Some of these readers are absolutely brilliant. Some, not so much. You be the judge. ...

From: John F.

Re. Winning with Jackie, losing with Casey part of Craig’s charmed life

Scott, your piece on Roger Craig was simply outstanding. I grew up in Detroit and of course one of my fondest memories was of the '84 Tigers. It was always somewhat of a mystery to me how the pitching staff could go out and do what they did night after night, but then I learned about Roger Craig. Well, that it is to say, I thought I learned about him but until reading your column I never really knew about the man behind the legend. This is a brilliant piece of work and it brought back a lot of great memories. Thanks again.

Humm Baby!

From: CoachMatt (via comments section)

Thanks Mr. Miller, this wonderful piece is long overdue. Roger Craig is one of the great citizens of the game. As a Giants fan, I always felt we were lucky to have him, and "Humm Baby" will always be part of my family's vocabulary. It's nice to read about a good guy who had great success -- the world could use a lot more Roger Craigs.

Think I’d love your family, given its vocabulary.

From: Mr. Baseball

Re.: Cardinals program builds winners, helps overcome losses

You are a f---ing idiot. Period. You write a column about the Cards that implies an organizational structure that promotes a culture throughtout all levels and that system generates the results you denote. However, you idiot, you end up giving kudos to guys who came from other organizations and are not products of the Cards. And you know that and you still write this slop with a straight face. What a fraud you are and so is the article. 

Let’s see, I stated that the Cardinals’ farm system is ranked No. 1 in the game, according to Baseball America. I discussed all of the rookie pitchers they’ve produced, I gushed over homegrown Yadier Molina … wait! Looks like YOU are the idiot!

From: TerryCorbet (via comments section)

I suppose I am just too old, but I suggest you look to see how far Red Schoendienst is from the heart of this discussion, and I do mean heart. Yes, we all loved Stan Musial, and all the others from the ‘40s on, but most of them are gone now. Red has probably been on and off the field of more Cardinals history than any other ball player could make the same claim for their home team even if you went back to the Athletics in Connie Mack's day. No, he's not been turning double plays from second base with Marty Marion for many a year, but he is there for all the current Cardinals, on the field, in the office, and with the fans.  Thanks for recognizing how a culture of baseball helps to make it work, for the league and for us fans.

Thank you for bringing up Schoendienst because there is no question he’s a big part of the Cardinals’ heart.

From: Peter Bellini (via comments section)

Re. Weekend Buzz: Havey, Moore, Miller and Corbin ushering in new generation

All that writing, and not a mention of Justin Masterson. In fact, the Tribe is 17-4 over the past 21 games and the only mention in the article is about how many hot dogs were sold Friday night. FYI - There were nearly 34,000 people in attendance Friday. 

Shouldn't we wait a little bit more before we see stacks of Matt Harvey articles? Oh ... I forgot ... its New York Baby. Regardless, the Mets go nowhere. The Book on Harvey will be figured out by July and we will be again talking about Andy Pettitte's aches and pains and how Girardi is manager of the year because he is getting it done on $150 million per year instead of $200 million in payroll.

See, I was thinking just like you. And so I decided to wait a little bit before writing stacks of Cleveland Indians articles. Good thing, huh?

FROM: Robert Jones

Mr. Miller,

Have you heard of a Texas pitcher named Yu Darvish? You had a list of the top 15 right handers and Darvish was not on the list. Today, you have a list of upcoming future stars, and Darvish is not on this list. Why? Mark this: He will be the 2013 AL Cy Young winner.

The list of top 15 right-handers wasn’t mine, so I cannot speak to that. As for the upcoming stars, I was writing about rookies. Darvish had too much experience to be included with that. Also, I already wrote a glowing tribute to Darvish a couple of weeks ago. After you read it here, don’t spend too much time on a congratulatory note. You can just praise me a little.

From: Da_mike (via comments section)

Excuse me, but where the hell is the talk of Chris Sale in this post?

The subject was rookies. He’s not a rookie. But I did sing Sale’s praises last June right here.

From: chuckybaxter (via comments section)

Re. Why have strikeouts hit an all-time high – and counting?

And NBA players can't shoot free throws. Dunks and home runs are what get you paid for. Hitting to the opposite field and making your free throws isn't. [Hello] Adam Dunn and Dwight Howard.

