Baseball's Golden Voice Headed to Cooperstown

Every time the San Francisco Giants take the field, I tune in to the radio to hear someone give vivid, elegant, pitch-perfect descriptions of the action on the baseball diamond. I tune in to the radio to hear someone with an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball history, an undeniable passion for the game, a wonderful sense of humor, and an irresistibly jovial personality. I tune in to the radio to hear Jon Miller. Miller-----who works Giants games with Dave Flemming, Duane Kuiper, and Mike Krukow, a group that comprises the best broadcast team in baseball-----has been the Voice of the Giants since 1997, following his years with the Orioles, A's, Rangers, and Red Sox. And "The Big Kahuna", the nickname affectionately given to Miller by Mike Krukow, is unparallelled in his greatness. As a diehard Giants fan, it is a great honor and pleasure to listen to his dulcet tones on a nightly basis.

This Sunday in Cooperstown, Miller-----who is known nationally for his exemplary work alongside Joe Morgan and Orel Hershiser as the voice of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, a position he has held for 21 years-----will be enshrined in Baseball's Hall of Fame. Miller is a class act and a consummate professional, and this honor could not be more well-deserved. Miller has a lot in common with fellow Hall of Fame broadcasters. He has Ernie Harwell's masterful storytelling ability and conversational style. He has Vin Scully's sense of humor. And it is only fitting that Miller is part of the Giants family, because he conjures memories of Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons, two great Giants broadcasters whom Miller listened to as a kid growing up in the Bay Area. However, Miller is also unique in his greatness. No broadcaster expresses a more refreshing display of honesty. During a Giants-Diamondbacks game in 2003, Miller was stunned by the unprecedented baserunning struggles of Ruben Rivera, which led him to famously exclaim: "That was the worst baserunning in the history of the game!". This type of sheer candor makes Miller such a relatable and endearing presence to the fans.

Needless to say, Miller has also been defined by his magnificent calls of baseball's signature moments. Giants fans will always fondly remember his superb calls of Kenny Lofton's pennant-winning base hit against the Cardinals in Game 5 of the 2002 NLCS, and of Barry Bonds' 756th home run. Jon Miller thrives on these historic moments. So as he gets ready to be inducted into Cooperstown this weekend, I would like to say the following: Thank you Jon for the extraordinary grace, class, charm, and intelligence that you bring to the game of baseball. Congratulations. You are the very best.

Major League Baseball Second-Half Predictions

As we get ready for the Midsummer Classic in Anaheim, here are my division-by-division predictions for the second half of the baseball season:

NL WEST: Look for the GIANTS to win this division. Yes, this is a completely biased pick from this lifelong, diehard Giants fan, but I am genuinely optimistic and confident about my team's chances. Tim Lincecum pitched very well in the first-half, but he is capable of pitching much, much better. He will do just that in the second-half of the season. In addition to Lincecum, the Giants have Barry Zito, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarner, all terrific starters. Jonathan Sanchez is the only potential concern in the starting rotation, but if he can improve on his control, he too can be a major asset in the San Francisco rotation during the stretch run. The bullpen was once a weakness for Bruce Bochy's team, but in recent weeks, the likes of Sergio Romo, Chris Ray, Santiago Casilla, Guillermo Mota, Jeremy Affeldt, Denny Bautista, and All-Star closer Brian Wilson have pitched beautifully. And the once-stagnant offense has experienced a significant resurgence in recent weeks, thanks to the remarkable play of young catcher Buster Posey, Aubrey Huff (should be an All-Star), Andres Torres, Juan Uribe, Travis Ishikawa, and Freddy Sanchez. If Pablo Sandoval can get his act together at the plate, the Giants will be in business. As you can tell, I am ecstatic about the second-half for my beloved Orange and Black. Let's go Giants!!!!!

NL CENTRAL: This race, between the Reds and Cardinals, could very well go down to the final weekend of play. It is imperative that Cincinnati get off to a fast start after the All-Star break in order to restore their confidence, which has to be wavering after four gut-wrenching losses in Philadelphia to end the first-half of the season. Still, I like Dusty Baker's REDS to win the division, especially if Joey Votto continues to put up monstrous numbers. Also, there is the sentimental factor for Giants fans: Dusty Baker will always retain a fond place in the hearts of Giants fans everywhere. St. Louis has all the big names (Pujols, Carpenter, Molina), but they have performed with an evident lack of chemistry all season. It will take a far more consistent day-to-day effort if Tony LaRussa's team is to find their way back into the postseason.

