Manny phones it in...

And begs out of the line-up against Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees.

Red Sox vs. Angels: Friday night @ Anaheim

Parking = $8

2 dogs + 2 beers = $24

Tickets = Cheaper than Fenway

Post game fireworks show = Free

Seeing Manny write his ticket out of Boston = Embarrassing

Home Opener "Welcome to Fenway Park!"

This is why Boston fans are great. Last year, on Disabilities Awareness Day at Fenway Park, this man with autism, who was chosen to sing the national anthem, got a case of the giggles half way through. Listen to what the crowd does to support him. Good Stuff!

Who needs a Bartolo?

For all you nay-sayers who thought that giving Bartolo Colon a 1 year contract was a waste of money, consider this...the Red Sox got off a 19 day/3 country road trip where they finished below .500 and were swept in their series in Toronto. Except for Daisuke Matsusaka, the starting pitching has struggled. John Lester is 1-1, Clay Buchholz is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA, Tim Wakefield doesn't have a win yet, and Josh Beckett has a 9.64 ERA.

Curt Schilling is guaranteed to receive $8 mill this year but not guaranteed to return to the starting line-up before the All-Star break, if at all. Bartolo Colon is only getting $1.25 mill in guaranteed money and before tweaking his oblique muscle last week (an injury that should only sideline him for a short time), the 2005 Cy Young winner had command of 4 pitches and topped out at 96 m.p.h with his fastball in a recent start in Triple A.

Considering most of the other pennant contenders including the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox are already searching for pitching help, having Bartolo Colon in your back pocket and possibly the starting line-up is a win-win situation for the Red Sox.

It's Opening Day! (Morning)

Ironically the Red Sox open their 2008 season against the Oakland A's in the land of the 'Rising Sun' at 6 AM EST and 3 AM PST today. It will be Daisuke Matsusaka pitching for the Red Sox in his country of origin against Joe Blanton of the Athletics. The Red Sox are fairly healthy but will be without Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Sean Casey, Mike Timlin, Jed Lowrie, Bobby Kielty, and Tim Wakefield for today's game.

Beckett's front (not back) may be the problem

It looks like Josh Beckett adopted Curt Schilling's off-season work out program and now he is paying the price. Last Spring Schilling showed up at Fort Meyers overweight and later admitted he had spent more time building his new video game company than getting in shape for the last year of his contract. The result for Schilling was an injury riddled 2007 season that now has spilled into the 2008 season.

Josh Beckett recently joined Schilling on the diabled list with a back injury. Known as a workout warrior and someone the Red Sox trust to set the standard for their younger Pitchers, Beckett came into camp with a few extra barbeque ribs around his belt. Supposedly the added weight was to improve his stamina throughout the season but most likely it has led to his strained back. The bad news for the Red Sox is that Beckett is likely to open the seaosn on the disabled list. The good news is that it is a very, very long season and Josh Beckett's back injury has not led to any arm problems as of yet.

Notes from the Coast:

Johan Santana has finally found a new home and it’s in the National League, so now the Red Sox can move on. With Brandon Moss waiting in the wings and the recent signings of Bobby Kielty and Sean Casey, it looks like Coco Crisp’s days in a Sox uniform are numbered. I am still hoping for a deal to the Oakland A’s for reliever Huston Street but don’t expect anything until Spring Training when the Sox brass can make sure that Jacoby Ellbury is their everyday centerfielder.

• Reportedly, Tom Brady and Randy Moss pulled out of the Pro Bowl in Hawaii due to injury. After their disgraceful performance in the Super bowl, Matt Light and Dan Koppen should pull out of the Pro Bowl due to embarrassment.
• Can’t wait until after the NBA All-Star break when Kevin Garnett and Scott Pollard return to the line-up and Sam Cassell may finally be in a Celtics uniform.
• On that note, I got a little excited when I heard Cassell was pulled out of the Celts-Clippers game last night. I thought it was because a trade or buyout had been consummated by the two teams until I heard it was due to a flagrant foul ejection.
• Also, judging by his recent quotes, Cassell doesn’t seem as eager as Damon Stoudamire was to back-up Rajon Rondo saying it’s “who finishes the game not who starts that counts.”
• Finally, Red Sox equipment trucks leave for Fort Myers, Florida this Saturday; a ritual that has become a harbinger of spring more reliable than a Groundhog’s shadow or the appearance of a Red-breasted Robin.

