That was tough enough for New York Knicks fans to take (although not nearly as difficult as it was for Cleveland Cavaliers fans to watch).

But, if you happen to be a New York fan of the orange and blue in both basketball and baseball, ESPN probably annoyed you even further on Monday night.

The New York Mets had the night off after limping home with an awful 2-9 road trip and Met fans like myself were trying to forget about the western excursion which might have ended the Mets’ season by taking in ESPN’s broadcast of the Detroit Tigers at the Tampa Bay Rays.

So, with Detroit’s Max Scherzer and Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza locked in a scoreless, dual no-hitter in the bottom of the sixth inning, what did ESPN do?

Well, the network which sold out to give “LeBrat” his platform to further sell his “LeBrand” eighteen days earlier, decided to cut away from the no-hit duel in Tampa to celebrate the pursuit of admitted steroid abuser Alex Rodriguez’s chase for 600 career home runs in Cleveland.

Rather than see Scherzer attempt to hold Tampa Bay at bay and keep up with Garza’s no-hit bid, we witnessed a player stuck on 599 career homers — some legitimate, many illegally aided — uneventfully and weakly ground out.

If a Met fan wanted to see that, he or she could have joined Yankee fans (not very likely) and tuned into the YES network to see A-Roid try to finish cheating his way to 600 home runs. I don’t know about other Met fans, but I preferred to stick with pitching history attempting to be made, especially knowing Tampa Bay had been one of just three franchises (including the Mets) never to have thrown a no-hitter.

I only missed one out, and it was long before Scherzer lost both his no-hitter and his shutout on a Matt Joyce grand slam.

However, as a not only a baseball fan but a fan of what’s right, I was disgusted at the attention ESPN paid to the Yankees’ charlatan.

How many homers would A-Fraud have been going for on Monday night had he not cheated himself and the sport that made him famous? Would it have been 400? 450? Whatever the number, it certainly would have fallen far shy of 600. Yet, ESPN cut way from the shot at real history to the attempt at artificial history as if every one of the first 599 Rodriguez homers were honestly earned.

We of course know that Rodriguez is by no means the only major leaguer ever to cheat his way into the record books. But, when a network as big as ESPN sells out and rewards that type of player with that kind of coverage in the hunt of a phony milestone, it sends a severely wrong message to the future fans of the game growing up with baseball today.

It tells kids (and the rest of us), “It doesn’t matter whether it was accomplished legitimately or through dishonest means, it will be celebrated and honored just the same.”

Of course, it got even tougher for Met fans later on, as Garza completed the first no-hitter in Tampa Bay history (which goes back 36 years less than Met history), leaving only the San Diego Padres and the Mets as the only two major league franchises without a no-hitter.

But, that would have happened regardless. Making it tougher for Met fans though, was seeing ESPN sell out and paint the cross-town rival Rodriguez as if he was truly trying to accomplish something meaningful instead of the sham that it is.

For the second time this month, ESPN chose the wrong thing over the right one, all in the name of money.

And, why? Because fans make it so. Fans tuned into James’ “Decision” in droves, and made fans like myself be among the minority for wanting to see a no-hit battle over A-Roid’s fake chase to 600.

Until most fans finally stick up for what’s right, huge media outlets like ESPN will be there waiting to pounce and make money with no conscience at all.

A sportscaster who was acquired by the Brooklyn Dodgers for a catcher in 1948, Ernie Harwell went on to spend 42 of his 55 broadcasting years with the Detroit Tigers–his sweet, Southern diction gracing the Motor City over the course of five glorious decades. It’s extremely difficult to describe what made Mr. Harwell great; I guess legends do that on occasion to us admiring scribes. But let me try: he was easygoing, smooth, and his voice was unmistakable; fellow Hall of Famer Vin Scully simply used the words “gentle” and “caring” in describing a man whose catch phrases enthralled even the most casual of baseball fans. When radio listeners/TV viewers heard the words “LOOOOONG GONE!” (home run) or “TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!” (double play) while Ernie Harwell worked a broadcast, they KNEW these were coming from a man who simply loved the game of baseball. Nope–nothing forced, nothing meant to be self-serving, and never any self-promoting “shtick” from one Mr. Harwell. It was just one man demonstrating the love of his craft while relaying info to an audience who truly loved him back–probably more than he ever realized.

