It’s officially February, the time that all baseball fans have been anxiously awaiting since October. That’s right, boys and girls: pitchers and catchers report in a matter of days. Before you know it, the ’07 season will be upon us. (It’s hard to believe, but in nearly a month, my fantasy league will be holding our draft!) In an effort to get fired up for spring training, I decided to think through my favorite players at each position around the diamond. My only criteria: I limited this list to players from the last 3 or 4 decades. I plan on composing my All-Time lineup later in the spring. But that’s a matter of the head; this endeavor is strictly from the heart. Here are my all-time faves at each position.

Catcher: Mike Matheny, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants. Everyone who’s played with the guy ranks him as the best teammate they’ve ever played with. A concussion last season has driven him from the game, but he was everything you could want out of your catcher: hard-nosed, great arm, called a good game. 100% class. We’ll miss you, Mike.

First base: Mark Grace, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks. Even though he spent the majority of his career as a Cub, I’ve always been a Grace fan. Never great, he was consistently good for more than a decade. And maybe one of the best interviews you’ll ever hear. By the way Aldridge, I never believed he was your uncle.

Second base: Tom Lawless, St. Louis Cardinals. I kinda struggled with this one. I might’ve put Roberto Alomar here for his all-around excellence, but I can’t overlook that whole spitting incident. So I decided to go with a guy that wasn’t a true second baseman. Lawless was a lifelong journeyman who never landed a starting job (although he was once traded for Pete Rose). His 15 seconds of fame came in the ’87 series when he launched an unbelievable home run for the Cardinals. I’ll never forget his bat flip and his absolute jubilation as he rounded the bases. This one’s for all the little guys like Tom Lawless, the guys that make this game great.

Shortstop: Ozzie Smith, San Deigo Padres, St. Louis Cardinals. Was there any doubt? I give an honorable mention to Cal, but Ozzie’s my baseball hero. I’ve written of my love for the Wizard, so I’ll just leave it at that.

Third Base: George Brett, Kansas City Royals. As Brett neared the end of his brilliant career, he was asked to describe his ideal last at-bat. I’ll never forget what he said. He said he hoped to hit a hard two-hopper to the second baseman, bust his can down the line, and be thrown out by a step. Turning the routine out into a close play; that’s hustle, folks.

Outfield: Andy Van Slyke, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates. Van Slyke came up as a Card, but he really flourished under Jimmy Leyland in Pittsburgh. When I was in Little League, I emulated Van Slyke. We played the same position (CF), we both batted left but threw right and I even thought I resembled him a bit. One of the funniest guys in the game back in the day. Cannon for an arm.

Outfield: Lenny Dykstra, N.Y. Mets, Philadelphia Phillies. How can you not love a guy nicknamed “Nails”? Sure, he was probably juicing when he was the catalyst for the ’93 Phils, but his all-out style of play earned my respect.

Outfield: Vlad Guerrero, Montreal Expos, Anaheim Angels. I’ve long been infatuated with Vlad. In fact, I once shelled out a Cool Papa Bell League record $70 to acquire his services. Naturally, that was the year he got hurt. He’s always reminded me of Clemente. The highlight of our family trip to Cali last May: Vlad waved at Joshua during warm-ups.

Starting Pitcher: Curt Schilling, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox. Rode him to a couple of championships in my fantasy league. Grimaced as he rode a gimpy ankle to a title for the BoSox in ’04 (against my beloved Cards). I like him as much for who he is off the field, too. Dude is a soundbite waiting to happen. I love the big guy.

Starting Pitcher: John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves. The all-time big game pitcher. If I was managing a Game 7 and I could pick any pitcher to take the hill, Smoltzie’s my man. I’ll never forget his epic duel with Jack Morris in Game 7 of the ’91 Series (the best Series I’ve ever seen).

Starting Pitcher: Greg Maddux, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves. This guy looks like a high school biology teacher. But the professorial look masks an assassin’s heart. I’ve been in the stands for a couple of his masterpieces. Once saw him shut out the Giants on 80-something pitches. Game over in less than 2 hrs. Truly a master.

Relief Pitcher: Rob Dibble, Cincinnati Reds. As a charter member of the “Nasty Boys”, Dibs was known for his filthy stuff and even filthier attitude. I actually tried to channel Dibs’ delivery in my one-and-only pitching appearance in Little League. (I’m pretty sure I even sported a mullet like Dibs, too.) My pitching career ended with a Dibble-esque line: 1/3 IP, 1 K, 1 BB and 1 hit batter. Nasty Boy, indeed.

Manager: Whitey Herzong, St. Louis Cardinals. The field general of my favorite teams, the Cards clubs of the 1980’s. The “White Rat” was a master strategist and a lifelong baseball man. His presence on the list is only slightly influenced by the fact that he mailed me an autographed pic when I was a kid.