Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Reports of the Philadelphia 76ers sale have, apparently, been greatly exaggerated.

The Globe's Peter May reported on Monday that Comcast Spectacor, the owner of the Sixers, the Philadelphia Flyers, the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms, the Wachovia Center and the Philadelphia Spectrum, were getting close to selling the Sixers franchise.

A different tune was coming from the Comcast executives on Monday.

"We receive expressions of interest from time to time," Comcast-Spectacor president Peter Luukko told the Philadelphia Daily News via an e-mail. "No one has made us an offer and we're not actively selling the team."

The Sixers have also been standing by their statement that they are not looking to trade former MVP Allen Iverson.

Still, that hasn't slowed speculation.

I don’t do well with deadlines. In school I lived by the motto; never do today what you can put off till tomorrow.

Baseball’s trading deadline is different, though. Can’t get enough of it. For someone who lives and breathes sports, there isn’t a more exciting time than those final moments when teams swap players like teens swap text messages.

So as 4pm Monday approached, the good and bad of deadlines stared me smack dab in the face. I had to finish this column for the paper, while at the same time trying to keep track of every trade and false rumor out there…dueling deadlines, if you will.

Thankfully, Al Gore invented the internet. Well, someone did. I’m not sure who, but he or she made my job easier.

As I write this, my television is blaring ESPN. There are roughly 15-windows open on my computer. There’s an earpiece plugged into the back of it streaming WEEI into my right ear. The left ear also features an earpiece, this one allowing me to speak on the phone while having both hands free to type. I have officially brought the terms computer and technology geek to new lows.

And you know what? I couldn’t possibly be any happier. If heaven is part of my afterlife, this is what I envision.

Here’s an hour-by-hour look at what’s going on:

10:10am: Dale Arnold and Rob Bradford (where have I heard that name before?) are on the radio discussing a possible deal bringing Andruw Jones to the Red Sox for Coco Crisp, Craig Hansen and Jon Lester. Lester is the reason this won’t happen, but it’s the second time since last Tuesday our favorite “cereal killer� has been mentioned in a rumor. Maybe Theo Epstein reads the Lowell Sun or TheSunBlog.

11:13am: My head is already spinning from baseball overload, so I venture out to the Patriots websites for a training camp check up. Tom Brady isn’t practicing for a second consecutive day. It’s probably nothing, but I don’t think I can deal with this right now.

12:29pm: After scanning all my favorite places, I’ve counted the Red Sox being involved in discussions for about two dozen different players. Wonder how many minutes Theo has on his cell phone?

1:32pm: My cousin Yianni calls from work for the first of what I’m sure will be 100-times, trying to find out if the Sox have made any moves. Poor guy has no television, radio or internet access. I tell him not to hold his breath waiting for any big acquisitions. I also advise him to get another job.

2:21pm: Sean McAdam just tells his radio audience that Roger Clemens won’t leave Houston, but that his heart is here in Boston. That’s a surprise. I always believed his heart was in his wallet.

3:15pm: The consensus now has Theo passing on all the big names and focused on acquiring Pirates pitcher Kip Wells. I wish him no ill, but he’d be better off acquiring Lyme disease.

4:00pm: The trading deadline is here. So is the deadline for this article. Whose performance was more disappointing…mine or the Red Sox?

At least here, there are no deadlines!

Final Score
Angels 10
Red Sox 4

Feeling the Heat: Up till now, the Red Sox haven’t faced much pressure from “The Nation� to make a deadline deal. I wonder if that’s changed now that they’ve lost 2-of-3 at home and the Yankees acquired Bobby Abreu?

Curt Schilling didn’t have it last night, and the red hot Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (or whatever they’re calling themselves these days) made the big guy pay. All in all, it wasn’t a great series for the Sox against the western division contenders. You’d like to win at least two when you have your Big-3 going, but these things happen. You just wish it wouldn’t happen so close to the trading deadline, especially when your top competitor has made the biggest splash of the deadline thus far.

David Wells makes his return Monday and I hear a lot of optimism from the team and the fan base. I’m not sure where this is coming from, to be quite honest. Anything Wells gives you from this point on is a bonus. To count on him to be your number 3 or 4 starter and have that balky knee hold up through a pennant race is really stretching it.

I hope I’m wrong. The trade market doesn’t contain any sure things on the pitching mound and getting even mediocre arms is going to be difficult, so we really could use the David Wells of old. Unfortunately, I think all we’re going to get is an old David Wells.

What do you think? Can we count on David Wells to help fill the pitching void?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

The Yankees played lets make a deal today acquiring outfielder Bobby Abreu and right-handed pitcher Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Abreu, 32, was batting .277 with eight home runs and 65 RBI in 98 games played with the Phillies in this season. The two-time All-Star leads all Major Leaguers with 91 walks and won a Gold Glove in 2005.

Lidle, 34, was 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts with the Phillies. He has won four consecutive games. In 2005, Lidle posted his fourth consecutive season with at least 30 starts and matched his single-season career-high with 13 wins, going 13-11 with a 4.53 ERA.

The Yankees defeated Tampa Bay, 4-2, today after dropping the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, 19-6.

Sox fans, does this make the Yankees more dangerous? Less dangerous? Does it make any difference?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Final Score (11 innings)
Red Sox 7
Angels 6

Call it an Or-tease: Whoever is writing these scripts for the Red Sox really needs to switch it up a little bit. This ain't The WB. Yesterday, David Ortiz hit a walk-off single to give the Sox the win in extra innings. That makes 14 times since 2003 that Big Papi has won a game with a walk-off hit. Papi went 4-for-5 in the game with 4 RBI and his 35th home run of the season.

Josh Beckett didn't figure in on the decision, allowing three runs in six innings and leaving with the score tied. Rookie Craig Hansen hit a large bump in the road in the form of a 2-run homer from veteran Curtis Pride (a guy you'd figure would be playing for the Nashua Pride by now). And of all people to pick up the win, Julian Tavarez came in after an inning of Mike Timlin and two innings of Jonathan Papelbon to claim the victory.

On the other side of the AL East coin, the Yankees and Randy Johnson were absolutely crushed by Tampa Bay to the tune of a 19-6 drilling in the Bronx. The only potentially good news for the Yanks is that they are healing. Left fielder Hideki Matsui, a 100-RBI man, will have his injured left wrist examined in New York on Thursday, and he could be cleared to begin taking batting practice. Robinson Cano, who is out with a strained left hamstring, ran the bases for a second straight day could see action in rehab assignments next week.

With the win and the Yanks loss, Boston is now 1.5 games up in the Division (1 game in the loss column). The Red Sox and Angels play the ESPN Sunday night game tonight. Curt Schilling (13-3) will be on the mound for the BoSox.

Well, let's hear it. With the trade deadline almost here and the AL East race heating up, does Boston need to make a deal? Who would you like to see end up with the Sox for the stretch run? Who would you give up?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff


Final Score
Angels 8
Red Sox 3

Lester comes up with a “L�: Can you hear the phone calls? One loss and the amateur general managers on talk radio must already be working on trade proposals to send Sox rookie lefty Jonathan Lester out of town.

