Operating on all cylinders

So far the 2004 Major League Baseball season has been an exciting one, and it needed to be, given all of the off-season controversies concerning the Yankees and Red Sox playoffs, followed up by the Alex Rodriguez trade, and the BALCO steroid investigation and indictments.

Many of us have lauded the performances by many marquee players this season such as Roger Clemens (Astros), Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks), Mike Piazza (Mets), Jim Thome (Phillies) and of course Barry Bonds (Giants).

Then there are the always consistent players and much heralded A-Rod (Yankees), Scott Rolen (Cardinals) and up and coming superstars, such as pitchers Mark Prior (Cubs), Ben Sheets(Brewers) and Jason Schmidt (Giants), along with fielders Alfonso Soriano (Texas), Albert Puhjols (Cardinals), Carlos Beltran (Dodgers), and Mike Young (Texas), to name a few.

Much overlooked during the course of this season have been the "fill-ins" for injured players, who have either been previous bench players, fairly new to the major leagues or are previously established players playing "out of position."

They have been the glue that has kept teams in the hunt this season while other players rehab. They exhibit above all versatility in switching positions, with the added task of usually filling big shoes of a regular starting player.

That immediately brings to mind Pokey Reese of the Boston Red Sox, who was filling in for Nomar Garciaparra at shortstop until this past week.

He has been a career second Baseman and previous Gold Glove winner, with limited playing time at shortstop in the past.

This season he has played like a Gold Glove winner at short, in Garciaparra's absence, and has been a catalyst on the base paths for the BoSox.

He now resumes the season at second base.

At the very least, he has been able to showcase his versatility, and, hopefully, can add shortstop to his resume in the future, making him more marketable to other teams.

Shone Figgins, playing third base for the Anaheim Angels, possibly for the rest of the season, as Troy Glaus undergoes shoulder surgery, has shown great agility in the infield.

He started the season in the outfield, and has played some great defense at third, making the most of his time there.

Melvin Mora, playing third base for Baltimore has also shown great defensive skills this season and in hitting for average.

He has impressed the experts this season, although the shoes he must fill are only heroes of the past such as Cal Ripkin and Brooks Robinson.

Mike Young in Texas is a young and eager shortstop and his hitting stats are only second to Ichiro in the American League.

He changed positions from second to shortstop this year to accommodate Alfonso Soriano in the A-Rod trade. He has not skipped a beat.

With the 2004 season continuing to evolve and weave new stories as we proceed, we should not forget the importance of the roles that players like these fill.

There are many utility players used during the course of a season, who become an integral part of the team's fabric.

Much like the long reliever, in often not getting enough recognition, the role players need to be celebrated and bestowed a lot of credit when warranted, as they can make the difference as to whether a team makes it to the playoffs.

They can be counted on in a pinch, have winning attitudes, and only make the game of baseball a more enjoyable experience.

Baseball is a collaborative effort, which sometimes gets lost in the mix, and is only at its best when operating on all of its collective cylinders.