Love Letters: The truth, little sarcasm, and then some

I raise my right hand and swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth (well, maybe I'll mix a little sarcasm in with it) in responding to this week's batch of e-mails. ...

From: Larry S.

Re.: Clemens' charges serious, but it's hard to take 'em as such

How can Congress waste time and money on this? Let baseball clean its own house. How about Congress working on the tanking economy, Wall Street crooks, marathon wars and oily seas?! Yikes ... we've gone insane in this country. I wonder where the Rocket is on the NYC Islamic Center controversy?

Don't know, but my guess is Brian McNamee maybe discussed it with Clemens' wife when he was upstairs injecting her with HGH that day.

From: Chris

Scott,

You've got to be kidding me! Lying to Congress, wouldn't that be a oxymoron?

I know. The Marlins owners are appalled.

From: Curtis K.

Thanks for a balanced and reasonable assessment of Roger Clemens' legal problems. Rare during these times of hyperbole and sensationalism.

Thank you for going with "balanced and reasonable" instead of "fair and balanced."

From: Meyer S.

How about the tobacco CEOs who lied to Congress?

Aren't they with the Marlins now? Or are those some other cats?

From: Brian S.

Seriously, why not write an article praising Fergie Jenkins? His drug use while playing MLB was perfectly OK for the BBWAA to elect him. I did not elect him. But the fact is he is elected and he was a drug user while playing.

So your point is ... Clemens should be in the Hall? Not in the Hall? He should be rooming with Fergie? What?

From: Gary E.

Re. Votto's personal breakthrough leads to breakout season

Scott,

Whether Joey Votto wins the Triple Crown depends on two factors: 1. Albert Pujols, and, 2. Whether the Reds can hold off the Cardinals.

I agree that Votto is a leading candidate along with Pujols. The last 10 games have really made it much more difficult to decide. ... If Pujols wins the Triple Crown, which he has never done in his illustrious career, it will be tough to pick against him. Right now, I would say that it is too close to call, as Votto is within reach for all three categories as well. The next month will determine it! It makes for great baseball!

I disagree with absolutely nothing you've said, Gary.

From: Pawn E.

Re.: Added bats giving needed spark to Giants lineup

Like your columns. Your latest on the Giants has an inaccuracy in it. Quote: "He's a bigger panda than the Giants would like those eucalyptus leaves apparently are extraordinarily high in calories and saturated fat." Koalas eat eucalyptus leaves ... pandas eat bamboo. I know it's a quibble, but it just proves that I do read what you write. Keep up the mostly good work!

Darn. That job at the zoo as animal keeper just went out the window.

From: Jonathan Stilwell

Re: Never-say-die Reds stand tall after West Coast trip

Thank you, Scott. It is nice to see some focus on the Reds and their resilient character.

Two teams people are not paying nearly enough attention to this summer: The Reds and the Padres.

From: Keith R.

Any chance Manny Ramirez could end up back in Boston for the remainder of the year? Will he be put on waivers? If so could they claim him if not to help but to block the Yankees or Rays?

Yes, Manny is on waivers. The chances Boston would claim him and that he would wind up there are roughly the equivalent of those that Ted Williams' frozen head will be thawed, re-attached to his body and that he'll then spring back to life. And hit .400.

From: Robert G.

Re.: Weekend Buzz: Hunter's move symbolic of Angels' demise

What good were the moves the Angels made since acquiring Torii Hunter? ... If World Champs was the objective, they have failed miserably.

They're going to finish behind Oakland, third place for the first time since 2003.

From: Trivia Dude

Scott you are right on about Torii Hunter's declining skills. His base running is atrocious and he is quick to kill any rallies. He can still swing the bat though and will be better off in right field.

The biggest problem is Juan Rivera in left field. He's lazy and he's too heavy. Whomever is playing center field in Anaheim has to cover center and half of left field, too.

From: Keith P.

Cliff Johnson still can lay claim to one record: Meanest Looking Dude in MLB. Some people might also say 'Ugliest." But once you throw that word out there, it opens the voting up to other candidates. My White Sox can nominate Ron Karkovice. Sweet Lou [Piniella] wanted to skeedaddle while his Cub record was .500. My prediction for next Cub MGR = Ryno Sandberg. The Ricketts Family is concerned with the empty seats suddenly showing up at Wrigley Field. To avoid more loss, they will go with a fan favorite. I only hope that the ex-Mrs. Ryno will show for the press conference wear that infamous Corncob Dress. You remember dontcha? I see Five Guys surpassed In-N-Out burger in a nationwide poll.

