Rant 1: Would It Kill You To Smile? After observing the Yankees the past few weeks (for a team hovering around .500 they sure do get a lot of national TV exposure), I noticed something that on the surface may seem trivial, but is really all-encompassing: Yankees players seldom, if ever, smile. The only guy who seems to be having any fun is rookie Robinson Cano.

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I remember watching a World Series preview piece on ESPN back in 2003 in which commentator Dave Campbell picked the underdog, upstart Marlins to knock off the seasoned, veteran-laden Yankees because they were having "more fun." It sounded off-the-wall as the time, but he was right.

Think about what it must be like in the Yankees clubhouse. The place is crowded with veterans who possess large contracts, big egos and, in some cases, hefty baggage. They are coming off a humiliating ALCS loss to Boston, playing in the most overly-scrutinized, pressure-packed atmosphere in sports and will be judged as a failure if they don’t win the World Series. Oh yeah, and their owner isn’t exactly understanding and patient. Not fun.

Rant 2: A Small Surprise In A Giant Mess
With Barry Bonds injured and embroiled in controversy while the team struggles, things haven’t been too fun in San Francisco, either. In the midst of that drama, rookie outfielder Jason Ellison is putting together a solid season. The 5-10, 180-pound outfielder’s average has been hovering around .320 and he’s shown speed on the base paths, stealing eight bases in nine attempts. With Colorado’s Clint Barmes out indefinitely with a broken collarbone, Ellison could emerge as the favorite for NL Rookie of the Year.

Rant 3: Persistence Pays Off
It took over a decade, but Rick Short’s dream is finally within his grasp. The 32-year-old minor league journeyman finally got the call when the Nationals summoned him from Triple New Orleans on June 9. In 12 minor league seasons, the infielder hit .312, accumulated 1,235 hits, played every position except pitcher and catcher and even spent a year in Japan. Here’s hoping he sticks around for a while.