With Mitchell in the Trenches

It was a tough week for both Democrats and baseball fans. Nevertheless, George Mitchell, retiring Senate majority leader and rumored commissioner-of-ba seball-in-waiting, remained unfazed. On a pivotal day in the battle for health-care reform, the even-tempered former judge kept his optimistic demeanor intact from dawn to well past dusk. How does a seasoned politician fight what is perhaps the biggest -- and last -- legislative battle of his career? A play-by-play:

6:30 a.m. Out of bed. Reads Washington Post and health-care memorandums. Prepares for a round of early-morning television interviews before arriving on Hill at 8:30.

9 a.m. CNN Morning News...