Who could forget that corncob dress? A classic (even though I've never once seen it since on the cover of any magazines my wife gets!). And I once sat in box seats right next to the visitors' dugout in old Tiger Stadium when Toronto was in town, with Cliff Johnson in tow. Lemme tell ya, I was on my best behavior that game. Always a pleasure when you check in, Keith.

From: Glen W.

Re.: Short Hops: Potential obstacles in way of '11 All-Star Game in Arizona

Scott,

I love your columns but the All-Star game article where you state "There is no national consensus on immigration"? There is absolute consensus on the Arizona law. Over 60 percent of all Americans support the Arizona law and a whopping 70-plus percent of Arizonans support it. All this over a state law that simply enforces the federal law. Overreaction from people who don't want to know the facts once again. Let Ozzie Guillen boycott, like he'll be there anyway, and watch him get rejection in every ballpark he goes to. And I'm sure if they even try to change the game's location, the biggest supporters of MLB, middle-aged white guys like me, are going to be pissed! A similar effect like the strike had for me. I'm tired of the PC crowd that makes up the minority of our nation pulling down the simple majority of clear-thinking, common-sense folks. Sorry for the rant, but I don't agree there's no consensus on this one.

No problem on the rant, I like passion. Especially in Love Letters. And you know what? My choice of wording could have been better. What I should have written was: "There is no national consensus on immigration reform." That's the part I meant on national consensus.

From: Ray

I agree baseball and politics do not mix. However, we have short memories. Remember No. 42. Baseball did get involved in politics. Arizonians should [be] ashamed in electing individuals to office that have a lack of vision in enacting legislation that is consistent with Germany of the 1930's stopping people based on the color of their skin. Sad times in our country.

In case the young 'uns don't recall No. 42, here's a hint: Jackie Robinson.

From: Dennis F.

Re: Accustomed to losing, Pirates see brighter days ahead

Scott:

I enjoyed your article. As a Pirates fan since 1959, this streak of losing has been gut-wrenching and draining. Prior to 1993, Pittsburgh was one of the great franchises in major league baseball. One thing people from outside Pittsburgh don't see is how the current ownership will stand in the way of any potential success. The Nuttings -- Bob is in command, but I believe strongly that his dad, Ogden, is making the decisions -- have a goal -- profit -- that's different from [general manager] Neal Huntington's -- winning.

The Nuttings will never part with the money necessary to bring quality free agents to the team. The club is simply a profit center for them and nothing more. They'll take little risk to reap the certain reward that comes with owning a major league team. To them, they've hit the mother lode.

Unfortunately for Pirates fans, MLB isn't interested in helping our plight. The Pirates simply serve as a schedule-filler for the large market clubs. In exchange for not being competitive, the Pirates receive revenue sharing money, luxury taxes, merchandise profits, and the television revenues that enable them to earn a tidy sum. The Nuttings are content in knowing that their investment is virtually guaranteed to pay handsomely. Until the Nuttings sell the club, the Pirates will remain the poor team we've seen for the past 18 seasons.

I nearly needed a box of tissue while reading that, Dennis. The plaintive wail of a depressed Buccos fan. My heart is with you, kid.

From: Scott R.

Re: Red Sox get bad news on Pedroia as injuries persist

Now, why would any diehard Sox fan even care what a CBS reporter's opinion is. Scott, you obviously get an opinion and then set out to explain it. Instead, you should have looked at the heart of this team and the character it has shown this year. You are obviously not a baseball purist and do not understand the fickle fate of momentum. The Sox can wrestle momentum at any moment with a return to solid starters now and the most versatile, albeit, unexpected depth in the East. Scott, promise me one thing, when the Sox make a run, even if they fall short, please have the integrity to come back and write that the story of the Red Sox demise was simply premature.

Deal. Except, one thing: I've consistently given the Red Sox credit for their heart and for hanging in there in the wake of multiple devastating injuries. And I've written that this may be Terry Francona's best managing job yet. So you give me props for that, and if the Sox come back, I'll be glad to write that my prediction of their demise was premature.