Oh, what a thrill on those rare occasions in the past when I’d be watching a televised “game of the week” and be treated to a live ‘look in’ on a Tigers game for some particular reason–and hear Ernie Harwell describing the action in a manner nothing short of magical. He possessed the type of demeanor and delivery that made you FEEL like he was your friend; yeah, what a gift. And he was magical OUT of the booth, too. Baseball writer/rules consultant Rich Marazzi on Harwell: “I first met Ernie at Yankee Stadium around 1982 as a rookie writer and he made me feel like a million dollars. He was so friendly and it made me proud that he always called me by my first name. He was baseball royalty–and I was privileged to know him.” Shelly Riley–a contributor to Seamheads.com who was recently present on a day when Harwell would lie in internment at Comerica Park–added this: “Ernie was a man of the people–an everyone’s man. Regardless of whether you had ever physically met him or not, you felt as if you had a close personal connection to him. Losing Ernie was like losing a grandparent; we all knew his death was coming, but no one wanted to admit it.” Finally, Tony DeAngelo–my co-host on CTV-14′s “Monday Night Sports Talk“–remembered Harwell this way: “Just to hear him say ‘Gary Roenicke was left standing at that curveball like the house by the side of the road and watched it go by’–that told me everything I needed to know about Ernie. He brought such a color and respect to the game; when you heard the voice of Ernie Harwell, you knew you were listening to a special event.”

I never had the opportunity to meet Ernie Harwell personally, but was lucky enough to interview him last year on ESPN Radio’s “Inside Yankee Baseball” shortly after the death of former Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych. He talked fondly about his memories of “The Bird”–graciously answering me with the same warmth that had engulfed so many others over his remarkable lifetime. He was real, he was genuine–and for those few cherished minutes became MY friend; it would be from THAT day forward–after experiencing his wonderful persona over the airwaves–that I’d always refer to him as “the GREAT Ernie Harwell.” Yes, I’ll always treasure the opportunity I had to converse with a true “journalistic giant” whose personality made me feel like we were equals; to him, it was just two guys talking baseball. Thanks for that, Ernie.

Currently, a life-size statue of Ernie Harwell graces the entrance to Detroit’s Comerica Park; the press box, called the “Ernie Harwell Media Center,” now stands as a tribute to a man–or should I say “friend to many”–whose contributions to sports journalism surely remain beyond the scope of one particular weekly column. After calling his last game back in 2002, part of Harwell’s final words to his listeners were as follows: “It’s time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I’d much rather say hello–hello to a new adventure. I’m not leaving, folks–I’ll still be with you.”

Yes, Mr. Harwell–goodbyes ARE sad–so I’ll just say “So long” for now. And yes–you’re STILL not leaving–as your legacy assures that you’ll always be in the hearts and minds of many.

The 92 year-old sports broadcaster had been diagnosed with cancer less than a year ago. Harwell opted not to receive surgery. He courageously battled the disease without losing his good humor or strong religious faith. Al Kaline, one of the greatest players in Detroit Tigers history and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame since 1980 accepted the award for his longtime friend. Kaline recalled his first meeting with Harwell, “I met him as a Baltimore broadcaster in 1954. We became friends right from the start. “Kaline played with the Tigers from 1953 through the 1974 season and was a broadcaster for the team from 1975 through the 2002 season. Thus, he was in close proximity with Harwell for decades, even though the two worked together in the broadcast booth for only one year. His advice to Kaline was expressed in words he himself always followed, “He told me to be myself, and to be as honest as I can.” He vividly recalled to reporters a four day cruise the two men and their wives took. It was during those days that Kaline truly realized the breadth and depth of Harwell’s interests and his knowledge of so many subjects.

