Major League Baseball

Washington Post national baseball writer Dave Sheinin was online Tuesday, July 24, at noon ET to take your questions and comments from around the major leagues.

A transcript follows.

Discussion Archive

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Dave Sheinin: Hey, folks. Greetings once again from San Francisco. The way the Barry Bonds record chase is going (i.e., sloooooooow), I fully expect to be back here in two weeks, chatting again from the San Francisco Marriott (which, oddly enough, looks like a jukebox from the outside). The Giants are home this week, on the road (L.A. and San Diego) next week, then back here again the following week - to face the Nationals, in fact.

To get us started, how about another baseball brainstormer? Since we've done great baseball movie characters and great baseball-related songs the last two weeks, lets complete the pop-culture trilogy by discussing great baseball-related moments on TV. We'll exclude games, of course. (Maybe we'll save that for another time.) To get us started, I'll toss one out there: Frank Robinson guest starring on "The Cosby Show" in the early 1990s as a retired Negro Leaguer who likes to sit around and tell stories.

Mull that one over while we get started on your questions...

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Arlington, Va.: Thanks for taking my question. Really enjoy your MLB Sunday series. Is the concept of the big mid-season trade losing popularity, especially regarding the soon-to-be free agent "rentals"? I keep hearing that clubs would rather hold on to prospects rather than trade them for a missing piece just for a play-off run? It also seems that clubs are also getting promising prospects up to the majors sooner and less likely stockpile them for trade bait. Do you think the Detroit rags-to-riches story and the escalating price of free agents is changing the economics and demographics of the game?

Dave Sheinin: Thanks, Arlington. There are several reasons for the demise of the blockbuster deadline deal, and you've hit on some of them. Also, increased parity in the game has created fewer pure sellers at deadline time. But still, the biggest reason is that teams are valuing their prospects much higher than in the past, and absolutely refuse to part with the best ones for a rental. Now, in the case of someone like Mark Teixeira, who is still 1 1/2 years from free agency, there might be a better market. We'll see.

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Mt. Vernon, Va.: The article in today's Post implies that the Nats are now committed to Belliard, since they signed for an additional two years. But, in fact, doesn't having him inked to a contract make him easier to trade? It tells a potential trade partner, this isn't just a rent-a-player, he's yours for the next couple of years?

Dave Sheinin: I've heard this theory out there -- that the Belliard signing makes him easier to trade. But I'm not so sure it's true. Does a contending team that might need Belliard right now really want to be tied to him for two more seasons beyond that? I don't think so.

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Washington, D.C.: Have you had the Manhattan at Palena in Cleveland Park? Best ever.

Dave Sheinin: Ooh. An astute chatter who recalls my complaint in a recent chat that it is impossible to find a properly made Manhattan these days. (How did we ever get on THAT topic? I don't recall.) Anyway... excellent. I will try Palena. Thanks.

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George Mason University: Keith Hernandez on "Seinfeld." "I'm Keith Hernandez!"

I haven't heard much lately, but what is going to happen beyond the left field wall at the new Nats stadium? Are parking garages going to block the view of the Capital Dome?

Dave Sheinin: Yes! Fabulous. I'll ignore your question, GMU, because I honestly don't know about the parking garages. But Svrluga had a note in the paper that the first escalator has been installed in the new stadium.

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Rockville, Md.: Great moments for baseball on TV, huh? How can any discussion not start with "The Simpsons" episode "Home at the Bat". Ken Griffey Jr.'s swollen head, Ozzie Smith in another universe, Wade Boggs knocked unconscious in a bar, Jose Canseco saving a woman, her cat, and everything else in the house from a fire, Steve Sax ending up in jail for all of New York's unsolved murders, Roger Clemens becomes a chicken, Mike Scioscia's radiation poisoning, and Don Mattingly's sideburns. Last of all, of course, is Darryl Strawberry avoiding all calamities.

What a fantastic episode.

Dave Sheinin: No doubt about it, Rockville.

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Wheaton, Md.: Your chats and articles are always informative and entertaining. I have a question about the size of major-league rosters. Since the expansion of rotations from four to five pitchers in the mid-1980s, has there been any pressure to expand the active roster from 25 to 26 players? I don't see any reduction in the number of relief pitchers to compensate for the increase in the starting rotation, so I would assume that teams carry one less position player than they used to. Your comments?

