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I've seen many people complain that their group doesn't like using some aspect of a CO build, due to Radiant/Frost, or Forgotten Realms/Eberron, or even that it was just TOO optimized and would overwhelm a playing table.  That inspired me to build this.  I present to you a strong defender with super-high defenses, strong mobility to chase down those who try to evade you, and who can beat you down with his baseball bat like a redneck beating his kids...

Slammin Sammy Sosa

The Batting Order

1 - Assault Swordmage, for superior base running speed
2 - Fighter, high on-base percentage to advance the runner
3 - Wandering Swordmage, high versatility
4 - Sage of Ages, strong clean-up hitter, hits it out of the park
5 - Low Equipment Reliability, nice strong hitter, also a well-rounded player (the build listed below still has 5,075,000 gp available)
6 - High NADs, strong but doesn't hit for a high average, buried in the middle of the order
7 - Mark Punishment, solid Mendoza line hitter, but enables another person to take an at-bat as well
8 - Platemail, weak hitter, strong defense up the middle however
9 - Aversion Staff, your pitching staff is always 9th..needs trade to American League, but pitching wins games

Career Advancement

Little Leagues:
Early heroic is basic and boring, typical of all characters.  Start out with Burst powers on the fighter side and mobility/burst powers on the swordmage side, so you can piss off/mark several creatures.  Remember that your Combat Challenge only triggers on fighter powers.  Advise using a fighter burst to mark a bunch then using your Minor to hit a target further away with your Aegis of Assault.

Junior Varsity:
Late heroic is characterized by the strong addition of Come and Get It (Fighter 7) as well as defensive benefits from the Aversion Staff and Hafted Defense/Staff Fighting.

Varsity:
Early paragon is great.  Nothing beats an all-expenses paid scholarship to Wandering Swordmage University.  The ability to mark two enemies in a burst 4 provides greater enhancement to your mobility, and ensures that you can pull a large number of opponents onto yourself while still helping your ranged allies.

Minor Leagues:
Later paragon is more of the same, your defenses are starting to lag a bit behind, as is your mark punishment.  This is the time of struggles.  Do you have what it takes to get over the hump and make it to the big leagues?  Better be prepared, just in case.  Pick up Skill Focus (Arcana) and Arcane Familiar (any with a + to Arcana).

Major League Baseball:
Congratulations, you've made it.  Time to start shoring up your weak spots, as major-league hitters don't care how strong you are, they went to knock you out every time.  Time to pick up some key pieces of equipment.  To celebrate your new contract, pick up the requisite car, house, house for your parents, and a Moonstone Sphere for a bonus to Arcana.  A Ring of Wizardry will tide you over until you can afford an Iron of Spite, possibly as a bonus once you make the All-Star team.  The additions of Total Aegis and Allied Opportunity will ensure that the opposing team respects you.  Assuming that Rapid Aegis Reaction and Strength Through Challenge aren't put on the banned substance list (hey, Sammy's never admitted to using Performance Enhancing Drugs, why should you?), make sure you get those early.

Perennial All-Star:
It's late epic, time to think about retirement.  By this point you have all those important tools in your bag and you've got a tricked out motorhome full of electronics.  Think about how you want to enjoy your retirement, maybe spend some time with your kids.  There's very little about baseball you don't know anymore, thanks to Trick of Knowledge.  Like the cagey veteran you are, you've learned how to roam the field better, your Aegis of Assault now covers a Close Burst 5.

Career Statistics

At level 30 your base defenses are 48 AC, 46 Fortitude, 45 Reflex, 41 Will
Your Aversion Staff adds +2 to all defenses against creatures suffering effects caused by you (like being marked)
Daunting Challenge improves your marks to a -3 penalty to enemy attacks against your allies
Trick of Knowledge, assuming a roll of 51 or higher, will add another 2 to all defenses.

As a result, your defenses (against marks) is an expected 52a, 50f, 49r, 45w.  Strong defenses.

Detailed Career