Fielder, Manning, Mickelson, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Prince Fielder is my new hero. After getting intentionally whacked by a Guillermo Mota fastball in Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, the Brewers slugger charged the Dodgers clubhouse after the game looking to start a fight with Mota. Go Prince!

---Yeah, I know, Fielder didn't exactly exhibit model behavior, but anybody who challenges a Dodger to a fight is good by me.

---Huge series starts tonight in the Bronx, as the Red Sox and Yankees renew their storied rivalry. Boston is in desperate need of a series victory, as they currently sit 2 1/2 games back of New York in the AL East race. Terry Francona's Sox have owned the Yankees this season, but Joe Girardi's team enters tonight's action with a newfound sense of swagger.

---Speaking of the AL East, don't discount the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays, who just swept a short two-game set with the Red Sox, are still in the hunt for a playoff birth. The division title is likely out of reach, but if Evan Longoria continues to put up big numbers, and if David Price can be a consistent winning starter down the stretch, the Rays will be a fierce contender.

---Player to watch in the American League: White Sox 3B Gordon Beckham. Beckham has thrived in his rookie season, and he is a major reason why Ozzie Guillen's White Sox are hanging around in the AL Central race.

---I am giddy with excitement over my San Francisco Giants. Yesterday's game in Houston added a couple more magical storylines to a remarkable Giants season. The first story is that of Joe Martinez, a pitcher who made his return to the mound yesterday four months after being drilled in the head by a Mike Cameron line drive in the third game of the season. Martinez showed no signs of fear in Houston, and he pitched beautifully, leading the Giants to victory. The second story is that of Eli Whiteside, the Giants' backup catcher whose first career big-league home run just happened to be a tie-breaking grand slam in the sixth inning. I will be in San Francisco next week for all three Giants-Dodgers games, and I hope to witness more magic at the ballpark. Go Giants!

---It was a great day to be an Eli on the Giants. In addition to the Whiteside grand slam, the New York football Giants inked quarterback Eli Manning to a 6-year, $97 million contract extension. This makes Eli the highest payed quarterback in the NFL. This is a little ridiculous if you ask me. Sure, Eli has blossomed into one of the game's premier quarterbacks, but is he better than brother Peyton, Tom Brady, or Ben Roethlisberger?

---Speaking of the Giants, I don't expect the team to be distracted by the recent travails of Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce. Say what you want about Tom Coughlin, but he is a superb disciplinarian who will ensure that his team stays focused on football.

---Is anybody watching the T.O. show? I didn't think so.

---In the world of golf, it's nice to see Phil Mickelson back patrolling the greens after going through immense emotional stress these last couple of months. Mickelson will make his return to the PGA Tour this weekend at W.G.C. Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. Kudos to Phil for showing admirable mental fortitude. My thoughts and prayers are with he and his family.

---There was an interesting poll question on ESPN's SportsNation yesterday, asking fans to choose the better sports holiday tradition: NFL on Thanksgiving, or NBA on Christmas? The fans predictably voted overwhelmingly in favor of the NFL on Turkey Day, but count me as a member of the minority. I much prefer NBA action on Christmas Day. Over the past handful of years, the Association has consistently delivered thrilling action on December 25th. Last Christmas, for example, saw Roger Mason hit a three at the buzzer to lift the Spurs over the Suns, followed by a compelling Finals rematch between the Lakers and Celtics. Meanwhile, while Thanksgiving in the NFL is a great tradition, you can always count on two dull affairs that always inexplicably involves the Cowboys and Lions. I love the NFL, but the NBA offers the better holiday treat.

---I will post another edition of Baseball Top Three on Saturday, but following that this blog will be on a three-week hiatus, due to some vacation time in San Francisco and in the East Coast. But fret not blogosphere. I will return in September with more musings on the wonderful world of sports.