Lester (5-1) yielded five runs on 10 hits last night in 6.1 innings of work, and Manny Delcarmen came in and gave up another pair of runs in 1/3 of an inning. Can you say Lester and Delcarmen in a package deal for (insert name of unavailable All-Star pitcher here).

Well, hold on those trade talks for just a minute because Lester did came out after a two hour and two minute rain delay and allow just one run in the first six innings. It’s always that last third of an inning that kills you!

Speaking of killing you, in case you didn’t notice, the Sox are now even in the loss column with the New York Yankees (technically the Red Sox hold a ½ game lead). That’s right. It’s officially a pennant race. And as the drivers start their engines, the Yankees are riding a four-game winning streak and have two games left in their series with Tampa Bay.

Josh Beckett will be looking to stop the bleeding and keep the Sox from losing their third straight tonight. Also, there is word that help -- if you can call it that -- may be on the way. Along with Keith Foulke working his way back off the DL and into the Sox bullpen, 43-year-old lefty David Wells will make a start on Monday against the Cleveland Indians.

Red Sox Nation, are you optimistic that guys are getting healthy and things are just about to take a turn for the better? Or… perhaps you’re getting a sick feeling as you look at the standings, Lester finally proving to be human, and the team from the Bronx creeping up the standings?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun staff

After an hour and 32 minutes of waiting and getting wet, the Mike Lowell Spinners got started with Red Sox righthanded reliever Keith Foulke on the mound against the Vermont Lake Monsters in hist first rehab assigntment since going on the 15-day Disabled List on June 13 with tendonitis in this throwing elbow.

Foulke wasted no time getting started, retiring the side in order to start the game.

Last year, he pitched 3.2 innings in three appearances with the Spinners last as he rehabbed after arthroscopic knee surgery. He finished with an earned run average of 7.36 and five strikeouts.

So far he is 2-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 29 relief appearances with Boston this season.

Does anyone still see Foulke factoring into the Sox bullpen this year? Does he have any value for the Sox in potential trade plans? Is he going to allow the Red Sox to shake things up in their less-than-stellar bullpen?

In a promotion so far out even the Lowell Spinners wouldn’t attempt it (at least I don't think they would), the Nashua Pride are bringing the king of the black diamond trails to the baseball diamond.

New Hampshire’s favorite son, World Champion and Olympic silver medal winner Bode Miller will trade in his skies for a pair of baseball cleats Saturday when he suits up to play for the Pride at Holman Stadium. Miller is expected to see action for at least three innings against the Brockton (Mass) Rox.

Nashua VP of Baseball Operations, Chris Hall, says Miller will show up at the ballpark around two in the afternoon for a little practice. He hasn't played competitive baseball since Little League, where he was a catcher and third baseman. "The plan is for him to play outfield for us" says Hall. "Manager Butch Hobson and a few of the players will provide personal instruction."

While the publicity stunt has obvious comedic potential, plenty of good will come of it. Pride owner John Stabile has pledged at least $5,000 to Miller’s Turtle Ridge Foundation, which the skier will in turn donate to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help in the fight against cancer.

The Nashua entry, ranked next to last in Can-Am League attendance at less than 1,500 fans per game, expects an obvious boost at the ticket gate. Besides the appearance of Miller, the Pride hope to draw a few political buffs as well. Former New Jersey Governor and President Bush cabinet member, Christie Todd Whitman will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the 7:05 start.

Perhaps it might be a good idea to have Bode stand in the batter’s box against Whitman…it'll be the best chance he has to get a hit all night.

Congratulations to the cycling community. Your showcase is officially on the same level as the Summer Olympics and major league baseball’s home run derby…and I don’t mean that as a compliment!

Floyd Landis, the feel good story of this year’s Tour de France tested positive for increased levels of testosterone following the 17th stage of the race. For those who don’t remember, that’s the stage where Landis made a remarkable recovery from the previous day to put himself back into contention and set the stage for his victory.

Now to be fair, Landis denies cheating and test results of his backup sample could still clear him. In an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated, the 30-year old American says elevated testosterone results are common among world class cyclists. He theorizes the results could be skewed because of cortisone shots he’s been taking for a bad hip that will soon require replacement. Landis has enlisted a noted Spanish doctor to help him prove his case.

The problem of course, is that the victory is already tainted. Even before the race, several top competitors were suspended because of doping concerns. How many others cheat and haven’t yet been caught? As in the Olympics and baseball, everyone who accomplishes something unexpected almost automatically falls under suspicion.

Is it fair to judge them so? Probably not. Then again, they have no one to blame but themselves and their peers. They’re the ones who helped create a culture of cheating that tarnishes almost everything good about their sport.

Anyone else as disappointed as I am at this news? Are you even surprised?

Final Score
Red Sox 1
A’s 5

Hitting the Century Mark: 100-games in the books…62 more to go…and all in all, the Red Sox are in pretty good shape.

Rather than focus on yesterday’s loss (did you really expect a “W� with Kyle Snyder facing Danny Haren?. Maybe you Coco flavored Kool-Aid drinkers did, but the rest of us realists weren’t wagering the ranch yesterday), I’ll look ahead to a golden opportunity for Boston to make hay.

18 of the next 24 contests take place at Fenway, where the Sox are a league best 32-13. The Sox play three against the Angels and four against the Indians before heading back out on the road for three each against Tampa and Kansas City. Then comes an eleven game homestand featuring Baltimore three times, the Tigers three, and five with the Evil Empire.

It would be nice to put the Yankees a bit farther back in the rear-view mirror when this stretch is done. If they don’t, the Sox risk another life and death struggle for the division crown, with the wild-card turning into a free for all featuring the White Sox and suddenly smoking Twins in the picture. It would be nice to put the Blue Jays out of their misery as well, before they get any notions about contending deep into September.

What do you think gang…make or break time for the 2006 season? Can the Sox win the division if they don’t put New York away before Matsui, Sheffield and Cano return? How about the wild card? Which teams do you think have a legit shot at that?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Only time will tell if the folks in Philly are just blowing smoke, or if Allen Iverson is really off the market, but in the meantime the Celtics had plenty of young talent on display this summer.

For what it’s worth, Ryan Gomes (19.3 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 60% field goal shooting), Gerald Green (18.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Allan Ray (25.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and Sebastian Telfair (14.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg) were all among the top 25 scorers in the Toshiba Vegas Summer League.

The league’s leading scorer was Minnesota’s Randy Foye, who finished with a 24.8 points per game average. The Celtics brought Foye, a rookie out of Villanova, in for two pre-draft workouts.

Telfair and Rajon Rondo, a rookie out of Kentucky, were two of the top three assist men in Summer League play. Rondo was the second-leading assist man (5.8 per game) behind Houston’s John Lucas. Telfair finished right behind him with 5.3 assists per game.

The Celtics finished up with a 3-2 mark in the Summer League.

