After Colby Lewis struck out Derek Jeter to end the eighth inning, I had goose bumps as he walked off the mound, slowly striding towards an ecstatic Rangers’ dugout. If you didn’t, you’re either not human or a Yankees fan.

There’s a moment, right before he reaches his teammates at the edge of the dugout, where he gazes into the depths of the roaring crowd and seemingly realizes the magnitude of his historic performance.  Such a moment kind of defines the Rangers’ spectacular season, don’t you think?

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Before I begin really getting into this, I should state that I love and respect Derek Jeter.  Through his career, I have been about as up and down with the guy as any player in the game.  Nomar was without a question my favorite player during all of his years in Boston, and the man that he was while he was there is the image that I will always envision as the franchise guy.  Nomar was Christ-like while in Boston in my opinion, and so Jeter was the anti-Christ.  Once Nomar was traded, however, it became really easy to fall in love with Jeter.  Derek Jeter is everything baseball considers and hopes itself to be.  If you follow this site, you know that I previously mentioned that when Jeter retires, I think he should be handed the American presidency.  Forget that.  The man deserves a coronation.

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I have always considered the stealing of home to be one the most exciting plays in baseball.  Maybe it’s because I grew up watching “The Sandlot,” and had Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez embedded into my memory at an impressionable age, but there’s just something about the accomplishment that makes you rise out of your seat on the couch with anticipation, just as if you were in a seat at the park.  It’s one of those plays that happens so unpredictably fast, that it’s over before anyone knew it even began.

Yet, when Colorado Rockies rookie Chris Nelson stole home in the eighth inning of Thursday’s victory against the Cincinnati Reds, I found myself seated, and more than anything, confused about what had just happened.  A rookie, stealing home—the 1^st of his career, nonetheless—in a tie game, in the heart of a pennant race.  Excweese me? Bacon Powder?

But now, days later and after watching far too many replays, I can’t help but believe that Nick Masset set himself up failure.

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On Tuesday night Trevor Hoffman reached the remarkable milestone of 600 saves when the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 at Miller Park.  Hoffman has always been regarded as a class act and has solidified himself as a Hall of Famer well before last night’s achievement.

The Golden Sombrero congratulates Trevor Hoffman on his unparalleled, 600th career save.

Here is a classic Sports Illustrated cover from May 13, 2002:

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