Notes from the Coast:

With a two week build up before the Superbowl, it's amazing how crazy the analysis of game can get. I heard ESPN's Merril Hodge say that he predicts the Giants will beat the Patriots simply because they have played them tough already this year. Analysts and prognosticators should remember that Eli and the Giants played a nearly perfect game and had nothing to lose in the week 17 match-up and it was the Patriots who felt all the pressure to complete the season a perfect 16-0. Yet one mistake by Eli was all it took for the Pats to win. Also, it was Bill Belichick, not Tom Coughlin, who got his 'genius' reputation by always making the right adjustments after playing a team the second time around. Remember that the loss the Patriots suffered to the Rams during the 2001 season paved the way for the Patriots upset of the Rams in that year's Superbowl.

• Last weekend Marc Savard became the first Boston Bruin to score a last minute game-winning goal in the NHL All-star game since the legendary Raymond Jean Bourque did it in 1996.
• 1996 was also the last time the Patriots lost a Superbowl. That year Boston Globe sports writer Wil McDonough broke a story days before the big game that Bill Parcels would be leaving the Patriots after the season. It became a major distraction that may have cost the Pats the Superbowl that year. This year the Globe is at it again. It appears the a bunch of Globe writers have already penned a book called "19-0" that is available for pre-order. Thanks guys, perfect bulletin board material for the New York Giants.
• I don't understand why the Red Sox offered Brad Wilkerson a 1 year deal to be a back-up First baseman and Outfielder when they have World Series hero Bobby Kielty waiting in the wings and Brandon Moss is already playing some first base in Winter Ball. Let's move on from the Johan Santana saga, deal Coco Crisp, sign Kielty, and focus on defending our Championship already.
• On that note, the Minnesota Twins probably overplayed their hand in the Johan Santana trade negotiations. Neither the Mets, Yankees, or Red Sox improved their offers since December and neither team was eager to sign Santana to the 7 year contact extension he desired. Also, one thing the Twins may have underestimated is the fact that because they are in different leagues, both the Sox and Yankees were never threatened by having the Mets in the mix. That's probably why the Twins were desperately trying to get the LA Angels into the talks.
• Tom Brady being injured for this Superbowl definitely adds drama to the big game and could end up growing his legendary status. If Brady hobbles to his 4th Superbowl win on a bum ankle this Sunday, not only will it bolster his reputation as a winner but he probably will surpass Superbowl heroes Terry Bradshaw and his idol Joe Montana as one of the greatest Quarterbacks of all-time.
• Maybe I am caught up in the Suberbowl hype and over analysis too because I'm still not sure if the Patriots will cover the 13 point spread this Sunday. Can the Giants get consistent pressure on Brady? Will Tom play like he did against the Jaguars or against the Chargers? Will the Giants focus on Welker or Moss? Will Randy Moss catch 1 pass or 10? Which team will win the turnover and Special Teams battles? Will Tom Petty put us to sleep with his half-time show? Too many questions to answer, so my pick is P-men 28 :: G-men 17. Go Pats!

Notes from the Coast:

You've got to love all the hype leading up to a SuperBowl. Especially when a team from New York is involved. Tom Brady is seen in a walking cast, then in cowboy boots. He is injured and now maybe he isn't? Better yet, it's a big hoax being put on the conspiracy starved New York media by Brady and Belichick. Give me a break!
As reported, Brady probably does have a mild high ankle sprain. Yes, it probably did hinder him (along with a possible flu) in the game against the Chargers. No, it won't keep him out of the SuperBowl. And no, there isn't any conspiracy. Unlike a sneaker, which Brady often wears, a cowboy boot can provide support similar to a walking brace.

• Congrats to Eli Manning for coming through against the Pack. Even though I wanted a Patriots-Packers rematch in SuperBowl XLII, I found myself rooting for the kid and the upset during last Sunday's game. They thought Steve Young had a monkey on his back before he finally led the San Francisco 49'ers to a championship after Joe Montana left town. How about having a Heisman Trophy winning father and an MVP brother who both play the same position as you? Then, you tell the world that you won't play in San Diego and instead end up in the media craze of New York City. Eli had a lot to live up to and he may have come close with those two road play-off wins against the Packers and Cowboys.
• Norm Chow is back in LA and back in college football, but not with USC. The offensive guru will be the new coordinator under Rick Neuheisel at UCLA. Before Trojan fans get all worked-up about cross-town loyalty, it was Pete Carroll and his admiration for Lane Kiflin that forced Chow out of USC and to the NFL. Now with Chow on board and Karl Dorrell back at Receivers' coach, the Bruins have an opportunity to create an in-state rivalry similar to Miami and Florida State in the 1990's.
• MLB Trade Rumors blog has a great piece on 'What Might Have Been' had the Red Sox and Florida Marlins not made the Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell for Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, et al. deal.
• Weird coincidence that Bruins' Goalie Tim Thomas gets added to the NHL All-Star team on Monday and then lets in 4 goals in 2 periods against the Canadiens that same night. Fortunately he didn't look as bad as the B's Goalie he replaced. Alex Auld gave up a goal within the first 14 seconds of the game and 4 goals in the first period of a ugly 8-2 loss to the Habs.
• With a strong running game, a Quarterback that is finally putting it all together, and upset wins on the road in the play-offs, people are comparing this 2007 Giants team to the Patriots team that went to the Superbowl 20 years ago. Unfortunately that Patriots team got killed by the Bears in SuperBowl XX 46-10 and if all goes well, the same outcome will happen to the Giants again this year.
• Also, for those who want to compare this Giants team with the squad that upset the Bills and their vaunted offense in Superbowl XXV; remember Bill Belichick was with that Giants team in 1990 but he's not with them now in 2007.

