Jerry Crasnick, ESPN

Or try to do here is put together a little bit -- for journal Tribune reunion show that it's Tebow please filling in for Michael -- joining us on the line right now from. ESPN and espn.com. Our buddy Jerry -- joins us on the eighteenth -- hot hot line. -- what's possible with the nation's fastest mobile broadband network AT&T. Rethink possible we go back and and think about you know covering those Edward little red -- games and things like that president it'll realist I'll take care.

You know we can go back to your illustrious high school baseball.

You got up -- EF a penalty people up at night water -- graduate but dale Douglas coral between periods of the Mariners games. Yeah that was up right Gilbert. -- those all the names well it's not that's not the again I event. At. Everything in the baseball world sort of slows down just very briefly and then next week becomes like bedlam ride at the -- tried to trade deadline period.

Yeah pretty much I actually get the on detail and I get to go to Cooperstown this week which is sort of walked into the path and you know actually find the virgin between outlet. Rumor mongering on.

Just up pray you know get on the call with this acceptance speech he'll be okay.

Well now indicate that probably wouldn't make it back.

Realistically with all these teams within striking distance of a playoff spot and everybody thinking they've at least got a chance. Is it possible will have less dealing next week at the deadline rather than more.

You know I don't know -- it's really get a college you know people and to try to read. Thing and I think they usually it's going to be disappointing and it always seemed to be a little that -- that people expect -- you know the other thing this year obviously economic situation and you know how many big contracts with teams. Prepared to take on him and that always expected to.

Jerry if you with Theo Epstein and grant the trading deadlines just at 1012 days away. Less than that. You look at this Red Sox team and say okay let's get though the West Coast trip and let's see if with three back or nine back. Would that make the difference between whether or not they make any moves.

It would be a guy you know that's why I think sometimes. Don't really know quite where -- in an extra week is is critical in our pretend like the Red Sox seven. They have to wait till the very end to throw up flag you know so. I think that's what's gonna happen you know they've they've had guys hurt there are tough trip right now they're really -- the -- Where they stand at the end of this to happen and then decide -- we can pull the trigger on the open you know met this. Or maybe could we do some collective though.

you wrote about this on Wednesday you are and I'll put this kindly underwhelmed by the bullpen market that might be available at the deadline. -- really not a whole lot -- and let me put it to you this way when David Aardsma is -- number three on your list gives people an idea what we're talking about.

What does that tell you when. Cincinnati desperately needs a reliever and they besides 41 year old Russ Springer and resurrect Jason is -- you know -- I mean. Sort of bring back yet. Nick Draco and Tom Burke Meyer has -- I don't know how much further we can get into the path that those guys -- the working I think if you'd think. That will will go for some old war horse that hope that it. -- a couple of months left in him. -- maybe we have really strong aren't going to get in AAA. And we'll -- him a shot out but nobody wants to give up their best prospect or Kevin regular. Got down.

and -- and asking you this but since you're on the way to Cooperstown and and I've -- went to those induction ceremonies over the years. It was just last night I finished Howard Bryant's book on Henry Aaron which I enjoyed very much but it really the end highlighted the point. That that there is a big guy chasm. That exists between they've they Henry aaron's in the in the frank Robinson's and so forth. And the bloated sluggers of the 1990s to obliterated the record books of the question would be. Down the road 00 we going to see Palmeiro McGwire Sosa. And all bonds and Clemens though these guys. They eventually gonna get into the Hall of Fame or will though with a BB WA of the voters. Maintain their stance and and these guys would just sort of fade into oblivion.

You know we have no one of those baseball writer meeting at the All-Star. Someone suggested. What do we talked about that the brother you know we let bought some of these guys and a lot of although they can clear that what that was the steroid era in if there's after -- And nobody really wanted it. -- ethic of a baseball writers are very. They get their backup and keep. Tell them what did though. I personally think it's going to be very difficult for those guys but on the other -- you know there's guys like. They keep up our act well who never really been linked to anything that you know people questioned. You know. Most homers ever back catcher now do you try to intuit. Whether he used them or not that's my problem with the processes I think where you know he's the most the worst thing. You located at the afflicted drug -- eaters so.