NL EAST: After sweeping a hotly competitive four-game series against the Reds, the two-time reigning National League-champion Philadelphia Phillies are starting to show signs that they can claw themselves back into postseason contention. With the likes of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Roy Halladay, Philly is going to be in this race the rest of the way. And eventually, I expect them to surpass the overachieving Mets. But when all is said and done, the Atlanta BRAVES will win the division. Bobby Cox' team has been a joy to watch all season long, and if Jason Heyward can stay healthy the rest of the way, they will be playing October baseball.

NL WILD CARD: The PHILLIES are too good to not make the postseason.

AL WEST: I'm sticking with my prediction that the RANGERS will win this division. New acquisitions Bengie Molina and Cliff Lee will, I believe, bolster them into the postseason. But I must admit, getting swept in four games by the god-awful Orioles is an embarrassing way to limp into the All-Star break. Texas is going to have to avoid such lapses in the second-half if they are to hold off the dangerous Angels. Mike Scoissia is one of the best managers in baseball, and his team will be a formidable threat in the second half. One team that will not be a threat is the Seattle Mariners. It is astounding how the Mariners get worse every season, even though they have a seemingly improved roster year-in and year-out. With the extraordinarily talent of Ichiro, Felix Hernandez, and Chone Figgins, there is no excuse for Seattle's ineptitude.

AL CENTRAL: This is going to be one hell of a race the rest of the way. The Tigers and Twins will put up a game effort, but in the end, the division crown will go to the hottest team in baseball right now, the Chicago WHITE SOX. By his standards, Ozzie Guillen has been relatively shy on outbursts this season. Perhaps that's because his team has been playing so incredibly well. Led by All-Star Paul Konerko, the Sox are responsible for the baseball excitement in Chicago this season, as the Cubs are having a down year. The White Sox will have to deal with the absence of Jake Peavy, who is out for the season due to injury. But they have more than enough talent on the pitching side, led by Mark Buerhle, to suffice.

AL EAST: Another magnificent three-team race. Those who expect the Rays to fade just haven't been paying attention. Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, David Price, and company are a legitimate American League contender. The Red Sox enter the All-Star break in remarkably good position for a team that has had to persevere through some truly unfortunate injuries (Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Josh Beckett). However, the YANKEES are just too good. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and company will be familiar faces in October.

AL WILD CARD: You expect Tampa to fade? No way. The RAYS will be back in the postseason.

So there you have it. I like the Giants, Reds, Braves, and Phillies to make the postseason in the National League. In the A.L., I like the Rangers, White Sox, Yankees, and Rays. And remember......................GO GIANTS!!!!!!!

Bad Move, LeBron

Here are my quick takes on LeBron James' decision to join the Miami Heat:

---And just like that, LeBron James ripped the heart out of the city of Cleveland. By announcing that he would jump ship to Miami, where he will play alongside Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh next season, LeBron confirmed our suspicions of him being a quitter. LeBron showed flashes of all-time greatness in the 2007 East Finals against Detroit, but in the last two postseasons, LeBron played with no clutch gene, and at times, he displayed a noticeable lack of effort. Making matters worse, he never expressed any sort of remorse for his poor play. Rather, he adopted the attitude of arrogance and rationalization. LeBron could have shown some admirable class and humility by deciding to return to Cleveland to deliver that elusive championship to the millions of fans that were so good for him. Instead, LeBron took the easy way out, and he will be justifiably hated by sports fans in the state of Ohio for years to come.

---If you think I'm exaggerating the heartbreak that Cleveland is experiencing right now, then how do you explain the videotape of Cavs fans burning LeBron's jersey, or the videotape of Cavs fans breaking down in tears in the aftermath of James' announcement?

---If LeBron was going to jump ship, he should have at least made the announcement in a more tactful, private manner. That was an embarrassment of riches last night. A one-hour, primetime television special for a guy who has never won anything??!! That, my friends, is the epitome of selfishness. You're not that important, LeBron.

---Kudos to Cavs owner Dan Gilbert for expressing such remarkable, unprecedented candor in his jaw-dropping rant against LeBron last night. Was Gilbert an emotionally drunk prisoner of the moment? Of course. But his statement was indeed based in truth, and he deserves credit for showing the type of unbridled honesty that is so rarely seen in sports. Cavs fans should be encouraged by the fact that they have such a passionate owner.

---Meanwhile, there is absolutely no guarantee that the Miami Heat will even be the favorites to win the East next season, let alone the NBA championship. Obviously, a LeBron-Wade-Bosh trio is awfully intimidating, but three great players does not a title make. When Boston won their title in 2008, they had a myriad of productive bench players (Eddie House, P.J. Brown, Leon Powe, James Posey) and a burgeoning young point guard in Rajon Rondo to assist the Big 3 of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. When the Celtics won the East this past season, the Big 3 became the Big 4 as Rondo blossomed into arguably the most exciting Celtic since Larry Bird, and bench players like Rasheed Wallace and Tony Allen were big assets in the playoffs. So besides the Big 3, who does Miami have right now? Mario Chalmers? Danny the Ball Boy? Pat Riley has a lot of work to do.

