Scott Miller

Through one of those odd, quirky occurrences that can happen only around the ballpark, one week ago, I sat next to Preston Gomez in the Phoenix Municipal Stadium press box.

The Athletics were hosting the Los Angeles Angels and Gomez, the baseball lifer and one-time manager of the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Houston Astros, now is a special assistant to Angels general manager Tony Reagins. I don't know why he wound up in the front row of the press box that day -- other than it was crowded and he probably took the last chair -- but, just before first pitch, as I plopped down in front of my laptop, he turned, stuck out his hand, smiled and said, "Hi, I'm Preston."

I had never met him before, and this courtly and genteel gesture struck me immediately as one inherent in his generation that, sadly, has been lost on ours.

It was one of the nicest moments of my spring, and a chill ran right through me Wednesday when I heard Gomez, 84, had been hit by a pickup truck at a gas station while driving home from spring training and is in critical condition.

It never gets old in this business, having the privilege of meeting so many baseball old-timers. And the not knowing when and where keeps you on your toes and can turn what otherwise would be a mundane day interesting.

The classic Gomez story, of course, came in 1970, when he was managing the Padres and he sent a pinch-hitter to the plate for pitcher Clay Kirby in the eighth inning with the Padres trailing the New York Mets 1-0. The kicker: Kirby was pitching a no-hitter at the time.

I briefly thought of asking Gomez about it last week in that press box, but I didn't. I figured he'd probably explained it 1,000 times -- he was simply trying to win a game, and in this old-school guy's eyes, the individual took a back seat to the team -- and besides, I was buried in work. I had a column to write, preview stories to work on ... you know. No matter what job we have, sometimes we keep our head down plowing through it and either don't have the time or don't take the time to enjoy the small moments.

After introducing himself, he was very careful to make sure to get my name, going so far as to read it on my media credential to make sure he had it correctly. We exchanged pleasantries -- what a beautiful day it was, how great the spring always is --then I went back to writing and he went back to scouting.

About midway through the game, someone fouled a pitch up toward us that landed in the stands about five or six rows beneath the press box and we exchanged smiles.

"You've got me covered, right, Preston?" I kidded. "Someone scorches a ball into the press box toward this computer, I'm going to let you catch it."

He laughed, eyes twinkling, and said he didn't know whether he could move so fast anymore.

Not long after, my friend Pedro Gomez, the ESPN broadcaster whom I've known since we covered high school sports together in the 1980s, came by to visit with Preston. They're both Cuban, and they chattered away in Spanish for awhile, and once they got back to English, Pedro asked whether I knew he and Preston shared the same name.

Turns out, Preston's given name is Pedro. I quickly told ESPN Pedro that maybe they shared the same name, but it was obvious which Pedro Gomez got the better end of the looks. And it wasn't the TV star.

We all laughed again, and it was real easy to see why Preston Gomez not only remains a respected baseball man, but beloved in the Angels organization. What a gentle, kind and knowledgeable man.

I'm back home writing now, finishing up that 2008 season preview stuff. And while I am, I can't get my mind off of the sudden and horrible twist of fate, Preston now laying in that hospital bed fighting for his life.

What a treasure that afternoon last week was, and how quickly things change.

Here's a prayer for Preston's full recovery, and for the rest of us to have the wisdom to recognize those moments when life hands you a gift, and to take advantage of them.

Turns out, Miguel Cabrera not only cost Detroit half of its farm system (almost) in this winter's monster deal with Florida, but also a good percentage of owner Mike Ilitch's Little Caesars pizza money to keep him wearing the Olde English D for the next eight years.

So, is Cabrera worth it?

Heck, yes. By all means. Mark this down as a great day for the Tigers: They didn't even have to annex Michigan's Upper Peninsula, or sell the Ambassador Bridge, to pay Cabrera's freight.

It took a lot of (pizza) dough -- $152.3 million over eight years -- but this is the gift that will keep on giving. Cabrera is only 24 (he turns 25 in on April 18), the numbers from his first five seasons in the majors compare favorably to those of Hank Aaron and if he continues at this pace, he's a definite Hall of Famer.

And from what we've seen this spring, there is every reason to believe that Cabrera will continue produce at this level -- or even higher.