You know I don't know what that did a -- yeah. The cork bat I but I mean that which is evidence apathetic venue that you sort of trying to look for an eye opener reason you wouldn't. Keep them out because the bat that's almost like rationale the lines and I don't use steroids but I doubt that it -- look at corked bat it out though. I'd acquired at the same thing that people are saying well -- anyway advocate he was the one dimensional guy well he had what almost six homers and in. Under normal circumstances would.

While that's the case harming children wouldn't got in the Hall of Fame.

I haven't had that -- that I think people looking for reasons. I everybody's all over the map from a spanking it's real problem.

I kinda get a kick out of the fact that if in in the history of base. That there has never been less fanfare -- a big time career milestone. In the -- for Alex Rodriguez is 600 home run right now.

You have this thing is Blake -- you don't hear or see anything about and people are just tired of these things you know Barney we have about we get milestone it. You know and people are just they rolled right now when -- and you know it's only gonna get worse but it. Everyone -- they're you know -- start the -- made the route that only. Then it's really gonna you know touted of people that.

I thought Howard Bryant -- book put it put it quite well back in the days and Aaron and Mays and all those guys it it was achievement of excellence. Whereas these guys who've come along since it's not achievement of excellence it's setting records. And -- people can tell the difference between achievement of excellence and setting records. Yes Henry Aaron did set a record when he hit that home run up -- downing in 1974. But it was the achievement of excellence that people recognized more so as much as the record itself. They don't teach even of excellence -- the -- guys big -- guys hit home runs and set records I think that's why people get turned off by it.

Yeah no question that I will -- I think it's a little bit hypocritical you know if if this that was around in the day I mean I remember asking Barbie to work you know are also important year. It's the stuff was around when you've played you know we use it and can't tell me that the guys in those days were still pristine and it would have done it you know while I don't know that it that -- a moral thing when -- and you know people hold these records sacred in. It's pretty obvious when you start but look at the decline now that he got a ticket had nothing to do with you know important if the drugs.

And you know what press when we find out that the Major League Baseball Players Association doesn't like the possible implementation. Of HGH testing you know why because we think there'll cheating stuff.

Yeah I mean you know they haven't been no -- a lot of these guys for instance. -- that survey testing you know they agreed to it under the provide that they would you know. Well we're gonna take the survey test within the provide that everything will remain anonymous that worked out yet all the sudden it started leaking out players they like you know we agreed to that thing to try to help baseball. And you know I'm about have a -- reputations. Ruined because. You know the the result without so. I'm not defending the players are compelling yet but I am saying that part of the reason for suspicion. Our blood testing so you know like maybe a player has some other reason. You know privacy related reason not the wanna be blood tested in the he's nervous that something else is gonna come out. That might not be related to Pirates.

you don't believe that any more than idea. Don't think so no I don't think I don't think they're concerned about privacy reason.

You don't think that if a player as HIV. That you are concerned that if he takes that that it might get out.

Like it if if there is a player like that then I concede that player feeling that way I think the majority of the players don't wanna be caught.

Well I -- communicate -- we don't really know how many are using hadn't you know I mean. I just think baseball that are more concerned about the guy who I let my airplane. But. Then the guy you know hitting cleanup hitter from right now and I know that brought out a fashionable. Opinion that.

Not a very good at -- you wanna get home at night.

Yeah I mean I just think that it is that they're learning their hypocrisy of people thinking that is not a problem and -- football. I'm just kind of worn out by both spoke at our baseball. When you look at baseball players would fit the back pocket that. Some of these football players that also helps players to. They're gonna die of heart -- at age 45 of sixty. That's fifty and 400 opening. I don't I don't think they spoke of a problem. I'm just saying that I think -- spoke about baseball. At the expense of other sports is immediate that kind of --

Yeah I mean Jerry if we sit here right now looking at the standings. And to project to what -- just just based on you've been around the game long time but he thinks the World Series.

Well. You know my my pre season picks site they were. Colorado. And the Yankees like. Yeah. You know wasn't too bad talk about it that a little bit disappointing. I mean actually I don't like Saint Louis that you know they can do it's Roosevelt -- It's going to be pretty hard to stop might thank. Silly not very good I think Atlanta as a team that might you know be dangerous. I'm -- the -- the American League you know I kept I would say right now. Rookies into the -- I mean they're probably still the best team -- that with. Let's lead in the other guys they have they have a pretty good -- right now I get that -- Yankees then. -- maybe Saint Louis so maybe eliminate I think that would be and -- that doubtful Bobby Cox.

