1.   An interesting book hits the shelves next month involving former baseball great Tug McGraw.

2.   Appropriately, considering the many ties that connect these giant heroes, McGwire received a reception that few baseball greats have earned before.

3.   But in his northeast Georgia hometown, they prefer to dwell on the good things the baseball great did on and off the field.

4.   But Okrent said that Wagner, for all his greatness, is not as well-remembered as other early baseball greats, such as Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth.

5.   Former baseball greats from his youth are now coaches for spring training, the Mets Fantasy Camp and instructional leagues at Thomas J. White Stadium.

6.   George Brett called his good friend Robin Yount after hearing that they both had been selected to take their place in the pantheon of baseball greats.

7.   It is an inexplicable postseason affliction that seems to come from out of nowhere, with no warning, and wreaks havoc on heavy-hitting baseball greats.

8.   Not long ago, he and a buddy, another hard-core fan, were making separate lists of baseball greats.

9.   The analogy is when baseball greats Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays became casino glad-handers after their playing days.

10.   The baseball great appeared to be in good shape after the operation.