There's a lot of unspoken rules in baseball.  It's a very old game, and certain things are done or not done as professional courtesy or retribution, and a lot is made out of "showing a guy up".  If you stand and admire a home run you just slammed 450 feet instead of trotting directly to first base, you may get "plunked" in your next at-bat for "showing up" the pitcher.  If you argue balls and strikes with an ump, you'll likely get tossed immediately for "showing up" the umpire.  Another thing that is not done is that a manager never takes a catcher out in the middle of an inning and put in a replacement.  You just don't. It's considered professionally rude to the catcher, in effect saying, "You suck so bad that I'm willing to go through the whole hubbub of making some bench-warmer put on all his gear and replace you, right this minute." 
 
In the Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros game on Thursday, 3rd-string catcher Matt LeCroy was catching for the Nationals.  He has a notoriously terrible arm (which is why he's 3rd-string), and the Astros had stolen a record-breaking 7 bases on him by the 7th inning.  With two Astros on base, the Nationals' manager Frank Robinson -- a baseball legend who's been in baseball for over 50 years, and one of the few black managers in the league -- took out LeCroy with only one out in the inning.  The fans and announcers were shocked, but understood why it had to be done.  If they didn't take him out, the Astros would keep stealing bases forever and they would lose the game.  LeCroy was replaced with Robert Fick, who is normally an outfielder but can play catcher in an emergency.   

What happened after the game gave me hope for humanity and good taste, something I rarely get inspired to feel.  In the post-game press room interview, Nationals manager Frank Robinson was actually crying because he had embarrassed one of his players like that.

"I feel for him," Robinson said. "And I hope the fans understand. And I just appreciate him hanging in there as long as he did."

LeCroy wasn't even offended, and took it like a pro, saying: "If my daddy was managing this team, I'm sure he would have done the same thing."

Again, remember that Robinson is a black man in his 60's, a pillar of the game of baseball and one of the most highly regarded and respected men around, period.  And there he was, not bawling or silly, but with a steady stream of tears on his face, his voice shaky, all because he had professionally embarrassed one of his own players who was giving the best he could, in a virtually meaningless non-divisional game in the first 1/6 of the baseball season.

That's class.  That's balls.  That's a real man with real integrity, something we rarely get to see anymore in any multi-billion dollar corporate entertainment enterprise, especially professional sports

Unbelievable.  Barry Bonds just hit #714, possibly the most monumental moment we have seen in sports for 30 years, and ESPN couldn't see fit to cut away from it's riveting coverage of the Preakness pre-races at Pimlico for one stinkin' at-bat.  And, naturally, ESPN2 was educating us ignorant Americans on the wonders of soccer -- again -- while one of the most unattainable watermarks in all of sports was occcuring.  I've been trying to catch every Bonds at-bat since #713, and the Every Sport that's Pointless Network just blew it for me and thousands of others.

Thanks for nothing, ESPN.

I never was a huge comic book kid, but I did have a cool box full of Superman, Spiderman, Flash, Fantastic Four, and a few others to dig around in during my adolescence.  My favorites were the special "D.C. Comics vs. Marvel Comics" issues, where the heroes of the two biggest comic book companies were pitted against each other in all-out warfare.

As I was commenting just now on sleeplessinseattle's blog about interleague play, I realized that interleague baseball has the same appeal as "D.C. vs. Marvel".  Seeing the Subway Series between the Yankees and Mets is reminiscent of the epic battles between Superman and Captain Marvel, crashing around buildings and generally wreaking havoc all over downtown Metropolis.  I would imagine the Big Snapple goes through a similar ordeal during the Subway Series; I see a pair of husky dudes, one in a Yankees jersey, the other in a Mets', in fisticuffs atop a subway car racing through the Bronx.  I can even hear the unsuspecting children of a Mets fan/Yankees fan marriage letting loose with a James Dean-esque "You two are tearing me apart!!!  I know that has nothing to do with comics; it's just funny.

The series with the Cubs vs. White Sox could be likened to Spiderman vs. Batman.  Maybe you could call Giants vs. A's the "Incredible Hulk vs. The Flash" series -- steroid pun intended.  In fact, we should just call that series the "BALCO Bash", given the Bay Area's stellar physical fitness record in the '90's. 

