While the stars steal all the headlines in baseball, it’s a team’s backups that steal the bases, steal the hearts of fans and push a team far into the Major League postseason.

More often than not, the big market teams feature the best backups – in many cases, players who could start for half of the other teams in the league (perhaps more).  It’s also true that some rosters feature former starters that are reduced to the backup role now that their age has caught up to them – but that doesn’t mean that each still can’t hit, or play defense.

At any rate, it’s a tricky one to piece together, but here’s my list of the top ten best backup bench players in Major League Baseball.

I think you’ll be very surprised by the top choice…

Major League Baseball’s Current Top Ten Best Backup Players

10. Felix Pie – Baltimore Orioles

Many listed Pie a “can’t miss, turned bust”, but Terry Crowley has helped him improve his game in Baltimore – most notably to a .400 start in his first 20 AB’s of 2010.

However, the 25-year old Pie was injured and is currently out for a few months.

Upon his return, he’ll still be labeled a backup, fighting to earn playing time in a crowded outfield featuring Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold and Luke Scott.

If he can stay healthy, don’t expect him to be a backup for long.

9. Maicer Izturis – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

While there’s perhaps nothing glaring to jump up for joy about with Izturis, he basically puts together the entire scrappy package – solid defense, speed, flexibility to play multiple positions (2B, 3B, SS) and a pretty solid bat, too – specifically, a .270 average and 10 RBI in 37 AB’s so far this season.

8. Frank Catalanotto – New York Mets

Call him the “kitchen sink”, because everything else is included.

He plays infield… he plays outfield.

He has adjusted well to both the American League and National League – and the guy can still hit, as since entering the league in 1997, Catalanotto has finished the season with an average above .290 seven different times.

7. Melvin Mora – Colorado Rockies

Mora started for the Orioles for years, with the ability to play multiple infield positions well.

Last offseason, it didn’t make sense for Baltimore to keep him, as he didn’t fit in with the youth movement the Orioles have been promoting.

Now a backup playing at Coors Field half the year, Mora has performed well thus far, batting .295 with 7 RBI in 44 AB’s.

6. Marcus Thames – New York Yankees

Over the last four seasons as a backup in Detroit, Thames belted 82 HR’s – an average of over 20 per season, which is pretty impressive considering he never reached 400 AB’s in any of the four campaigns.

Now, Thames is with the Yankees – a stacked lineup that should only help him more – and so far as a backup in New York, he’s batting .428 (28 AB’s).

5. Mike Lowell – Boston Red Sox

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Almost traded to Texas in the offseason, Lowell ended up staying in Boston due to injury concerns – and has since taken on more of a backup role.  Injuries or no injuries, at the age of 36, Lowell continues to hit (.317 average, 1 HR, 9RBI) and prove that trading for him years ago was one of the best moves the Red Sox have made in their recent history – if not ever.

4. Omar Vizquel – Chicago White Sox

Sure, he’s in his 40’s – and while he still plays great defense, maybe it’s not quite as electric as years back when he won gold glove after gold glove.

Vizquel’s bat has also been quiet thus far in 2010, but as a defensive replacement – plus adding in plenty of experience and leadership – he is one of the best backups in all of baseball this year.

3. Jason Varitek – Boston Red Sox

Considered the captain for years in Boston, it was a new role for Varitek this season, jumping in as the backup for Victor Martinez.

However, flashing a hot bat (.324 avg., 5 HR, 9 RBI in 34 AB’s) – plus with the Red Sox struggling – there has been some chatter about Varitek potentially earning a starting role back, while placing Victor Martinez at the DH spot.

Either way, he’s been one of the bright spots in an otherwise dismal start for Boston.

2. Jim Thome – Minnesota Twins

For years, Thome’s bat was one of the most feared in all of baseball.

Heading into the 2010, the aging Thome accepted a more backup role in Minnesota, but has flourished so far this season – hitting 5 HR and adding in 15 RBI in 57 AB’s.

