Hi Canseco fans...

Seeing how I've already gotten 20 or so requests to recap today's episode
of "Unscripted" (it aired on ESPN at 5:00), I figured I better do it now
before I get in any more trouble with you guys :)

According to this link
(http://espn.go.com/page2/tvlistings/unscripted.html) , the show will be
re-airing tonight at 2:30 AM ET on ESPN2, so set your Tivos - or VCRs, as
the case may be for those of you still living in the 1990s. That comment
was a joke, of course, but I do have a Tivo, and I have to tell you - it's
one of the greatest inventions of all time. If you have no idea what a
Tivo is, you can get more information here: http://www.tivo.com

Ok, on to the episode recap (don't mind me if I ramble a bit here - I'm
going to try to type this up fairly quickly):

Chris Connelly interviewed Jose via Satellite (Jose was at home in Westin,
FL). The show opened with a basic summary of Jose's career, with some nice
video clips. Chris then discussed his current situation (being 38 homers
from 500 and not having a job), and then welcomed Jose to the show.

Jose said the reason he declined to play with the Expos AAA team was
because he was hoping to get a job with a major league team. He said he's
healthy, and his agent is "speaking with a few clubs right now," and
hopefully someone will need him soon. Chris pushed for him to name a team
he'd like to play for, and Jose mentioned Boston. He said they could use a
DH, he enjoyed playing there in the past, and he plays well in Fenway.

I think Jose sounded a little bit nervous throughout the interview, but
it's wasn't very obvious.

Jose said if he plays every day and stays healthy, he's sure he can hit 40
homers and drive in 100. He said he is healthy right now and has been for
the past couple of years, but he hasn't gotten the playing time he needs.

When asked if he's considering retirement, Jose said no, stating that he's
only 37 and knows he has a few good years left in him.

He said he felt the Expos treated him fairly and he has a lot of respect
for Frank Robinson.

When asked if he'd consider playing in the minors again or with a team like
Newark like he did last year, Jose said he didn't know. He said he not a
quitter, and just hopes someone gives him a chance to play on a daily basis.

Jose is frustrated by the current situation, especially given that he is
fully healthy right now. Given the chance to play every day, he's sure he
could hit 40 to 50 home runs (of course, I think we've heard that once or
twice before, huh?).

500 homers is a goal for Jose, but he knows it doesn't guarantee him the
Hall of Fame, since so many guys are hitting so many homers lately.

After those questions were asked, Chris prompted Jose to play "Friend or
Foe." Chris reads a list of people or things, and Jose says if they are
friends or foes. Here are his answers:

1. 40-40 Club: Friend.
2. South Beach: Both.
3. DH Rule: Friend, although he wants to play OF this year.
4. Ferraris: Foe ("not good quality cars")
5. Joe Torre: Friend (was upfront with Jose about his situation when he
joined the Yanks).

After a commercial break, Chris reviewed 3 great Canseco moments with Jose.

1. When he stole his 40th base in 1988 to create the 40-40 club - Jose said
he actually wanted to take off on the previous pitch, but he was too
nervous and his legs completely froze. So he had to go on the next pitch.

2. Grand Slam in the 88 World Series (before Gibson hit his historic game
winner later in the game) - Jose said he watched Gibson's homer (it went
over his head in RF) and couldn't believe it. It was a nightmare.

3. The 5th deck homer in the Skydome in the 1989 playoffs - Jose said he
hit that ball perfectly, and didn't even realize how far it went until he
was told later.

What's the biggest misconception about Jose right now? He doesn't
know. He says people like him, fans enjoy watching him, he's exciting on
the field, etc. He doesn't know what the misconception is.

He says he thinks he has 3 great years left in him and won't quit until his
skills diminish.

And that was that.

-Mark