Raef’s long lost brother now in the fold


The Boston Celtics announced Wednesday they signed rookie free agent center Kevin Pittsnogle out of West Virginia.

The 6’11� Pittsnogle, a native of Martinsburg, West Virginia, made a home behind the three-point line, shooting 41.1% (253-for-615) from long-range over his collegiate career.

An Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American team selection and a First Team All-Big East selection as a senior, Pittsnogle finished his four-year career at West Virginia University as the school’s sixth leading scorer with 1,708 points.

During his senior season, Pittsnogle led the team in scoring, averaging 19.3 points per game. He was a key player in West Virginia’s run to the Elite Eight in 2005.

Celtics recognized for being Tech savy


The Boston Celtics announced that it has been named as a finalist for the Mass Technology Leadership Council’s 2006 Mass Technology Leadership Awards. The Mass Technology Leadership Awards honor Massachusetts companies and individuals who best exemplify leadership and excellence in business and technology.

“The Celtics have long recognized the benefits of technological leadership on both the administrative and basketball sides of our business,� Celtics Vice President of Technology Jay Wessel said. “Using StratBridge’s visualization technologies has shown immediate benefits in ticket sales and is finding more and more uses in other basketball and business analyses.�

Celtics Vice President of Ticket Sales, Marketing and Service Shawn Sullivan said, “StratBridge gives us the on-demand diligence to make sound decisions that help boost attendance and revenue. It has become indispensable to our business.�

Apparently the NBA has also taken notice of the Celtics technology braintrust as this past April the Houston Rockets grabbed Celtics Senior VP of Operations and Information Daryl Morey to be their assistant general manager. While with the Celtics, Morey's key areas included the development of analytical methods and technology to enhance basketball decisions, such as the draft, trades, free agency and statistical advance scouting for the coaching staff.

Before I forget, let me give a shout out to Bob C. for this post;

“Be on the lookout for two teams lurking, ladies and gentlemen: Toronto and Minnesota. Halladay and Burnett as well as Santana and Liriano impress me as 1, 2’s that could be playoff bound. You heard it here in July.�

The date of this comment? July 16, 2005. Well here it is just ten days later, July 26th, and the Minnesota Twins have pulled even with Chicago in the wild card race thanks to a 3-game sweep over the “pale hose� in the Windy City.

Nice work Bob. You’ve said some truly idiotic things in the past. This wasn’t one of them!

So that’s all it takes, huh?

I bust my tail week after week, trying to write a Lowell Sun column that’s creative, informative and funny, only to be ignored like a nagging girlfriend during SportsCenter. But mention one bad word about Coco Crisp, and you’d think I just insulted Hillary Clinton at a N.O.W. rally.

If picking on poor Coco gets you all fired up and commenting, just wait till the first time I rip someone who’s actually accomplished something in this town. (Note to self: move to Botswana if you ever say bad things about Bill Belichick and Tom Brady)

Anyway, here are a couple of comments I couldn’t just let slide without a defense:

Rick writes: “No wonder you now work at the Sun. Sounds like a personal vendetta to me. Coco Crisp is as good a player as Damon. Sure you can bring up the stats for the season as your proof, but there is more to baseball than stats, particularly since Coco missed 25% of the season out of the gate. Don't get me wrong, I like Johnny and certainly feel that he is an excellent leadoff hitter. To say we would be five games ahead without him is ludicrous. The Red Sox record at this time last year??? We have lost 40% of the rotation and have a better record. Hello??? anyone home?�

“Coco is as good a player as Damon?� You’re basing this on what, exactly? If not numbers, then what?

Hey, we all have our opinions and maybe in time, Crisp can become Damon’s equal. I highly doubt it, but if you’re proven correct, I’ll be more than happy to give you props. But in the meantime, please don’t insult our intelligence with that statement.

And yes, there is more to baseball than stats…like winning World Series…hitting two home runs, including a grand slam in Game 7 of an American League Championship Series, on the road no less…defense...intangibles like working pitch counts...taking the media pressure off your teammates...putting fannies in the seats...etc...

To work at the Sun, you have to pass an eye test so you can actually observe what’s going on in front of you instead of turning a blind eye and making ridiculous statements like that. Believe me, I'm home. I just refuse to answer the door to let the nonsense in!

My buddy Legend Killer chimes in with; “The Non-Signing of Damon and Trading for Coco were not moves meant to pan out THIS YEAR. Come back to me in Damon's 3rd year with the Yankees when He, Giambi and E-rod are all DH's.�

I’ll be sure to come back to you in three years when Damon is still a productive .290-.300 leadoff hitter for the Yankees. What will Coco be? Will he even be around?

Please gang. Put down the Kool-Aid for a bit and admit this one was a mistake…today, tomorrow, and even 3-4 years from now. It’s o.k. I promise. Even I admit to being wrong from time to time. It’s not that bad!

Take your medicine. It’s better for you than Kool-Aid!

Final Score
Red Sox 13
A’s 6

Another “A’s�-Kicking: Back to back butt whuppins in Oakland have the Red Sox dreaming sweep dreams this afternoon.

The offensive fireworks helped Curt Schilling to lucky victory number 13. Meanwhile, Manny Ramirez looks like he’s in one of those zones he gets in from time to time. He’s absolutely crushing the ball right now, which is bad news for all the haters and radio gabbers. They’ll have to find a new whipping boy…at least until the next time Manny asks for a day off or misplays a ball in the outfield.

For those of you who still want to criticize Ramirez, here’s a challenge; name me one outfielder with comparable hitting ability that is a better defensive fielder. I bet you can’t.

The closest in my mind is Vladimir Guerrero, but other than a rifle for an arm, he’s a mediocre outfielder at best. And while a good hitter, he can’t carry Manny’s jock strap in terms of career accomplishments. Oh yeah, if you think Ramirez misses a lot of time due to injury, check out Vlad’s game totals from recent years compared to Manny’s.

Give up yet? Perhaps you want to talk about Ichiro and Carlos Beltran as great defensive players, but would you rather have them than Manny? Again, compare career totals and you’ll be shocked how far ahead Ramirez stands out.

One more thing; Manny does play the outfield, unlike a guy like Albert Pujols who the Cardinals had to move to first base so he wouldn’t hurt himself chasing fly balls. Remember that next time you ride Ramirez for his defense, and ask yourself; If David Ortiz played the field day in and day out, could he stay rested and healthy enough to put up the numbers he does? Evidence from his Twins days says no.

This message has been paid for by the Manny for President Committee!

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

According to the Philadelphia Daily News website, Sixers president/general manager Billy King says seven-time NBA All-Star and former NBA MVP Allen Iverson is no longer part of trade discussions.

And just like that, the air may have been let out of the baloons of Celtics fans everywhere.

Rumors had been flying that Iverson would be headed to Boston to play alongside Paul Pierce, who recently signed an extension to stay with the Celtics through 2010-11.

"Allen and I have talked about it, and he wants to be here and is excited to be playing for us," King told the Philadelphia Daily News on Tuesday.