Harwell became connected to the sport of baseball as a young boy in Atlanta when he served as a batboy for the minor league Atlanta Crackers. After graduation from Emory University, Harwell began work as a newspaperman. He was broadcasting games on the radio for Atlanta when he was ‘traded” to the Brooklyn Dodgers for a minor league catcher, Cliff Draper. He travelled north to replace the ailing Red Barber during the 1948 season. After two seasons with the Dodgers, Harwell was replaced by a young graduate of Fordham University, Vin Scully. It’s interesting to note, as Scully would say, that more than six decades later, Harwell would be granted an award in Scully’s name by the Fordham University radio station. Harwell would have been pleased to be a recipient of the honor. Kaline related, “Ernie told me that he thought Vin Scully was the best broadcaster he ever heard.”

Harwell’s career did not end after parting with the Dodgers. He remained in New York City calling games for the New York Giants from 1950-1953. When Baltimore gained a Major League franchise in 1954, Harwell broadcast Orioles games through 1959. In the following year, he began his long association with the Detroit Tigers. He did play-by-play for the Tigers through the 2002 season with the exception of the years 1991-93 when the team’s then ownership replaced him. During the 1992 season, he worked for the California Angels. Although he broadcast other sports and nationally broadcast baseball games, he is most closely associated with Detroit.

Kaline said of Harwell, “He was the most revered and loved person in sports in the state of Michigan.” The Detroit baseball superstar described the qualities that made Harwell stand out as a broadcaster, “[The qualities are] the way he interacted with the fans, his knowledge, his love of baseball and the way he told stories. The one thing I think is missing today are broadcasters who can tell stories. He knew the game was first and ego didn’t get in the way.” The accomplished CBS newsman Bob Sceiffer, another of the evening’s honorees said it was special to get an award with Harwell, “He [Harwell] loved baseball and he loved people. He did his homework and always knew what he was talking about.” Scheiffer recalled listening to Harwell broadcast Tigers game when the station’s signal was strong at night and marveling at Harwell’s skill.

Even more important than Harwell’s skills as a broadcaster were his qualities as a special human being. Kaline remembered, “He was a person you could feel comfortable with. He was that way we everybody. He always had a smile. I’ve known him and celebrate the kind of man he was. We were lucky to have him. {His death] is like losing a parent.”

AL EAST
N.Y. Yankees
Boston Red Sox
T.B. Rays
Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays

AL CENTRAL
Minnesota Twins
Chicago White Sox
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Cleveland Indians

AL WEST
LA Angels
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
Oakland Athletics

**Notes:
AL EAST- New York’s Nick Johnson gets hurt more than Evel Knievel did, but he’ll be able to JOG around the bases most of the time; don’t think Beltre and Ortiz will give Boston the ‘pop’ they desperately need to overtake NY. Longoria may be the league’s MVP, but will B.J. Upton rebound? Orioles could finish at .500 as young pitchers like Bergesen and Matusz develop; Toronto won’t get enough outfield production, may lose 100 games, and should hand out handkerchiefs to fans every time Halladay starts for Philadelphia.
AL CENTRAL- Hudson helps Twins A LOT and–even without closer Nathan–Gardenhire will find a way to win the division. White Sox’ starting pitching will keep them near the top of the division, but which Alex Rios will show up? Tigers will score enough but overall team health may be a concern. Royals lack power and just won’t get around the bases; Tribe’s pitching is the reason they’ll occupy the cellar as EVERYONE becomes trade bait in September.
AL WEST- Angels still have enough talent and the best manager in the league while Matsui is a great clubhouse addition; I question the back end of Seattle’s rotation and how much Griffey has left in the tank. Texas has some good young arms, can score, and may challenge Seattle if Josh Hamilton stays vertical. Oakland simply won’t score runs and no player will SNIFF the 100-RBI mark–putting way too much pressure on a decent, young staff.

