Former Indians' pitcher Cliff Lee has the chance to do something not often seen in baseball these days, Bud Shaw writes in his Spin column.
Cliff Lee seems to have a million reasons to want to stay in Texas with the Rangers next year. Then again, says Bud Shaw, there are probably 20 million reasons (each year) why he'll eventually end up in the Bronx.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Everything's bigger in Texas, except the money Cliff Lee will be offered...
Based on his career -- and this postseason in particular -- Lee has an opportunity to do something historic, something you just don't see these days in baseball.
A sub 1.00 ERA in the postseason? No.
Make Sandy Koufax feel like a slacker? Negative.
Bigger.
Cliff Lee has a chance to say no to the Yankees as baseball's top free agent prize. He has the chance to stare them down like Andy Pettitte getting the sign from Jorge Posada.
He could let out a low growl, like Clint Eastwood in "Gran Torino."
At the very least, nod politely at their offer -- along with entreaties from other big-market spenders -- and announce that as a small-town guy from Arkansas he can find everything he needs to be happy in Texas.
Do I expect this to happen?
Yes. Right after J.K. Rowling calls to ask my advice on how to make it as a writer.
What are the chances?
Yankees fans reportedly insulted Lee's wife during the ALCS. She told USA Today they spit and threw beer in her direction. Is that a deal killer?
Well, the Yankees are expected to offer Lee $150 million. If that's not enough to atone for the sins of their fans, don't sell the Evil Empire short.
Look for Lee in pinstripes. And for the Yankees to round up the cretins who mistreated Lee's wife and ship them to Siberia for the winter, or to Pittsburgh or Cleveland for the next baseball season.
World Series, Part II: anything can happen, it just usually doesn't.
Texas and San Francisco in the Fall Classic may hint at equality in baseball, but it's not the ringing endorsement that Bud Selig and the sport's executives would like you to think.Baseball execs are celebrating competitive balance with Texas and San Francisco in the World Series instead of the Yankees and Phillies.
Look, I'm the first to activate the balloon drop when the Yankees get eliminated. And least when both my hands aren't occupied by the beer bong. But it's been -- what? -- a whole year since they won it all?
They went to another ALCS. More competitive balance in baseball hasn't exactly marginalized them or given them any real sense of how the other half lives.
Did I say "half?" The other 90 percent. New York has scuffled with only five World Series titles in the last 15 years and seven AL pennants.
The Yankees didn't win a World Series from 1978 to 1996. When they go 18 years again between parades, we can declare revenue sharing and the luxury tax the cure-all for not having a salary cap.
And the witch finally dead.
World Series, Part III: A fine big market whine
The Rangers and Giants are good stories. Texas has the 23rd highest payroll on Opening Day. The Giants had the 11th.
You won't find me joining the wail about poor TV ratings diminishing this World Series. Who says it's diminished? It's the two best teams. If you don't have a network stake in the matchup, why would you care about the ratings?
World Series, Part IV: A rousing endorsement
Asked about Ron Washington, his manager, Lee said, "When you've got a team like this, you'd have a hard time screwing that up, to be honest with you, at least offensively. ... I feel like I could fill that lineup every day and throw it out there."
I'm sure Lee misspoke and that he meant to say the Rangers owe everything that's happened to them to ol' whathisname.
HE SAID IT
Who knew that Shaquille O'Neal was really The Big Antidote to what ails Delonte West (left)?"Last year I don't think he respected anybody but me on that team. So I was able to talk to him." -- Shaquille O'Neal, together again with former Cavaliers guard Delonte West in Boston.
That was you keeping him straight, Shaq? Good job.
HE SAID WHAT?
"At that time I didn't think it would be my last time I wore the Cavs' uniform. I never thought in the back of my mind I would be somewhere else." -- Miami's LeBron James, from Boston Tuesday while opening the season in the city where he played his final game last year.
Don't laugh. It's true.
Leaving was in the front of his mind.
SPINOFFS
In the category of "Be Careful What You Wish For," Eric Mangini hopes Rob Ryan will get a chance to become a head coach...
Who said, "We're the best team in the NFC"? 1) Tom Coughlin of the Giants; 2) Mike Smith of Atlanta; 3) Raheem Morris of Tampa Bay? If you guessed Raheem Morris, congratulations Raheem Morris...
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says "there's a feeling around here we haven't had in a while." He apparently meant that as a good thing...
Gilbert doesn't think his letter attacking James after "The Decision" will cost the team free agents. Well, if there's a choice -- and that's what free agency is -- it's not exactly going down in the plus column...
You want it, you need it, you can't live without it. Introducing the launch of LeBronJames.com, in which James promises "all access to LeBron James' life." Wow. That's even more intimate in the third person...
And to think Gilbert just wanted a phone call...
Don't get too excited about Boston's win over the Heat Tuesday. James almost rallied the Heat against a cohesive veteran team with the best defense in the league, and with Dwyane Wade, who missed almost all training camp, doing a too-convincing impersonation of Carlos Arroyo.
When James posted up against Boston one possession, Mike Fratello said, "You didn't see him do that very often in Cleveland." True, if by "very often" Fratello meant "never." Then again, the Cavs had only wanted James to do it for the last four years...
YOU SAID IT
"Bud:
"Isn't it a little late for LeBron to be asking us 'What should I do'?" -- Chuck D.
Yes. But reaching out in his Nike ad is just more proof that there is no end to this young man's humility.
"Bud:
"I have another separated at birth for you. Did you see Eric Wedge and his new 'stache? Doesn't he look like Ted Levine from 'Monk'"? -- Devin, Concord
Sources tell me a light moment occurred at Wedge's Seattle interview when he sneezed and a face mask and shin guards fell out of his moustache.
"Two words: leather helmets." -- Ron
I don't remember asking how readers can protect themselves in collisions with the keyboard when they fall asleep reading my column online, but thanks.
"Bud:
"If Cliff Lee wins World Series MVP, will he say, 'I'm going to New York instead of Disney'?" -- Angelo, Cleveland
He won't have to. He will be carried off the field by Brian Cashman.
"Dear Bud:
"That [LeBron] commercial went over my head like a ball thrown toward Eric Wright. What Should I Do?" -- Michael Sarro
First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.
"Bud:
"Will Navy upgrade its football program and drop Notre Dame?" -- Joseph S.
Repeat winners receive a replica of the statue now known as "False Start Jesus."