Notes from the Coast:

Word is that the Red Sox plan on signing ageless wonder Jason Varitek to a 2 year extension at $10 million a year. I think it is a great idea and a no-brainer but I can't help but be a bit worried. When Varitek retires in 2 years what will the Red Sox do then? They can’t be all that enamored with the catchers in their minor league system because they just signed Doug Mirabelli to catch Tim Wakefield again next year. Mirabelli is 37 and Varitek will be 36 in April. We all know what happened in 2006 when Varitek got injured during the second half of the season, so let's hope the Red Sox have another back-up plan for the back-up catcher position.

• A Huston Street in Boston, MA? Aside from the never ending Johan Santana saga, the rumor mill for the Red Sox has been slow this off-season. However, the Hot Stove may have a little flicker left. The latest is that Coco Crisp could be dealt to the Oakland A’s for Huston Street. Street is a great young reliever who won the Rookie of the Year award a couple of years ago. If the Red Sox make this deal, they would have a more effective replacement for Eric Gagne and solidify their bullpen for years to come.
  
• There is a post on Rajon Rondo's Yardbarker blog which claims that Celtics second year point guard uses his $300 daily stipend to support his gambling habit. If this is true, I’m sure the Celtics aren’t thrilled but I do think that maybe they should be more concerned with rookie Glen Davis possibly spending all of his $300 allotment on food. Even though 'Big Baby' has been playing and practicing a lot more lately, he also seems to be gaining more a lot weight. Check out this video of him trying out for the Washington Wizards before the NBA draft last summer where Davis looks a lot thinner. Even with a bad hip flexor, he still managed to lose 45 lbs for the draft after crash-dieting and working out. Such dramatic weight fluctuation is not a good sign for a young professional athlete.
• Putting a positive spin on the Randy Moss alleged battery charges. After playing for pennies and having an All-Pro season, Moss may try to break the bank again next year. Whether the allegations are true or not, the bad press may provide the Pats a little leverage in their off-season negotiations with Moss.
• Seeing Chad Jackson return kicks for the Pats during the Jaguars play-off game last week was a bit of a surprise and pretty much confirms that both Troy Brown and Donte Stallworth won’t be back with the Pats next year. This is probably Troy’s last year and when the Pats sign Randy Moss for more money in the off-season, it will make it harder to sign Donte too.
• I thought the Celtics loss to the Washing ton Wizards last Saturday night was bad until the Detroit Pistons got killed by the lowly New York Knicks 89-65 on Sunday.
• No pick-up for the Celtics after the non-guarantee contract deadline of Jan. 10th, so now we'll have to focus on the NBA trade deadline in February for any frontline or point guard help.
• Why are the Atlanta Falcons and Pete Carroll even talking? They just got burned by Bobby Petrino (a college coach who couldn’t handle the NFL) and Carroll’s past success on the professional level is lacking, so why in the world would you even entertain the idea of giving him complete control of your organization? More importantly, what is Pete Carroll thinking? He has rebuilt a great program at USC and already has 'complete control'. Besides, he is one of the highest paid coaches in college and probably makes more than some NFL coaches. If he is just talking, what kind of leverage could he be gaining with USC? If Pete Carroll is smart, he'll stay in college, make millions, and forge a legacy for years to come.
• Again, my AFC and NFC title game predictions for this week: Pats over Bolts 33-10 and the Pack over the G-men 17-14. Go Pats!

Notes from the Coast:

I went to the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Orlando Magic game at the LA Staples Center last night. I don't know what was more painful; watching the first-half of Celtics vs. Bobcats game on TV (with all the match-up problems the Celts had) or leaving to watch the Clippers-Magic game in person. Fortunately, I was with good company and in a luxury box at Staples…otherwise, it would be no contest.

