I, like many others, am a fan of scrappy infielders and in the game, there have been many names that come to mind upon hearing the word scrappy: Augie Ojeda, Craig Counsell, Ryan Roberts, Ozzie Smith, Troy Tulowitzki, just to name a few...but one I didn't mention sticks way out in my mind: David Eckstein. I discovered him with my fave AL team, the Angels, just as I discovered Joe Saunders with that same team. Eckstein really left an indelible impression on me not just for his scrappy-ness, but for his size and stature. Not every baseball player has to be 6-some-odd feet tall and built like a brick outhouse you know. These players range in all sizes...and what David Eckstein lacks in height, he makes up for in attitude, heart, and scrappy-ness.

I'm glad he was a Diamondback, even if it wasn't for as long as I'd hoped for, and I am happy to say I got to meet him and talk with him many times. He is an amazing guy and a true talent. He will be sorely missed by me and many other fans.

Farewell X Factor...Good Luck & God Speed!

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/22/david-eckstein-37-has-retired-from-baseball/