• Over at River Ave. Blues, Ben K. points out that Robinson Cano has a bright future, and I'm certainly not going to argue (I can't, considering that just last week I anointed Cano the best second baseman of the next five years). But Ben concludes by arguing that the Yankees' arbitration figure should have been higher than $3.2 million, lest they annoy their young star. Which is silly. Cano and his agent know how this game is played, and everyone will be smiling within a few moments after everything is settled.
• Nice interview with John Sayles, who directed "Eight Men Out" and once wrote a novel about a barnstorming softball team. I've been a fan of Sayles' movies for a long time. When he was finished filming "Eight Men Out," I sent him a letter asking if there were any props left over (yes, I was hoping he'd reward my fawning letter with a gift). Sayles responded with a gracious note, explaining that all the uniforms and such had been sold to help finance production. He did enclose a baseball card featuring himself. (I'm still a fan, and if I could save only 25 American movies, "Lone Star" would be among them).
• ShysterBall notes that John McHale -- like every other significant figure associated primarily with the Montreal Expos -- might as well never have existed. At least according to the Washington Nationals.