TOO MUCH TELEVISION IS NOT A GOOD THING

When I was a youngster, there was very little baseball televised. The Saturday Game of the Week hadn't even commenced. Maybe 10 or 12 Cardinals games were televised per year. All, of course, in black and white.

When I saw my first game, I was probably eight or so. And I thought they were kids playing ball. I had no notion that they were grown men. I thought that was so cool that they were showing some kids playing ball on some nice field somewhere. Although I don't have this recollection, I have a vague idea that it only hit me when I saw a bald head. I specifically remember Dick Groat's crome dome. But I can't attach a date or a significant moment.

What I'm getting around to is the fact that they show way too much baseball on tv. They expose the players' weaknesses too much. As I sit typing this entry, I'm still fuming about Scott Rolen's play last night. He's one of my faves, too, but overexposure had made me see his human side. I don't want to see him boot a sure double play ball to end the game. I don't want to see him fail to tag on a long fly to center and then see the next batter get a hit to win the game, but no , Rolen remained at third.

So I'm left watching a lousy game being played well past my bedtime. All because of Rolen. Forget the fact that he drove in what should have been the game winning runs until the Iz coughed it up again. Now I have two guys I'm ticked at because of tv coverage.

What am I left with now? The Suns trying to win Games 6 and 7 to advance. Maybe I should just read a good book.

GO HEAT

I feel like such a traitor. In the Heat/ Pistons series, I've left my allegiance to the Pistons and am rooting for Shaq (pictured) and Co. Ever since Larry Bird stole an in-bounds pass and beat Isaiah and the Bad Boys, I've backed the Pistons.

Well, until I moved to Arizona. I've been a huge Suns fan since Nash came to town.

Last season when it appeared that the Heat and Suns could meet in the NBA finals, I supposedly change my allegiance. I tried to root for them then because of long time family friend Mike Hicks. I just didn't try hard. This year, I'm completely weaned from the Pistons.

The reason: the Suns can't beat the Pistons, but they match up good with the Heat. In fact, the Suns run so much that they neutralize Shaq (pictured) who simply can't keep up. Unless he just stays at the Heat's end of the court, he can't play.

Unfortunately, the match up, like last year may not happen. But if it doesn't, then they can crown the mavs or Pistons. The Heat will be as immobile as Shaq (pictured.)

SOME MEM DAY LEFTOVERS

I hope Memorial Day jump started your Summer. I hope family was involved. I hope you gave at least a little homage to us veterans. I mean US veterans, since faithful reader(s) know I avoided the draft in the late 60's like it was bird flu, aids, and cholera combined.

I have, however, always supported and respected the military. Much like elementary school teachers. I never wanted to be one, but wholeheartedly respect them for the jobs they do.

I'm reminded of a former Dodger (LA, not draft) named Gleason. He was a five tool prospect, big strapping lad who rose in the ranks of the LA organization in the early 60's. He was the sole support of his mother, which in those days garnered you a deferment.

In 1967, he was drafted and sent to Viet Nam. He was injured when some shrapnel, I believe, entered his knee and wrist. He returned to the US, but could never regain any feeling in one of his fingers. Yup, his baseball career was over. His mother lost her house. And he could never figure out why he lost his deferment.

If memory serves me, the draft board told him it was a mistake. My mother's brother had a very similar story. Except for being the major league athlete. Also, he didn't come back to the US from WWII.

The last I heard about Sgt. Gleason was that he was tending bar. He got one at bat in the bigs. And got a base knock. That and a 1963 World Series ring. Which he left in a foot locker in Viet Nam.

IT'S PRETTY DEEP RIGHT NOW

That hole the Suns just dug in their loss to the mavericks. Even without Raja, I thought the good guys could dig deep and pull it out with superior coaching. Didn't happen. And I'm down now. I don't know if the Suns can come back after the Sunday loss at home. Update from 5/28. They did, primarily because of a superhuman effort of Raja to play hard through a partial calf tear.

I said cassell was the key to the clippers. I think the key to this series is howard and he looks tough. Someway, somehow the Suns have to run. They love to run, but getting the rebound has proven more difficult to start the break.

So what should be their strategy for Game 4? I wouldn't hazard a guess. I trust Mike D'Antoni will have a plan, and I hope it involves fresher bodies and more substitutions. If nothing else, it gives their defense trouble when having to switch to guard Grant and Burke even for a short period of time. I'd even work Kurt Thomas in for a couple of minutes at a time. Just give them different looks and play the hot hand.

Not much of a game plan by me perhaps, but the Suns need a spark. A revitalization. A win.

And thank goodness they did. And it's on for tonight. Game 5. The Suns,of course, have to win one in big D and take care of business (as the sports' cliche goes), at home. Can they? Oh, man, I'd love it. I would love to go to an NBA Final Series game to see my Suns. I've done it with the Cardinals, Rams, and Illini. The Suns would complete it for me, though it would be nice to see a win again.

The Arizona Republic had a story about a comic book guy holding a contest for a nickname and subsequent character based on Amare Stoudamire. Some suggestions were The One based on his skill and new number next season: another was Nova for supernova, the brightest star in the solar system. My idea was "That's Amare," after the old, old Perry Como song. I even improvised a new first line," When the Sun hits the sky, dunks the ball as he flies, That's Amare." Caroline added, "He hasn't played many games this year has he? I'd name him something after Barbaro." She can be sooo cold.