It really is the Grays

The Washington Nationals will pay tribute to Negro Leagues Baseball on Friday, August 11, as the Nationals take on the New York Mets at 7:05 p.m. in the first game of a three-game series. In honor of the Negro League legacy, Washington Nationals players will wear replica 1944 Homestead Grays home uniforms; while the New York Mets will wear replica 1944 NY Cubans road uniforms. Negro Leagues alumni Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, Hank Mason, Jose Piloto, and Bert Simmons will be recognized during a pre-game ceremony and will also be available to sign autographs from the 3rd through 5th innings near behind Section 302, outside of the Diamond Club, located on the 300 Level Concourse.

Baseball is unlike any other professional sport. A majority of the players never went to college and were tossed into a business at the age of 17 or 18 and forced to sink or swim -- socially, that is. I'm telling you right now, major league baseball is a haven for social misfits. Guys who just don't get it.

Not Todd Jones.

. . . Why do I bring this up? Because the other day I was watching baseball highlights and saw Jones mow down yet another team in another comeback situation. He leads the majors in saves, and plays for the team (Detroit) with the best record in baseball -- and the best story in baseball.

There's still a month and a half to go in the regular season, but if Jones continues to lead the league in saves -- and considering there is all of three pitchers with an ERA under 3.00 in both leagues -- give him the Cy Young Award.

Matt Hayes dreams about being Chet Coppock.