Joe Schlabotnik
Eric Dickerson,Kurt Warner-Lifelong Rams fan
Foster,Morgan,Bench,Rose,Concepcion
Dr J-He was the reason I watched the NBA.
Chris Kunitz-Best player to come out of Ferris State which is in my hometown of Big Rapids MI
Always root for Retief Goosen in golf.
Ryan Zimmerman, 1st base for the Nats. He was really good when the Nats were terrible and was often the only reason to watch them play for the first few years. He never bitched or moaned, he never made excuses when he was struggling, by all accounts he is one of the hardest working guys in the clubhouse, and he started a charity to find a cure for his mom’s disease (he also gives a lot of money to the University of Virginia). Just a classy, decent guy.
Right now it’s David Ortiz. I want to see as many of his plate appearances as I can since I know there is quite a limited quantity remaining.
As a kid it was Nolan Ryan and Michael Jordan.
Right now, Jose Bautista.
What is your other choice?
I Don’t Know
Third base!
Active - probably Joaquin Noah. Always gives 100%, fun to watch, team leader, good hair, not afraid to say that Cleveland sucks. Marcus Mariota is a super class act and was unbelievably brilliant in college, but needs to accomplish a bit more at the pro level to make this list.
All time - is Joe Montana too cliched? I wouldn’t really call him my* favorite* for reasons that are probably obvious, but I am very grateful to have been a Giants (partial) season ticket holder when Barry Bonds was in his glory. That guy did amazing things more routinely than any athlete I have ever seen.
I will ruminate further…
I’ll see your Derek Jeter (and mention of Tony Gwynn), and raise you a Cal Ripken, Jr.
Does it count if you add someone for what they did outside of the game? Because if so, I’d also like to add Roberto Clemente.
Nice addition, Guin.
Ryne Sandberg
Jackie Chan
LeBron James, right now.
I’m sure some of it MAY just be contrariness. Though, TBH, I think he has held up extraordinarily well under the pressure he’s had to live with.
Dominique Wilkins
Deion Sanders
Yeah, I’m an ATL homer. 
since the OP and I were the first people up and we both said “Federer” I thought people might like to see this article in the Guardian today. It sort of captures the fact that he is brilliant, self-aware and really well grounded. I think to be a true great you do have to be, at the very least, a decent person.
Growing up… Dan Fouts and Tony Gwynn
Currently its Philip Rivers. I know a lot of people out there hate him, but I love the guy.
In between… Junior Seau (RIP 
), LaDanian Tomlinson (You may be sensing a theme), Ichiro, Anybody making Jay Cutler look bad or scoring against Roberto Luongo.
Drew Brees and Serena Williams. Brees because he’s embraced my hometown team and stuck with them (and won them a Super Bowl!), and Williams because she’s been so successful and worked so hard despite being shit on so damn much. I know she’s not perfect, but she’s amazing anyway and I love her.
easy -
Rosie Ruiz
Bobby Riggs in the '70s
Mel Bridgeman (one of the most horrible-looking skaters of all fucking time, along with Brad “Octopus” Marsh)
But actually Cal Ripken Jr’s skookum showing up to work and what Bo Jackson was able to do won’t ever be matched again.
Period.
The Greatest and The Great One are also up there, I spose.
naw…actually Jim Thorpe.
Even though his career was a major flop, I’ll go with Dick Fosbury.
He was my first celebrity crush. I started watching the Cubs with my dad because I thought Sandberg was cute. 
Cal Ripken Jr. is up there in my favorites, as is Peyton Manning. I’m actually a bigger hockey fan than anything else but I’m having a hard time picking out a favorite hockey player. Maybe Jonathan Toews.