Here we are in the final week of the 2009 season -- at least the final regular-season week, which naturally coincides with the final week of our Baseball Challenge -- the last-gasp point for teams hunting for October glory.

I don't know about you, but if I'm aiming to make up the 466 spots and 410 points in the rankings I need to in order to win the daily BBC game (speaking of which, boooooo that I stand zero chance at catching "The Squidpicklers" for first), I want players and teams who are as motivated as me. No players on already-clinched teams who beg their managers for a few days' rest to heal that cracked toenail. No pitchers on teams babying them with innings caps. Certainly no players whose outbursts to the local media have cost them season-ending suspensions.

Well, if you've looked at the standings, surely you realize that the precious few inspiring races mean as little motivation for baseball players as you could ask in the final week of a season. But that doesn't mean it's entirely absent. So today I'm thinking "Top 10 Most Motivated in Baseball" … MORE