1.   He had all the hallmarks of a great baseball player.

2.   And it was a game that focused on the city of Denver as a great baseball city.

3.   And he will explore lower level executives -- farm directors and assistant general managers -- who have the potential to be the next great baseball executive.

4.   And start another great baseball argument.

5.   And the Braves, one of the great baseball teams of the decade, do not always sell out their playoff games, either.

6.   And the words above his yearbook picture, paraphrased from the great baseball pitcher Satchel Paige, will forever ring true.

7.   Because in Oakland he had done all that could be done save watch the tarnish on a once great baseball team turn into full urban blight.

8.   Bobby Bonds, great baseball player, begat Barry Bonds, greater baseball player.

9.   Bill has a great baseball background.

10.   A public-relations coup and a great baseball move, all at the same time.