Nationals Pitcher Mike Bacsik, Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year???

Could this be Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year?

Seriously? If so, I'd think he's be a great story...

Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated chose Washington Nationals' pitcher, Mike Bacsik, as his Sportsman of the Year. I saw live on TV when he gave up the 756th homer to Barry Bonds, and of course it is a moment now enshrined for better or worse in baseball history.

Rather than some guys like Donnie Moore who head into oblivion after such an incident, Bacsik ate it up and soaked in the moment. Literally.

Here's an excerpt from Jenkins' piece:

The moment called for perspective, but Hank Aaron was not there to give it. The moment called for grace, but Bud Selig was not around to offer it. The moment called for humility, but Barry Bonds was not willing to provide it.

And so, the moment that threatened to damage baseball forever had to be saved by a little-known pitcher for the Washington Nationals named Mike Bacsik. Yes, the man who gave up home run No. 756 is also the man who made it just a little bit tolerable.

As Bacsik stood on the mound at AT&T Park on Aug. 7 -- the historic home-run ball leaving a vapor trail over his head -- he had three options. He could slink away like Selig. He could pout like Bonds. Or he could give baseball the levity it really needed.

"Well," Bacsik said, "If I didn't give up this home run, nobody would ever remember me." Then he did what Bonds never could. He laughed at himself.

Just like that, the new home-run king was upstaged by a journeyman. While Bonds was the usual portrait of self-congratulation -- pounding his chest, pointing to the sky, wearing a T-shirt with his own image -- Bacsik was pure self-deprecation.

I have seen and interacted with Mike Bacsik in the flesh, and I'll tell you what was just expressed and what you may read is unbelievable; however, it is no act. At times, he seems to be happy and honestly privileged that he's in the game. He's nothing special and just a serviceable pitcher; however, after giving up homer 756 to Bonds, he's emerged as somewhat of a infamous cult icon in the Washington area.

I recommend you read the rest of the piece, and maybe the idea of a fringe sometimes-starter, sometimes-reliever might be worthy of such an honor. Most guys would have been upset or sulked, but Mike not only handled it like a pro, but a also a student of the game.

*** To learn more about Washington D.C., check out the ABOUT D.C. Blog...

Future Hall of Famers, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken on TBS

According to Sports Illustrated Online, Future Hall of Famers, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken have agreed to join TBS as analysts for the cable network's major league baseball package and an announcement is expected Thursday in New York City.

Text from SI:

"Ripken has signed a multiyear deal and will serve as the cable network's top studio analyst alongside host Ernie Johnson for coverage of the 2007 Division Series games and National League Championship Series. Ripken will also be in the studio next season as part of the still-to-be-named Atlanta-based show that will precede the TBS Game of the Week. The cable network will carry 26 regular-season Sunday afternoon games beginning in 2008.

Gwynn will partner with play-by-play announcer Chip Caray on TBS' No. 1 broadcast team. He and Caray will call this year's Division Series and NLCS. Both Gwynn and Ripken are expected to make their TBS debut July 1 for coverage of the MLB All-Star Selection Show."

The Oriole Post in Sports Illustrated...

Well, today was a good day for me, and the blog itself.

This morning, I got an email from a reader noting that Oriole Post was in Sports Illustrated as a featured website/blog covering the Baltimore Orioles.

Needless to say, the news was great to hear, but I wanted to see if this was all true.

I drove to Wal-Mart after seeing a client this morning, and I rushed to the magazine section. My eyes scanned the magazine rack, and I quickly whipped out the Baseball Preview with Japanese phenom, Daisuke Matsuzaka on the cover.

I scanned the magazine, and went straight to the Orioles preview on page 85. Thereafter, I saw my blog listed as one of the featured fan or site which features information & news on the Orioles. I got grouped with Camden Chat, Roch Around the Clock, and the Orioles Warehouse, all great and very informative blogs and websites.

To have seen the blog in the print magazine is a great thrill; therefore, it serves as validation that blogs and independent websites are on the sports radar. With the technology at our disposal, anyone can go online, create their little space or haven, and feel free to express what they desire.

I’d like to thank the regular readers of the blog for their support, criticism (constructive or otherwise) and the kind words over the past several months.

I’m still a neophyte in the world of sports blogging, and there are those who cover the sport better than I do; however, it is an honor to be mentioned in a prestigious publication such as Sports Illustrated.