What I saw this spring when I was with the Tigers in Lakeland was a new man, which should be scary news for American League pitchers. Remember how tumultuous last season was at times in Florida with Cabrera, when he was overweight and developed a reputation for periodic loafing?

Yes, it's only spring and yes, things could change, but those days seem long gone.

For one thing, you should see Cabrera now: He changed his workout regimen and his diet beginning immedately after last season, and his body is so much leaner now. Plus, there's no question he's in a better situation, and I think that will help him in every area -- starting upstairs, mentally.

Surrounded by Detroit's productive veterans -- especially countryman Carlos Guillen -- Cabrera has veterans to show him the way professionals do things, and to get after him if he takes a mental day off.

Playing for manager Jim Leyland, he will learn and grow under one of the finest minds in the game -- and from a gruff, no-nonsense manager who commands respect and will not tolerate players going through the motions.

In short, as Cabrera reaches the next level financially, he's surrounded by people who will continue to push him to the next level of greatness, and not let him settle. We already know he has the talent.

Only three players will command an average annual salary larger than Cabrera's $19,037,500 this season: The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, the Mets' Johan Santana and Boston's Manny Ramirez.

With Ramirez in the heart of their order, Boston has racked up two World Series wins in the past four seasons.

With A-Rod, the Yankees haven't won, but they've played in October each year he's been there.

Ramirez, now 36, is about to enter his twilight. A-Rod, 32, is in his prime.

Cabrera, based on his age, may not yet even be in his prime.

Considering that he hit .320 with 34 RBI and 119 RBI for the Marlins last season, he's got a realistic chance at becoming baseball's first Triple Crown winner since 1967, when Boston's Carl Yastrzemski did it.

He also helps put Detroit in position to win its first World Series since 1984 -- perhaps even as soon as this year.

That'll be a large with everything, please.

MESA, Ariz. -- It's settled -- at least, as settled as a Lou Piniella lineup ever is.

Newcomer Kosuke Fukudome will bat fifth, Piniella proclaimed on Saturday after several days of tinkering with and pondering his lineup. Shortstop Ryan Theriot will be the Cubs' leadoff man, former leadoff man Alfonso Soriano will bat second, followed by first baseman Derrek Lee, third baseman Aramis Ramirez, Fukudome, second baseman Mark DeRosa, catcher Geovany Sota and center fielder Felix Pie.

At least, unless the Cubs trade for Brian Roberts, Jay Payton, Coco Crisp or anybody else in the next week.

"Right now, the way we're situated, Fukudome offers the best protection to Ramirez," Piniella says. "I know the two-hole is probably more suitable for the young man, but right now, the way we're put together, I feel Ramirez has more protection with Fukudome behind him.

"I talked to my coaches, and they feel the same way. So we're going to start this way."

Piniella juggled his lineup all season last summer but would prefer not to do that this year. Having a better handle on things entering his second season in Chicago and with better players in place -- the emergence of Theriot, the addition of Fukudome -- he should be able to accomplish that. Though he is notoriously impatient.

"We're going to be more prone to a set lineup," Piniella says. "I said we'd play around during spring training, see some things. The problem is, if something's not working, I get paid to find solutions. Then you've got to tinker some.

"But I'd prefer to stay as constant as possible."

Saturday was a gorgeous day at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, with a packed house for a spring game between the Cubs and White Sox. I spent some time in the Cubs' radio booth talking with Ron Santo about 45 minutes before game time, and it was quite a sight. You can walk up to the press box windows from the stands at HoHoKam, and a steady stream of autograph seekers lined up to get Santo's signature.

In 10 minutes I saw him sign baseballs, tickets, programs, a large white sneaker with a Cubs' logo, a baseball key chain, caps and many other items. One woman simply handed him a cell phone and asked him to say hello to her mother. Actually, it was more like she told Santo to say hello. It would have been incredibly awkward had he declined, but he didn't miss a beat.

"Hello, Rose," he said. "I wanted to say hello to you."

The only thing I saw Santo decline was a girl who asked him to sign her arm. He was gracious, but essentially said he doesn't sign body parts. I'm not kidding -- it was like Mick Jagger or Keith Richards or something. People love their Cubs.

