could be. i don't really know specifically what zoologists define as an alpha male. although what i've observed of Leyland that really strikes me is his calmness, what most people call "philosophical" demeanor. i've never seen him chew someone out, i've never seen him throw a player under the media bus or even call them out. i find it completely awesome that -- a propos their playoff chances -- he can say with complete calmness and utter sincerity: "we're a good team, we'll find if we're good enough. if we make it then we were and if we don't then we weren't."

I don't know mcmillan at all, but avery -- good as I think he is -- is a screamer. now maybe that's just the difference between hoops and baseball. actually, now that i think of it, the person that leyland most reminds me of in basketball circles might be john wooden.

i think authority i see in leyland comes not just from baseball savvy, but from wisdom.

k, could i get any farther from teh topic?