Baseball’s not-so-greatest moments

It stands to reason that if you’re going to list the best moments in baseball history, you should also list a few from the opposite end of the spectrum for proper balance. At “A Sporting View,” we take our column’s Feng Shui very seriously. Here then, in at least one sports writer’s opinion, are the five worst moments in baseball history. (And don’t forget to send your take on baseball’s best and worst moments by e-mailing mvasto@kc.rr.com.)

5) The Bronx Zoo — Sure, the New York Yankees have been a Godsend for most baseball columnists, book authors and media types, but whether you’re a fan of the Bronx Bombers or not, you have to admit that there have been more head-shaking moments coming out of the Yankee organization than any other American sport franchise for the past several decades.

Ever since George Steinbrenner purchased the Yankees with his vow to be a hands-off owner, the team has endured the Billy Martin saga (in which he was hired and fired five times) and the manager-go-round of Lou Piniella, Buck Showalter, Yogi Berra (who was horribly treated by the club), Dallas Green, Stump Merrill and Dick Howser. We’ve watched Steinbrenner hire detectives in an attempt to discredit his own players. We’ve watched him trade prospects like Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps. We’ve watched as he pillaged the free-agent markets and burned bridges with other owners.

Unfortunately, while we’ve been forced to watch such nonsense, the other teams in the league have been given short shrift on their coverage, and that’s where the real disgrace lies.

4) The Fights — Hey, what sports fan doesn’t enjoy a good boxing match or even a hockey fight from time to time? Even those that do get excited by a display of fisticuffs have to admit that fighting in baseball is among the silliest displays in sport. Whether it’s a fight after a hard slide into home base or a brisk charge to the mound, nothing reminds fans that baseball players are just a bunch of overgrown boys getting paid way too much money to participate in what is essentially a children’s game quite like a basebrawl.

So thanks Ty Cobb (who once climbed into the stands to beat up a fan who had no hands), Pete Rose, Juan Marichal, Carlton Fisk and Thurman Munson (with special guest Gene Michael), Pedro Martinez and Don Zimmer, Graig Nettles and George Brett, Ray Knight and Eric Davis, Nolan Ryan and Robin Ventura, Billy Martin and the marshmallow salesman, for providing us with the reminders, and thank goodness the relievers were able to sprint to the mound in time to protect their teammates.

Next week: the bottom three …