Among the topics were Billy Wagner, Don Baylor's managing style, and who could come out on top in the A.L. West. Neyer also touched on the upcoming Yankees-Red Sox series (which will be his first visit to Yankee Stadium. It's true.), and why people ignore the Texas Rangers (a conspiracy??).

In case you missed Neyer's May 25 chat, the following is an edited transcript.

Dodger Blue: This is the best looking Dodger start in years. Was Mondy the bad apple all along? Did we really just need a lefty power hitter? Is this the magic of Davey? Sheff said that the clubhouse morale is better this year and attributed the success to that. I don't buy it. Morale and winning are a chicken and egg argument at best. So what gives, why do I love this team again?

Rob Neyer: Well, I think that a lot of bad things happened to the Dodgers last year, chief among them Carlos Perez and Todd Hundley. This year, some good things have happened (Kevin Elster?), and Davey Johnson is still one of the better managers around. I picked them to win the division, but of course the Diamondbacks show no signs of the slide I expected.

Scott Boras: What is wrong with Billy Wagner? He's by far my favorite closer, but last night his E.R.A. jumped way over five and he's blown around five saves, too. I don't like the new Houston uniforms, do you think that has anything to do with it?

Rob Neyer: Might be the new unis. Or he might be trying to pitch through an injury, perhaps the same elbow problem that limited his effectiveness last October.

	NEYER'S FILE
	ESPN.com's Rob Neyer writes a daily baseball column from March through October. His book "Baseball Dynasties," co-authored with Eddie Epstein, has just been published, and can be ordered from Amazon.com.

Schmidt'sMustache: Any news on the "body armor" front? Every time I see Mo Vaughn or Barry Bonds crowd the plate with their gladitor gear on, I wish Early Wynn would rise from the grave and put one right under their chin.

Rob Neyer: I recently read an interview with Frank Robinson, and he's got a
wonderful understanding of the issue. The problem is that the players would probably have to approve any "solution," and that's unlikely since there are more hitters than pitchers.

Schmidt'sMustache: Any news about a possible new edition to your friend Bill James' Historical Baseball Abstract? My copy is 13 years old, and has a split spine, but is still one of the greatest baseball books ever written.

Rob Neyer: Yep, one of the greatest baseball books ever. Bill is working on the revised edition as we chat, and I assume it will be out next spring ... competing, unfortunately for me, with my new book.

Rob Richardson: Rob, in your article you have alluded to the fact that you don't like the ways Don Baylor and Ed Lynch are running the Cubs. Not that I disagree with you, but would you please give your reasons why.

Rob Neyer: Baylor is obsessed with one-run strategies. First he blathered about having Sammy Sosa steal 30 bases or whatever, and now he's in the habit of ordering his players to lay down sacrifice bunts. In the year 2000. At Wrigley Field. With the wind blowing out. In the third inning.

Sheesh.

Milwaukee_Dan: Enjoy your column, I was just curious how you feel about the Royals new contract extension to Tony Muser? Is Muser the guy that's going to take them to the promiseland or is he going to be KC's version of Phil Garner? Overrated! Thanks

Rob Neyer: Muser is the wrong manager for the Royals at this particular time. Now that all the young players have established themselves, it's time to bring in somebody who knows what he's doing, especially with regard to pitchers. I can only hope that despite the two-year extension, which isn't for a lot of money, he'll be gone sometime next season.

DallasRPI: Hey, what do you think of Mark McGwire's 1.451 OPS?

Rob Neyer: Fascinating. You really have to wonder if it makes sense to pitch to him, at all. I hope to deal with this question in a future column.

Nick in KC: Rob, Where did the term "sabermatrician" originate? Does it have anything to do with the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)?

Rob Neyer: Yep. It's actually "sabermetrician," and was coined by Bill James to honor SABR. It should be noted, however, that a significant percentage of SABR members have little or no interested in sabermetrics.

skip: Hey, Rob, I'll join the crowd asking this question: What's your take on the Dodger suspensions? I think they went a bit overboard, myself. I'm not a Dodger fan or a Cubs fan, so color me neutral.

Rob Neyer: They seem a tad much, don't you think? But I haven't had a chance to study the tapes, and I'm told that Frank Robinson and his henchmen have spent the last week doing exactly that. I do suspect the suspensions will be lessened somewhat upon appeal.

Jalbany: Rob, As much as I hate to admit it, your words have started to ring true in the last two weeks regarding the Yanks and their lack of run production. What can Torre and/or the players do to turn it around?

Rob Neyer: Keep plugging away. And trade for Matt Stairs.

