XM MLB Chat: ESPN's Dan Shulman diminishes value of post season stats

With Manny Ramirez' homerun in game 2 of the ALCS, Fox TV noted Ramirez' achievement and that he's now 1 homerun ahead of Bernie Williams. But they were melancholy about it for the same reason Dan Shulman/ESPN was recently:

When Ramirez hit his 22 postseason HR (to tie Bernie Williams), Dan Shulman on ESPN radio noted it with heavy heart, as these new guys HAVE HAD MORE OPPORTUNITIES WITH EXPANDED POST SEASON SERIES. Sigh. Well. (Noted on this blog 10/7/07).

The Fox TV guys just did the same thing, reluctantly noting that Mickey Mantle "only had the World Series" (in which to compile his stats). Joe Buck's voice sounded just like Shulman's--very weak, halting, sigh....

Message: Trash the blood and guts efforts of post season players--hear that, BBWAA voters, you're being given an out here. While some are resting on the couch, others are freezing their butts off sometimes into November.

(10/7) "With heavy heart, ESPN Radio's Dan Shulman acknowledges Manny's post season record....

You could hear the PA announcer's voice in Anaheim note the record achieved by Manny Ramirez' homerun in Sunday's Red Sox-Angels game...

"Manny Ramirez has tied Bernie Williams for post season homeruns....."

ESPN's Dan Shulman says, well, yes Manny now has tied Bernie Williams with 22 post season homeruns. Shulman not thrilled about it, says these hitters have had the "LUXURY" of extra post season series unlike "the OLD DAYS WHEN THEY JUST HAD THE WORLD SERIES..."

Then Shulman in reluctant tone says, "But" an accomplishment "NONETHELESS" for Ramirez.....

"NONETHELESS?" This is the skewed reality of baseball's elite. They practically put AN ASTERISK next to players who've gutted out some miraculous post season achievements from 1995 to the present. Put it in a lesser category, they're saying.