If the Twins remain on the playoff course, Thome’s bat will prove to be a major plus – whether pinch-hitting during the later innings or adding some left-handed pop in the DH spot.

1. Ryan Garko – Texas Rangers

Before you trash this pick, let me explain.

Sure, Garko has struggled as a backup with the Rangers this season (.074 avg in 27 AB’s) – but look at him and the value he brings as a backup player.

Garko is a good clubhouse guy who plays great defense.  On top of that, while so many of the other players on this list cost millions, Garko is a bargain – never costing over a million for a season.

Finally, look at his postseason numbers, where he has batted .314 in 35 AB’s – and if put in the right situation, Garko can help a team greatly during a playoff run.

* Also posted to my Bleacher Report page

With a 1-7 start to the 2010 Major League Baseball season, it’s likely that most critics would say it is “business as usual” for the Baltimore Orioles.

Not so fast.

2010 was stated to be the end of the rebuilding process for the Orioles, as frequently stated by head honcho Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley – and for good reason, considering there was a significant core of young talent, combined with a handful of talented veterans.

Expectations were starting to return to the Charm City – and while they were not dreams of World Series titles just yet, there was a certain buzz and renewed energy by the fanbase clad in orange and black.

That is, until the actual season started.

While only 8 games (of 162) are in the books, it’s safe to say that in the minds of many – the season is already taking a familiar downward spiral.

No better hint can be displayed than the record-low 9,129 fans that ‘littered’ Camden Yards on Monday April 12^th – and this is one reason why the O’s need to make a change.

Somebody has to take the fall – and that man needs to be Dave Trembley.

Who delivers the better meatball: The O's bullpen or Emeril?

Now, bear in mind – I understand that the team hasn’t exactly hit the cover off the ball in the opening week of games.  That, and the bullpen has been abysmal – serving up meatballs that only Emeril could present better.

I get that Mike Gonzalez has blown two games – and that maybe he was a little distracted thinking about his wife, who was about to give birth (and did recently – a baby girl).

I get that the team has flubbed multiple chances to blow open games with runners in scoring position.

I get that players have hit the ball hard – only to have them be caught by opposing defenders.

I also get that the Orioles have been right there in a number of games – losing three one-run contests and one last night in extra innings to Tampa Bay – a legit World Series contender.

I get it all – but the word that needs to be placed out there is simply this: accountability.

While Trembley himself can’t head to the mound or take a few swings in a live game – he can find a way to stop the bleeding.  This franchise has seen similar occurrences under the Trembley regime – and when the Orioles start to hit a losing streak – they really hit a losing streak.

We’re talking for a few weeks, here.

So don’t go and tell me that there isn’t something that they aren’t good at.

The red alarm is this: Often, these skids have happened come August and September – and that’s why this one in April raises a lot of eyebrows.

Someone needs to be accountable for this dismal April start in Baltimore.

A few more blown saves and a few double play balls – and maybe that plague of losing could start to infect some of the younger guys in the clubhouse.

Hell, maybe it already has – not that that any player would ever admit to such a thing.

Brian Matusz has been one of the bright spots in 2010

A team usually can’t compete without good starting pitching – and to the naked eye, it may appear that’s where the Orioles have fallen victim yet again – but that’s simply not the case.  Jeremy Guthrie has been much improved from his 2009 form, Kevin Millwood has been serviceable and Brian Matusz has shown moments of brilliance.

What’s left to show for it?  One measly victory – and one that almost didn’t come to fruition considering Mike Gonzalez almost blew that one, too.

So again, you ask… why Dave?

Perhaps I look at one clear-cut example – the 2009 Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies were a team heading into last season with a lot of hype and promise, only to hit a brick wall in the season’s opening two months.

Colorado decided it was time to light a fire – removing Clint Hurdle as the team’s skipper, after a dismal 18-28 start to the 2009 season.

