Ben is a great competitor who'll do anything to win. That was evident on May 26, 2001 when -- as a member of the Padres -- he ended Curt Schilling's perfect game by bunting for a hit with one out in the eighth inning. The move infuriated Arizona Diamondbacks Manager Bob Brenly who called it a breach of baseball etiquette. Ben argued that it was the right play because his team trailed 2-0 at the time. He needed to get on base to bring the tying run to the plate. The Padres ended up losing the game, but Ben won some admirers for his decision to put the team ahead of himself in such a tense spot.

Long regarded as one of baseball's top catching prospects, Ben is a switch hitter with terrific defensive skills. Expected to improve upon his power and average, he was traded to Seattle after a 2001 campaign that saw him hit .239, with 11 home runs and 57 RBI. Ben split 2000 between San Diego and Las Vegas (AAA), hitting .223 at the major-league level, with three home runs and 14 RBI, in 43 games. He finished strong, however, with two homers, nine RBI and a .321 average in his final 18 contests. Drafted second overall by the Padres in 1995, Ben spent a good part of 1999 with San Diego, hitting .244, with five homers and 30 RBI, in 76 games.

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