---The Bulls would have been a much better fit for LeBron.

---Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov (love him) was right when he said that the move to Miami weakens the LeBron brand. By deciding to play alongside two fellow stars in Wade and Bosh, James is essentially admitting that he is unable to lead a team to the promise land. No matter how many championships LeBron wins with the Heat, he should never, ever be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, or Kobe Bryant.

---I admit that I was wrong about LeBron. As my blog entries over the years show, I used to view LeBron as the epitome of unselfishness. Boy has that changed.

---However, despite my anger regarding LeBron's decision, I strongly disagree with the notion that this serves as a hit to the NBA's reputation. The NBA remains the best league, with a stunning array of young superstars (Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Derrick Rose) who do indeed symbolize class and unselfishness. The league is in a great place right now.

---And finally, I can't wait until LeBron makes his return to Quicken Loans Arena as a visitor with the Heat. The boos will be music to my ears.

LeBron, Youkilis, Nadal, 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:



---LeBronathon 2010 continues, and just when it was starting to appear as if LeBron was going to stay in Cleveland, things got infinitely cloudier yesterday, as James had a second meeting with the New York Knicks. Perhaps LeBron was intrigued by the possibility of playing alongside Amare Stoudamire, who is widely expected to sign with the Knicks in the coming days. Here's hoping that common sense prevails for LeBron, and that he stays in Cleveland.



---Look, I absolutely love New York City, and I believe that the NBA would benefit from having a successful team in the Big Apple. But after two consecutive seasons of underwhelming postseason performance, LeBron owes it to the city of Cleveland to stay put. He is far and away the face of that struggling city, and if he were to leave, he would destroy the spirit of Cleveland. Pardon me for getting melodramatic, but I honestly believe that LeBron James would be making an egregious decision if he bolted elsewhere. Conversely, he would be making a wonderful, classy decision if he decides to stay with the Cavs.



---And it's not as if LeBron won't have a chance at winning the title if he stays in Cleveland. With LeBron, the Cavs would be in the mix for a championship again next season. Not to mention the fact that they have an outstanding new coach in Byron Scott, a coach with far more basketball savvy and intelligence than Mike Brown can ever dream of having.



---As for Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, I think that they will both end up in Miami. If this does occur, the Heat will be a major force in the Eastern Conference.



---The one team that looks to be on the outside looking in right now as far as free agents are concerned is Chicago. Too bad, because with the likes of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, the Bulls are one premier free agent away from contending for a championship.



---On to baseball now, where the All-Star rosters were announced yesterday. The two snubs that bug me the most are Cincinnati's Joey Votto and Boston's Kevin Youkilis. Votto is the number one reason why the Reds are having such a surprisingly good year, and Youkilis has become the top offensive force for the Red Sox in the wake of David Ortiz' decline.



---I also think that Stephen Strasburg should be on the team. I don't understand the argument that Strasburg has to "earn" his way on the All-Star team. Excuse me, this game decides home-field advantage in the World Series! If you want the National League to win this game, you want Strasburg on your team. And in terms of fan excitement at an All-Star Game, who would you rather have, Strasburg or Tim Hudson?

---Allow me to pause for a little prayer: Please God, Please, May the Giants Start Playing Winning Baseball. Enough Torture Already.

---Normally, I try to veer away from the political on this blog, but I was appalled by Tony LaRussa's public declaration of support for Arizona's controversial immigration law. Now I vehemently disagree with LaRussa's stance on this issue, but that wasn't why I was appalled. Rather, I was shocked that LaRussa would say something that would risk alienating his relationship with his own players, like Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina. It will be interesting to see if any tension arises in the Cardinals clubhouse as a result of LaRussa's statement.

---Congratulations to your 2010 Wimbledon Champion, Rafael Nadal. Nadal is clearly the best player in tennis right now, as I think it is relatively safe to say that the Roger Federer era is winding to a close. Federer appeared astonishingly pedestrian at Wimbledon, and it would be somewhat of a surprise if he is a top contender at next month's U.S. Open.

---If this is indeed the end of the Federer era, we should all stand up and applaud his legacy. Federer will be forever mentioned in the same breath as Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Rod Laver, John McEnroe, and Bjorn Borg.

---And finally, a quick appreciation of U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan. I haven't really watched any of the World Cup, but I am aware of the significance behind Donovan's historic goal against Algeria. Furthermore, I was impressed by his wonderfully entertaining appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman". Nice job, Landon!