beats every female stereotype in the book, and really shows everyone who’s boss.

#1: Pablo Sanchez

Sometimes you encounter players unlike any other. Michael Jordan and LeBron James in basketball. Walter Payton and Brett Favre in football. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux in hockey. Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Pablo Sanchez for baseball.

What made him so good? Think about how many players you could stick anywhere on the field and he’d still be the best one out there. Anywhere. Catcher, infield, outfield, and pitcher. Think about how many players hit a homer on almost every ball they encounter. He almost never strikes out, or gets thrown out. If you gave him a direction, he’d follow it to a T. And he’d do that despite not knowing a lick of English.

Sanchez’s abilities can not be beat. He is the culmination of everything that is great in the sport of baseball. To quote his baseball card, “simply put, this kid is good.”

Do you agree with my list? Who’s your picks? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to email notifications of our posts!

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