Hi friends,

Well it's July 31st the trading deadline in baseball, the early stages of NFL training camps on and off the field. What will Brett Favre do? And the pennant race excitement now has two months to go. So where do we start on this exciting eventful day in sports?

How about Manny Ramirez who finally got his ticket out of Boston in a three way trade between the Red Sox, Dodgers and Pirates.  The main other player in the deal leftfieder Jason Bay formerly of the Pirates will take over for Manny Ramirez in Boston. Now Jason Bay a talented hitter himself will never be the superstar Manny on or off the field. While Manny's bat won't be equaled neither will his off the field outbursts and maybe that's finally a good thing for all the parties and teams involved and we'll see how his attitude carries out in Los Angeles for Dodgers manager Joe Torre. I'm sure the home runs will be flying out of Chavez Ravine at Dodger Stadium.. We'll see what happens.

As for Brett Favre and the Packers or whoever he ends up playing for if he plays or will he take the 20 million dollar offer NOT to PLAY FOR THE PACKERS. Are they that threatened by the 38 year old quarterback going to the rival Bears or Vikings?  Remember former Super Bowl champion quarterback Jim Mc Mahon ended his career backing up Brett Favre when the Packers won the Super Bowl in 1996. So wouldn't it be interesting to see Favre to the the chagrin of Packers fans end his career as a Bear. Or how about Minnesota and the Purple People. Remember Favre rarely plays well at the Metrodome or loud  domes and artificial turf.  So unless they're going to blow off the roof there I don't know how well that would go either. Finally I don't know how this helps new starting quaterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers who are coming off a NFC Championship Game performance last year. Besides Favre starting running back Ryan Grant is a holdout. Team chemistry is a delicate thing and we'll see how the Packers handle it in next few weeks and months no matter what happens with Brett Favre.

It should be interesting as the Red Sox go on without Manny Ramirez as well. Another legend Ken Griffey Jr who has been often injured in recent years, still has over 600 home runs and a Hall of Fame career to be. And on this July 31st he was traded from the Cincinatti Reds where he has been injured often and somewhat of a disappointment for the small market Reds since being traded there from Seattle in 2000. So now he lands in Chicago with the White Sox where he will be a role player with a more talented team. Whether he plays the outfield, first base or designated hitter in the American League, Griffey will add some productive play and leadership as the White Sox hope to match their 2005 World Series Championship success. Good luck Ken and we'll see what happens for you and the White Sox.

Finally one of my favorite teams, the Brewers lost to another team I like the Cubs except when they play the Brewers. Imagine what that's like liking two teams in the same division, but I liked both teams before the Brewers moved into the National League in 1998. Despite being swept by the Cubs, the Brewers still have a pretty good team and if they can remember last years collapse and learn from experience after losing the lead in the division to help get them through the last couple months this year. It will be tough but the Brewers have a fairly easy schedule according to the experts. If they can get through that and nobody is really easy to play in a peenant race then maybe the young and relatively inexperienced Brewers will have a chance to reach and make their goal of the playoffs. These days they don't have to win the division with the wildcard. That won't be easy either though. Good luck Brewers!! Also good luck to the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez as they part ways. Good luck to Brett Favre and the Packers and whatever team he plays for unless he wants to accept the 20 million dollars to stay retired. For any of the rest of us the money while bringing changes would be a pretty easy decision to take for most of us. But superstar athletes and entertainers like Brett Favre are like kings so it's like being Manny or Brett Favre means almost play money to them in a world where a lot of us are looking for jobs and at $4.00 gas prices. Pass the buck and throw the letovers to the fans who watch and support you. If only it were that simple.

Anyway before I get off track any further, it's been an interesting day and period in this time of sports. But without it we wouldn't be here writing or talking about much interesting. But sports is always changing and interesting and for that even though we don't know what is next we are  thankful because we have something we are passionate about to follow and talk about.  And in these uncertain economic times that is a good thing because it gets our mind off real life. We could talk about the election. But that is a topic for another blog site. So have a good evening and best wishes friends and have a great and productive day. Talk soon. fenfan

Hi friends,

I'm getting into the baseball races and my favorite teams, the Brewers, Red Sox and Cubs as they're all in contention and all have the chance to make the playoffs in the same year for the first time. We'll see and I'll discuss my favorite and most memorable moments.

But first a short paragraph to say I'm officially sick of Brett Favre and the Packers saga to see who can outdo each other and blink first. Go away or get back together. But other than giving the media and us bloggers something to talk about.  But What  exactly are we talikng about? Exactly until a decision is made it is all talk and rumors and sports talk radio. I've lost some respect for Brett Favre and the Packers, whatever happens. Let Aaron Rodgers have his time and don't make me laugh with talk of Brett Favre as a backup in Green Bay. Seriously how long would that last. At this rate just as long as these  rumors. Here today Yesterdays news tommorow. Let history go on Brett and save your legacy. You'll never be a Purple People Eater. Vikings or anyone else. The Packers would be foolish to release you because of his legacy with the team but at the same time they have to make the right decisions for the team. Good luck Packers.

Now onto my favorite baseball teams and memories. It's July and for the first time in a long time all three of  my favorite baseball teams are in contention and the thought of them making the postseason brings back some good and not so good memories for me. Maybe it's because it's the week of the ESPY's awards, moments and lists so here goes

First the top 5 great memories with honorable mention for me for my favorite teams the Brewers, Red Sox and Cubs.