The Celtics (33-49 last season) have made several roster changes since the end of the season. Off-season additions include Sebastian Telfair, Rajon Rondo, Allan Ray, Theo Ratliff, and Leon Powe.

So Celtics fans, assuming the report is true and not just an attempt at a poker face by Philly, how big a blow is this? Are you comfortable with the current roster? Would the deal have put the Celtics over the top?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Danica Patrick, last year’s Indy Racing League Rookie of the Year, has signed a deal that will end her run with Rahal Letterman Racing and add her to the Andretti Green Racing (AGR) stable in 2007.

Yes, for those of you who’ve been out of the loop for the past year, there is a female driver in IndyCar and she wasted little time making a name for herself. Aside from the Rookie of the Year honors, Patrick finished fourth in the Indianapolis 500 in 2005, becoming the first woman to ever lead a lap in the history of the Indy 500. In 26 starts, Patrick has four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes.

AGR has produced the last two IndyCar Series champions in Tony Kanaan (2004) and Dan Wheldon (2005), now of Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Wheldon, who was also the runner-up in 2004, moved over to Target Chip Gannassi this year.

"Today is an exciting day for everyone at Andretti Green Racing. Danica has shown great talent during her first two seasons in the IndyCar Series and has impressed Kim [Green], Kevin [Savoree] and myself with her development as a driver,� Chief Executive Officer of AGR Michael Andretti said in a statement released by AGR. “Our focus has been and always will be on winning races and winning championships. We certainly believe Danica will do that. She has made it very clear that one of her goals as a driver is to win the Indianapolis 500 and we are looking forward to giving her a great opportunity to do that."

Race fans, you've chimed in before, so weigh in now. Is Danica Patrick news because she is a top driver or because she is one of few women in the sport? Do race fans even care that Patrick is out there? Should she have made the move to NASCAR?

Final Score
Red Sox 7
A’s 3

Sox Earn High Marks vs. A’s: A good start to the Oakland trip for Boston’s Boys of Summer. The offense, led by homers from A-Gone, Manny and Big Papi staked Josh Beckett to a nice lead. Beckett held on despite giving up his 28th homer of the season.

The win was the major league leading 13th for the big righty, kind of surprising considering the 4.77 ERA. Curt Schilling tries to match that victory total Tuesday in what might be a fun night at the ballpark.

The A’s, particularly Nick Swisher, have been doing some chirping since Schilling drilled the outfielder between the numbers during Oakland’s Fenway visit a couple of weekends ago. The clubs have played a couple of games without incident since then, but with the A’s still holding a grudge, perhaps there’ll be some extra-curricular activity tonight.

Anyone else expecting some fireworks tonight? Are you even staying up late to watch the games?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Football players aren’t the only ones getting their fill of training camp. Some of the NBA's best began camp this weekend as well. The goal being to bring USA Basketball back up to snuff.

Of course, it’s a little different since the NBA guys are getting their training in Las Vegas. It goes without saying that they’re hoping everything that happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

So far it appears that Coack Krzyzewski has left many stones unturned, starting with the basics such as the differences in the international game as well as a special reminder from the military about who they’re playing for.

The U.S. won its first five games in the 2002 World Championship, but then choked in three of its last four games to finish sixth. Then the U.S. finished 5-3 and took the bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics.

Early on with the current group, Coack K sounds as if he has been satisfied with the effort, saying, “My first day of actually coaching and doing this with this group, I was amazed at the professionalism and the attention. I don't think the NBA players get credit for how professional they are, and the coaches. It is high level stuff. There's no nonsense. Each of our practices the first two mornings have been cut short because they're getting it. I don't like to linger if they're getting it. I'm impressed with that.� (click here to read more Coach K comments)

The United States will begin Preliminary round in the 2006 FIBA Men's World Championships on Aug. 19, at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in Sapporo City ,Japan. Their pool (Group D) includes Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Italy, China, and Senegal.

USA Basketball roster

What do you think? Is USA Basketball turning it around? Has the rest of the world surpassed the U.S. on the basketball court?

They haven’t even played 100 games yet. There are still more than two full months of the season remaining to be played. With any luck, another month of playoff baseball might follow, so there’s plenty of time for him to redeem himself.

But mark my words: if the Red Sox post-season dreams die, it will be the work of a “cereal� killer…Coco Crisp.

These days, it’s tough to criticize Sox management, especially Theo Epstein. “The Nation� is still recovering from the massive hangover of 2004, and woe to the person who dares differ with the front office in place for that historic comeback and World Series victory. (Notice I said “in place� not “solely responsible for�)

Say a bad word about one of Theo’s roster decisions, and you quickly find yourself isolated, with only Yankees fans and cranky old timers taking your side. That’s sort of like having a political opinion only Al Qaeda and Hezbollah share with you.

However, put down your John Henry issued rose-colored glasses and your Theo Epstein shaken, not stirred Kool-Aid martini for a moment and honestly answer this question; how many games ahead of the Yankees would the Sox be right now if Johnny Damon, not Covelli Loyce Crisp roamed center field at Fenway Park?

I say take the current margin, then add at least five games to cover the difference between Damon instead of Crisp atop the Boston batting order plus what having Damon leading off in the Bronx is worth…and that’s a conservative estimate!

I hate to bore you with numbers, but since this current management philosophy puts so much emphasis in them, we have to take a look. Granted, some of Crisp’s stats are skewed since he missed a month and a half with that finger injury, so those whopping totals of 4-home runs, 17-RBI’s, 37-runs and 11-stolen bases pale in comparison to J.D.’s 11-dingers, 48-ribbies, 69-scores and 11-thefts.

Of course, the at bats stand at 223 vs. 358, meaning all things being equal, Coco should at least provide 62% of “Loco’s� production. For those too lazy to do the math, trust me, he doesn’t come close anywhere except SB’s.

Now let’s look at the statistics not affected by games played; average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. In order, they read; .260, .319 & .381 vs. .293, .353 & .433. Care to guess who wins the unanimous decision?

In the Sox defense, some will point to another important stat; Damon’s salary. We’ve all heard over and over how paying $13-million a year would be a terrible burden, especially in year four of the deal. My argument; there’s a reason rich folk pay more for a Mercedes than a Hyundai. Besides, when the 2006 playoffs roll around, will anyone really care what happens four years from now?

Speaking of money, remember the price of bringing Crisp to Boston? You think the Sox wouldn’t mind having Andy Marte to trade right about now to help fill one of the gaping holes in the starting rotation?

I’m sorry. Theo and the trio don’t get a free pass here. There have been too many bad judgment calls since the wonderful autumn of ’04. You don’t just go replacing established crunch time performers with one-hit wonders from small-market teams. At least Epstein was willing to cut his losses with Edgar Renteria. It might be time to do the same with Coco Crisp.

Kevin Youkilis has filled the void at leadoff. Wily Mo Pena would be an offensive upgrade in center. The defense would suffer a bit, but perhaps when he climbs the wall to make a catch, he’ll at least be in the same area code as the baseball.

