Friday's with Jimmy

Grab your coffee, or hot beverage, and sit back while I recount what's pissing me off these days.

# 1

The Yankees and their tradition can get a bit to bombastic for my taste, case in point the well publicized ascent of Lou Gehrig's team record for hits as a NY'er. Was finally reached and surpassed by Derek Jeter, like it was the breaking of the sound barrier, the 4 minute mile, reaching the summit of Mount Everest, or the first heart transplant all rolled into one. Enough already YES Network, and Yankees Incorporated. I was speaking to one of best friends and fellow Yankee hater and we had both seen the list of famous pinstripped players Jeter had passed, and one name struck me, because of what I know about the man, and his time. That would the kid from Oklahoma, Mickey Mantle. The greatest switch hitter ever.

If the Mick had not suffered a devastating knee injury in 51', and in those days, no arthroscopic surgeries were done. He either limped on and off the field, or waited 3 months to play again.

Give Mickey the benefit of better outfield grass, and better doctors, and he plays almost 2 full seasons more, so tell me that the New Great One would not be still scaling the heights of Yankee stats to reach Mantle. Plus, I found it repugnant that they are celebrating this individual team record like he just reached 3000 hits, or 500 home runs.

# 2

Some very bad news came from Tigerland in that long time Tiger broadcaster Ernie Harwell has inoperable cancer, and we shall too soon lose another piece of the past. Like Tom Cheek and Don Chevrier, and others, Harwell was in a class with only the best. He ranks there with the current dean of baseball announcers, Vin Scully, still doing Dodger games ( and solo to boot ) , the late Jack Buck , long time Cardinal voice, and guys like Mel Allen, and Tony Kubek, and Red Barber.

Barber mentored Scully as the voice of the Brooklyn Dodgers, "sitting in the tall cotton", "ducks on the pond", and many other expressions that gave fans the feel they were at the park. Harwell is like Scully, every play reminds him of a good story, and baseball lends itself to discuss it's past, and it's future at the same time.

# 3

Cy Young in the AL. Guys and gals, this is a no brainer, it has to KC right hander Zach Greinke, not CC, not Verlander, apologies Doc Halladay, and nice try Felix Hernandez, maybe next year. forget about wins, look at the innings, look at the batting average against, the low amount of walks, the strikeouts, and oh the best ERA in the majors. It is not Greinke's fault he plays for an offensively challenged team in Kansas City, he has been thee most consistent pitcher all year long. End of story, move along, nothing to discuss.

The NL Cy is a bit tougher but wunderkid Lincecum is heavily favoured, but there are always those that don't like to see the same pitcher every year. Unless his name was Greg Maddux of course. I will handicap the MVP, ROY in each league this weekend, because there is not much left to follow, except the Giants - Rockies race.

Enjoy