MLB's Top 10 Dirt Dogs

Chase Utley

Phillies fans knew all about Utley's all-out, hustling style of play before he put together his recent 35-game hitting streak. He leads major league second basemen in home runs (21), doubles (32) and OPS (.940) and has stolen 12 bases.

Craig Biggio

The muck on his batting helmet alone gets him on this list of ballplayers who have valuable tangibles to go along with their intangibles. It also helps that he's put up Hall of Fame numbers (2,901 career hits, 409 steals) while playing three of the most demanding defensive positions: catcher, second base and center field.

Chone Figgins

This is the third consecutive season he has played at least six positions: second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field and right field. His ultraversatility is vital for a roster as fragile as the Angels'. He has struggled at the plate this year (.255) but has 41 steals, best in the AL.

Ryan Freel

He blends a utilityman's versatility (see Figgins) and a daredevil's fearlessness (see Byrnes) with the productivity of a solid every-day player (see his .851 OPS this season). He has started at least 10 games at five positions this season.

Tadahito Iguchi

He's done it all for the White Sox since coming over from Japan a couple of years ago, playing outstanding defense and filling the role of No. 2 hitter in the lineup perfectly. In nearly two seasons he has hit 27 home runs, stolen 22 bases, sacrificed 16 times and posted an OPS of .771.

Jorge Posada

He has not been on the DL since becoming a full-time starter in 2000, and his OPS (.862) is 80 points higher than it was in '05, no small feat for a catcher who turns 35 next week.

Brian Roberts

He may never regain the power he showed in '05 before a grisly arm injury, but he remains an efficient base stealer who works counts and finds gaps. Think Chuck Knoblauch at his mid-'90s best.

Grady Sizemore

His heartthrob status shouldn't be confused with softness. He needs to cut down on K's, but at 24 he's a younger, more powerful (.905 OPS) version of fellow center-field matinee idol Johnny Damon.

Dontrelle Willis

If any pitcher can claim a spot on this list, it is D-Train, who routinely slides headfirst on the bases and loves to swing for the fences. Sometimes he connects, as he did when he hit a grand slam off the Mets' Jose Lima on July 7.

Eric Byrnes

He is enjoying a career year in '06 (18 homers, 15 steals, .865 OPS) after a miserable '05 spent with three teams. Nobody lies out for a catch as stylishly and intrepidly as this Spicoli clone.