Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins is in his ninth full MLB season. Perkins has quietly become one of baseball's best closers, earning three straight All-Star game appearances, amid saving the American League's last two All-Star Game victories.

Going into Wednesday's action, Perkins has recorded an AL leading 31 saves, while compiling a 2.66 ERA, for the 59-60 Twins.

Last Friday, NBA greats Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson played the role of celebrity coaches in a charity game hosted by Jackson. The “Shoot For The Stars Basketball Game” was played at El Camino Real Charter High School, in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Hector Santiago is quietly having an outstanding 2015 season. Entering Friday's start against the Dodgers, Santiago boasts a 7-4 record, with a sensational 2.43 ERA. The Angels have won 5 of Santiago's last 6 starts.

Above is iFolloSports.com original video of the 27-year-old signing autographs, during a recent LAA home game.

Former MLB OF Andy Van Slyke played on four teams during his 13-season career. His best years were with the Pirates and Cardinals. Van Slyke was a three-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner.

Chris Capuano is a journeyman MLB pitcher in his 11th season (missed 2 full seasons due to injury). Capuano has played for 6 clubs, most recently with the Yankees, before getting designated for assignment on Wednesday. The Massachusetts native and Duke alum has 76 career wins and a 4.31 ERA.

Remember Robinson Cano?

After emerging as one of baseball's most recognizable players, during his nine seasons with the New York Yankees, the six-time All-Star has moved somewhat under the radar, since arriving in Seattle for the 2014 season. Don't feel too bad for Cano though, considering that he joined the Mariners after inking a much publicized 10-year/$240 million deal.

Almost exactly one year ago today, Austin Jackson was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Seattle Mariners. The three-way deal also involved the Tampa Bay Rays.

Recently, Jackson and his Seattle teammates returned to the city in which the OF spent the first five seasons of his career.

One of the Minnesota Twins top prospects, 3B/DH Miguel Sano, finally made his MLB debut this month. Sano, a Dominican Republic native, signed with the Twins back in 2009, in a deal that included a $3.15 million signing bonus. In 2013, while playing in the Class AA Eastern League, Sano hit 35 homeruns and drove in 103 runs.

It is hard to argue with the notion that Los Angeles Angels CF Mike Trout is the best player in baseball. Entering Monday, the five-tool superstar is batting .315, with 31 HR and 64 RBI. Trout currently leads MLB in homeruns and runs scored, while placing second in slugging and third in OPS.

Minnesota Twins 2B Brian Dozier is fresh off his first career All-Star Game appearance, which included an eighth inning solo HR, in the AL's 6-3 win in Cincinnati. Dozier, a Mississippi native, is currently in the midst of his best season. As of Monday, Dozier has belted 21 long balls, scored 72 runs and posted 55 RBI, helping the surprising Twins to a 52-46 record.

Detroit
Pistons guard Reggie
Jackson really cashed in this offseason. After arriving in Detroit last
February, courtesy of a midseason trade from the Thunder, Jackson
flourished. In 27 games, the 2011 first round pick averaged 17.6 points, 9.2
assists and 4.7 rebounds.  Thanks to his
increased productivity, as well as the more prominent role he will see with the

Michael Wacha is a starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, in his third MLB season. Wacha immerged onto the scene in 2013, after being named NLCS MVP. Going into Tuesday, Wacha has a 10-3 record, with a 2.77 ERA, for the first place Cardinals.

Recently, iFolloSports.com gathered the above original video of Wacha signing autographs at Target Field in downtown Minneapolis.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has achieved a high level of success in the short time that he has been at the helm of the Red Birds. Since 2012, Matheny has reached the playoffs each season, winning the NL pennant in 2013. Going into Tuesday's action, the Cardinals are once again winning big, owning a 51-24 record, which is by far the best record in baseball.

Prior to becoming a manager, Matheny was a well known catcher, winning 4 Gold Gloves, while playing with 4 teams in 13 seasons.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton was the second pick in the 2012 MLB Draft and is considered Major League Baseball's second ranked prospect. The Twins organization, as well as the team's fans, have been patiently awaiting the potential five-tool player's arrival, with the Georgia native recently making his Big League debut.

Kris Bryant is the Cubs 3B/OF, who is considered Major League Baseball's top prospect. The second pick in the 2013 MLB Draft made his big league debut earlier this season, with the Las Vegas native already providing the Cubs with a spark. Going into Wednesday, Bryant has 10 HR, 42 RBI and a .278 average, in just 62 games.

3 All-Star appearances and a National League hitting crown (2011) is a pretty good way for a big leaguer to begin his career. Now, in his sixth season, Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has done just that. At only 25-year-old, the Dominican Republic native is in prime position to now be one of the leaders of an emerging Cubs roster, filled with highly touted prospects and an excellent manager.

Entering Wednesday, Castro is batting .264, with 5 HR and 35 RBI.

Manny Mota is a former Major League Baseball player/current Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster for SportsNet LA. Mota played for 4 teams from 1962-1980, officially finishing his playing career, after a brief comeback in 1982. Mota played his final 13 seasons with the Dodgers, also serving as a coach from 1980-2013, before becoming a commentator in 2013. The 1973 All-Star was a member of the coaching staffs for the 1981 and 1988 LA World Series winning teams.

Early in the baseball season, I sat down with legendary Detroit Tigers 2B Lou Whitaker for an exclusive interview. The conversation took place at Taylor Town Trade Center, in the Detroit suburb of Taylor, Michigan. Whitaker was in attendance for an autograph signing event.

Steve Garvey is one of the most popular Los Angeles Dodgers players, dating back to when the team moved west for the 1958 season. Garvey, who spent most of his career at 1B, was part of many great Dodger clubs in the 1970's and early 1980's, helping LA to four World Series appearances (1974,1977,1978,1981), with a World Series victory in 1981.