NL EAST
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
N.Y. Mets
Florida Marlins
Washington Nationals

NL CENTRAL
St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Pittsburgh Pirates

NL WEST
Colorado Rockies
S.F. Giants
L.A. Dodgers
Arizona D’Backs
S.D. Padres

**Notes:
NL EAST- A good Philadelphia team got better, but will Lidge be closing come October? Don’t know if Atlanta can score enough although their pitching looks decent; I have more questions about the Mets pitching staff than I do about Obama’s health-care plan. Florida will have trouble closing games and their defense is suspect. Nats’ closer Capps had an ERA close to SIX last year–and guess what? He’ll probably be closing AGAIN in 2010.
NL CENTRAL- Third base could be a concern for St. Louis, but Holliday adds some needed power; I question the bridge to Marmol in Chicago and Piniella’s best managing days may have passed. A better-than-average Aaron Harang could be the key to the Reds’ success; I don’t like the Brewers’ pitching staff OR Hoffman closing games in the clutch. Astros need Oswalt to be better but their bullpen still won’t get it done; the Pittsburgh PR people could offer MAJOR incentives/prizes at EVERY home game if the team scores five or more runs–simply because they WON’T.
NL WEST- A high team on-base percentage–along with a healthy Jeff Francis–get the Rockies to the playoffs; lack of team speed–along with a low on-base percentage–will hurt the Giants. Dodgers won’t pitch as well as last season and Manny’s #’s will continue to decline; a non-healthy Brandon Webb seals D’Backs’ fate. San Diego will have trouble pitching on the road and won’t score at ANY stadium in which they play.

*Postseason: Yes, my friends–a replay of last season’s Fall Classic as the Yanks and Phils emerge from their respective leagues. Yankees’ core players get to enjoy a repeat as the edge goes to the NY closer–making all the difference as frigid fall temperatures arrive. Enjoy the season, everyone.

It sucks.

A lot of other words describe the emotions as well, words that are unprintable in respectable places such as this.  But let’s say you’re a fan of the Detroit Tigers.  You had the post-season wrapped up and your team blew it.  To make matters worse, you even had tickets for the Division Series in your cracked & frayed hands.  Suddenly, out of the blue, the Twins got hot and your guys got cold and there was a playoff.  And you had a lead and blew the lead and blew your chances and ultimately lost the game.

Yeah, that sucks.

Now put yourself in the shoes of the guys on the field.  Mets fans can do this too, based upon 2007 and 2008.  These sudden cease & desist orders to your seasons is hearbreaking.  For the players, it’s even worse.

If you’re a player who was in the race until the bitter end and now sits watching another team play in your playoffs, well, man you ain’t feeling so good.  It’s like losing a girlfriend and watching some other guy marry her.  Sure you blew it with her.  But it doesn’t stop the pain from eating away at your arteries.

Even worse, think about the Twins players.  They had Cinderella Story written all over them.  The great late-season comeback, the comeback within the playoff game, the series in New York against the Goliaths of baseball, circa 21st century (and pretty much 20th century as well).  And you blew it.  Hell, you even had a lead in the 9th in Game 2.  You had your shot at infamy.  And you blew it.  Now you’re sitting on the same couch as the Tigers, watching other teams play in your playoffs.  It’s not fun.

And it really, really sucks.

The wound can run very deep.  There’s blame everywhere, from the teammate who blew the big game or made the colossal error to the manager who made the bonehead decision to the teammate who suddenly forgot how to run the bases to everyone but yourself.  Because one way to get over the season fast is to flip the Denial switch and put your self-criticism into hibernation with the bears and donkeys.

When you finally take responsibility, it will be later in the winter.  It will be when all the baseball games are done and the free agents are signing and you’re looking at the way your team is shaping up, or new team if you were traded or waived or released.  Then you’ll get a sense of how you can possibly improve or get over the hump next year.  Then you’ll get that sense of regret that is so hard to admit to yet so hard to fight.

And you’ll look into a metaphorical mirror and tell yourself that you had a hand in organizing the couch party last October.  You were an accomplice to the drop in season ticket sales as the off season progressed.  You had something to do with the fan base on the attack and the hot-seat status of your manager.  And you’ll think about how you watched the post-season from your couch instead of playing in the post-season while other guys watched you and how much you envied those who played and wished you could stuff a pillow into their faces.  You’ll wish the pennant-winning, World champion style champagne had a small amount of poison in it so those guys could feel as lousy as you the day after.

The problem is, your hangover started the first Tuesday in October and theirs didn’t begin until November and yours was the terrible, awful kind where you remember certain things you did and said and wish you hadn’t done or said those things while theirs is the kind of hangover that brings a smile to their faces because, damn, every throbbing pain in the brain was worth it.