Dave Sheinin: Thanks, Wheaton. And great question. Obviously, the owners are against expanding the rosters, since that would make one more mouth to feed. Interestingly, the one time I recall this issue coming up was when there was some discussion about eliminating the DH in the AL. Supposedly, as a concession to the union (which wants to keep the DH, because most DHs are highly paid), the owners would have been willing to expand rosters to 26. But it never went anywhere.

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Fairfield, Pa.: I'm heading to Cooperstown on Friday for the HOF induction. Any recommendations on places that are "musts" other than the hall itself in Cooperstown?

Dave Sheinin: There's a great restaurant around the lake a ways called Blue Mango, but I suspect it will be hard to get into this weekend. There's an Irish pub around the corner from the Hall that is a fun spot. Cooperstown is not exactly a culinary destination, you know?

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baseball moments on TV: McGwire crying like a baby at the steroid hearing on Capitol Hill

Dave Sheinin: You're so mean. But I have to admit, you made me laugh.

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Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.: I hope you are going to discuss BASEBALL today instead of babbling about baseball songs like last week. I depend on the Post for baseball news about the Nationals because I am an out of state Nats fan.

Perhaps you would be better suited writing for the Style section.

Dave Sheinin: I'm not sure, but I think I just got ripped on my own chat!

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Bajor: There was an episode of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," where the captain tries to teach the crew members to play baseball, and they end up playing against a team of Vulcans. (The Vulcans win, of course.)

Wasn't a very good episode, really, but I can't imagine you'll get a stranger response to the question!

washingtonpost.com: What about the alien baseball player on "The X-Files"?

Dave Sheinin: Uh, all I can say is... Wow.

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Houston: If they wanted someone to portray a Negro Leaguer who liked to sit around and tell stories, why didn't they ask Buck O'Neil?

Dave Sheinin: Maybe his agent was asking for too much.

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Dulles, Va.: Reggie Jackson on "Diff'rent Strokes" in the late '70's was classic. Arnold had him pose as his dad, so he could win the father/son athletic competition at their athletic club. Man, those were fun days...

Dave Sheinin: Beautiful.

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Oldie Townie: I'm completely shocked by the NBA officiating scandal -- seems like the integrity of every game played (or to be played) is now in question. Could officiating crews in baseball skew game results the same way that NBA officials apparently can? And, if so, what steps has baseball taken -- or will it take -- to ensure this doesn't happen?

Dave Sheinin: This is a great question, and something that screams out for a story. I do know that MLB evaluates its umpires constantly, and a few years ago began using the QuesTec system to measure the accuracy of their ball-strike calls. Umpires hate it, of course, but it has helped create a more uniform strike zone. It would also, presumably, flag an umpire who was suspiciously out-of-line with the norm.

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re: baseball on TV:

Two classics from the kitschy era of TV:

Mr. Ed playing for the Dodgers.

Leo Durocher and Herman Munster.

Dave Sheinin: Nice.

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Section 213, Row 12: I've heard the Dunn to the Nats rumors... but I haven't heard what the Nats would be sending to Cincy. What have you heard? Marrero would be too much to trade for Dunn - who is a potential FA at the end of the season.

Dave Sheinin: I have not heard specific names the Reds are looking at, but they have been scouting the Nationals' farm system. It's possible they have not yet asked for specific names until they finish their scouting. But there is ZERO chance the Nats give up Marrero. ZERO.

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Red Sox Nation in DC: Dave: It seems whenever a team is described as "streaking" or "slumping," it turns things around. Do you still think the Red Sox are "stumbling and bumbling," as you wrote in your wonderful page on Sunday? Lugo, Drew, Crisp, and Manny are starting to hit more consistently; Ortiz -- who never stopped hitting -- is close to returning, and Tavares and Pineiro seem to have been replaced by Lester and Gabbard, with Schilling not far behind. And the Sox are the first MLB team to reach 60 wins. I know that optimism about the Sox is pretty stupid, especially in July, and the Yankees have been just insane, but may I have your permission to go on hoping for this season?