Yeah the the Yankees to me right now looks formidable -- I watched the Rangers series last week in your Fenway and game ticket good hard look at that team and it's it's a very good hitting lineup and are you put Cliff Lee and there depending on how many starts they can get him in the post season. If they can sort of do with the twins did 87 where the whole thing was on Blyleven a -- It if they can get their front starters is many starts as possible they can sneak into the World Series.

Yeah I mean of course it's -- you believe then. EJ will then and Colby Lewis and Tommy hunter and you know once these guys these relievers the Bears get on the national stage in the big spot. And -- other got to react felt you know I think. Again my Lipton that figure a way. You know the Yankees that mission they have to get through but that it's kind of hard to bet against that.

What the -- if the Rangers are your way they BA you're aware though we use very gonna end up with the Yankees at some point. Well let me ask you about that now with the death here in the last couple weeks of George Steinbrenner. Do you expect any change in the way the New York Yankees do business or is this just. The same old operation it's been all along because he hasn't really been at the head of this organization for awhile.

I don't this year you know when when they were looking for an outfielder I think one of the reasons. It inside Johnny Damon was I think it was Hal Steinbrenner wanted to keep the payroll. Below 200 million that I can't the other one I think he's he's probably about it driven it is that was. You know they're not gonna change a whole lot I think -- there's still going to be seen that you know I didn't think they're all these -- like the Red Sox Yankees. It -- but it got religion when it comes. Developing -- Armand and that. Important but you know the when the Yankees have a -- Carl Crawford. Or Cliff Lee that they're gonna go out and make their best effort.

There already at the point where they're paying so much money. In luxury tax anyway what difference does that --

It put -- that a standard and I think you know I don't think the Suns wannabes noted that guy to. Luke Jordan like you know they want what won it last year and I'm sure they wanna continue that.

one more Hall of Fame question that that became a hot topic on a baseball show last week and the WEI and Comcast. Johnny Damon has a chance at 3000 hits in his career didn't play notes with three more years which he intends to do. The question then would be -- is Johnny Damon hall of Famer that the the pro arguments that say 3000 hits a 3000 hits the -- argument is. Never won a gold glove. Very good outfield but never won a gold glove never really Lou never really dominated zero never led the league in anything led the league in doubles like fifteen years ago. How would you go on that.

You know what -- in the market. Bobby Abreu guy comes to mind from day you know -- the only Latin. You argument I had thought of that the best I did you know you never -- that way up I'm not gonna go to the concessions and it was a great.

The -- sudden thing.

you know -- vote for that meant to me let Damon. Yeah I can -- say about him a and you look at his numbers for a dozen years you know hundred plus runs every single year. You know part of that that he has a style that's saying you know he really in the bases he played on 119 and you know keep up at 3000 hit. I hate to be honest and yet we're probably have a pretty hard time keep in.

I -- that were in the sense yeah I do wanna telegraph my answer with that's kind of the way -- look at them.

Yeah they act you know sometimes perception that the big deal and look I voted for hundred dot starting into the big favorite of mine ND. Yeah out you know respect I hated them Padilla at. 3.3 on base percentage but. You know I talked to guys there's a story ambulance they like Sandberg and you know -- clips and these guys warship that -- you know what I mean. That's that you have to take into account I can't ignore that as a as a baseball right.

So back in the day. Was it like you know pro wrestlers on the road sharing can -- tuna fish together is that what it was like at the bit of for journal for a.

That's -- and I we're even relate to get a no way yeah any disabled black cocktail. It was English village if you think. His regular form school was was there at. Changed the lime green check at -- by now.

Too too dumb to 44 year old kids to those those of the day isn't telling. Jerry it's always fun to talk with -- it nice to check in and SE -- and enjoy Cooperstown this weekend I'm sure he'll have a great time.

If the Red Sox Andre Dawson right.

And -- quite so much. Hit it it the season Belichick press ally that is a Jerry drastic from ESPN and espn.com.