View From The Crow's Nest
By Jim Lachimia

*  Because of misdeeds by Pete Rose and Barry Bonds, the National Baseball Hall of Fame will likely never include the game's all-time hit leader or all-time home run leader. Say it isn't so. That's the equivalent of Walter Payton and Dan Marino not being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

*  Speaking of baseball's Hall of Fame: Recently the powers that be honored Buck O'Neill posthumously by naming a lifetime achievement award after him. Posthumously? The former Negro Leagues standout-who had long been one of the game's greatest ambassadors-was 94 years old when he died last year. Why not make that gesture while he was alive?

*  If there's a planet where they promise never to show video of Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon's goofy celebration dances again, I'd consider moving there.

*  People who have seen Pirates' prospect Bryan Bullington pitch a lot more than I have say he's Josh Fogg at best, and maybe a spot starter/long reliever type. Certainly not the pedigree you would expect from a number-one overall pick.

*  Folks who say former Pirates' skipper Jim Tracy is an excellent tactician but question his effectiveness as a motivator are right on the money. Still, he's respected enough in the industry that he'll get another chance to manage in the big leagues.

*  Tom Gorzelanny has enormous respect for new Pirates' pitching coach Jeff Andrews. The two worked together at Double-A Altoona in 2005 and at Triple-A Indianapolis in 2006. Last summer, Gorzelanny said this about Andrews: "I feel like he's second to none. He's one of those guys you connect with and you can relate to. He's so smart when it comes to pitching. It was unbelievable to have him show me the way."

*  Three 41-year-old pitchers-Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Curt Schilling-recently signed deals for 2008 that total $26 million in base salary. Maddux got $10 million to return to the Padres. After five years as a Met, Glavine accepted $8 mill to go back to his roots in Atlanta. And Schilling will return to the Red Sox for $8 million, plus another possible $5 million in incentives. That's a lot of cash for guys who are well past their prime.

*  Milwaukee's Ryan Braun received the N.L. Rookie of the Year Award, but Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki would have been a better choice. Both had terrific offensive numbers, but Tulowitzki led the league's shortstops in fielding percentage (.987) and Braun (.895) was last among third basemen. Being able to field your position effectively should be weighed more heavily than it is when it comes to balloting for such awards. Braun tied Minnesota shortstop Jason Bartlett for the most errors by any major league player at any position (26).

*  Great line by Gene Collier of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette regarding the length of postseason baseball games: "Something purporting to be entertainment is too long if you can get in your car when it starts and drive to State College before it ends."