As was brought up in sleeplessinseattle's blog comments by HalfBaked, one of the things that always distinguished baseball from football and basketball is the fact that its two leagues always stayed separate.  This resulted in the World Series being the ultimate in interleague play, where the two best teams on the planet had to face each other with no prior experience, going only on scouting reports and TV coverage.  Before regular-season interleague play, the World Series was a true "D.C. vs. Marvel" series.

As "Comic Book Guy" from The Simpsons would say:  "Best interleague series, EVER."

*This is a re-post of a blog I wrote last year, with some slight revision -- the intro had references to Christmas, etc., so I just deleted it.  I thought this one was a prime candidate for a re-post, right smack in the middle of the NBA finals.*

Could Pat Summitt coach in the NBA?  

This is a question that's been batted around a bit in the last year or two, so I thought I'd toss it back out there.  It's a good question, not only for a discussion on Pat Summitt herself, but the discussion it brings about the current NBA in general.

The wording of the question is important here.  It's not "can she", but "could she?"  I think it's already pretty fair to say that she "can", meaning that she has basketball knowledge, coaching experience, and leadership ability that is virtually unparalleled in the game of basketball.  Ask any of the great coaches of all time (including Dean Smith, who she just surpassed on the all-time college win list), and they not only have great admiration for her accomplishments, but huge respect for her ability as a coach and as a great basketball mind.  She's coached NCAA championship teams, Olympic teams, future WNBA stars, and has done so for decades.  Her work ethic is unmatched -- she once took a helicopter on a recruiting trip to see a top prospect while in the first stages of labor.  And she's even still trying to improve and learn and innovate, which she showed by meeting with Phil Jackson to "pick his brain" about the triangle offense.  We could go on and on with her accolades, so suffice to say that almost anybody who knows the game would have a hard time arguing that she doesn't have the qualifications to coach at the highest level possible.

But could she?  Would NBA players respect and respond to a woman as a head coach?  Would she want to deal with all the attention it would garner, and could she be effective as a coach with that much off-the-court distraction and general hubbub?  Does she understand the NBA well enough?  Is the game of college basketball, particularly women's basketball, too different from the NBA to translate her style and schemes?  Would she, at her age and tenure, even want to leave where she is for a risky new venture?  And would she be willing to risk failure at the end of such a long and successful career?

As much as it pains me to say it, I would have to say that she most likely couldn't coach in the NBA.  But not for any of the reasons listed above -- the real reason is much more basic:  she would insist on coaching basketball.

She would insist on being in charge, and would demand respect at all times.  In today's NBA, where players basically run the teams, stars are treated with celebrity kid gloves, fan attendance in paramount, and coaches are often an interchangeable afterthought, a coach that would demand responsibility, accountability, hard-nosed play, and fundamental soundness would be frowned upon by most players and organizations.  The NBA is about selling tickets first, and basketball second.  A decidedly un-Pat Summit way of doing things.

To answer my own questions posed above, I'd have to say first that I do think that, with a solid organization such as Detroit or San Antonio, she could win the respect and response of her players.  In fact, I think being a woman, especially a woman as nails-tough as Pat Summitt, would actually help her in that regard.  Players would have the natural response of a "don't wanna upset my Mama" mindset, coupled with the fear that if you disobey her she might tell you to "go out and pick yourself a switch for me to whup you with.  And don't pick out no little puny one, either, or I'll go pick one myself."  Pat Summitt is big, country as butter, tough, fair, and can lay a "stink eye" on a player or official that would make Bill Parcells proud.  But it's a tough love, as she hands out hugs and high-fives for great play as easy and often as she hands out intimidation and verbal assaults for sloppy play.                          

Could she handle the attention and be an effective coach?  Probably, but it would be incredibly tough and personally draining.  Could she coach the modern NBA game?  To a degree, but she would have to change to the run-and-gun NBA style, and shift focus away from rebounding and defense.  I think she could, but wouldn't do it.  Would she be willing to make such a huge professional change, and take such a monumental risk?  I don't think so.  Pat Summitt is a winner, and I don't think she would be willing to put herself in a situation that's virtually impossible to win.

Most of all, Pat Summitt is humble and believes in team play.  I think she's happy with her status as a pioneer, innovator, and basketball Goddess.  And it would be a very "Pat Summitt" ideology to leave that next step for the next generation, and to give other women coaches something to strive for, which is to be the first female coach in the NBA.

