Steve, it’s that mix of awe and wincing (because he’s playing your team) and Brett is definitely the poster boy. I also used to hate having Freddie Patek beat us for any reason (not that he did that often). Also..
80′s – Roger Clemens (Sox)
90′s – Man-Ram with the tribe. Seems like he destroyed us on the Indians even worse than with Boston – I’d be interested in knowing the statistical difference.
00′s – Scott Kazmir. Love to see him in pinstripes one day.

Aside from the fact that he was a rival and we were one team that he didn’t kill too bad, I really liked watching Pedro work. When he was in his prime, and nearly impossible when he was locating, which he usually was.

On the opposite end of this spectrum, remember playing Texas in the playoffs in the 90′s? Never a surer thing – wasn’t that Dubbya’s team then?

Brett was very good at putting the ball in play, and the playoff rivalry with the Royals from ’76 to ’80 was awesome (I was at Game 3 of the 1980 ALCS when Brett hit a series clinching HR off of Gossage), but in my mind, Brett’s name has become synonymous with pine tar.

Brett was a CLASSIC Yankee killer. But, you’re right, Steve. He was pretty fun to watch.

Guys I hate…but love:

Ichiro
David Ortiz (this being the first time I’ve ever admitted it publicly)
Rickey Henderson

Great game, this baseball, ain’t it?