The Boston Blue Sox?

After many complaints, the Red Sox finally switched from blue to red socks (to go along with the recently re-added red t-shirts) under their new gray road uniforms. In a recent statement, Red Sox Chief Operating Officer Mike Dee said that initially the blue socks were not a prime consideration in the new uniform design, especially because most of the time the socks aren't visible.

Really?!? Considering the team has been known as either the 'Red Stockings' or 'Red Sox' for over 100 years, you would have to explain to me how a designer or marketing person was able to overlook including red socks in the new road uniforms. It's bad enough that the new gray uniforms look more like the LA Dodgers or remind one of the old gray uniforms the Sox wore during the heartbreaking '86 World Series, but to have the prominent color be blue and not red is ridiculous! Especially when fans never asked for the road uniforms to change and the prior road uniforms already had more red added (as ordered by Owner John Henry in 2003) and are now associated with our World Series victories in 2004 and 2007.

The Celtics Are Looking Tired...

So Brian 'Semi-Pro' Scalabrine And Celts' Defense Must Step it Up Against the Bulls this Series!

Patriots Could Be Dancing With the Stars

As predicted, the Patriots got help in the 2009 NFL Draft for their Defensive Backfield (picking-up 2 players including Darius Banks from UConn); the Offensive Line (3 players with upside), as well as, selecting a young Wide Receiver to develop. However, the Pats did not pick-up a pass-rusher which could be telling for a team that finished 26 out of 32 in the league and also traded OLB Mike Vrabel in the off-season.

This could mean that pass-rushing veteran Defensive End Jason Taylor may be leaning towards signing soon with the Patriots -Or- perhaps a trade with Carolina for Defensive End Julius Peppers could still be in play. Aside from compensation, the only concern for All-Pro Peppers becoming a Patriot is that his salary would upset the pay scale of veterans like Defensive Tackle Vince Wilfork which may be one of the reasons why the Pats selected DT Ron Brace of Boston College in the second round of the NFL Draft.

Sox Sweep Yankees & April Homestand!

Red Sox Rookies: Who Had the Best 2 years?

FRED LYNN:

1975 - .331 Avg. 21 HR 105 RBI 47 Doubles

• AL Rookie of the Year Award
• AL MVP Award
• Golden Glove Award
• All Star team

1976 - .314 10 HR 65 RBI 32 Doubles

• All Star team

NOMAR GARCIAPARRA:

1997 - .306 30 HR 98 RBI 44 Doubles

• AL Rookie of the Year Award
• Silver Slugger Award
• All Star team

1998 - .323 Avg. 35 HR 122 RBI 37 Doubles

• AL MVP Runner-up

DUSTIN PEDROIA:

2007 - .317 Avg. 8 HR 50 RBI 39 Doubles

• AL Rookie of the Year Award

2008 - .326 Avg. 17 HR 83 RBI 54 Doubles

• AL MVP Award
• Silver Slugger Award
• Gold Glove Award
• All Star team

The 2009 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots have 11 selections in the NFL Draft this weekend including 6 in the first three rounds. As in past years, Coach Bill Belichick and the Pats won't use all 11 picks and will probably either trade away a few for next year or package some to move up the draft board and aquire a player that may be dropping.

That said, after listening to all the pundits and so-called experts, here is my take on what areas the Patriots will try to target in order of priority.

1. DEFENSIVE LINE: Even though the Patriots still need Linebacker help, the feeling is that they don't view any of the famed Linebacking corps coming out of USC (Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, and Rey Maualuga) as can't miss prospects within their system as they did with Jerod Mayo last year. Plus Richard Seymour's contract will need to be renegotiated soon, so look for the Pats to select Robert Ayers with the 23rd pick in the first round. Ayers is a Defensive End from Tennesse (like J. Mayo) who could possibly be converted to a pass rushing linebacker like former Patriot Willie McGinest.
   
2. DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD: Just like pitching in baseball, you can never have enough Defensive Backfield depth in football. Plus Ellis Hobbs and newcomer Leigh Bodden are in their final year of their contracts, so look for the Patriots to take a stab at local product CornerBack Darius Butler from UConn with the 34th pick.


3. OFFENSIVE LINE: Whether it be the SuperBowl loss to the NY Giants 2 years ago or the first game against the KC Chiefs last year, Tom Brady returns to a line of blockers that couldn't effectively protect him the last 2 games he's played in. Also, 11 out of 14 players of this group are entering the final year of their contract. Plus, this draft year is deep in Offensive Line talent, so I could see the Patriots picking-up one or two Offensive Linemen between the second to fourth rounds.


4. RUNNING BACK/WIDE RECEIVER: With Kevin Faulk getting older, Laurence Maroney still not producing, and Fred Taylor more of a short term solution, I could see the Patriots possibly picking-up another unheralded Running Back in the middle-to-late rounds like UConn's Donald Brown. Also, the signing of Joey Galloway is another short term answer at Wide Receiver, so the Pats also may select a Wideout with upside in the middle-to-late rounds.


5. QUARTERBACK: I think the Patriots are more interested in using West Virgina Quarterback Pat White as a 'red herring' in this weekend's draft than a 'wildcat' in the upcoming season, but that doesn't mean the Pats won't try to develop another Matt Cassel with a late round pick.

Beware of the Dancing Bear!

...And this is what will happen if you date a Montreal Canadiens' fan!

Au Revoir Les Habitants

Yes! The Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 and swept their arch-rival 4 games to 0 in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. The victory marked the Bruins' first NHL play-off series win since 1999 and it was the first time the B's have beaten the Canadiens in a series since 1994. Plus, it was their first series sweep since 1992 in which they beat the Candiens too.

This win was sweetest for Bruins' Coach Claude Julien and Winger Michael Ryder who were both sent packing by Montreal and now have a new home in Boston. Also, this series victory could be considered a mini-payback for recent losses to Montreal in 2008, 2004, and 2002. Sorry Montreal fans, but karma can be a bitch and this should teach you not to 'boo' another country's National Anthem!

Our Great White Hope?

Now we're really screwed! First Kevin Garnett is declared out for the NBA play-offs and now we learn that Leon Powe tore the ACL on his 'good knee' and will need surgery.

That leaves the Celtics short on big men and fans hoping that Brian Scalabrine makes an impact when he returns from multiple concussion syndrome in Game 3 at Chicago.

A Perfect Patriots' Day for Beantown

Boston Marathon: Good weather for the 113th running and American runners finish 3rd in both the Men's and Women's division!

Boston Red Sox: Win 12-1 and sweep the Orioles to climb back over .500 for the first time this year since Opening day!

Boston Bruins: Beat the Candiens 4-2 in Montreal to go up 3 games to none in the quarterfinals of the Eastern conference play-offs!

Boston Celtics: Beat the Chicago Bulls 118-115 despite injuries and a 5 point deficit late in the game after Ray Allen makes consecutive 3-point shots!

'Batting Stance Guy' Meets the Red Sox

...Plus more past and present Red Sox Batting Stances!