The Front Row: Serenity now

FISHING IN THE BIG HORNS: On page B2, faithful Green Valley News reader Don Severe sent in a terrific recap of his latest fishing trip on the Big Horn River.

After living within shouting distance of the Big Horns for 20 years, this is an area that is still close to my heart.

I am by no means a professional angler, but I enjoy the spiritual tranquility a fishing trip has to offer.

I have yet to find a spot anywhere in Southern Arizona that can come close to replicating the experience of fishing in the Big Horn Mountains.

For any reader that takes fishing seriously, you owe it to yourself to follow Severe’s lead and make it a point to head north with a full tackle box and a pair of insulated wading boots.

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THE SKY ISN’T FALLING: Baseball seems to be a life-or-death activity for those fans in the upper Northeast.

However, a sense of calm has somehow infiltrated two of the area’s most prominent baseball figures.

Instead of opting for one more year of unrealistic expectations with an imaginary guillotine hanging over his head, Joe Torre has decided to walk away from the New York Yankees.

Details of Torre’s departure can be found on page B4.

Personally, I’m happy for Torre—who has always been one of baseball’s classiest managers. He doesn’t need the unrelenting glare of the New York media spotlight anymore. What does he have left to prove?

Maybe he can take Severe’s lead and take a trip to the Big Horns with his fishing pole in hand.

In addition, Boston Red Sox star Manny Ramirez told the press “it’s not the end of the world” if his squad doesn’t win the World Series prior to last night’s pivotal Game 5 against the Cleveland Indians (story on B5).

The quirky slugger has seen his words twisted around to make it seem like he isn’t focused on winning. The Boston media seemingly can’t wait to pounce on their stars for even the most minor reasons.

Ramirez, however, has it right. He knows there is more to life. If his Red Sox go on to win, that’s just fine by him. If not, he gave it his best shot and will come back driven to do it again next year.

Maybe Torre and Ramirez will be able to convince the Northeast to take a deep breath. Heck, they might even begin to enjoy baseball instead of obsessing over it.

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TAKING IT EASY: Can the Colorado Rockies stay scorching hot during an eight-day layoff?

Major League Baseball, in all of its infinite wisdom, set a firm date of Oct. 24 for Game 1 of the World Series, regardless of how the playoffs play out.

While the Rockies have thrived under pressure during their remarkable 21-wins-in-22-games run, this lengthy break might do more to cool off the rolling Rockies than any possible opponent.

Of course, it’s entirely possible this time off might rejuvinate a squad who has been playing do-or-die baseball for over a month.

Colorado’s arms will get some much-deserved rest, and Todd Helton will be given a few extra days to savor what has been an unprecedented run through his first playoff experience in his 11-year career.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this Rockies’ resurgence is how it has miraculously swept a potentially disastrous Denver Broncos’ season under the rug for most Rocky Mountain sports fans.

As long as the Rockies take advantage of this time off and don’t let it interrupt their momentum, perhaps they can pull off what would’ve been considered impossible in August—a World Series win.