Watching from the couch sucks.  Maybe next year, they’ll get to share your pain.  And you’ll be throbbing in the brain.

You can only hope.

Jimmy Scott is probably the greatest pitcher you’ve never heard of.  Visit Jimmy Scott’s High & Tight to read more from Jimmy and guests Desi Relaford, Eric Valent & Cassidy Dover.  You’ll also hear a new interview every Monday morning with former MLB players, agents, wives and others; giving new outlooks on this great game we call Baseball.  Go there now to hear Jimmy’s latest interviews with Rollie Fingers, Desi Relaford, Brent Mayne and MLB Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.  You can follow Jimmy on Twitter or Facebook.

AL EAST AL CENTRAL AL WEST
N.Y. Yankees        Minnesota Twins         L.A. Angels
Boston Red Sox       Cleveland Indians            Oakland A’s
T.B. Rays                Chicago White Sox           Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays     Kansas City Royals          Seattle Mariners
Baltimore Orioles      Detroit Tigers
**Notes:
AL EAST-  Flip a coin between New York and Boston;  it’ll all come down to who stays more healthy–but I think Teixeira’s impact will be huge.  Sox’ staff deeper, but Yanks will have a sense of desperation with their older core players–and make the most of it.  Rays’ young staff to blow out come September.  Halladay in Toronto doesn’t get enough help from his fellow starters.  Orioles have a totally new pitching staff–but it won’t matter; yes, poor Brian Roberts.
AL CENTRAL- I like the Twins starting pitching better than Cleveland’s–and Joe Nathan is still Joe Nathan; however, Mauer must return to full strength.  I’m not crazy about Chicago’s bullpen–and there are health concerns.  Royals low on-base percentage will hurt them–but they could surprise somewhat.  Tigers’ young, talented arms of ‘06 now a distant memory; if they were to win this division, then yours truly could be dating Charlize Theron come October.
AL WEST- Angels just too talented in an otherwise weak division, but will they get enough production out of the 1B and DH spots?  Giambi will test cleanly and Oakland will score more runs–but their pitching is suspect.  As usual, Rangers’ pitching is “iffy,”–to say the least.  Mariners start the season without Ichiro, and their ”big” off-season acquisitions were an over-the-hill Griffey, Jr. and Russell Branyon–telling you all you really need to know.

NL EAST NL CENTRAL NL WEST
N.Y. Mets                   Chicago Cubs             L.A. Dodgers
Philadelphia Phillies     Milwaukee Brewers    Arizona D’Backs
Atlanta Braves             St. Louis Cardinals     S.F. Giants
Florida Marlins             Houston Astros         Colorado Rockies
Washington Nationals   Cincinnati Reds         S.D. Padres
Pittsburgh Pirates
**Notes:
NL EAST- Mets’ acquisitions of Putz and K-Rod put them over the top–but WHICH Oliver Perez will show up every five days?  Phillies will score, but starting pitchers like “Father Time” Moyer will disappoint.  Braves lack power–and will have trouble closing games.  Marlins may make more errors than the Bush administration did; Nationals located in D.C.–where NOTHING good happens these days.
NL CENTRAL- Cubs starting pitching still excellent–and Milton Bradley helps the offense.  Brewers will simply try to outscore opponents–but this isn’t bowling.  Cards will have trouble closing games–and they have no bench.  Houston has too many #5 starters; I don’t like the Reds outfield.  Pirates’ only hope is that SOME people show up in person to see them finish last once again.
NL WEST- Infielder Hudson helps Dodgers a lot, but will Manny quit come September?  Haren and Webb may win 40 for Arizona–but they’ll fall short.  Giants’ lack of power puts too much pressure on a decent staff.  Rockies can’t outscore people like they used to and will miss Holliday too much.  If you can name the Padres lineup, you have WAY too much time on your hands.
*Postseason: I’ll say the Yankees’ off-season money machine propels them to yet another World Series appearance–despite A-ROID appearing on the cover of the New York Post at least a half-dozen times this summer.  Cubs make up for the embarrassment of last postseason (and the past 100 years!) and win the World Series in early, bone-chilling November.

Enjoy the season, everyone!