MAILBAG: Oct. 6

Q: I was just wondering what your answer to SportsCenter's "greatest home run ever hit" poll would be? The choices were: Kirk Gibson ('88 WS), Hank Aaron (No. 715), Bobby Thomson (Giants win '51 pennant), Carlton Fisk ('75 WS), Mark McGwire (No. 62), Roger Maris (No. 61). -- Matt LaFree, West Lafayette, Ind.
PWG -- Thomson followed by Gibson. Winning takes precedence.

	This is the fifth season in which Barry Bonds has hit 40 or more home runs.

Q: Where would you rank Barry Bonds among the greatest all-around players to ever play the game? Top five? Top 10? Top 20? Also, could you give some of the names of the players who would be ahead of him on this list (if there are any ahead of him)? -- Clint Lipke, Little Falls, Minn.
PWG -- At the risk of hedging, I say top 10. I think if one takes all his numbers, it is clear he fits in behind Ruth, Mays, Aaron, maybe Cobb. DiMaggio belongs there. But I do believe Bonds is in the top 10, and would love to fast-forward and see where Alex Rodriguez ends up.

Q: Given Jeff Bagwell's unmatched consistency over the past six years, would you be willing to say that he has been the best overall player in baseball since the strike of '94? If not, then who? If so, then why hasn't he received more recognition and hardware? -- Seth, Lubbock, Tex.
PWG -- Bagwell is certainly one of the best, but better than Bonds? Now I know Barry had some injury problems, but he and A-Rod have been great. Bagwell's drawbacks have been: 1) Houston media attention; 2) McGwire's attention; 3) self-modesty; and 4) the team's curious postseason record.

Q: The Giants fell just short in the NL West this year; so be it. But what will MLB do to prevent inequitable interleague scheduling in the future? Does it seem right that the Giants face the Mariners and A's, while the D-Backs face the Tigers and Royals? -- Tim Kresin, Reno, Nev.
PWG -- No, and you have a very good point. The Indians could have howled because the White Sox's schedule was easier as well, but it is unfortunate that the schedules become factors. Believe me, there is little concern from the people who run the game, unfortunately. When the issue of the Yankees having to make up lost dates was raised, the union quickly killed it. Funny, the Indians had to make up every game last season and didn't make the playoffs because of it.

Q: I was just curious about what effect you think Carlos Guillen's tuberculosis will have on the Mariners in the playoffs. I saw that the entire team hasn't been tested yet and will have waited almost an entire week to get tested since this story first broke. Why wait? If somebody else on the team has tuberculosis, then I think they need to be getting treatment as soon as possible so they can be ready for the playoffs! -- Ryan Eubanks, Columbia, S.C.
PWG -- Guillen cannot be taken separately from the whole, because the Mariners are such a wonderful blend of talent. He is steady, he has been an intelligent hitter who can bunt, uses situations and plays the game well. Mark McLemore has played well at short when he has played, but that takes him out of left field.

Q: I'm not sure if my opinion is warped because I follow the Yankees, but in the year of the farewell tour, is Paul O'Neill being overlooked? Can you recall the last time a 20/20 guy retired the following year? -- Brett, New York, N.Y.
PWG -- O'Neill has had a fine farewell season, and no, it hasn't happened. Is he the same player he was five years ago? No. But if he is healthy, this injury may be a blessing because he will be rested going into the postseason. If that also happens for Jorge Posada, David Justice and a couple of other Yankees veterans and they are healthy, watch out. Believe me, the A's know it's going to be awfully tough to win any series that opens and ends in the Stadium.

Q: A couple of Cubs questions: Since Eric Young is a free agent, are we going to see Bobby Hill at second next year? Also, what would you think about this trade: Bill Mueller and a young pitcher or two to the Phils for Scott Rolen? Sammy Sosa, Fred McGriff and Rolen going 3-4-5 would solve lots of offensive woes. -- Dave Valentine, Sioux Falls, S.D.
PWG -- The Cubs are sending Hill to the Arizona League to determine if he is ready. If they deem that he needs more time, they could put Delino DeShields at second for half the season, or get a temp. I think the Phillies are going to wait on Rolen and try to play it out. He's too important to their franchise to trade him.

Q: What are chances of the Red Sox signing Jason Giambi? Any chance of Mo Vaughn returning via a contract-for-contract trade involving someone like Jose Offerman or Carl Everett? -- John Spear, Northfield, N.H. PWG -- No one knows what's going to happen to the Red Sox because of the sale, but I doubt they can get into the area of having four $15 to $20 million players, and they have to deal with Nomar soon. I think the Mo trade could happen, especially with Darin Erstad going to first base, but I doubt the Angels would touch Everett or Offerman. Somehow, I don't think Carl Everett fits the Disney image.

Q: How can we get back to the glory days in Detroit? Is there anyone down on the farm who can have an immediate impact? Here in Michigan we are hearing about a kid named Omar Infante. They say he is a five-tool guy. Is this true? Is there anyone else that could be the next A-Rod or Andruw Jones for the Tigers? -- Tony Dobry, Michigan
PWG -- Infante is a fine prospect, and they have a few others as well. It's still going to take some time, however, because their best players are Double-A and below. I think you'll see them clear payroll this winter and try to get younger, cheaper and ready to fight back in two years.

Q: Do you think it's right for Phil Garner to continue to sit Roger Cedeno and let him lose the stolen-bases crown he deserves? For a few months this year, he was one of the best players in the AL. He could have finished with 70 steals and the crown. If Ichiro Suzuki passes him for the lead, don't you think Garner owes it to him to play him for a game or two? -- Nick Tuscani, Stamford, Conn.
PWG -- I cannot think of too many less important stats than stolen-base titles -- and, sorry, but if you watched Roger Cedeno, you'd hardly call him one of the best players, because defense and instinct are important to the game. Cedeno turned down nearly $15 million from the Tigers, who have to worry about their future. Only losing players worry about SB stats. I agree with Billy Beane -- stolen bases have virtually no impact on winning.

Q: Something is missing from the baseball I enjoyed as a child -- something that needs to be reinstituted: the home team taking the field before the singing of the national anthem. With the run of recent events, let's get the players on the field and show the children of America that their role models have pride in this country, instead of showing them milling around the dugout. What happened to change this? -- Robert Marple, Waukegan, Ill.
PWG -- That's a good suggestion. I think you should send it to commissioner Bud Selig, an intensely patriotic man who wants baseball to do the right thing.