I haven’t been to a lot of luxury boxes but why do you suppose people spend most of their time watching the TV within the suite instead of the actual game? I guess we were at least watching the closed-circuit coverage and not MTV but it was still kind of strange.

• Anyway, forget the cheerleaders and dance squads, no matter how bad your team is playing or how small the crowd is, you can create a mini frenzy just by throwing a video camera on the crowd. People will do the strangest things when they see themselves on the jumbo tron scoreboard.
  
• Last night’s loss to the Bobcats should help Celts' GM Danny Ainge figure out what he needs to round out the roster. After today teams will release players they don't want to pay for rest of year.
  
• By the way, the Charlotte Bobcats do have some athletic talent and did manage to beat the NJ Nets and Jason Kidd the night before. Also, for a newer franchise, their uniforms aren't that bad and I can see where Cats' part owner Michael Jordan may have added some Chicago Bull championship ‘red’ to the mix.


• On that note, the LA Clippers are in desperate need of a new logo and uniforms. I’m not saying go back to the powder blue days of the old San Diego Clippers but at least make the design and colors more exciting. They're so tired looking that they appear retro (see pic). Most college and NBA D-League teams seem to have better uniforms. After all, LA is 'Glam city' and it’s not like the Clippers have a successful history they need to keep sacred.
  
• Even though Clipper's point guard Sam Cassell has been shooting a horrendous 3 for 23 lately, I would LOVE to see him in a Celtics uniform this year. He has the backcourt experience the Celtics desperately need down the stretch, but there is no way Elgin Baylor and the Clippers will part with him.
  
• The Boston Bruins have pretty much the same record as last year at this time. However, I can't afford to give up on Head Coach Claude Julien just yet...especially with all the injuries.


• Only 30 days or so until the Red Sox open Spring Training (then they have to go to Japan!), so can we give up on the Johan Santana trade, deal Coco Crisp, and sign Bobby Kielty already?!?


• My picks again for the NFL Play-offs this week: Pats over Jags 28-17 and Colts over Bolts 32-10. Since it all may come down to which QB's show-up this weekend in the NFC, those games are too close to call for me.

So long Johan…

It's time for the Boston Red Sox to just move away from the whole Johan Santana trade option. The Minnesota Twins and new GM Bill Smith are holding things up and I get a sense that they would rather trade him to the National league or hold on to him all together before dealing him to the Sox. First the Twins wanted positional players, then pitching, and now it seems they want a whole farm system for their prized pitcher. Enough already! They have tried to pit the Yankees against the Red Sox in negotiations but now even the Yanks have lost interest and so should the Sox. Even David Ortiz doesn't believe his good friend Johan will be with the Red Sox next year.

We just won our second World Series Title in four years, have a great farm system, and a manageable payroll. We don’t need Santana and as long as the Yankees don’t get him we should move on. At this point we need to focus on moving Coco Crisp and rounding out the rest of the roster before its too late.

The Red Sox can resign Mike Lowell

At age 32, Jason Varitek (now 35) came off a year in which he hit .296 with 18 HR and 73 RBI in 2004. Going against their formula, the Sox signed him to 4 year extension at $10 mill a year because they realized how valuable he was to the orginization.

Mike Lowell is now 33 and one could argue that with his leadership, defense (11 errors this past season was an abberation), clubhouse personality (bridge between Spanish and American players), his offense and the ability to play both in Fenway and Boston, he may be almost as valuable as Varitek to this team right now.

Also, hopefully the Red Sox are finally understanding that you can spend tons of money on the Renteria's and JD Drew's, but you never know how they will perform in this environment until it's too late. If the Sox can give JD Drew (31) a 5 year $70 mill deal and Julio Lugo (31) a 4 year $36 mill deal, then they cany pony up at least a 3 year $13 mill a year deal for Mike Lowell.

Salary coming off Sox Payroll:

• Schilling $13 mill


• Clement $9.5 mill


• Gagne $6 mill


• Hinske $5.7 mill (half paid by Blue Jays)


• Tavarez $3.1 mill


• Donellely $1.4 mill

We are the Champions!?

It's been awhile but these truly could be the best of times for a Boston Sports fan.

ESPN's Mike Greenberg (a New Yorker) in talking about the recent success of the Boston sports teams this morning;"It makes you want to throw-up!"

1985-1986:

• Red Sox go to World Series
  
• Patriots go to Superbowl


• BC Football finished ranked #19


• Celtics win Championship


• Bruins make play-offs
  

2007-2008:

• Red Sox win World Series


• Patriots undefeated


• BC Football ranked #2


• Celtics are favored to win division


• Bruins have best start in years