It's our first St. Patrick's Day together at the bar, and the taps, the taps are flowing.
Smithwick's and Guinness on me. But don't be bringing that green, food-coloring stuff around here. That's about as Irish as Shaquille O'Neal.
I'm going to see if my buddy, Washington Post baseball writer Dave Sheinin, will drop by and offer up a "Danny Boy." Sheinin's got some pipes, and it used to be one of our St. Patrick's Day rituals when he covered the Orioles.
We'll get to the question of the day quickly, because this place has some celebrating to do. The suggestion is from another baseball writer that I have had the pleasure of working closely with over the years: The Sun's Orioles beat writer, Jeff Zrebiec.
In honor of St. Patty's Day, Zrebiec suggests this one: Which athlete -- in any sport, from any era -- would you most want to buy a beer? We've done similar ones like this in the past, but we aren't limiting it to Baltimore this time.
Decide on your own criteria, but it probably should be someone who you respect that also seems like the fun type.
Zrebiec says Andre Agassi, because he admires the way Agassi has undergone such an amazing character transformation from bad boy brat to tennis ambassador and philanthropist. Plus, Z knows there would be a whole lot of women around him if he were Agassi's wingman.
Pete Schmuck suggests Jim Thorpe, because the guy could do anything athletically, led a fascinating life and could do some partying. Also, he'd be the one guy in the bar older than Schmuck.
As for me, it's Babe Ruth. The greatest ballplayer of all time and the life of the party. And he was fat and from Baltimore. Enough said.
It's your turn. And pass the corned beef.
Daily Think Special: Which athlete, past or present, would you most want to buy a beer?
