Ken Davidoff's baseball insider

I'm all Clemens-ed out this morning, so let's pay tribute to those in (baseball) uniform who cooperate most with the media and, therefore, are most accessible to you the fans.

Here's my personal all-media team, from my 14 years of covering baseball:

Catcher: John Flaherty. Even before his backup days with the Yankees, when he started for woeful Tampa Bay, the current YES analyst offered honesty, insight and wit.

First base: Todd Zeile. During his first tour with the Mets, Zeile exhibited class in a very difficult situation: He was replacing the beloved John Olerud at first base, and it was an open secret that Bobby Valentine wasn't crazy about the acquisition. Zeile also ranked among the first veteran players to speak out on behalf of stronger drug testing.

Second base: Alfonso Soriano. He is always cheerful, and the Dominican Republic native worked diligently on his English so that he wouldn't have to rely upon an interpreter. By 2002, his second full year in the big leagues, he conducted interviews by himself.

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins. He thanks his mom for teaching him how to talk trash.

Third base: David Wright. He hasn't changed since he entered the Mets' clubhouse in 2004: Accessible, eloquent and friendly.

Leftfield: Johnny Damon. A breath of fresh air in an often subdued Yankees clubhouse.

Centerfield: Mike Cameron. He was quite open about his unhappiness when the Mets, having signed Carlos Beltran, moved him to rightfield.

Rightfield: Torii Hunter. You could go either way, with Hunter and Cameron in center or right. Hunter loves coming up with one-liners and always tells it like he sees it.

Designated hitter: Cliff Floyd. Unbelievably honest, consistently hilarious.

Bench: Catchers Eddie Perez (used to openly reveal details of team meetings), Mike Piazza (great pop culture references) and Jorge Posada (steady and critical); infielders Lance Berkman (couldn't hide his loathing of Roger Clemens the last couple of years), Denny Hocking (little-known Twins IF loved to talk), Omar Vizquel (eloquent) and Chipper Jones (embraced his "rivalry" with Shea Stadium fans); outfielders Gary Sheffield (least predictable human being ever), Curtis Granderson (friendly and open) and Bernie Williams (deep); DH David Ortiz (engaging).

Starting pitcher: David Cone. With the Mets and Yankees, he took it upon himself to conduct countless interviews, understanding that took some heat off his teammates. Extremely well-spoken on any issue.

Starting pitcher: John Smoltz. Brutally honest.

Starting pitcher: Tom Glavine. Patient with the media masses, and his answers always looked good in print.

Starting pitcher: Orel Hershiser: Exhaustive, and often witty, responses to your questions.

Starting pitcher: Andy Pettitte. Sorry, Yankees haters, but the guy is awfully sincere.

Starting pitcher: Mike Mussina. You have to get to know him, but once you do, he can be both scathing and funny.

Closer: Billy Wagner. Remarkably forthright. The Mets wish he would work on that, but he won't.

Setup man: Todd Jones. For many years, his interviews have served as a virtual audition for a post-career broadcasting gig.

Manager: Joe Torre: For putting up with the ever-expanding Bronx Zoo with grace and humor that no one could match.

Bench coach: Bobby Valentine. Man, could he stir it up. Also very accessible during the winter.