Dave Sheinin: You absolutely have my permission. I picked the Red Sox to win the East before the season, and I fully expect them to hold off the Yankees. The Red Sox are 7 1/2 games up this morning. And (not to go jinxing anyone, but) they're simply too good and too deep to blow that big a lead. Schilling's return in a few days will be huge.

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Washington, D.C.: With Andy MacPhail's arrival, do you expect the O's to be more active in trading before the deadline? What sort of market is there for Payton or Millar at this time?

Dave Sheinin: The smart thing for the Orioles to do would be to trade away a bunch of veterans -- not a complete fire sale, but a modified one. They have more dead weight than any team in baseball right now. I would expect MacPhail, a very smart baseball man, to go this route. Unfortunately, Tejada's injury may have damaged the team's hopes of trading him. And yes, both Payton and Millar are players who could interest a contending team needing that specific type of piece down the stretch.

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Harrisburg, Pa.: I don't know if you would call it a "great" baseball TV moment, but a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode filmed during a Dodgers game actually got a guy exonerated of a murder charge.

His alibi was that he was at the Dodgers game, but he couldn't prove it until the show submitted tapes that clearly showed him in the background.

Dave Sheinin: Yeah, that was tremendous.

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Arlington, Va.: Is the play of Olson and Bell enough to put Cabrera on the trading block?

Dave Sheinin: I'm of the mind that the Orioles need to trade Cabrera. It's time. Sure, there is a chance he will "figure it out" with another team and come back to haunt them. But we're now four full years into his career, and there are no signs that that will happen anytime soon. If they can get a future cornerstone piece for him, I'd do it.

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Jason Giambi's house: I may come off the DL in August. Should the Yankees bother playing me? They seem to be doing better without me. And I'm sorry for lots of things I can't tell you about. Please like me.

Dave Sheinin: Having Jason Giambi around is not going to hurt the Yankees, believe me. Even if he's nothing more than a bench player (unlikely) he's better than what they currently have on the bench.

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Svrluga, lurking from Philly (waiting for room service): Don Drysdale on "The Brady Bunch." Danny Tartabull and the uniforms on "Seinfeld." Frank Robinson on "The Cosby Show." (Frank told me last year that he still got small residual checks every time that episode ran as a re-run.)

Dave Sheinin: Dude! Thanks for chiming in. I was trying to remember what player showed up on the Brady Bunch. I couldn't recall Drysdale. The only guy I could recall was Joe Namath.

(By the way, dude, did I tell you the bacon at the SF Marriott is just as good as the stuff at the St. Louis Renaissance Grand? Wow.)

See you out here in two weeks for Giants-Nats.

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washingtonpost.com: Steinbrenner hosting "Saturday Night Live," playing the manager of a store who is tortured over the prospect of having to fire an employee. "How can I fire another man..."

Dave Sheinin: Funny, I don't remember that. But I remember when Jeter hosted. I hope Steinbrenner was better than that.

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Annandale, Va.: Jack Wilson of the Pirates. Why would any other team want him? Overpaid and not very good.

Dave Sheinin: The only way a team needs Wilson is if they score enough runs to be able to afford a big, fat zero offensively from shortstop, and all they really need their shortstop to do is catch the ball. For example, at some point the Tigers will get rid of Sean Casey, move Carlos Guillen from shortstop and import another shortstop. They already score tons of runs and could use Wilson's defense. But I doubt that will happen this season. They have too good a thing going.

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Baseball on TV: Paul O'Neill on "Seinfeld" was pretty good - the episode involving Kramer, the envelope containing George Steinbrenner's birthday card, Timmy the hospital bed-ridden boy and his request that O'Neill hit 3 HRs in one game....

washingtonpost.com: Also, could someone mention Wade Boggs being pantsed on "Cheers"? Thanks.

Dave Sheinin: There you have it.

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Bethesda, Md.:1 Q, 1 C:

Q:

Watching "The Bronx is Burning" on ESPN. It shows Reggie Jackson with a cupped bat, in the early 70s. My recollection is that cupping bats did not start until the 80s. How's your memory?