Marc: You seem to be the target of some insults lately (e.g., chat last week and today's column). Do you ever catch yourself being influenced by negative reactions? By the way, you seem perfectly likable to me.

Rob Neyer: Likable? Hell, my mom loves me! And I also have three friends. Seriously, the insults don't bother me at all. It comes with the territory. Frankly, while I certainly never set out to anger people, if somebody wasn't mad at me I probably wouldn't be doing my job very well.

Eric Stephen: I read Baseball Dynasties, and I loved it! However, don't you think it is a tad hypocritical to mention clutch hitting in the book a couple of times, when in fact you have written columns stating there is no such thing as a "clutch hitter"?

Rob Neyer: Uh, would you believe that our editor added that stuff about clutch hitting? Honestly, I don't remember writing anything like that, but it would be OK if I did. See, it's fine to say that a player performed well in the clutch, as long as you don't jump to the conclusion that his performance was due to anything other than luck.

Rob Neyer: Who's going to win the A.L. West?

Rob Neyer: The Mariners still look like the class of that division, especially when Jamie Moyer and Freddy Garcia are back in the rotation. I do think the A's have a shot, but they'll need more good things from Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, and counting on young pitchers is dicey.

Yanks1: Hey Rob, Since you're spending the summer in Boston, any plans to road trip to the Bronx? I seem to recall you saying you hadn't seen a game there yet. I still get chills when I walk in that place.

Rob Neyer: Believe it or not, this weekend will mark my first-ever visit to Yankee Stadium. Stop me and say hello, I'll be the Midwestern rube walking around with his jaw hanging down, staring up at all those big ol' buildings.

Edison: You usually make very good arguments, and often I find myself changing my opinions based on what you write. But not about Fenway. Have you sat in the grandstand yet? It's brutal for those of us with long legs.

Rob Neyer: Yes, I have sat in the grandstand. And yes, it's cramped.

I do have a solution for you, though ... Have your legs shortened. Or pony up the extra twelve bucks and sit in the Loge Box seats.

Grif: I don't know if you've mentioned it already, but what's the new book going to be about? You mentioned something in today's column about love of the game, but any idea yet about the format? Personal impressions? Fan interviews?

Rob Neyer: I'm a little hesitant to talk about the new book, because (1) it's not finished, and (2) it won't be published until next spring, or perhaps early next summer. But people keep asking me, so ... Essentially, it's one baseball fan's diary of a season, seen mostly through the prism of Fenway Park and the Red Sox. And yes, it will include interviews with fans, or at least anecdotes provided by fans. Let me tell you, there is no lack of material around here.

Jalbany: Rob, How big is this weekend's Yankees vs. Red Sox series? I think the Bombers need a strong showing to send the message that the dynasty hasn't fallen just yet. Otherwise, I think it could be a long summer..

Rob Neyer: I certainly can't recall a bigger May series. On the other hand, if one of these teams finishes 10 games out of first place, it will have been meaningless. I'm not a big believer in the importance of "sending messages."

MD: Pat Burrell was recently called up to fill in for the injured Rico Brogna. How soon do you see him making a splash? Is it possible that Brogna could be fighting for his job when he gets off the DL, or is Francona intent on playing him for at least the rest of this year?

Rob Neyer: Brogna's going to be out for a good long while, so I think the job is Burrell's to lose. Assuming he doesn't completely fall on his face, the Phils will probably try to drop Brogna on the dumbest GM they can find.

Jim: Speaking of dicey young pitchers, what do you think of Gil Meche? What do you think his ceiling might be?

Rob Neyer: Love the arm, hate the abusive manager. I'll be shocked if Meche isn't on the DL this year or next.

SoxRGr8: Rob, Non-stat related question. Do you do the wave at Fenway? I feel that it's a football game gimmick!

Rob Neyer: There are two things that I hate about Fenway Park: The Wave, and the YMCA.

Ugh.

Vince: Why does everyone ignore the Texas Rangers? They have won the division three out of four years ...

Rob Neyer: Haven't you heard? There's an international media conspiracy to keep the Rangers from getting the credit they deserve. Strangely enough, all of the conspirators seem to go on vacation when it comes time to vote for the MVP.

JasoninLA: Rick Ankiel is up to 94 pitches with two out in the sixth ... he's up by five runs.

Rob Neyer: Cool, thanks for the update! As you know, Ankiel-watching is my latest favorite hobby.

Gotta go and check out GameCast of Cards game, and anyway my fingers are tired. I'll be back next week, probably same time and day. Thanks for all the questions.