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Today, baseball fan Mick Doherty from Dallas, Texas, has some fun with players' names.

"What's in a name?" the Bard asked once. Would a Rose (surely not Pete -- perhaps Brian?) by any other name smell as sweet?

From nicknames to team names, monikers are hugely important in baseball, for all sorts of reasons intelligible only to baseball fans. What other sport could take seriously teams named after the color of their socks? What other sport has engendered the individual legends of a Babe and a Peach as its most productive and a Train and a Cyclone as its winningest?

Even last names come to have greater significance in the grand game. Is it coincidence that the leading home-run hitter in the sport's history is listed first in the all-time player register? Or that players with the same surname managed to break the sport's playing and managing color barriers 48 years apart?

Tell you what, let's have an All-Star Game. I'll take the guys named Martinez, Rodriguez, Gonzalez and Jones. You can have everyone else. I like my chances.

Nattering on names always brings to mind the classic observation by Tim McCarver some years ago, when he solemnly announced that a seemingly ho-hum at-bat in which Met Tim Teufel faced Pirate Jim Gott was the most momentous event in the history of all humanity. Those who spoke a little German understood.

The current season may not produce any translatable God/Devil matchups, but in baseball's 2001 season, we either have seen or can hope to see:

The White Sox and Twins adding a little levity to a mid-season AL Central clash with young pitchers Eric and Mark making for a Milton/Buehrle matchup.

If that's not funny enough, maybe interleague play between the Red Sox and Braves could have allowed Kurt to face Frank in another classic Abbott and Castillo routine.

The Giants and Rockies might write a fairy-tale ending to some game as J.T. hits a late-inning homer off Gabe to conclude a Snow/White affair.

We missed an opportunity for a little reality entertainment this season; if the Devil Rays had found it in their hearts to recall former uber-prospect Billy to face then-Marlins pitcher Mike in an all-Sunshine-State battle, the fans could have seen an Ashley/Judd at-bat.

When both made the All-Star game, Detroit first baseman Tony could have had the chance to take out Giant second baseman Jeff to break up a double play, and everyone would have known the identity of Clark/Kent.

There's that other Clark on the Detroit roster, young DH Jermaine; we may see him get tagged at home after a great throw from Boston outfielder Darren -- making for a modern-day Lewis and Clark expedition.

Getting hungry? Try a Mets/Blue Jays game in which Toronto second baseman Jeff gets the chance to face Mets righthander Dennis, and you'll find yourself with a Frye/Cook on your hands.

Looking for health food? Scout the Dodgers/Rockies where outfielder Shawn could face down righthander Craig to settle the Green/House effect.

Then again, if the Rockies face the Jays in the World Series, Craig could find himself in a late-inning duel with Lance, and who knows when the House/Painter job will be finished?

The late innings of a Brewers/White Sox interleague game could have become a game of biblical proportions if relief pitchers Mike and Ray had combined for a King/James version.

An official scorer changing an error protecting the ERA of Expos pitcher Chris to a hit increasing the batting average of White Sox catcher Josh might be seen as robbing Peters to pay Paul.

We can only reflect what might have been if Rangers outfielder Mickey was still active to face divisional rival Oakland's ace Tim in a geographically incorrect Hudson/Rivers matchup.

Stretching the rules just a bit -- or has that happened already? -- a Missouri matchup between KC rookie outfielder Brown and Cardinals righhander Steve could only lead to the Dee/Kline of the Show-Me State.

Let's hope that Dodgers broadcaster Vin gets a chance to call a game someday in which Florida infielder Andy faces Oakland pitcher Mark, so Scully can critique Fox/Mulder.

Don't be offended if someone observes that it's a real mother of a matchup when Milwaukee's Ben faces Cincinnati's Michael; a good night's rest always involves an appropriate Sheets/Tucker.

If the Brewers travel to Toronto and Milwaukee third baseman Tyler is psyched out by Jays pitcher Steve, we might hear Davey Lopes advise him "Forget Parris! Houston, we have a problem!"

Maybe young sluggers Chris and Trot can show off their power in a Baltimore/Boston game called "HomerGate" in honor of their Richard/Nixon feats.

Pay attention to the music on the public address system if Indians closer John ever enters a game to face down Phillies star third baseman Scott -- it's a guaranteed Rocker/Rolen moment.

If Colorado outfielder Mark gets a chance to face Boston closer Derek and the umpire appears to miss a call, we can all understand the pitch was a Little/Lowe.

Should the Devil Rays attempt to acquire former Baltimore third baseman Ryan from the Expos by offering outfielder Randy, the commissioner will certainly disallow the trade -- because everyone knows that in baseball there's no such thing as a Minor/Winn.

And finally, perhaps this is the year the curses are broken. The Cubs (possibly), led by speedy second baseman Eric, and the Angels (less likely) behind the surprising pitching of rookie Matt, could meet in the 2001 World Series. And the old-timers would look at each other, nod knowingly, and mutter "Ah, to be Young and Wise."