The Final Score

If you don't know what "Ask Anthony" is, it's my baseball mailbag. E-mail me at anthony.rieber@newsday.com and you could be part of the next one.

QUESTION NO. 1
Q: In light of Billy Wagner's clubhouse comments , it just made me curious why MLB doesn't make it mandatory for non(FLUENT)english speaking players to take english language courses prior to their first official season? They work in a country whose native language is ENGLISH, yet not only get a free pass by not having to assimilate, but as a result being able to use their "no speak english" card to evade reporters. I am not racist and am not being racist, I am simply making a statement about race. In a media critical environment like a pro sports league, its insane that the league allows these foreign players to continue to evade the media simply because they "don't speak english". It has clearly not only divided the Mets' clubhouse, but left them leaderless.

Larry, Tinton Falls, N.J.

A: 'Cause this is America.

Wagner wasn't making a statement about race, but rather about teammates who are not standing up for themselves when things get tough. You made it about race -- actually, ethnicity. If you've ever heard Delgado or Beltran talk, you know they speak English just fine. So what are you talking about exactly? Which players would you like to get English lessons? You want Delgado and Beltran to get English lessons even though they speak it so they can defend themselves against an accusation from Wagner that you misunderstood and twisted into something involving ethnicity?

Who needs the English lessons?

QUESTION NO. 2
Q: You think we can have a normal team instead of an all Latin Team? It seems like that's what the Mets are trying to do? No disrespect with latino players, but it seems obvious. Jacobs, heath Bell, Lindstrom, owens, bannister, all traded for latin players.

Reginald S., Elmont

A: See above.

QUESTION NO. 3
Q: In 2001, Randy Johnson was on the mound and threw a fast ball that struck a pigeon flying by. I believe the pigeon died and the ball never made it to home plate. What was the official ruling on the pitch?

Eugene D., Medford

A: Fowl ball.

QUESTION NO. 4
Q: I’m still trying to figure out why there was such an uproar over a few players cheering for their teammates on Monday night. Initially, I thought it was comical and then I thought it was cool that grownup men were having fun, playing a kid’s game. After all, we’d all like to be playing a kid’s game for a living. I think that the announcers and Nelson Figueroa himself, made way too much out of this. I’d like to add that I’ve been a lifelong Mets fan, since 1962 and I neither found this offensive, malicious, or unprofessional.

Kevin M., Amityville

A: Kevin, I'm with you.

QUESTION NO. 5
Q: Regarding the Mets, it seems that there are only two reliable pitchers in the starting rotation...Santana and Maine. Perez, Figueroa, and Pelfrey always seem to be struggling. Pedro is a question mark and El Duque is, I believe, out of the picture. Can the Mets continue with this very soft rotation and still expect to be in contention at the end of the season?

Stan H., Whitefield, N.H.

A: Yes. They still have more talent that anyone else in the division except the Phillies.

QUESTION NO. 6
Q: Why is baseball so freakin boring?

John F., Levittown, N.Y.

A: It can be sometimes, yeah. But there are moments when it's quite exciting. I suggest you not watch it if you feel that way. We'll be fine without you.

QUESTION NO. 7
Q: gjpm ivrusgd zublasdny nijyrveum odyurn qosf lydtzou

A: This is an actual question I received. Maybe it's one of those code things like in "A Beautiful Mind" -- only Russell Crowe in tweed can decipher it. Any guesses?

QUESTION NO. 8
Q: Are they going to put the Home Run Apple in the new Mets stadium? Hope they will!

Darren, Charlotte, N.C.

A: They are going to have AN apple in centerfield. The Mets still haven't announced if it's going to be THE apple. There's a web site -- www.savetheapple.com -- that can give you daily updates on this if you want.

QUESTION NO. 9
Q: Why is Heilman so underpaid?

George C., Plantation, Fla.

A: Good one.

QUESTION NO. 10
Q: What happened to the other great arms the yankees have in the farm system. Are there any other prospects ready for the majors?

Aaron B., Conway, S.C.

A: If there were, they would be here already. Have patience with the master plan. One day, if everything breaks right, the Yankees will develop a starting pitcher who will be as good as Johan Santana.

Of course, they could have just gotten Johan Santana. But the master plan is more important than winning now. Or so we've been spoon-fed by Brian Cashman.

That's it for now. Thanks to everyone for writing. Well, mostly everyone.