C:

Is Bud Selig the luckiest man alive or what. After months/years of agonizing over Bonds and steroids breaking Bad Henry's record, all of a sudden a premier NFL QB is publicly accused of running a dog fighting ring and an NBA ref is up for gambling and shaving points. Steroids, what steroids! Take away the seamheads (and I'll admit to being one) and the average sports fan doesn't even pay attention.

Dave Sheinin: Don't know the answer to your question -- anyone? -- but you're comment is spot-on. I'd much rather be in Bud Selig's shoes right now than David Stern's or Roger Goodell's.

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Chevy Chase: So do you expect Bonds to get 755 and/or 756 against the Nats in SF? I'm debating whether to buy a cheap ticket to the day game at the end of the series while I'm vacationing out there that week. I figure if he gets it before then or is still sitting at 753, I can just try selling the ticket or I simply won't go.

Dave Sheinin: I think there is a very, very good chance it will happen that way. I don't see Bonds breaking the record this homestand. He needs three HRs and there are six more games at home -- at least one of which he'll probably sit out. Then, they go on the road, and he will do everything he can to avoid hitting the record-breaker on the road. That brings them back to SF to play the Nats. Jason Bergmann told me a few weeks ago he would have no problem whatsoever with being the guy who gave up number 756. Maybe it will be him.

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Chantilly, Va.: "Casey Strangle" and "Leo Ferocious" on "The Flintstones"!

Dave Sheinin: Ooh, that's a good one.

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Metro Center: I can't believe I remember this (or that I'm admitting to watching the show; hey, I was young and needed the money), but in "Punky Brewster," there is an episode where the old guy gets primo Cubs tickets right by the dugout, but it turns out that they're fake (I believe the year printed on the tickets was 18xx, rather than 19xx), but they don't realize this until they get to the seats. One of the Cubs hears the commotion (if memory serves, two nuns were sitting in the seats, and they refused to move), and Punky gets to watch the game from the dugout.

Dave Sheinin: Wow, a "Punky Brewster" fan. That's, um, interesting.

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Arlington, Va.: Dave,

In spite of what your haters out there might think, there are certain aspects of the Orioles that are worth covering. Say, perhaps, Cal Ripken's induction into the Hall of Fame. It's possible to hate the team, love the player?

Are you going up to Cooperstown? What are The Post's plans for covering the ceremonies?

Dave Sheinin: Interesting question, Arlington. In fact, I have all but scrapped my plans for Cooperstown (Barry Svrluga will fill in) in order to remain on the Bonds chase. And yes, it is absolutely possible to hate the team, love the man. Millions of Orioles fans do it every day.

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Chantilly, Va.: Also appearing on the Brady Bunch: Wes Parker.

Greg: "Hi Mr. Parker!"

Parker: "Call me Wes."

Greg: "Okay, hi, Wes!"

My brothers and I still say "Hi Wes!" (pronounced Wessss) almost 40 years later!

Dave Sheinin: Another one I must have missed.

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Rockville, Md.: So, I have to ask your thoughts on the race between the Cubs and the Brewers. Are the Cubs going to disappoint me again as per the usual?

Your father.

Dave Sheinin: Hey Pops! Aren't you supposed to be working? I'm not just saying this because you're a Cubs fan, but I truly like the Cubs in this race. I saw the Brewers this weekend against the Giants and was not overwhelmed. They dropped two of three games to the Giants, who (believe me when I tell you this) are absolutely horrible. I think what we're going to see from the Brewers, if we're not seeing it already, is a bunch of young players getting tired down the stretch, because they're not used to playing so deep into the calendar year. Of course, as you know, with the Cubs, there is always some unforeseen calamity around the corner just waiting for the right moment to occur.

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re: O's firesale: Why just a "modified" firesale? Why shouldnt' the Orioles completely blow this team up? I'm tired of mediocrity... flush the toilet and start over!

Dave Sheinin: I guess I meant: Hang onto Bedard, Markakis, R. Hernandez, Roberts, Ray and Guthrie. Blow up the rest.

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SNL and baseball:

there are a bunch of SNL-related baseball things to mention.

- The old Negro League ballplayers

- Bob Uecker was a guest host

- of course, Chico Escuela -- "Baseball been berry berry good to me."

