Paul White, USA Today Sports Weekly on XM

Notes Manny's agent now says he's still open to a trade, reversing earlier report. Paul says trade possibilities much better for Tejada, a more positive influence despite recent events. Comments on recent player/team deals: too many years--an actuary would never do these deals. On his HOF comments, I'm left again with more evidence that the procedure has broken down into not much more than a PR vehicle for MLB and every garden variety baseball writer. Re: closers in HOF, one of this year's debates, he says, "You can't just use numbers to value closers." AGREED, Paul. Says Lee Smith has the totals, but was really dominant for a very short time. Says ways to value closers for this award are changing, even in recent years. Paul starts to name recent closers for whom this debate would apply, then says, "Mariano Rivera is......" BUT CHUCK WILSON CUTS HIM OFF, WILL NOT LET HIM SAY A WORD ABOUT MARIANO RIVERA. (3 possible reasons he denied us the expert's timely view: Chuck is very loyal to his friend Dibs, whom he knows wants Mo to get no publicity; 2nd, Chuck is an anxious on-air host, not good at give and take, and just blurted at an inappropriate time; 3rd, Chuck, like many others in the "media" isn't well informed about Mo, couldn't have engaged in any conversation about him, and wanted to change the subject). Re: JOHN FRANCO: They both agree that he's not a HOF'er---total saves doesn't get you the award. Ask question: How much better is a guy than those in his era? Eg., GOSSAGE AND SUTTER MUST BE IN. Ask, what has he done for the game of baseball? Eg. Did he contribute a special split fingered fastball or other pitch? Then, Paul White gives the usual line from people who're uninformed about Mariano Rivera: "A lot of people put emphasis on post season, but that has nothing to do with it---that just tells about the team." Right, Paul! First, most media guys' personal agendas don't permit them to look at post season in the first place. When the HOF rules were established, THE POST SEASON WAS MUCH SHORTER THAN IT IS TODAY. THESE RULES WOULD'VE BEEN CHANGED TO REFLECT CURRENT REALITY IF ENOUGH ETHICAL VOTERS REMAINED, HADN'T RESIGNED IN DISGUST, ETC.

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