Now pass me another bowl of Captain Crunch and stop trying to ruin my summah!

Anyone else think it's time to give up on Coco Crisp? Can he turn things around or was he just a one-hit wonder in Cleveland?

Final Score
Red Sox 8
Mariners 9

Wrong End of the Celebration: A pretty entertaining baseball game ended with the Red Sox on the wrong end of back and forth celebrations.

The teams took turns with the lead. Seattle looked like an easy winner after slapping Jon Lester around, the rookie’s first poor outing of the season. Boston recovered and took the lead, only to see the bullpen cough it back up thanks to some shoddy outfield play. Jason Varitek and Richie Sexson traded 9th inning home runs, but since the Mariners had last ups as the home team, they got to party in the end.

It’s tough to be disappointed about losing 2-of-3 when Schilling and Beckett don’t take the mound, so there really isn’t much to complain about here. The radio yahoos are already in the process of ripping Manny for his defense, but educated fans know one of the team’s biggest problems right now resides one position over from Ramirez in the outfield. (More on that in a future posting)

Fortunately, the Yankees had a worse weekend in Toronto, so the lead sits a 2 ½ over New York and 4 ½ over the Blue Jays. Looks like a hot summer pennant race, wouldn't you say?

News Flash: Ty Law agrees to a five year contract with Kansas City. The Chiefs and Patriots were believed to be the two finalists in the battle to secure the cornerbacks services. The move reunites Law and his coach with the Jets, current K.C. coach Herm Edwards.

Teddy’s Take: No surprise. No surprise at all, other than I thought he might wait another week or so and try to avoid a few two-a-day workouts.

Over the last month, Patriots fans have constantly asked me what I thought about Law’s chances of returning to New England. My answer all along; he’ll go where he gets the most money. The natural follow up question was; don’t you think he’d rather come back here for a chance to win a Super Bowl? Again, my answer was; he’ll go where he gets the most money.

As I write this, financial terms have yet to be announced. But I’ll bet K.C. is where Law is getting the most money.

Plain and simple. That’s what it’s about for him at this point in his career. He’s already won his Super Bowls…already made his all-pro and pro bowl teams. Law is trying to get as much money as he can before his body no longer allows him to play the game at a level he can be comfortable with.

And you know what? I don’t blame him one bit. This is a guy who gave the Patriots his all while here. Played hard. Played hurt. Through good times and bad. Helped them win a ton of games. If this is what makes him happy, I wish him well.

I have no doubt he’d have come back to New England if the money was equal. I’m willing to bet it wasn’t. There’s no way he plays five years, so that part of the contract is as good as useless. It has to be about guaranteed greenbacks, and my guess is the bonus the Chiefs offered trumped Bill Belichick’s final numbers.

Good luck Ty. We’d love to see you back playing in Foxboro, but I think we understand your decision. Don’t we gang?

…Tiger Woods!

In case anyone out there thought Tiger’s days of dominance had gone by the wayside, this week’s happenings at the British Open should dispel that notion. Woods seized control of the tournament Friday and then did what he’s done so many times in the past…put the competition away.

Oh, a few big names stayed close. Ernie Els had his chances. So did Sergio Garcia. But when push came to shove Sunday, neither one could make a serious charge. Garcia, playing in the same group with Woods, folded like a pup tent early. This is the 2nd time he’s been in the final pairing with the master and he’s shot over par both times.

The only player to step up was Chris DiMarco, who put a scare into Woods at last year’s Masters and pulled within a stroke after sinking a 25-foot putt on 13. Tiger was up to the challenge however, drilling 3-consecutive birdies and holding on for a 2-shot victory. The win marks the first back-to-back British Open titles since Tom Watson turned the trick in 1982-83. Woods has now won 11-majors.

Afterward, the emotional 30-year old broke down at the memory of his father who passed away earlier this year. “I could not stop it� said a sobbing Woods. “I miss my dad so much.� It was a rare emotional display for the normally stoic champ.

I count myself as a Phil Mickelson guy, rooting for the big lefty whenever these majors come around. Not because I dislike Tiger Woods mind you, but because having legitimate challengers to the king’s throne makes things more entertaining. Over the past year, there’s been hope that Tiger’s stranglehold on the game is gone…that numerous challengers, led by Michelson, had closed the Grand Canyon sized gap that existed.

Throw that theory out the window. Tiger Woods still rules the golf kingdom, and until Sunday rolls around at a major and one of these guys has the guts and the game to take him down, they’ll all be playing follow the leader.

Is Tiger Woods back? Did he ever go away? Would Phil Mickelson have been able to challenge is he was in contention?

Final Score
Red Sox 2
Mariners 5

Not Half Bad: So far, the Red Sox have won one and lost one on their west coast trip. Ordinarily, that pace wouldn’t do, but splitting a pair of games when Kyle Snyder and the immortal Kason Gabbard are your starting pitchers is actually a good thing.

Boston’s Boys of Summer had a chance to win Saturday. Gabbard was o.k. on the mound and certainly kept his team in the game. Ironically, it was an error by Alex Gonzalez that ultimately did the good guys in, though it took a heads up play by Eduardo Perez to force the miscue as Seattle’s baserunner didn’t slide into third, forcing A-Gone’s throw to hit him and bounce away.

The Sox have a good shot at taking the rubber match of this 3-game set. Unbeaten Jon Lester gets the call on the mound against Jarrod Washburn. It would be a huge boost to escape Seattle with 2-out-of-3 wins, especially without your two aces appearing anywhere along the way.

What did you think of Kason Gabbard? A battler for keeping the Sox in the game or just lucky the Mariners didn’t take advantage of all the baserunner? Does he deserve another start or are the Red Sox going to acquire some help before the trade deadline?

It never fails. Every time I catch a glimpse of or a news report about the Tour de France, that Freddie Mercury and Queen song invades my head.

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike. I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride it where I like…

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!! I actually love their music, except for that one song! I have to stop watching that damn bike race!!!

Anyway, it appears the Americans will keep their stranglehold on France’s greatest sporting event. Fresh off the heels of Lance Armstrong’s record 7-consecutive Tour wins, Floyd Landis has grabbed the yellow jersey with but one, largely ceremonial stage remaining. This one was kind of a remarkable development according to cycling experts. (I admit to not being one, unless you count riding a 10-speed through the back streets of Dracut when you’re a kid)

Landis, one of the favorites to win the race, was given up for dead following a disastrous performance Wednesday. After the stage, he stood in 11th place, more than 8-minutes behind the leader. Landis roared back with a dominating performance Thursday, one that ended with him just 30-ticks off the pace.

Even better, he’d become a fan favorite among the mostly French crowds. After winning the all-important time trial Saturday, Landis now has a nearly insurmountable lead of 59-seconds.

The only question remaining is whether Landis can stay upright on his bike while sipping champagne through the Champs Elysees on Sunday. That, and how long will it take some French newspaper to drum up false performance enhancing drug rumors about the new champ.

