I was telling Manny Ramirez the other day I was going to do a nice story on the Dodgers' best mid-season acquisition a year ago, Manny laughing because he knew I was talking about Casey Blake.
In so many ways, as Manny would agree, there's no argument.
But it's such a difficult column to compose, almost nothing negative to say about Blake, so obviously I don't know where to begin.
He looks like the double for the Most Interesting Man in the World, but he's from Iowa, the world one big cornfield as far as he's concerned.
That's right, he's a hick, "a wild night in L.A. so far," he says, "the drive home after the game," Blake making the hay-wagon jump from Indianola, Iowa, to Hollywood, released by three teams along the way, but batting cleanup now for the team with the best record in baseball.
"If you give me a minute I can tell you how many stoplights are in Indianola," he says, while staring off into the distance and counting out loud, "one, two, three, four, five, six.
"Every one of them is always green," he says, while also proud to boast they have a Wal-Mart and a movie theater, the Paramount.
I'm having a little trouble reading my notes, but from what I recall, he said something about "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" either being his favorite movie, or just arriving for the first time at the Paramount.
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IT ALMOST goes without writing for this Iowan, who was considered one of the state's best high school athletes because the state doesn't have many, that he made the baseball pilgrimage to the Field of Dreams.
Now he's living out his own at age 35 with a three-year deal for $17 million.
He's arrived, all right, now tell him.
"Every year I have to convince myself I'm good enough to play at this level," he says, the Blue Jays putting him on waivers, the Twins putting him on waivers, the Orioles dumping him and the Indians trading him.
Hired and fired, as often as he has been, it's hard to believe now Manager Joe Torre is holding up Blake as the model professional, as if nothing shakes the bearded pioneer.
"It's tough to take when someone is telling you you're not good enough," Blake says in describing the baseball journey that hasn't always been so good. "My dad was there big for me, though. I wouldn't be where I am today had it not been for him."
Faced with the uncertainty that comes with seemingly being unwanted, dear old dad knew how to motivate son to prove them all wrong. He offered him a chance to start selling insurance with him.
