The Gauntlet Has Been Thrown Down

Taken from Peter Abraham and The Boston Globe.

This is going to be fun to follow....

Say goodbye to Hollywood

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

This is not going to play well in Orange County ...

Question: "Fair or not, there's a sense that Anaheim, that the fan base is more laid back and the expectations aren't quite as high whereas in Boston ..."

John Lackey, interrupting with a smile: "That would be accurate, yeah."

Red Sox at Angels, July 26-28.

Super Bowl XLIV Prediction

I figured I'd put this down on "paper" if you will.......

Indy's the better team in my book and should win this. I feel their defense has stepped up and really solidified during the playoffs and that's the difference. Granted Freeney's got ankle issues but with or without him I think they get the job done.

In a tight contest I think the Colts have too much at the end and win it 33-24.

Bill

Say It Ain't So Zeke!

Reports are flying out of South Florida that our favorite college basketball coach is considering skipping town and taking over the coaching duties with the LA Clippers.

Although year one of the Thomas regime hasn't been stellar (7-19), FIU does have quite a few 5 star recruits committed to coming in next season and the program seems to be on an upswing.

Hopefully the rumors are false and Zeke stays and brings the program to prominence.

For all the details, go here: Zeke issues strong denial

Stay tuned,

Bill

Bedard Re-signs With The Mariners

This incentive laden deal could possibly be a bigger boost to Seattle than bringing aboard Chone Figgins (which I'm on record saying won't help them much).

I love Eric Bedard but the key here is if he's healthy. And that's a big "if".... When healthy, you can put him in the same category as a Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee type of pitcher... Just dominate stuff. However staying healthy is the issue. As it stands right now, they don't expect him healthy till late June / early July and even that may be rushing it (he had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder). This deal reminds me of the Red Sox with John Smoltz last year. They signed him for low money in hopes he'd recover from surgery and be able to give them something in the second half of the year. He didn't..... So they parted ways.

All in all, I like this deal by the Mariners as they desperately need a number 3 pitcher. It'll be interesting to follow.

Bill