Man cannot aspire if he looked down; if he rise, he must look up.

On Sunday (I know, I’m a few days behind) Milledge got his first home run within his first 17 at bats. But it wasn’t an ordinary home run. The Mets were down by one run in extra innings, and Milledge hit a two out home run to tie the game and keep the Mets alive. His first ever big league home run, a pretty special occasion for any young player. It got the crowd very excited and he even got a curtain call out of it. As he took the field in the next inning, fans were reaching out to him to give him high fives. Milledge obliged on his way out to right field. This is what stirred up the “controversy.” Some players and coaches on both teams frowned on the actions. They thought he might have been showing up the other team and the such (the Mets did go on to lose two innings later). He even got called into his manager’s office to have a talk about it, and in interviews he did say that he got caught up in the emotions of it all and it won’t happen again.

So I ask…what’s the big deal? The kid just hit his first home run in the Major Leagues! Celebrate! I bet those same players looking down on him for it celebrated in some way on their first home run. Give the kid a break. Is MLB turning into the NFL where you are not allowed to have fun anymore? Here’s a guy who got the fans excited and he’s getting blasted. Well I applaud you Mr. Milledge. Way to have fun like the game is supposed to be.

Jim Caple writes a column on ESPN.com called Page 2. Usually some very good stuff. He has a great humorous take on the whole situation here. Be prepared to chuckle.