Hardball Heaven

Today in Cooperstown, N.Y., the site of the baseball hall of fame, two men will be inducted who are part of a dying breed. Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gwynn played for the Orioles and Padres, respectively, for their entire careers, almost completely unheard of in today's day and age (Craig Biggio excepted).

Besides their loyalty to their franchises, the nice thing about both Ripken and Gwynn is the universal respect they've been accorded by their peers. From all accounts, they were not only great players but good human beings. It would be a travesty if the anti-Ripken/Gwynn - aka Barry Bonds - trumped the HOF celebrations today, so here's hoping the baseball gods exercise some good judgment. (One thing we do know - if Barry does tie Aaron's record today, Bud Selig won't be there. He's got his priorities straight - at least for a day). Here's a good piece on Ripken and Gwynn from SI's Tom Verducci that's worth a read.

As for our local nine, it wasn't easy last night but they eventually dispatched a pesky Devil Rays team in extra innings, 12-6. Closer supreme Jonathan Papelbon gave up a Jonny Gomes homer in the bottom of the 9th to blow the save, but the Sox came through in the top of the 12th with a bases loaded walk and a big double from Kevin Youkilis, whose bat is showing more life lately. The Yankees lost again to the Orioles, meaning the AL East lead has expanded to a much more comfy 9 games.

If you're going to the game at the Trop this afternoon, the letter of the day is "K". Dice-K goes against Scott Kazmir, which means there's gonna be a lot of K's.