Dave Sheinin: Okay, all true... But I keep waiting for someone to bring up one of my favorites. Obvious hint: Hall of Fame catcher.

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Silver Spring, Md.: The Pinstripes are (in Slowes-speak) 9 for 11 and 10 for 13 after the ASB. Is this the real New York Yankees, or a dead-cat bounce?

Will Torre and Cash have jobs at the end of the season?

Dave Sheinin: The Yankees are definitely for real -- it's just a matter of whether there's enough time to get themselves out of the hole they dug in the first few months of the season.

I think Cashman will remain, regardless. Torre, I think, will be fired if they miss the playoffs. With Steinbrenner, it's usually as simple as that.

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Arlington, Va.: As a Pirates fan, how bad are they going to be next year? I think the Nats will give them a run for their money.

Dave Sheinin: Wow, the Pirates. What a terrible franchise. I know GM David Littlefield quite well, having covered the Marlins when he was the assistant GM. But I can't for the life of me figure out how he has kept his job in Pittsburgh.

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Florida: In 1958, Mickey Mantle made an appearance in Gene Kelly's documentary "Dancing is a Man's Game." Maybe the only TV show featuring a baseball player that won an Emmy.

Dave Sheinin: Nice.

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re: Cheers:

There are plenty of baseball-related moments on "Cheers," naturally.

My favorite may be when Coach demonstrated his ability to get hit by a pitch and had Diane throw at him.

Dave Sheinin: That was classic.

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Annandale, Va.: Cupped Bats -

I believe that Lou Brock had one the last few years of his career.

Thanks for the Jack Wilson response. Maybe the Pirates will get a real GM this off season.

Dave Sheinin: Thanks for the cupped-bat memory.

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Section 213, Row 12: Hey,

The Nats are taking deposits for new STH at the New Nats Park, if you request tickets, you get an ID number before you are charged. As of yesterday, the IDs being assigned for new full season plans was only 91 and 92. Surprised? Is this low?

Dave Sheinin: I'd be shocked if there were only 92 fans who have put down deposits for season tickets next year. But it's certainly a question we ought to put to Stan Kasten.

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Dave Sheinin: Okay, I guess I'm going to have do this myself... How about "The Baseball Bunch"??? Man, this was one of the staples of my childhood. Hosted by Johnny Bench. Starring Tommy Lasorda as some sort of wizard dude. Tons and tons of guest appearances from MLB stars. Saturday mornings (I think), around 10 a.m. I never missed an episode. Anyone else recall this?

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Boston: In a disturbing and at times tragic sports week (Vick, NBA refs, minor league coach death), how refreshing was it to see the Sox Jon Lester come back from fighting cancer to pitch again in the big leagues? I just hope the Sox don't undercut this feel good story by shipping Lester to Texas for Teixera no matter how much we need left handed power.

Dave Sheinin: Nice point, Boston. Lester is a GREAT story. Loved watching the game last night, with the frequent cut-ins to his parents in the stands.

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Annapolis, Md.: Hi-

There's a rumor that the Nats have offered Cordero to the Mets for Lastings Milledge, but that the Mets have declined. The Mets also want Ronnie Belliard from the Nats.

And there's another rumor that the Nats are making a serious run for Adam Dunn, who can become a free agent after this year.

What's your take on all of this? Should the Nats wheel and deal? Or stand pat?

I'm always mindful of the fact that many years ago that the Detroit Tigers, making a run for the playoffs, traded a young prospect to Atlanta named John Smoltz.

Dave Sheinin: Hi Annapolis. Be careful with all these trade rumors -- most of them are only that. The thing about the Nats is, they are not in position where the HAVE TO trade these guys. Cordero, Rauch, Young, Church -- they aren't guys with huge contracts. Jim Bowden is known throughout baseball as someone who asks for the moon (and sometimes the sun and the stars as well) for his players. They may make four deals, they may make none. But either way, it isn't a disaster.

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Dave Sheinin: Okay, folks. My time is up. Thanks for another excellent hour of chatting. Let's do it again next time. And by all means, go out and find some old tapes of "The Baseball Bunch." You won't regret it.

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