"People have asked us to leave outgoing messages on their answering machines," says Pat Hughes, Santo's partner in the booth. "All in a day's work."

Likes: Ron Santo is just the sweetest man. He and broadcast partner Pat Hughes are terrific people, pleasures to be around. ... A couple of Cubs folks keeping watch over manager Lou Piniella as he met with the media Saturday on the field, perched precariously close to the steps of the Cubs dugout. Piniella is a notorious rocker as he talks, sometimes disarming people by leaning back and then taking a couple of steps backwards. Fortunately, no tumbles into the dugout Saturday. ... That game-winner by the Western Kentucky kid against Drake on Friday was the shot of the NCAA tournament, huh? What a great, great play. And I felt terrible for the poor Drake kids. ... When it comes to takeout pizza, give me Papa John's. Had that and worked in the room Friday night watching the NCAA games, and that's as fine a night as there is. ... My friend Ollie called to check in the other day after the Bull Pennings blog about Felix Pie's twisted testicle and reminded me that he did not have to have surgery, it healed on its own. ... Happy Easter.

Dislikes: Getting close to the time when I've got to turn in that Pontiac Solstice convertible I've been driving around here in Arizona. Fun, fun car.

Sunblock day? Heck yes. Temperatures into the upper 80s, where they're supposed to remain on Easter and the rest of this week.

Rock-n-Roll lyric of the day:

"There's a cut upon my brow
"Must have banged myself somehow
"But I can't remember now
"And the front door's open wide
"Lately I've let things slide"

-- Nick Lowe, Lately I've Let Things Slide

PHOENIX -- One of the headlines to emerge from the baseball world the other day -- albeit a small headline -- was that players' union boss Don Fehr intends to look into whether baseball owners are in collusion to prevent Barry Bonds from playing this season.

Fehr quickly said it was a non-story, noting that the union reviews free agent activity every season and that he wouldn't necessarily zero in on a Bonds investigation.

Which is only the latest indication that, despite the Big Man saying he wants to play in 2008, nobody's listening.

Even as the game's all-time home run king, it really isn't all that mysterious that Bonds remains jobless. First of all, he's toxic because of his legal issues. Second, he's strictly designated hitter material now -- he was a huge liability in left field for the Giants last summer -- so that eliminates 16 of the 30 big-league clubs right there.

And of the 14 American League clubs, most of them are set at DH. I count five, maybe six AL clubs who possibly could be upgraded by Bonds' bat: Seattle (Jose Vidro is the current designated hitter), Texas (Frank Catalanotto), Baltimore (Aubrey Huff, who might be traded), Tampa Bay (Johnny Gomes, who could move to another position), Kansas City (Ross Gload) and Minnesota (Jason Kubel).

Of those, a handful are small-market clubs who probably aren't going to pay Bonds anything near what he wants.

And for the very small handful of clubs for whom Bonds might, maybe, in a pinch, possibly make sense ... is it really worth it to bring in a guy whose legal future is murky? A guy who essentially has demanded his own set of rules apart from the rest of the team? A guy who is a lightening rod for bad publicity?

"He can't play for me," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said the other day. "First of all, I already have a DH (Jim Thome). Second of all, my ballclub goes by the rules, all 25 guys. I don't know him, but he's got hiw own way. I respect that. He's the best player ever to play the game. But it's a different style.

"It's surprised me (that Bonds is unsigned) because a lot of teams need a leader like him. Maybe people don't want the aggravation of talking about him every day."

Likes: Closer Brad Lidge back in Philadelphia. ... The Washington Nationals deciding to go with their talented young pitching. Yes, it was shocking to see last year's openind day starter, John Patterson, handed his walking papers, but the injuries and rehabbing are endless. The game stops for no one, and the Nationals owe it to their players and fans to go with starting pitchers who can take the ball every day. Especially with Shawn Hill's status uncertain. John Lannan and Matt Chico are going to be good. ... Dodgers broadcaster and former big leaguer Rick Monday. Pure class. ... Honey Bear's barbecue in Phoenix. Terrific ribs, and a great motto: "You don't need no teeth to eat our meat." Plus, you've gotta like a barbecue joint with a sign out front warning that there are no weapons allowed on the premesis unless the holder is a police officer. ... The first two days of the NCAA tournament, with games going fo