A GOOD PLAY UNTIL...

...he opened his mouth. Josh Hamilton, the Texas Rangers big gun, broke his arm yesterday trying to score on a foul out to the 3rd baseman. The Detroit Tigers, showing why they are in last place in the AL Central, committed the cardinal sin of leaving home plate uncovered. With the third baseman and the catcher standing next to each other by the dugout, Hamilton tried to score by beating the catcher to the plate. Using a headfirst slide, he was tagged out and broke his right arm in the process. He'll be out 6-8 weeks.

Some of the geniuses (and I use the term loosely) at ESPN say it was a dumb play because it was early in the game and it wasn't critical. Yeah right, scoring runs is only a minor function of the game.

I have always been an advocate of the theory, 'When everything has to go perfectly for the defense to get you out at home plate, go for it. Make them execute the play.' This will put pressure on the defense during any future plays. So Josh made an aggressive play and tried for it. Good for him, even though he was out.

My problem came AFTER the play. When he was interviewed, he said, "I didn't want to do it. I thought, something bad is going to happen, but the coach said go for it and you have to listen to your coach." First of all, the play was in front of you and the runner's judgement takes precedence over the coaches call. Secondly, it was reported that the coach said, "There's no one at home! There's no one at home!" So what we really have here, is an experienced major leaguer blaming the problem on the coach instead of taking responsibility. It was your call, Josh, man up.

[Note to Vod, does this qualify as a nomination for a Newt?]

***BOSTON CONTINUES IT'S HISTORIC RUN***

Another loss with no hitting. Give David Price of Tampa credit, but if you look at the current batting averages of their lineup, you can see that it didn't start last night. We Yankee fans have had to endure the "Red Sox Nation" for some time now, so it was interesting to see all the empty seats for the last inning of the defeat at the hands of the Yanks. Maybe they're not the diehard fans they claim to be.

***GOODBYE MANNY***

Most of the discussions on his retirement (excluding the drug issue) focuses on his impressive hitting prowess. I think we should also remember his 'entertainment' value.

**His disappearance behind the Green Monster during a pitching change to 'relieve' himself.

**Forgetting he was still in the game and having to be called out of the locker room, get dressed again and go out to play the field in the ninth inning of a game in LA.

**Making a tremendous diving catch of a throw...intended for someone else. He's still the only major leaguer in history who has been credited with an interception.

**Making a great catch in the outfield and climbing the wall to high-five a fan.

**Mocking (in a kidding way) Melky Cabrera after Melky stole a home run from him.

Yes, Manny being Manny is a highlight reel all by himself.

***SCRANTON IS BEATING UP THE RED WINGS***

Rochester's triple A club was beaten 3 out of 4, as Scranton was led by the bats of Jesus Montero and Jorge Vaquez. Vasquez has impressed the Rochester writers by blasting a couple of tape-measure homers.

From Janice Hough:

It’s not a typo, Cleveland is in first place in the AL Central. The last time the Indians had such an unexpectedly good week, Custer was involved.

From the king of the punsters, Dwight Perry:

Kim Clijsters is suddenly doubtful to play in the French Open after dislocating her ankle and tearing ligaments while swinging to the music at her nephew's wedding. On the bright side, she's the No. 1 pick for Dancing With The Scars.

CP-