If you're a chick who digs the long ball or just a fan of good hitting, every player on the list below is worth watching. I would pay to see each of them step to the plate. The thought of facing them (almost) makes me glad to be out of the game. I'm sure there are many others you might think deserving, but these are my top 10 hitters -- guys who make me want to get out to the ballpark (listed in alphabetical order):

Roberto Alomar, New York Mets

	Alomar

One of the all-time best second basemen, in 8,000 at-bats Alomar has struck out only 960 times. A switch-hitter, he's great on both sides of the plate with almost 200 HRs, over 1,000 RBI and nearly 500 stolen bases. And since Alomar's defense is even better than his offense, his Hall of Fame wing should be right next to Bonds. A former teammate of mine during winter ball, Alomar is not only one of the toughest hitters but also one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of meeting.

Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants

	Bonds

Bonds is easily one of the five best ever to play the game. He's closing in on 500 stolen bases, 600 HRs and 1,600 RBI. He has nine 100-walk seasons and only one 100-strikeout season (17 years ago, in his first season). As good an outfielder as anyone who's played the game, Bonds hasn't hit fewer than 33 HRs since 1992. He can hit the ball anywhere, anytime and on any type of pitch. No one is better in the game today. They should dedicate an entire wing at the Hall of Fame just to him.

Vladimir Guerrero, Montreal Expos

	Guerrero

In his first four full seasons, Guerrero has 172 HRs and 523 RBI. He's a career .318 hitter who's never struck out 100 times in a season (just 368 career Ks in 2,800 at-bats). A five-tool player, Guerrero's arm is as good as his bat. I love him because he's a George Brett-type who doesn't need batting gloves. He's off to a strong start this season, with an OPS of 1.044.

Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

	Helton

Say what you want about playing at Coors Field. I played in Denver for a year in the minors, and for all the great things you hear about how it helps hitters, try and breathe after running around a little bit -- you'll change that tune. Helton is awesome. He's a .333 hitter in four seasons, with 800 hits, 200 doubles, 157 HRs and only 318 Ks in 2,500 at bats. Two years ago, when he hit .372, he hit .350 on the road. In this league, those numbers are amazing, so critics can get a life -- they never hit in The Show anyway.

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

	Jeter

A lifetime .320 hitter, Jeter has averaged 207 hits per year in his first six full seasons. For fun, each year he kicks in 20 HRs, 85 RBI, 25 stolen bases and some great defensive play. That'd be enough for most complete players. Now, tack on four world championships and the fact that he's a nice, single, good-looking guy who owns New York City. Don't you just want to hate him! Looking around ESPN, almost every single woman's desk has a photo of either Jeter or A-Rod.

Edgar Martinez, Seattle Mariners

	Martinez

Martinez can flat-out hit. He has a lifetime .318 average, and every year he's been healthy he's hit .320 or better. With only 942 Ks in 6,000 at bats, Martinez has never struck out 100 times in a season. Anyone who practices seeing numbers written on tennis balls traveling at 150 mph is not someone I want to pitch to. And he could give Jeter a run for his money in a Nice Guy of the Year contest.

Rafael Palmeiro, Texas Rangers

	Palmeiro

With only 1,084 career strikeouts in 8,500 at-bats, Palmeiro is one of the most underrated players to ever play the game. Add 450 HRs, 1,500 RBI, 2,500 hits and the fact that he's only missed 14 games in the past six seasons, and this Gold Glove first baseman (when he's not at DH) is easily a Hall of Famer. Palmeiro has one of the greatest swings I've ever seen. If he had played in New York, he'd be as well as known as Babe Ruth.

Mike Piazza, New York Mets

	Piazza

I'll get to the hitting part, but first I want to rave about his catching. Maybe Piazza doesn't throw a lot of runners out -- who cares? I've watched him work his butt off behind the plate. He's taken some serious beatings back there and never complains. In the past six years Piazza has caught an average of 145 games per season (148, 152, 151, 141, 136 and 141). I would've loved to have thrown to him. As for his hitting, there has never been nor will there ever be a hitting catcher like Mike Piazza. A career .324 hitter, he has never struck out 100 times in a season. In fact, he has only 728 Ks in 4,700 at bats and has averaged 40 HRs and 125 RBI every year for eight years. Piazza hits the ball harder the opposite way than anyone else in the game. He hits the ball so hard and makes it look so easy, I'm convinced the baseball gods designed him with the sole idea of aggravating pitchers!

Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers

	Rodriguez

A-Rod is the best offensive shortstop in the game. He hits for power, to all fields and for average. A career .310 hitter, A-Rod has averaged 40 HRs and 120 RBI over the past four years with nearly 200 hits per year. Besides great defense, he'll steal 30 bases per year. A-Rod could have played Roy Hobbs in "The Natural" -- he's awesome.

Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners

	Ichiro

Ichiro's batting-title count is now at eight (one last year here in America, seven in Japan). These stats weren't luck: 692 at bats, 242 hits and only 53 Ks. Just for laughs, he added 56 stolen bases, a Gold Glove in right field and an MVP award. Ichiro can be two steps out of the batter's box and still make contact. Trust me, I lost a bet and now have his name tattooed on my ass -- he made a believer out of me.