FROM JOEL SHERMAN

Mike Mussina and I were talking in spring training about his candidacy for the Hall of Fame and he said he didn’t like that people were still judging him. “You have seen my credentials. I have pitched my best. It is not like I am going to add to my best. Either I am a Hall of Famer now or not.” Well, I am sure Mussina does not mind being wrong in this case. At age 39 — coming off by far his worst season — Mussina came back to go 20-9 with a 3.37 ERA. Mussina is — at the least — pondering retirement right now and if he does call it a career then his 2008 season is going to help his Hall credentials. It really was a great comeback story as Mussina remade himself with the help of pitching coach Dave Eiland (who drilled the need to pitch inside more) and the catching of Jose Molina (who found synchronicity in strategy and pace with the exacting Mussina).

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