I’ve gotten a couple e-mails like this one:

“Rich,

I know the NRO/NRODT braintrust is for the legalization of “left-handed

luckies,” but resist the urge to toke up immediately before you make a corner

post.

Are you seriously comparing Eckstein with Soriano? Eckstein is a scrappy guy

that I would love to have on my team, but Alfonso has Joe Morgan and other

serious baseball minds talking about him eventually eclipsing A-Rod in terms of

his offensive output…if anything your problem is with Joe’s lineup, I think

Jeter should lead off, (like in 1998) he’s more of a leadoff hitter than Soriano

and Soriano should hit down in the order, like 3-5, particularly if Giambi’s

slump continues.”

No, I wasn’t saying Eckstein is better than Soriano, just that he exemplifies the way the Angels play–smart, small ball–and that Soriano exemplifies the way the Yankees do–a very “American League” style, dependent on home runs.