One of the premier positions in baseball is center field. First off, it is the second most important position on the diamond- after shortstop- and many of the game's greats were center fielders. Below are my rankings of the center fielders in baseball today. (Minimum 750 plate appearances as a center fielder since 2009)

1. Rangers Josh Hamilton
2. Dodgers Matt Kemp
3. Phillies Shane Victorino
4. Yankees Curtis Granderson
5. Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury
6. Rockies Carlos Gonzalez
7. Pirates Andrew McCutchen
8. Braves Michael Bourn
9. Diamondbacks Chris Young
10. Yankees Brett Gardner

11. Orioles Adam Jones
12. Blue Jays Colby Rasmus
13. Reds Drew Stubbs
14. Twins Denard Span
15. Angels Torii Hunter
16. Indians Grady Sizemore
17. Rays B.J. Upton
18. Giants Carlos Beltran
19. Mets Angel Pagan
20. Giants Andres Torres
21. White Sox Alex Rios
22. Mariners Franklin Gutierrez
23. Braves Nate McLouth
24. Cubs Marlon Byrd
25. Brewers Nyjer Morgan
26. Angels Vernon Wells
27. Tigers Austin Jackson
28. Athletics Coco Crisp
29. Brewers Carlos Gomez
30. Blue Jays Rajai Davis

The Braves got a really nice deal when they got the eighth best center fielder in baseball for a a handful of decent prospects. They really needed a leadoff hitter and a better CF than McLouth. I still have McLouth in the top 25, but that's really not saying much. After all, there are only 30 starting centerfielders in the game. These are all useful players- they are starting-caliber center fielders- but some of them have a shorter shelf-life on this list than others.

The Yankees have two very good center fielders in Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson. But I honestly think that Gardner is better suited for the starting role in center, because Gardner is the best outfielder in baseball- in terms of fielding- and Granderson is only an average fielder.

Josh Hamilton is the best center fielder in baseball, and I don't buy the argument that he isn't good enough in center. His fielding rating from Fan Graphs in center is far better than Kemp's. Hamilton is actually a good defensive player, but people can't see past the stereotype of big mashers being solid defensive players in center. Kemp is fast, but man does he make some mistakes out there in center. It's a tough call, but Hamilton's RC of 142 makes it a win for the Rangers' CF.

Walk-Off Single in 10th

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6/18 Daily Rundown: Osi vs. LeSean

June 18th 2011 06:13

1. Osi Umenyiora Shoots Back at LeSean McCoy

I think Osi Umenyiora just hurt himself some more in terms of league-wide respect. He once threatened to retire, and now he said that Jerry Reese lied to him. LeSean McCoy called Osi overrated and the third best defensive lineman on the Giants. I don't agree with what McCoy said at all, but it is his opinion. I think that he is the third most important defensive lineman on the defense. Justin Tuck is better, and Barry Cofield is an important leader. Osi is a great player, but he's such a head case.

You have to read Osi's response to McCoy's comments. He called McCoy Lady Gaga, and he said that he refers to McCoy as a "she". His reasoning for this sexist remark is that LeSean McCoy did what a woman would do. Huh? What are you talking about man? Everybody calls people overrated and soft all the time. There was no reason for him to make a sexist remark.

It's no secret that these two hate eachother, but this is the first time that we've seen it off the field. Thank Twitter for the sudden interest in this rivalry. What's more is that he called McCoy a nobody and said McCoy should stop talking. Memo to Osi Umenyiora: LeSean McCoy is one of the best all-around running backs in the National Football League.

2. Michael Pineda Helps Break Phils' 7 Game Win Streak

If you have the fastest fastball in the majors, you throw strikes, and you have nice offspeed stuff; you're going to be a successful pitcher in the majors. Right now, Michael Pineda is very successful. The most recent young pitching sensation on the M's is tearing up the league. On a team bereft of offense- bereft is a kind word- performances like Pineda's yesterday are necessary.

Michael Pineda took a no-hitter through six, and Brandon League got his 20th save in a rocky ninth. Roy Oswalt gave up eight hits and four runs in six surprisingly poor innings. Recent call-up Dustin Ackley got his first base hit through the veteran ace's legs. The second baseman who should change positions is one of the biggest prospects in the majors. Ichiro had three hits- including a double- and three runs to help lead the M's to victory. And yes, Ichiro was their lead-off hitter so I just made another really bad pun.

3. Red Sox Win Again

The Boston Red Sox beat a tough AL Central opponent 10-4 thanks to some big hitting from A-Gone. He went 3-4 with three runs, one RBI, a walk, a double, and a homer. Big Papi went 3-5 with a double, a run, and a run batted in. Nyjer Morgan went 3-4 with two runs. After three poor innings, John Lackey bounced back and finished off the game with five solid, scoreless frames.

4. Lockout '11: Owner News

A handful of NFL Owners are stalling negotiations because they don't like the deal that Roger Goodell is offering the players. They believe that the deal offered benefits the players more than the owners. The recent summit is for the owners to talk everything together amongst themselves rather than to actually negotiate.

5. Owners Allow Guaranteed Contracts

An important debate among the owners and players in the NBA, the issue of guaranteed contracts has been resolved with the owners allowing the current system of guaranteed contracts to continue. This is good news for the players, but the issue of a hard salary cap also needs to be resolved. Both sides really want to get a deal done and settle their differences even if it means letting the other side get what they want- meaning you didn't want such a thing to happen.