Jim Tracy replaced Hurdle, with the season not even reaching the month of June.

The result: Colorado went on a tear, reaching the playoffs and vaulting Tracy to National League Manager of the Year honors.

So that’s my point here, friends.

Life isn’t fair – it never is.  Someone has to take the fall.

Players will feel bad… for not doing their jobs, for not getting that key hit, or key ground ball out in the latter innings.

Sometimes a team just needs a change.

And today, the city of Baltimore needs a change – something that could maybe – just maybe – put its proud baseball franchise back on the map.

Something that can take Orioles baseball off ‘repeat’ – and away from what only appears to be a gag-worthy mixture of Groundhog Day and the first half of the movie Major League.

Sorry, Dave – you seem like a good guy – a player’s manager and a friend.  In fact, I see quotes of that fact via players in the clubhouse – but the fact of the matter is, we all have plenty of good guys in our work lives, but that doesn’t mean we’re out having beers with them every night.

It’s time to pull the plug on the Dave Trembley regime in Baltimore – and bring in some new life that can maybe boost this team towards the .500 mark.

Because there’s too much talent in Baltimore, featuring guys like Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold, Brian Matusz, Brad Bergesen and Brian Roberts – just to name a few.

Now where’s that Emeril character – I am craving a good meatball.

This segment has been on a hiatus for too long instead of running rampid like a painful Brett Favre rumor.  It’s time to show some displeasure for the “goings on” in the sports world with some good ol’ fashioned tomato throwing.

Let the games begin… here are this week’s targets…

Throwing Tomatoes: August 23, 2009

Brett Favre
…for dragging the football world around in his little game of indecision.

I say toe-may-toe, you say toe-ma-toe.  Brett can’t decide.

Florida Gators
…for scheduling a team that would be a 73-point underdog on game day.

The Florida Gators will take on Charleston Southern, and enter the game as an unofficial 73-point favorite.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Therefore, if you’re a betting man, you are banking on 11 touchdowns from Tebow and the boys, with maybe a late fourth quarter field goal by the hapless opponent.  77-3, that would do it.

So my real question is… what’s the over/under on how many open heart surgeries Tebow can perform while watching from the sideline in the second half?

Tom Cable
…for making Raiders fans possibly miss Lane Kiffin.

For all the drama that Lane Kiffin has brought before even coaching one game at Tennessee (with the Vols), one has to think that maybe some major portions of Raider nation are crying for him to return, especially after the recent drama with Tom Cable, from questionable game calls (even if its preseason) to punching coaches, and so on.

When will Al Davis don a tophat and charge extra admission to this silver and black circus?

Lou Holtz
… for predicting that Notre Dame will join Florida in the National Championship game.

Sorry Domers, but this won’t happen, even with a number of weak opponents speckled throughout this year’s schedule.  But, getting back to Coach Holtz… c’mon, really?  There are a number of other teams with more talent and weaker opponents – Penn State for example.

Who’s more of a “Homer”, Coach Lou or the father on the Simpsons?

Brandon and the Broncos
…for a dangerous game of chess, so to speak.

Brandon Marshall has asked to be traded for quite some time, but Denver hasn’t obliged.  Now, the troubled star receiver is staying back as Denver takes a trip for a preseason matchup.  That was the wish of the Broncos.  So what’s next in this dangerous game of chess?

Who knows, but it’s the Broncos fans that are paying the most – and feeling low, a mile high.

Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies
…for missing time due to cutting his hand with a steak knife.

Is there a lot of bad luck in Colorado or what?  Think back a few years to Clint Barmes injuring himself after falling down the stairs while carrying groceries… and now this incident with Gonzalez.  If not for past history, one could go as far to say this was a rare occurrence.

Or should we say medium rare?

Jacksonville Jaguars
…for blacking out every home game this season already.

The response to this section has been blacked out – our sincere apologies to the readers.

This has been Throwing Tomatoes, where a “red out” always trumps a blackout.