Jumpin' Jehosefah, holy canoli, and Aunt Fanny's granny panties!  Or, as they say in cyber-world, OMFG!!!  I just realized I haven't written anything on baseball yet.

I claim to be a "baseball guy".  I love football, and I love the game of basketball, but I always get all a-twitter when it's baseball season.  And here I am with no baseball blog since _______!  I'll try (probably unsuccessfully) to be brief for now, and just go with a general American League divisional overview.

AL WEST

Rangers -- Being one of the few people in Austin who pulls for the Rangers over the Astros, I'll readily admit my leaning toward Arlington in the Al West.  They tried their best to get some pitching in the offseason with Millwood, Eaton, and Padilla.  Millwood's doing OK, but certainly not putting up ace numbers (3-3, 5.13 ERA, 31K), which is why they got him.  Ideally, Millwood's a #2 or #3 starter at best, not an ace.  The Rangers still have to find that elusive ace before they can really expect to contend, not to mention the need to find a solid, consistent leadoff hitter.  Despite their shortcomings, they have the best hitting infield in the AL, streaky power in Mench and Wilkerson in the outfield, and once Francisco Cordero comes to his senses and stops throwing cantaloupes across the middle of the plate, they'll have a solid bullpen.  Otsuka's still a dependable closer, regardless of the walk-off homer he gave up on Tuesday night in the Bronx.  I expect the Rangers to be battling the A's for the wildcard slot in late September.

Angels -- They have the deepest roster, and are my prediction to win the West.  They've had a mediocre start, but Anaheimians needn't fret -- they'll be fine.  From Vlad to Figgins to K-Rod, they have solid talent up and down the lineup, both offensively and defensively.  Their starting pitching is their albatross, but it's deep enough to get them where they need to be.

A's -- I just don't think there's any way the trade rumors around Barry Zito can be true, especially the way the rest of the staff is throwing right now.  If (now DL-ed) Harden and Loaiza, Danny Haren, and Joe Blanton can't pitch up to their potential, the A's are going to be hurting badly.  The A's have a rock-solid bullpen with Calero, currently ailing Duchscherer, and formerly ailing closer Huston Street.  If Street (a former Longhorn, I might add) can stay healthy and consistent, he's going to be one of the best closers in the majors for many years to come.  And, hey, was I hallucinating, or did I actually hear several people mention Bobby Crosby as a potential MVP this year?  What??

Mariners -- I really can't predict anything more than more of the same for the hapless ol' Mariners.  Ichiro's been struggling, but he'll be fine.  Sexson will hit his 40, but will strike out too much to be effective.  Adrian Beltre will underachieve.  Jamie Moyer will overachieve.  Eddie Guardado will be blamed.  And they'll end up trailing the AL West once again.

AL CENTRAL

White Sox -- The Southsiders are getting it done again this year, and I have to admit I'm surprised.  They seemed like a "heart" team last year, one that had success through hard-nosed play and team cohesiveness rather than sheer talent.  Teams like that can often prove to be a beneficiary of good timing and luck, and fizzle out as fast as they lit up the scene.  But the addition of Jim Thome in the offseason has turned out to be the brilliant move everybody thought it might be, and the rest of the team seems to be taking care of business as usual, picking right up where they left off.  A deep rotation, a serviceable bullpen, power bats living up to potential, and smart, aggressive baserunning.  Sounds like a division champ to me, at the very least.

Twins -- After Santana's WBC-hangover and rocky start, he seems to be back on track now, which has got to be making 'em breath easier in the Land Of A Thousand Lakes.  The Twins' biggest problem is depth; Santana's their only consistently solid starter, Joe Nathan's their only consistent bullpen member.  They've got decent talent in their bats with guys like Hunter and Stewart, but there's not a single pitcher in the AL that's remotely scared of anybody in their lineup.  They need at least one "beast" around the 4-slot, as well as some young organizational talent to step up and bring the team some depth, before the Twins can really be considered as any sort of danger.

Tigers -- Jim Leyland's tirade in April was an absolute thing of beauty!  It does my heart good to see a manager in today's sports world be able to berate his team when they are playing like girls in a blacktop kickball game, with the only repercussion being his team stepping up BIG TIME and starting to gain some respect.  Chris Shelton's lumber freakery in April was ridiculous, but as soon as it cooled down, their pitching heated up.  Nate Robertson is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA??  Mike "21 Losses In 2003" Maroth is 5-2 with a 2.18??  Darned impressive.  I look forward to seeing them try to hang onto it.  The gamble on The Gambler seems to have paid off, as well. 

