Why every Angel fan should love Erick Aybar

If I told you that your team would be given a shortstop for the next decade that was going to be a switch hitter, bat .280, have gap power, steal bases, never strike out more than 80 times a season, can bunt for hits, has extended range defensively, stellar glove, and a strong arm... you would be pretty satisfied right?

Here's Erick Aybar for ya. Nine solid years so far with the Angels and no one seems to give him the recognition he deserves or gives him the credit for his baseball IQ. Let's also not forget, he's hit practically everywhere in Scioscia's lineups one time or another. Versatility, reliability, magnificent defense, feisty hitter, career long Angel. This is how I view Erick Aybar.

Today he was very deserving to be named to the All-Star team replacing the talented Alex Gordon, although Aybar had better stats than him and shortstop Alexi Ramirez. I was on the Garret Richards train too, but Sale is a phenomenal pitcher with a fantastic first half. The fact is before today, Aybar should've gotten the same publicity and recognition from the fans and organization to be pushed into Minnesota.

Aybar was basically Vladimir Guerrero's little nephew for the years they played together. Still to this day, its hard to find another player who has more fun day in and day out than Erick Aybar, and it is a pleasure to watch him in an Angels uniform everyday making spectacular plays.

One story I have about Aybar was my old roommate and fellow Angel fan Mike Belcher was a middle infielder at LaVerne University and at this time graduated and got a job in the city of Orange right next to Angel Stadium. It was during a lunch break at an outdoor mall called "The Block" that Mike saw Aybar walking through with two hoochie mamas around his arms. Mike saw him and yelled "Hey Aybar! You're one of my favorite players man!" Aybar looked at him with a big smile and yelled "Thanks man!" and kept walking. It just makes you smile, laugh, and shake your head...gotta love Erick Aybar.

Some Aybar stats:

2011 Gold Glove winner
Top 5 Fielding % among shortstops over last 5 years
Top 10 in AL sacrifice hits in last 7 years
Career 74% Stolen Base success rate (121/43)

He also competes with Swisher's lippers.