With a winless record after seven games, the Washington
Nationals will have a hard time gaining public favor whenever they make a radical
move like demoting Lastings Milledge to Triple-A Syracuse. To some observers,
the move smells of panic, a rush to judgment only one week into the season.
To that sentiment, let me respond by quoting Sherman T. Potter. “Horsehockey!”
I say.

 

Formerly Washington’s starting center fielder, Milledge is an enormously talented player who has been
brutal during a horrendous week of play for the Nationals. He has looked lost at the
plate, has taken some strangely circuitous routes on fly balls, and has shown a
lack of discipline by arriving late for a team meeting called by manager Manny
Acta. Given his history of upsetting both managers and teammates–not all of his
fellow Mets were fair to him in New York, but Milledge wasn’t blameless either–he
doesn’t deserve the same benefit of the doubt as players with spotless background checks.
A short stay in Syracuse,
where the weather is starting to turn lovely this time of year, could give his
attitude and level of concentration a boost. Milledge will be back in the major
leagues soon enough–and he’ll play a lot better the next time around…

 

 

Speaking of ex-Mets, Padres closer Heath Bell gave ESPN’s
baseball coverage several thumbs down in a recent media interview. In his most caustic complaint,
Bell charged
ESPN with skewing its coverage toward the “Big Three” of the Mets, Yankees, and
Red Sox, while short-sheeting coverage of other teams, including the
Padres. Bell
was particularly upset that ESPN barely mentioned the Padres in previewing the
first game ever played at the new Citi Field. Regarding his primary argument, I
agree with Bell; ESPN does make the New York and Boston teams the center of
the baseball universe, while treating many of the other clubs like Triple-A franchises.
Bell and I
certainly aren’t alone in this sentiment; such complaints have been leveled by
scores of fans for several years now. In reference to his second point, Bell needs to understand
that the opponent is usually a secondary consideration when a new ballpark is
opened. The focus will always be on the home team and the new field.

 

I’m sure that Bell,
a talented closer on the verge of stardom, is frustrated that the Padres’ 6-2
start has received little national play, but most objective observers expect
that trend will subside shortly. Let’s not forget that most prognosticators had
the Padres pegged as the worst team in the National League this spring. If the
Padres can keep up their laudatory level of play for a full month or more, they’ll
receive their due, if not from ESPN, then from other cable and Internet sources…

 

 

No one seems to know whether Bob Sheppard will return as the
Yankees’ public address announcer, or even make a cameo appearance at the new
Yankee Stadium this year, but what I do know is this: This incredible man has
introduced Yankee players for nearly 60 years, dating back to the 1951 season.
So we thought we’d compile an “all-Bob Sheppard team,” consisting of some of
the best and most unusual Yankee names in history. (The more syllables, the
better.) Some of the monikers are lyrical, others are odd and clunky, but all
have been delivered with a grace and precision unlike any other public address
announcer in baseball history. Here’s to you, Mr. Sheppard.

 

Catcher:           Thurman
Munson (the only big leaguer with the given name of Thurman)

First Base:        Duke
Carmel (true identity: Leon James Carmel)

Second Base:   Robinson
Cano (the only current Yankee to make the squad)

Shortstop:        Alvaro Espinoza (not much of a hitter,
but Bob loved saying the name)

Third Base:      Celerino
Sanchez (makes me think of celery stalks)

Outfield:           Ross
Moschitto (hit like a mosquito, too)

Outfield:           Roger
Repoz (if only he had played so lyrically)

Outfield:           Claudell
Washington (the first and only Claudell, and a personal favorite)

Pinch-Hitter:     Oscar
Azocar (not much of a hitter, but what a name!)

SP:                   Ed
Figueroa (Mr. Sheppard would never call him “Figgy”)

SP:                   John
Montefusco (did Bob ever call him “The Count?”)

SP:                   Eli
Grba (still not sure what happened to all of the vowels)

SP:                   Hideki
Irabu (never referred to as “The Toad” by Mr. Sheppard)

RP:                   Hipolito
Pena (an obscure left-hander, but a memorable moniker)

RP:                   Cecilio
Guante (translates to “Cecilio Glove”)

RP:                   Ron
Klimkowski (went from pitching to selling Cadillacs)

RP:                   Dooley
Womack (one of the breakout stars of Ball
Four)

Opponent:        Jose
Valdivielso (shortstop with the Senators and Twins)