Extra Byrnes

By Eric Wilbur

1 minute to read

  • Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells has been a pleasant surprise as an ESPN postseason baseball analyst. He’s well-spoken, makes some insightful points, and is a valuable addition. On the flip side, Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes showed up on the Bristol set yesterday looking as if he didn’t bother to comb, wore a pinstripe suit that would blind Stevie Wonder, and bumbled his way through obvious observations all the while, giving answers to questions that weren’t asked. In other words, he’s a natural to be a permanent baseball fixture on ESPN upon retirement.
  • The A’s are one win away from finally winning a playoff series. Which probably means the odds are against them.
  • Red Sox third base coach DeMarlo Hale may be a candidate to replace the ousted Buck Showalter in Texas.
  • David Wells is up today as the Padres hope to tie their series with the Cardinals. Speaking of former Sox, it was all sort of surreal watching yesterday’s Dodgers-Mets game as cameras flashed between Grady Little sitting in the Dodgers dugout and the injured Pedro Martinez cheering his mates on across the field. Derek Lowe was on the hill, and Nomar Garciaparra came through with a clutch double. On the bright side, you get to check out Julio Lugo, obsession of the Red Sox baseball ops folks. By the way, I’m expecting any day now for someone to kick it up just a slight notch and tell me why Derek Jeter is the greatest mammal ever.
  • In Frank Deford’s day, athletes used to be funny, you know. Names like Dizzy Dean, now that offered chuckles. These kids and their Boof Bonsers don’t know humor. And that’s the way it was and they liked it.
  • Maybe it’s just me, but I’m not exactly pining to set aside 10 minutes late night to watch highlights I’ve already seen just to spend my Sunday night with Chris Berman and Tom Jackson. Now if ESPN wanted to promote a way for me to GET AWAY from spending more time with Berman, maybe I’ll listen.