Hall of Fame historian Bruce Markusen catches up with the ’73 A’s and the ’78 Yanks in his two latest Cooperstown Confidential columns. Both are well worth checking out. Here is a bit that is unrelated to the main features that caught my eye:

I have to confess that Iíve never seen his television show, but Bernie Mac has nonetheless become one of my favorite comedians. Thatís because he recently told Sports Illustrated that his idol was Roberto Clemente. Mac, by the way, is currently filming a baseball movie called Mr. 3000. Itís not about Clemente, but about a fictional character who decides to make a belated comeback when he realizes that he actually fell short of reaching the 3,000-hit club.

I have seen the Bernie Mac show and I think it’s pretty good. I don’t know how much longer than can keep it fresh, but thus far it has been able to be clever and hip, without compromising Mac’s persona. I’ve also read and seen several interviews with Bernie and I think he’s a stand-up guy. There is no pretense or B.S. with Mac, and he’s very thoughtful. The fact that he’s making a baseball flick makes me like him all the more. I’m hopeful that this movie—which co-stars the talented Angela Bassett—could in fact be decent. I’m rooting for it all the way.