Baseball Beat: Monday, September 8th

Here is the rundown for the Monday, September 8th edition of Baseball Beat with Charley Steiner live from San Diego, California. All times Eastern.

1:05 p.m.
Guest: Scott Miller, CBSSports.com
1:25 p.m.
Guest: Ben Shpigel, New York Times (Mets Beat)
1:45 p.m.
Guest: Mark Gonzales, Chicago Tribune (White Sox Beat)
2:05 p.m.
Guest: Tony Massarotti, Boston Globe
2:25 p.m.
Guest: Rick Hummel, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
2:45 p.m.
Guest: Marc Lancaster, Tampa Tribune (Rays Beat)

Guest Summaries:
Miller discussed national headlines including the National League West race following the Los Angeles Dodgers sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend, concern over the health of Brandon Webb after his recent troubling starts, Colorado Rockies still in the NL West race, Angel Berroa replacing Nomar Garciapara at shortstop, improved defense leading the Dodgers surge, and unlikelihood that the Dodgers can continue to win at their current clip. Shpigel discussed the New York Mets including returning to the beat last weekend following his coverage of the Olympics in Beijing, Billy Wagner being done for the season, who is Brian Stokes, Carlos Delgado in the NL MVP race, Ryan Church solid in his most recent return, and differences between Jerry Manuel and Willie Randolph as manager. Gonzales discussed the Chicago White Sox including replacing Carlos Quentin’s production and this week’s series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Massarotti discussed the Boston Red Sox including start of the series with the Tampa Bay Rays, Red Sox not playing for the AL Wild Card, baseball not missing anything with the New York Yankees out of contention, Red Sox middle relief is Achilles heal, and belief Daisuke Matsuzaka is good not great. Hummel discussed the 10 year anniversary (Last Saturday) of Mark McGwire breaking Roger Maris single season home run record including his one-on-one exclusive interview with McGwire, how he enjoyed the attention for the record, dislike for talking about the “steroid era”, fact of him being a genuine good guy v. reported use of steroids, unlikelihood that 300 writers will change their minds and vote McGwire into the Hall of Fame, interest and likely success at being a coach in Spring Training is deterred by the massive spectacle of him being in camp, and McGwire’s personal happiness secluded with his family outside of baseball. Lancaster discussed the Tampa Bay Rays including weekend sweep by the Toronto Blue Jays, surprise that many will be surprised if the Rays do not win the AL East, tempered mood in the clubhouse following the losses, if recent sloppy play is indicative of a difficult schedule or not handling the pressure, and Evan Longoria’s return.

Tunes Summary:
1:25 p.m.
Two of Us by The Beatles
1:45 p.m.
Room to Move by John Mayall
2:25 p.m.
Time has Come Today by Chambers Brothers
2:45 p.m.
Slipping Away by Dave Edmunds

Updated: 2:58 p.m.