Random Musings on 7.21.08

-The Red Sox have gotten off to a horrible start after the All-Star break. After getting swept by the Angels they continue on the West Coast facing the Mariners for a three game stretch. This series means a lot for the Sox. If they can't take at least two of three from the Mariners, some serious questions should probably be asked, and they are already to start popping up now. I know that might sound a little ominous but the Yankees are gaining steam and now actually look like the team to be frightened of, not the Rays. Hopefully with Papi coming back soon the Sox will start playing great baseball again.

-Manny, can you please stop trying to sabotage the Red Sox season? Keep your mouth shut and stop worrying about whether or not you are going to make 15 or 20 million next year. I am so sick of all these professional sports players complaining about not making enough money or worrying about whether or not they are going to get paid well as a free agent. It happens every year with the NFL rookies, and with free agents. You guys make so much money, and if you invest it wisely you don't need any more! You never hear about the guys that are on the lower end of the payscale complaining because they are happy to be making money playing sports!

-The Celtics resigned both Eddie House and Tony Allen to two-year contracts today. Well done Celtics, I applaud the move. Both House and Allen are merely bench players, but they are both very solid players. Also, Allen appears to be recovering from his knee injury and if he is completely healed he is going to be a very solid player next year. Obviously, losing Posey is a blow but thankfully the Celtics management went out and didn't let House or Allen go the same way. Let's hope rookie J.R. Giddens can fill the spot Posey left, and if he can then the Celtics are in great shape to repeat.

-In NFL news, Jason Taylor finally left Miami and is headed to play for the Washington Redskins. He's losing a lot in terms of weather, but gaining the chance to be a team that has a legitimate shot at the playoffs. He will make that defense all the better and I wish him all the luck.

That's it for today. Go Sox!

The All Star Game

Here are a few facts and musings from last night's All Star Game.

-The AL has now won 12 straight All Star Games(not counting the tie in 2002), and the disparity between the two leagues is starting to look a lot like the difference between the AFC and NFC in the NFL.

-Out of the previous twelve seasons the AL has won 7 of the 12 World Series, and ever since the game counted for home field advantage, only the Cardinals have managed to win a championship for the NL.

-J.D. Drew was the game MVP and is finally starting to look like what the Red Sox paid a lot of money for. Great job J.D.!

-This All Star Game marks the last one in Yankee Stadium's storied past, and its 15 innings will certainly be remembered. Way to send the Stadium out in style boys!

-This All Star Game reminded me of how much I really dislike Yankee fans. When Papelbon came out to pitch in the eighth the fans began to chant "overrated." Have some class Yankee fans. Yes, Paps is nowhere close to the stature of Mariano, and what he said about wanting to close the game was stupid, but who has 2 of the last 4 World Series rings? Papelbon and the Sox.

-Speaking of Mariano Rivera, here is a baseball player that deserves all the accolades and praise given to him. A stand up guy on and off the field, he embodies what the Yankees try to stand for. Probably the best closer of all time and still pitching incredibly well, he deserved to come out in the ninth for the Yankee fans and also for the great job he has done for baseball. I tip my cap to you Mr. Rivera.

-Finally, I think that the MLB deserves props for making their All Star Game mean something. Sure the NBA All Star Game is fun and filled with awesome dunks and great players which merits it a little excitement, but the Pro Bowl is one of the most boring spectacles in all of sports. What baseball has done by making the game worth home field advantage in the World Series is finally make an All Star Game actually fun to watch and competitive.