5 Things about Baseball
1. It was great to see Jake Westbrook pitch nine innings today in a win for the Indians over the Orioles. It's great because with a few more outings like that, GM Mark Shapiro can deal Jake for three prospects, thus unloading the remaining money on Westbrook's deal. It's the reality of this market.

2. The Reds are red-hot because of their starting pitching. With Sunday's win over the Cardinals, they have taken over first. The Reds always do this, mind you, then lose 12 in a row in June or something. But Mike Leake and Johnny Cueto are throwing well, so are Homer Bailey and Bronson Arroyo. There is hope.

3. Hard to believe, but this is the 20th anniversary of the Reds 1990 world title, the closest I've ever come to a professional world title. Cleveland will always be No. 1 team for me, but that Reds team was special. What I didn't put together until recently was that two of those players, pitchers Tim Layana and Rick Mahler, have died. All I can say is that it hits you just how much time has passed.

4. I read recently that Ken Burns wants to do a 10th inning for his Baseball. Assuming the interviews were not already done years ago, I don't think this will work. Stephen Jay Gould, Red Barber, Buck O'Neal and Shelby Foote have all died.

But also dead is John Chancellor, who narrated the series in wonderful fashion. It's why I don't think it will work.

5. Still hate the designated hitter.