Craig Scott Sports: Halloween Edition: Scariest Players in Sports 2012

Every fan has a certain player they never want to face with the ball in their hands at the end of a game, in the net in Game 7, or wide open beyond the three point arch. As I did last year, it is time to rank the ten scariest players in sports. The list features four NFL, two MLB, two NHL, and two NBA players, with only two returners from last years list.

10. Mike Trout, Around the Fence

Trout burst onto the scene in 2012 immediately throwing his name in the MVP race. He was second in the league in batting average, first in runs scored, first in bases stolen, and first in WAR. But what he makes this list for is his glove. With an incredible leaping and athlete ability, hitters have to hold their breath every time they hit the ball anywhere near his direction.

9. Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman, Against the Run

Willis and Bowman have together formed the leagues most feared linebacking core. The two use their size and speed to track down any opposing running back and teams often avoid running at all against them. At just 27 and 24 years of age respective, they should be terrorizing offenses for years to come.

8. Claude Giroux, In Open Space

Leading the Flyers for the past two seasons now, Giroux proved to the Penguins in the playoffs last year exactly how scary he was. In one of the most competitive, violent playoff series of recent memory, Giroux was at his finest. Claude came through in the regular season for the Flyers as well finishing second in assists and third in overall points. Whether he is squeezing a pass between two defenders or finishing a one timer, Giroux is a scary man in open space.

7. JJ Watt, Rushing the Passer

Watt is following up a solid rookie season with an outstanding first half in 2012. The second year defensive end out of Wisconsin uses a combination of size and quickness to terrorize quarterbacks. This season his he leads the league with 9.5 sacks through 8 weeks and seems to be always making plays for the 6-1 Texans.

6. Henrick Lundquist, Between the Pipes

Lundquist has proven himself to be the rock that holds the Rangers defense together. Over and over we see the Rangers goaltender standing on his head to preserve a victory. His huge 2012 season where he posted a unbelievable 1.97 goals against average earned him the Venzina Trophy as the leagues top goaltender.

5. Rob Gronkowski, In the Red-zone

Coming off the best statistical season ever by a tight end last season, "Gronk" has been dominating the 2012 season as well. Tom Brady's favorite red-zone target is a terrifying matchup problem for linebackers and safeties across the league. His off the field antics along with his dominating talent have made him one of the leagues most intriguing players. He also likes to spike the ball...

4. Kevin Durant, As a Scorer

Kevin Durant has been a defenders worst nightmare in the NBA. He has now lead the league in scoring the past three seasons and developed into a star that can take over any game. When Durant is feeling it, he is nearly impossible to guard. His ability was on full display during the Western Conference Finals last year versus the Spurs when he and teammate Russell Westbrook led the Thunder from an 0-2 deficit.

3. Justin Verlander, Throwing Heat

During the past two seasons, Verlander has established himself as the best pitcher in baseball. Last season he became the first pitcher in nearly 25 years to win both the Cy Young award and American League MVP award. This season a favorite to win his second Cy Young. He has been known to throw heat deep into games often nearly 100mph in the 7th and 8th innings of games. Without a doubt Verlander is the scariest pitcher in baseball today, mainly due to his devastating fastball.

2. Eli Manning, 2 Minute Drill

Last year Tom Brady was the one listed as "Scariest" for his 2 minute drills however Eli Manning is proving time and time again that he deserves the title. It doesn't matter if Manning has played brutally for the entire game, he has an uncanny ability to forget a bad play as soon as it happens. Opposing defenses can never feel safe when Manning has the ball down late. And after leading two game winning drives in Super Bowls, Manning's "clutchness" can no longer be categorized as luck.

1. Lebron James, After Winning a Championship

The pressure surrounding James during the first eight years of his career may have been greater than that any other athlete has ever faced. Criticized for every shortcoming throughout his career, mentally Lebron was unable to handle the pressure at times and it affected his play. Now that James has finally gotten his ring the league needs to watch out. Being able to play carefree for the first time in his career, Lebron could lead the Heat to many more championships. The NBA and all of his rivals should be worried, because Lebron James is the Scariest Player in Sports.