They are the reason we buy tickets. They hit for average and power, they run, they throw, they defend and they thrill, night after night.
The plan for Major League Baseball's best players is to show up to work every day, do something to help a team win and hopefully delight fans in the process.
The best of those players transcend the sport because they do it over and over again for much of the grinding 162-game slate. And at the end of each season, they are rewarded for their impact and excellence.
One of the top honors to receive is the prestigious Esurance MLB Award for Best Major Leaguer, and the list of nominees for the 2016 campaign consists of usual suspects plus up-and-comers who have shown they are not only brilliant but also polished well beyond their years.