Follow-up on A-Rod and Manny

With 162 games and non-stop coverage of game highlights, it's awfully hard to muster up any enthusiasm to tune in too any specific game. I was glued to the TV set (is that still a proper term?) on Friday night to watch the return of ARod in real time. By now everybody knows that he hit a 3-run homer on the first pitch he was served, a shot that led the Yankees to victory. Truly thrilling and memorable. Glad I tuned in.

As to the travails of Manny, I again say so what. To hear Tim McCarver's tirade yesterday about this being Manny's "final insult to baseball" was to witness true hysterics. Let's face it - steroid use was prevalent and, let's also face it, most fans don't care. Baseball interest is at an all-time high and McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Clemens, A-Rod, Manny and ___ (insert your next name here) cannot and will not ruin it.

It's left in the voices and pens of the media to tear at their breast and bemoan how the game has been sullied by these villains. The custodians at the BBWAA will pass their judgment on the "worthiness" of the greats of this era, but it means nothing.

It is interesting to hear Peter Gammons put forth the notion that Manny was not taking performance enhancers in 2004 and 2007. Wouldn't want to mar that wonderful Red Sox story, but does anyone really believe that? Really? And, assuming that clubhouse was full of juicers, and we can all start looking and choosing who were the likely users, does it take away from the story of that post-season? No, it does not.

47 more games until Manny's back.