I can't even watch the NBA. Love college hoops, though.

From: freak3896 (via comments section)

Turns out Rob Deer was ahead of his time. Who knew?

He would be a folk hero today.

From: signcut (via comments section)

The loss of proper fundamental play makes for bad baseball. I don't watch on TV, haven't been to an MLB game in years, and my interest wanes year by year. After over 40 years of being a fan, I have just seen too much crappy baseball; it turns my stomach to see these players paid so well when they can't/won't/don't play ball to the fundamental level that was expected of a high school kid not that long ago.

Scott Miller, you can make excuses, because your job is to shill for the game, but not everybody buys that fluff. True, strikeouts are up for a number of reasons, but the main one is that batters today don't know or care enough to make adjustments, or to tailor their at-bats for the team, and not for themselves. That is indeed about the money, not just in how players view themselves and their importance, but how management has fed and reinforced that view.

Think I made all of those points. And by not voting for any steroid users for the Hall of Fame … does that also count as shilling for the game?

From:  southpawcom (via comments section)

A fan since 1967 here, and, my friends, this K-or-HR style of the game is suffocatingly boring. I asked a friend the other night while watching a game featuring the usual succession of full-count strikeouts and solo home runs, "Remember rallies?" A rally was when a team would score maybe 5 or 6 runs in an inning on a succession of base hits, many coming on the first pitch of an at-bat, and many sent as flares to the opposite field. They were a lot of fun, because a rally often meant a lot of running and throwing, sometimes throwing errors, some hard slides, maybe a run-down play or even two, and occasionally a fight or a terrific rhubarb with the ump, and fans standing up and booing and throwing things! Most of the things I just mentioned you hardly ever see anymore. ... if you were born after 1980, you've never seen this brand of baseball and therefore would never miss it, but ask your dad or granddad, it was a heckuva lot more fun. I'm not sure what to do about it, but somehow shame has to follow you back to the dugout after you've whiffed. I blame TV and the umps. Ring 'em up, blue, if it's even close. Then maybe the Moneyballers will have to start swinging earlier in the count.

Great letter! Love it. I do remember rallies. Man, those were fun. And you’re right about the umpires: Make the strike zone larger, make ‘em swing and let’s see what happens.

From: johnU11 (via comments section)

Re.: Five managers with connections to 1988 Indians an unbelievable story

Miller is trying to invent another "Major League" with this story. The part about the five managers is interesting but he's contriving something.

The ENTIRE story was about the randomness of five future managers playing together on one team. What do you mean “the part about the five managers”? And I’m the one contriving something?

From: YeahYeahYeah!!! (via comments section)

That is a cool story. Seriously. No snark. No irony. It really takes me back to that era when baseball still had some mystique and was still the number one sport, at least for me. Topps baseball cards, Bull Durham, money couldn't buy the World Series for the Yanks or anyone else, hope sprung eternal for all 26 teams, kids playing baseball and/or Wiffle ball all day and then nerding out on Strat-O-Matic baseball after dark. Good times!

I played Wiffle ball all day!

From: HALOS02 (via comments section)

Re. Beard gone, unbridled (and stitched) Bryce Harper plays on

This story fails to mention the HORRIBLE route he took on that ball and how he had no clue where he was in relation to the track and then, ultimately, the wall. The hustle is great, but it's better when it's combined with basic fundamental outfield skills.

He’s only been playing the outfield for three years. He’s learning. Your point on the bad route is legitimate.

From: Hawkman77 (via comments section)

The story is spot on. I have a feeling the guys saying otherwise have never played any game full out. No, PS3 and Xbox don't count. 

What about Wii?

From: stringaline (via comments section)

Re. Growing Hosmer looking to chase away Royals baseball blues

Um, look at Jason Heyward.  I've been seeing things written about Eric Hosmer regressing ... I think it's absolutely ridiculous. He's young, very talented, and making his way. The Royals are PACKED full of young, talented bats.  the organization does NOT rest on Hosmer's shoulders. He did NOT "regress". I think these suppositions and opinions have originated from some one specific person (probably not the author of this article), and we need to ignore that opinion.

It's George Brett's challenge now, huh?