Double Threats
If you can hit a 90-mph fastball—or for that matter, throw one—there's a pretty good chance that you can make a few birdies too. Or in the case of these 10 sweet-swinging big leaguers, a lot of birdies. Here, based on a combination of established handicaps, news reports and interviews with players and team officials, is a ranking, at their respective positions, of the best golfers in the majors.
RELIEF PITCHER
Joe Nathan
TWINS
2009 stats 2--2, 2.10 ERA, 47 for 52 in save opportunities; All-Star
Handicap 10
Best part of his game "It all needs improvement."
Worst "Short game."
Favorite course The Golf Club Scottsdale
C
Joe Mauer
TWINS
2009 stats .365, 28 HR, 96 RBI; AL MVP, Gold Glove, All-Star
Handicap 7
Best part of his game "Depends on the day. I just can't piece it all together."
Worst "Chipping."
Favorite course The Challenge at Manele (Lanai)
3B
Brandon Inge
TIGERS
2009 stats .230, 27 HR, 84 RBI; All-Star
Handicap 6
Best part of his game "Driving ... followed by search and rescue."
Worst "Putting."
Favorite course Augusta National
P
Livan Hernandez
NATIONALS
2009 stats 9--12, 5.44 ERA
Handicap +2
Best part of his game "Driving and short game."
Worst "Mid-irons. I drive the ball so far that I don't hit many mid-irons."
Favorite course La Gorce Country Club (Miami Beach). Also Pebble Beach, Olympic and Teeth of the Dog.
1B
Mark Teixeira
YANKEES
2009 stats .292, 39 HR, 122 RBI; Gold Glove, second in league in MVP voting, All-Star
Handicap 10
Best part of his game "Driving accuracy."
Worst "Mid- and long irons."
Favorite course Peachtree Golf Club (Atlanta)
SS
Nick Punto
TWINS
2009 stats .228, 1 HR, 38 RBI Handicap 0.5
Best part of his game "Putting."
Worst "Long irons."
Favorite course Grayhawk (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
2B
Ian Kinsler
RANGERS
2009 stats .253, 31 HR, 86 RBI
Handicap 8 ("But it should be down to 6 by spring.")
Best part of his game "Getting off the tee."
Worst "Everything else."
Favorite course "Arthur Pack, now known as Crooked Tee, in Tucson. I grew up playing there."
LF
Josh Willingham
NATIONALS
2009 stats .260, 24 HR, 61 RBI
Handicap 8
Best part of his game "Iron play."
Worst "Chipping."
Favorite course Pebble Beach
CF
Shane Victorino
PHILLIES
2009 stats .292, 10 HR, 62 RBI; Gold Glove, All-Star
Handicap 12
Best part of his game "Driving."
Worst "Every other aspect."
Favorite course Makena Beach & Golf Resort (Maui)
RF
Jeff Francoeur
METS
2009 stats .280, 15 HR, 76 RBI
Handicap 5
Best part of his game "Putting."
Worst "Chipping."
Favorite course Muirfield (Scotland); Merion (Philadelphia)
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"The best part of my game is driving ... followed by search and rescue."
—Brandon Inge
"I drive the ball so far that I don't hit many mid-irons."
—Livan Hernandez
"My handicap? Ten. I hope this doesn't mean my friends will give me fewer shots."
—Mark Teixeira
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WALTER IOOSS JR.
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NICK LAHAM/GETTY IMAGES
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JOE ROBBINS/GETTY IMAGES
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JOHN BIEVER
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G. FIUME/GETTY IMAGES
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MARK CUNNINGHAM/MLB PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES
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AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES
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JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES
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ROBERT BECK
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CHUCK SOLOMON
TEN PHOTOS