God bless America! And God bless Freddie Mercury!

Does anyone out there care about the Tour de France other than the fact an American is sticking it to the French yet again? Does anyone like that "bicycling" song? What's your favorite Queen hit? Mine is Killer Queen!

Final Score
Red Sox 9
Mariners 4

Pleasant Surprise: Any game the Red Sox win with Kyle Snyder on the mound is a bonus in my mind, and the same holds true tonight when Kason Gabbard takes the mound.

While the Sox offense gave Snyder a big boost last night with a “home run derby‿ display against Jamie Moyer, the Bronson Arroyo look-a-like more than held his own. You can’t ask for more than keeping the home team to 2-runs through 5-innings. If he can do that every time out, this offense will get him more than his fair share of wins. Of course, if he could pitch like that all the time, he wouldn’t have been placed on waivers by the Royals in the first place.

Tonight should be interesting with Gabbard on the mound. Not even Terry Francona knows much about him. Frankly, Boston doesn’t have much choice, unless you think David Pauley deserves another shot. I’d much rather roll the dice with one of those two than Jason Johnson.

A quick note here about the Jake Peavey trade rumors; there is no way Peavey is getting traded for Mike Lowell. Please tell me my readers are intelligent enough not to fall for this b.s. Please!

Why would the Padres trade a young, potential ace for an aging 3rd baseman, no matter how good Lowell has been this year and no matter how much of a hole San Diego has at the hot corner? Teams simply do not trade good young pitching for aging veterans…witness what it took to get Josh Beckett here.

This trade is not going to happen unless the Sox include Jon Lester or someone of that stature. And if that’s the case, I’ll keep Lester and Lowell…thank you!

Does anyone really think Jake Peavey is getting traded for Mike Lowell? What would it take to get someone like Peavey here?

Final Score
Rangers 4
Red Sox 6

Gutting out Another One: Once again Curt Schilling showed what he’s made of, beating Texas and improving to 12-3 on the season despite going without his best stuff.

It’s actually getting kind of redundant saying that. Perhaps we should stop expecting Schilling to be the dominating ace, enjoy those rare appearances where he is, and learn to appreciate a guy who can still win at this level with diminishing skills.

Do I think the 39-year old can still light up a scoreboard with K’s? Hell yes…just check out last Saturday for proof. But more often than not, he’s going to have outings like yesterday. With this offense and defense, however, that’s more than enough.

One more thing…time to get Wily Mo Pena’s bat in the lineup more often. Perhaps a day or two off a week for Coco Crisp, something. But Terry Francona needs to get this guy some more at bats. The rest of the lineup isn’t exactly tearing the cover off the ball (back to back 1-0 games against the Royals?) so why not get some guys a little rest and work in a powerful hitter in the process?

Your thoughts on Schilling’s performance? How about getting Pena some more time in the lineup?

The big blog news of the day comes not from the sports pages, but from the gossip pages.

News Flash: A report in today’s Boston Herald says Bill Belichick has been named “the other man� in a divorce case. The husband, Vincent Shenocca claims his wife Sharon, a former receptionist with the New York Giants has had a relationship with the Patriots coach for several years and that Belichick has given her large sums of money and expensive gifts. The wife, while not naming Belichick in court papers, says she never hid the relationship from her husband and shared all monetary gifts received with him.

Teddy’s take: Something’s fishy here.

Perhaps I’m way off and perhaps Mr. Shenocca is dead on in his assessment of the relationship. Who knows exactly what goes on behind closed doors. But am I the only one who finds it funny the same coach who hides information about sprained ankles would be stupid enough to send a limousine to pick up a married woman he’s supposedly having an affair with?

Think about it. Belichick is about as private an individual as they come. It took a recent book and the death of his father for most of us to even find out the simplest details of his personal life and upbringing. Do you really think if he were involved with a married woman he would give cash, send limos and fly her to the Super Bowl without doing a better job of keeping it secret? Would the wife be so brazen as to tell her husband about all the gifts from him if an affair was going on? Isn’t it more believable that the two had a friendship that also involved the husband and that the “gifts� were intended for both?

I’m sure more info will be forthcoming, but I’m willing to bet there’s something else going on here, perhaps a jealous husband and a marriage gone bad. This doesn’t sound like something out of Bill Belichick’s playbook.

I wrestled with the idea of even dicussing it. To be honest, it's kind of uncomfortable. But this is a blog and we're here to discuss the topics making news. This story certainly has and will continue to do so.

What are your thoughts on this story? Do you care? Does it sound believable? If true, does it change your opinion of the Patriots coach? Should we even be discussing it?

Final Score
Royals 0
Red Sox 1

Afternoon Delight: A great day all-around for the Red Sox and Josh Beckett.

For the second day in a row, Boston’s Boys of Summer won a soccer match against the pathetic Royals. A Yankees home loss to Seattle is the cherry on the ice cream sundae, as the lead is now a game and a half.

On the Beckett front, he was great. I can’t stress enough how bad the Royals are, but the way he’s pitched lately, this was a much needed effort. As for his ice cream topping, Beckett received a 3-year contract extension.

Terms have yet to be released, but it’s a good move by both sides…the Sox because talented pitchers command big bucks when the potential is there, even bigger dollars when the numbers catch up to the potential…Beckett benefits because he’s yet to put it together for an entire season, and even if he does, he’ll still be young enough to get a huge deal next time around.

Update: The deal is for 3-years and $30-million and runs through the 2009 season with a $12.5-million club option for 2010 that kicks in automatically if Beckett makes either 28-starts in 2009 or 56-starts combined in 2008 & 2009. If not, the Sox have the option to buy him out for $2-million.

One other interesting note…the Sox hadn’t pitched a shutout all year until Curt Schilling and company stifled the A’s Saturday night. They’ve now gotten 3 in the last 4 days. Go figure!

Was the Beckett signing a good one? Should the Sox have waited a bit to see if he can handle the American League over a longer period of time?

Allright! I know I’m going to sound like a Red Sox yahoo here, but enough is enough.

How many times are the Yankees going to get the benefit of a horrible call by an umpire? It’s ridiculous how often the men in black make a brutal call in a close game, and that blown call helps the pinstripes win. Playoffs…regular season…whenever. The calls always go the Evil Empire’s way when it counts. Think I’m exaggerating? Name me one time in the last 10-years when an umpire has obviously blown a call that went against them. I challenge you! I can name at least a dozen that went their way! (Jeffrey Maier/fan interference, Jose Offerman fantasy tag in the 1999 ALCS, etc...)

In case you missed last night’s travesty, Jorge Posada was called safe on a play that wasn’t even close. This picture doesn’t do the play justice…Posada’s foot was a half step off the bag when the ball landed in Richie Sexson’s glove. It was obvious in still shots…obvious in slo-mo…obvious in regular speed.

