What's in a name?

3. The service-time clock is not a big issue when you're talking about three weeks in September, but it becomes a bigger consideration if you're talking about 40 percent of a season that has no chance to end in October. If you doubt the importance of a little reserve time, consider how much the Tampa Bay Rays saved on the Evan Longoria contract by holding him back on Opening Day this year.

4. Jay is more valuable than you think. Just his scowl has won the Orioles a couple of games this year.

Youth and enthusiasm are wonderful things, but I'll take old age and treachery every time.

* Never thought I would see the day when Brett Favre would make Alex Rodriguez look like a down-to-earth guy ... until I saw the AP photo of Favre stepping off that private jet in his rumpled Nike T-shirt Sunday in Green Bay.

He's back, all right, but he isn't the same guy who left. He's a diva.

Favre didn't insist on a footman or demand a case of chilled Cristal, but I'm not fooled, and neither are you.

He might as well be singing opera.

peter.schmuck@baltsun.com

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