BALCO, Barry & Bud.  Vino, Astana & blood.  A day dominated by men named Stern and Goodell.

Yesterday was my first day in a couple of weeks back to tv.  The drought time included twelve days straight at work and x-rays for my own overuse injury.  I was looking forward to a day off, a little ESPN & a return to workouts. 

Now me, I don't think the nickname Joey Blue Skies is such a bad thing...  But a day full of terse press conferences can even get a girl who reads Ode magazine feeling a little wrung.

Sure, three hours of yoga can set anybody back to perky...  But the man who really set things back to right is Craig Biggio.

Tie game, bottom of the sixth, two outs and bases loaded.  Biggio -- who had tearfully announced his impending retirement just hours prior -- stepped up to the plate.  That was enough for my brother and I to shut up & stand up.

One pitch.  One sweet crack of the bat.

One only had to watch Bigg's reaction to know that it was GONE.  Ripped to left.  The flip of his bat said it all, and even the dog was out of his La-Z-Boy and cheering.

Number seven's dramatic moments this year have been seemingly overshadowed.  The night he hit 3000, he shared press time with Frank Thomas' 500th home run.  But life isn't just the drama of the day.  It is day after day.  And in this, the 41-year-old excels.

In his afternoon announcement, Biggio said, "I have no regrets, I played the game the right way, the way it's supposed to be played."  He said he played the way men before him played.

Then he added, " And the way the game will continue to be played."

The Astros promotional theme is The Return of the Good Guys.  Craig is clearly one of the good guys.  He won't return next year, but he will leave his love of the game and legacy of GOOD to be carried on.  Something that can already be seen in the enthusiatic rookie Hunter Pence.

Even amongst the scandals, there are things that are right.  And they will continue to be.