Indians --  Already 7.5 games out of first in the division, the high hopes of the Tribe faithful aren't looking too bright these days.  Their three offensive bright spots, Hafner, Martinez, and Sizemore, are producing, but until they either acquire another solid power hitter or guys like Blake and Boone are able to sustain huge numbers, they're going to be scrabbling for third in the Central.  You have to like their solid (but aging) rotation, though, and Sabathia's return could be a big spark.  Bob Wickman seems to be on track to repeating last year's stellar closing performance, but somehow I just don't trust that he can keep it up for two solid seasons.  They could surprise everybody and contend for the wildcard, but I don't see it happening.

Royals --  They're the Royals.  I hear George Brett and Rickey Henderson are looking for work.  They might want to give them a jingle.

AL EAST

Red Sox -- It's all clicking right now for the Sox, which is great to watch.  However, they're still trailing the Yankees for first, which is troublesome.  I know it's only May, but if the Sox are hitting on all cylinders, and the Yanks have Sheffield, Matsui, and Giambi hurt, and the Sox still aren't in first, then that's a problem.  Papelbon's been a treat to watch close games, and it's been a pleasant surprise to see Schilling and Beckett live up to expectations so far.  Papi's still poppin', and Manny will start caring again soon, and the Spaldings will light up the Boston skyline once again.  Lowell and Youkalis have been solid on the corners, and their outfield has been a nice C+ so far.  Should be a barnburner in September again this year.

Yankees -- First Sheffield, then Matsui, and now Giambi??  Ouch!  With the exception of Randy Johnson and Johnny Damon, the Yankees have been performing up to potential.  A-Rod's mashing, Rivera's stopping, and Jeter's chewing gum and looking as indifferent as ever.  And even though Damon's not hitting, he's playing hard and smashing that pie-face of his into the center field wall with consistency.  I really can't predict a winner in the East.  Although I'm no true-blue Yankee-hater, I am rooting for the Sox, because my Dad was a childhood Sox fan, my girlfriend is a lifelong Chowderhead, and I just dig Francona and the heart of the team and their fans.

Blue Jays --  The AL version of the Mets, the Jays spent some big money in the offseason with the hopes of catching the Yanks and Sox.  The acquisitions of B.J. Ryan, Troy Glaus, Lyle Overbay have paid off well thus far, while it looks they're going to take a beating on the A.J. Burnett gamble.  They have some promising youth in Rios and Chacin, and Halladay is in his usual Cy Young-worthy form, but none of it will be enough to catch the two big dogs this year.

Orioles -- Brian Roberts is killing me.  I have him in two fantasy leagues, and his propensity for injury is maddening.  Do I drop him?  No, he's too good!  There's no more frustrating phrase in all of sports than the words, "when he's healthy".  Sorry, I digress.  Miguel Tejada was right in the offseason; the O's just aren't doing enough to contend in the East.  They have a solid offense, especially when Roberts and Lopez are healthy (see?  there's that phrase again!), but they just don't have the pitching.  Another tried but true baseball cliche is "Pitching wins championships."  Erik Bedard is something special, but that's about all they've got.  Getting Leo Mazzone to come over was a brilliant move, but they might want to try using actual pitchers to get it done, not just coaches. 

Devil Rays -- Always at the bottom, but always better than people think, and this year is no exception.  Johnny Gomes has been a sleeper surprise so far, and even Ty Wigginton has showed some power.  And with Aubrey Huff back (even though he's been pretty paltry when he's been in), and Crawford due to heat up, they should have even more pop soon.  Youngster Scott Kazmir is really starting to shine, but the rest of their staff is virtually non-existent.  Even with their struggling pitching, any team that thinks they can take a day off when they play the D-Rays is in for a surprise.  They're not the Royals.

OK, fine, I wasn't brief.  But what you may call "three long pages", I call "not 10 pages", which is what it would have been if I'd done both leagues like I originally intended.  Like I said, I'm a "baseball guy", and when I get started flappin' my gums (or fingers, as it were) on baseball, I just can't shut up.  I realize that for hard-core baseball fans, I probably didn't tell you too much you didn't already know.  But for anyone else that might be curious where the American League stands as of May 16, 2006, hopefully that gave you something to chew on for a bit.