I know calls at first are sometimes bang-bang plays, but trust me. This was not one of them. Of course, the next batter (Johnny Damon) hits a SAC Fly that should have been the final out, and the Yanks go on to win in extra innings. Seattle manager Mike Hargrove wasn’t around to see it, of course, because he got tossed arguing the absurd call. The pathetic umps aren’t even man enough to admit they’re wrong and cut the guy some slack!

While I’m at it, how about that fraud of a commissioner Bud Selig? So he says MLB has the right and precedent to suspend Barry Bonds if he’s indicted. Really?

Fine. I’m with ya Mr. Commish! Invoke the “best interest of the game� clause and boot his butt out of there. I don’t care if it doesn’t hold up in court. It’s the right thing to do. But let me see if I’ve got this straight; you want to suspend Bonds because he lied to a grand jury about using performance enhancers and allegedly avoided paying taxes, right?

Fine. Jason Giambi on the other hand…who’s already admitted in front of the same grand jury that he used performance enhancing drugs…who apologized for it at a press conference…who was batting under .200 and weighing even less than that in the spring of 2005…who refused to go to the minors when the Yankees asked him to…who then miraculously started putting on weight and muscle in the middle of last season…and who suddenly found his power stroke and is carrying New York’s offense again this year, he’s allowed to entertain curtain calls?

What? No suspension for him in the best interests of the game? Not even up for discussion? An admitted cheater who affected a pennant race last year and is doing so again this year…no talk of punishing him? Oh, that’s right. I forgot. He plays in New York. Those standing ovations being shown over and over again on ESPN are worth destroying the few shreds of integrity the game still has left.

What a joke Bud Selig! Your umpires are! Your major league offices are! And most of all, you are!

Anyone else sick and tired of the pro-Yankees slant in major league baseball? You think it’s just an amazing coincidence that all these missed calls go in their favor? Anyone out there think it’s O.K. to single out Barry Bonds but let Giambi and Sheffield off scott-free even though they’ve basically testified to the same crimes as him?

Final Score
Royals 0
Red Sox 1

A Child Shall Lead Them: O.K. It’s the Royals and they stink. But I think it’s safe to say young Mr. Lester has taken the next step.

Most people will point to the one hit allowed as the best stat of the night for the rookie. For me, it’s the 8-innings pitched. Lester had only gone as long as 6-innings on two occasions. To stretch that out an extra two on a night after the bullpen had been heavily taxed was huge. And it wasn’t like he did it with a ton of offensive support. Every single one of those 100-pitches he hurled were with the game on the line.

(For more on Lester, click on this David Pevear story in today's Lowell Sun)

It’s safe to say the Sox are now set at starters 1-3, 4 if Wakefield is healthy. (I’m assuming Josh Beckett gets his act straightened out) Considering how bad things looked early in the year, Lester emergence is one of the more positive developments of 2006.

The future looks bright!

How impressed were you with Lester’s performance last night? Is it safe to say he’s established himself as the number 3 or 4 starter? Can he stay consistent the second time around the league?

In the course of my “extensive� online research to keep you and this blog on top of the action (believe it or not, I actually do put a little effort into this thing!) I stumbled across this piece of video sure to bring back a flood of memories for you “old-timers� out there.

You all remember the Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl? It looks so cheesy compared to the Madden games and the technology now available, but back then it was considered the greatest invention since the remote control.

Anyway, those who remember will tell you that the two most unstoppable forces in that game were Lawrence Taylor and Bo Jackson. Well, thanks to YouTube and the folks at Deadspin and Kissing Suzy Kolber, I uncovered a clip of video you have to see to believe. It’s Bo Jackson, tearing up the Tecmo Bowl field and scoring a touchdown while killing the clock on an entire quarter.

Here’s the link: Bo Jackson-Tecmo Super Bowl Run

P.S. The team he does it against is the Patriots, which kind of gives you an idea how bad the local football entry was back then. They were even a laughingstock in the video game community.

Final Score
Royals 4
Red Sox 5

Disaster Averted: OK, so losing to the Royals in the middle of July wouldn’t exactly be a disaster, but you get my drift. Psychologically, losing to the worst team in baseball and falling into second place on the same night would not be good for the collective psyche of Red Sox Nation.

Thankfully, Doug Mirabelli came through with that 3-run jack (after the ump blew ball four, thankfully!) and that sort of jump started the rest of the club. Heck, even David Ortiz stole a base, which shows you how alert this Kansas City team really is.

The bullpen was great last night as they were called on to early thanks to Tim Wakefield’s injury. Things don’t look good right now for the knuckleballer, and a DL stint appears imminent. With Kyle Snyder and Jason Johnson already being trotted out as 5th starters, having to fill in for Wake as well could be a tall order to fill.

There seems to be growing optimism about a David Wells return at some point, but that’s still a ways off and a rotation featuring Snyder and Johnson could do a lot of damage by then. And not to douse any dreams here, but that is a 43-year old man with a bum knee…counting on anything from him would be a huge gamble.

In my opinion, help must come from outside the organization.

Is it time to be concerned about Tim Wakefield’s back injury? Can Wells get back in time to help? Even if he does, can he really be counted on? Of the names being bandied about on the trade market, do any excite you?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

They take their time, but they come through. The NBA has officially approved the deal extending Paul Pierce's contract with the Celtics through the 2010-11 season.

Here's the release out of Waltham on Monday:

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics announced today that they have agreed with team Captain Paul Pierce to extend his contract through the 2010-11 season.

"This represents a milestone for the Celtics and for Paul Pierce," said Wyc Grousbeck, the Boston Celtics Managing Partner and Governor. "My partners and I are committed to building a championship contender with Paul, who has become a team leader on and off the court in the best Celtic tradition. With the return of our core players, the quality players we recently added to the team, and the excellent fan support we received last season, we are excited about the momentum we’ve built going into the 06-07 season and beyond."

Danny Ainge, Executive Director of Basketball Operations, is enthused to have the forward on the court for an extended period with a team he has developed around the five-time NBA All Star.

"Paul is one of the greatest Celtics in the history of our franchise," Ainge said. "We are very happy to have him under contract for the next five years to lead us in the prime of his career."

Drafted by the Boston Celtics out of the University of Kansas in 1998 (10th overall), Pierce has spent his entire career on the court for the Celtics. Named co-captain in 2000, and taking the helm as team captain at the start of the 2003-04 season, Pierce’s leadership role with the organization has grown over the last eight seasons.

"I am very happy to be continuing my career as a member of the Boston Celtics," Pierce said. "The Celtics organization and the fans of Boston and New England have been great and now we can continue to strive to put the 17th championship banner up in the rafters."

Pierce had a career year this past season, averaging 26.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, along with 17 double-doubles and one triple-double. After a fourth straight 2000-point season, Pierce has matched Larry Bird for the most seasons in franchise history, and is the eighth leading scorer in Celtics team history. While his 26.8 points per game and 47.1 shooting percentage from the field were both career-highs, Pierce also led the team in scoring 63 games, in rebounds 26 games and assists for 31 games. The Celtics’ Captain notched a career-high 50 points against Cleveland on February 15, 2006, with eight assists and seven rebounds in the final contest before the All Star break.

