No? Good to see we have a quiet holiday weekend going on.

Look, tonight’s going to be a circus clusterfark of epic proportions. We know that. Just look around the media – you’ve got the Los Angeles Times practically needing a change of pants, (and it’s not just me who’s pointing that out) FOX ready to break into the national games to show his at-bats tomorrow, and most of the mainstream establishment taking the Plaschke line of ”well I never!” disgust that most fans won’t be burning effigies of Manny. Plus, there’s whatever the hell it is that Kurt Streeter is doing.

As I said yesterday, I don’t think we’re viewing this situation through blue-colored glasses. We know that Manny’s a jerk for a variety of reasons, and none of us deny that. I just think the mistake here is viewing the reaction to Manny’s return as some sort of referendum on the moral fiber of America, as Mike Schmidt – who’s apparently just gotten over the fact that teenagers are “necking” now – hilariously tries to stress.

I love baseball more than just about anything in the universe, but it’s important to remember just that – it’s baseball. Rooting for a player who broke the rules and paid the price is hardly the same as rooting for anarchy, socialism, and terrorists, no matter how loudly some members of the media like to squawk about it.

Just keep that in mind; no matter how ridiculous this weekend becomes – and have no doubt that it will – it’s baseball. On this weekend of all weekends, it’s important to keep in mind what’s important, and what’s entertainment.

Now let’s all go off and drink until we can’t feel feelings. Happy 4th!

(*Okay, one baseball note: Manny vs. Padres starter Chad Gaudin - a 1.500 OPS with 2 homers in 14 plate appearances.)