Encyclopedias define “the dog days of summer� as the period between July 3rd and August 11th. It has something to do with Sirius (the dog star) being in conjunction with the sun.

Don’t ask me what that means. I was too busy reading the sports pages during science class, which is why to me, the “dog days� are the period between the end of basketball and hockey playoffs and the beginning of football season, that time when only baseball dots the major sports landscape.

Sure, you can find an occasional major event (British Open Golf…Tour de France…the weekly “left turn festival�) to help tide you over. But in a non-Olympic year, the dog days have always belonged to America’s pastime.

Traditionally, the period hasn’t been kind to Boston’s Boys of Summer. It’s always been kind of a running joke that when the weather really starts to heat up, the Red Sox freeze. The ball through Buckner’s legs and Bill Lee’s eephus pitch may have taken place during the Fall Classic, but some of the Sox biggest collapses have begun in the heart of the dog days.

The granddaddy of them all of course, occurred in 1978 when Boston held a 14 ½ game lead over the Yankees in the middle of July, only to pull a choke even Dr. Heimlich couldn’t save them from, while making Bucky Dent a curse word in New England.

Even recent dog days history hasn’t been kind to our locals. Dan Duquette’s final team enjoyed a few moments in the sun during the summer of 2001, prompting the soon to be fired GM to utter the now infamous and embarrassing phrase; “we spent more days in first place than at any time since 1995.�

A quick scan of the 2002 calendar shows Boston within a game of the Evil Empire on July 2nd, dog days eve if you will. By the August 12th hangover, the lead was four and climbing, ultimately topping out at 10 ½ when the season’s final out was recorded.

Even the curse busting squad of 2004 wasn’t immune to a few bow-wow performances. However, the one positive to come out of an underachieving summer that saw the Sox staring at a near double digit deficit on August 12th was that it necessitated the trading of Nomar and the rest of the changes that ultimately led to the first World Series victory since 1918.

How the 2006 numbers track remains to be seen, though the early returns aren’t promising. Canine season arrived with the Red Sox wagging their tales thanks to a four game advantage. Entering play Monday night, the leash had grown considerably shorter, the Yanks just a half step behind and nipping at the heels of their fierce rivals.

Ultimately, nothing is decided during the dog days, no matter how much barking either side’s fans do. In fact, it’s probably best to follow the lead of the other major sports leagues and take a summer holiday. You know, spend some quality time with the misses and the family.

Otherwise, you might find yourself in the doghouse.

Do you folks find the sporting world boring at this time of year? Or is the break necessary to recharge those batteries for football season?

Final Score
A’s 8
Red Sox 1

Not Panic Time…Yet: Losing 3-of-4 to Oakland certainly wasn’t the way to kick off the post all-star schedule, but it’s not the end of the world.

The A’s are actually a pretty good team and have a history of taking off during the second half of the season. And if you look back about five weeks you’ll notice they swept a 3-game series from the Yankees in New York, so it’s not like they don’t know how to win against good teams on the road.

Where it will be time to panic is if Boston’s Boys of Summer don’t play well against Kansas City. The Royals come to town at a perfect time, and it would behoove the Sox to do some damage. The Yanks are just a half game back (even in the loss column) and every game from here on out is a big one.

What do you think gang? Time to panic or just a bump in the road against a good team?

Final Score
A’s 0
Red Sox 7

Look of a Winner: Taking notes Josh Beckett?

Curt Schilling was masterful last night, completely stifling the same Oakland offense that slapped Beckett around the previous night. It was vintage Schilling…actually, check that…it wasn’t vintage because the old (or is it young?) Schilling would have been burning up the radar gun like Beckett does and blowing A’s hitters away.

Of course, the old Schilling also knew how to pitch a little, so now that he’s lost a couple of mph’s off the fastball, he can still control a baseball game as he did last night. Only two hits and a walk allowed in 7-efficient, yet dominant innings. The A’s had no shot, and as the game progressed, they knew it. That’s what a winner does…keeps his team in the game even when he doesn’t have his best stuff…takes the opposing team out of a game when he does.

I’d love to see big Curt take young mister Beckett under his wing and start teaching him some of these things. (Actually, I’m sure he’s already tried and will continue to do so) Hopefully, the youngster will start to take better notes and learn what being a consistent winner is all about. Remember, Schilling didn’t really become a great pitcher until later in his career, so there is plenty of hope and plenty of talent to work with. It’s just that for the sake of this year’s pennant race, I’d like to see that talent developed sooner, rather than later.

What did you think of Schilling’s performance against Oakland? Was it the best of the year for him? Do you think Beckett can learn a thing or two from the old veteran?

News Flash: The Celtics and Paul Pierce agree on a 3-year/$59-million dollar contract extension. The deal keeps the 28-year old in green through the 2011 season.

Teddy’s Take: Or does it? Danny Ainge has shown a willingness and an ability to move anyone, anyplace, anytime if he thinks it’s going to improve the club, no matter how big or how small the contract is.

Would both sides like for Pierce to retire a Celtic and have his number-34 raised to the rafters? I really believe so. Will the captain ask out or Boston want him out if the rebuilding process doesn’t speed up soon? You betcha!

I like the signing and I hope it works out in the long term. Pierce sold me last year with his performance, his maturity and his team first attitude. As stated before, I think he is a great player and can lead the C’s resurgence, which I think is a lot closer than people realize. Just wait and see how much easier it’ll be for him to score now that he has two pass-first point guards (Telfair & Rondo) feeding him the rock on the break and in half-court sets.

Now, if Allen Iverson is added to the equation, all bets are off!

That’s my take…what’s yours? Should the Celtics have signed Pierce to a big money extension or traded him? Can he possibly play better than he did last year? Will Iverson help or hurt Pierce’s game and the team?

Final Score
A’s 15
Red Sox 3

Missing the National League: Right now it’s not clear who misses the National League more…the Red Sox or Josh Beckett.

Boston’s Boys of Summer continue to struggle since ending inter-league play and the young righty continues to give up runs at an alarming rate. The Sox are now 3-6 since bullying around their cross league rivals, while Beckett’s ERA stands at 5.12 and his home runs allowed total a whopping 27.

Curt Schilling tries to right the ship Saturday, and when he’s done with that, perhaps he can start pulling Mr. Beckett aside and try teaching him the difference between a thrower and a pitcher. Heck, maybe even Jon Lester can get in on the act, because right now the rookie left-hander is much more poised than the young, but experienced former Florida Marlin.

Beckett continues to light up the radar gun with mid-90’s heat…problem is, major league hitters can tag those offerings if there isn’t a threat of anything else to keep them honest. The more he gets into trouble, the more it appears he tries to rear back and fire the ball past them. Someday, hopefully, the 26-year old will learn how to be a “pitcher� instead of a thrower. Till then, outings like last night will pop up more and more, especially now that he’s in the American League.

Who woulda thunk Mike Lowell would be the best part of that big off-season trade?