1} Red Sox win the World Series for the first time in 86 years in 2004 and a 0-3  hole and comeback against the Yankees to win the AL Pennant. What could beat that!

2} The Brewers win the ALCS in 1982 coming from 0-2 down against the Angels. Has it really been 26 years since the Brewers last postseason appearance?  Hopefully that changes soon.

3} The Cubs win the NL East dvision title and first postseason appearance in 39 years in 1984 and the summer of the famous Ryne Sandberg two home run game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

4} The Carlton Fisk game winning home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. It didn't win the World Series for the Red Sox, but other than the Red Sox actually finally winning the World Series in 2004 and 2007 has there been a bigger or more memorable winning moment in Red Sox history?  It felt like they won for a night and all time as a great moment even if they didn't end up winning the World Series.that year or for 29 more years.

5] The David Henderson home run off Donnie Moore in Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS to put them ahead and start their comeback to win the series against the Angels that year. Finally the Brewers 13 game winning streak and famous Easter Day Sunday comeback against the Rangers in April 1987. Paul Molitor also hit in 39 straight games that summer only behind Pete Rose at 44 games and Joe Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak in 1941. Will that hitting streak ever be broken along with Ted Williams of the Red Sox .406 batting average that year.

Sorry Cubs fans you weren't included more in the good moments. Maybe this will be the year to change that after 100 years since their last World Series championship.

 As for the moments I'll unfortunately never forget.

1) Bill Buckner. It wasn't really your fault, Pitchers Cavin Schiraldi, Bob Stanley and manager John MacNamara take greater blame but his error and the Red Sox one strike from ultimate victory will never be forgotten from Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets.

2)  Bruce Sutter and the Cardinals striking out Gorman Thomas of the Brewers to win Game 7 of the 1982 World Series. I've wanted the Brewers to win that Game 7 ever since and 26 years later Brewers fans are still waiting.

3) The Steve Bartman moment and the Cubs 5 outs from going to the World Series against the Marlins in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS. Stop blaming Bartman, give him public forgiveness and let the baseball reasons and Cubs futility to win when it counts take over rational thoughts Cubs fans and stop blowing up helpless baseballs to end curses. Billy goat and black cat curses as well for that matter.

4) Two Yankee Home runs that will live in Red Sox infamy. Bucky Dent in the 1978 AL East playoff game and Aaron Boone in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS . Two tough losses but a comeback after an 0-3 start in the 2004 put away the Curse of the Bambino/ Babe Ruth forever.

5} The Cubs 9 game lead and collapse against the Mets in 1969 and the Brewers 8 1/2  game lead and collapse in the division race against the Cubs last year. As a fan of both teams why did the Brewers have to join the National League and same division as the Cubs but in another way it's made their rivalry more fun to watch.

In conclusion if you've stayed reading with me this long  thank you and  I'm sorry for being long winded  friends... If not I'm sorry for your boredom  and I'm just nostalgic about sports memories. My apologies. Anyways as I said earlier I hope this Brett Favre situation blows over so we can get on with life and on to some great football with or without Brett Favre. Believe it or not Green Bay you still have a good team without Mr Favre. Take care, best wishes and talk soon friends. Have a great and productive day. fenfan 

Hello friends,

Well we've almost reached the midway point of the season, actually we have in games played but the All Star Game is next week at the great Yankee Stadium in it's final season.

But on and off the field lately we've had a lot of action going on and there has been no bigger success story so far than the Tampa Bay Rays who have won 50 games and for the first time since 1997 a team other than the Red Sox or Yankees is in first place in the AL East on July 1st. They are a feel good story that gives hope for baseball overall as a sport for all teams no matter what the market size.

I am a spoiled Red Sox fan along with Yankees fans whose teams have won a lot of championships with a lot of money, but I also felt it was somewhat tainted with imbalanced salries and uncompetitive balance without a salary cap. But the game is getting better and more competitive with smart small market teams with good farm systems. Some big market teams throw away money with big salaries and players who turn out to be busts in productivity.

That's what I like about the Boston Red Sox who have a big salary. but also a good farm system in the minor leagues which keeps them competitive longer. Even though I'm a Red Sox fan it's neat to see a small market team like the Tampa Bay Rays with young exciting talent competing successfully with the big boy teams with bigger salaries. Good luck!

Also both on and off the field lately there have been some unpleasant encounters with fighting and incidents. First there was the fighting incident with Coco Crisp of the Red Sox earlier in June when he charged the mound after getting hit against the Tampa Bay Rays in Boston and that got him suspended for 5 games including this weeks Red Sox-Rays series in Tampa 

Then there were a couple shoving incidents this past week which both incidentally occured in Houston. One involved now former Houston Astros pitcher Shawn Cicon who was called to the manager's office to discuss his pitching performance. He didn't like what he heard so he shoved the Astros General Manager Ed Wade who gave him the message to report to the skipper's (manager) office to the ground. Now you go to work today and shove your superior or anybody for that matter. Please don't, but if you do you will likely suffer the consequences as Cicon did and he got released by the team.

Now in a similar incident also occuring in Houston during the recent Red Sox-Astros series, Red Sox superstar and All Star leftfielder Manny Ramirez who is quite popular and productive also had a shoving incident. Manny being Manny wanted some extra tickets for friends in Houston and he asked the Red Sox traveling seceretary for about 15 or so tickets. When the traveling secretary couldn't provide the tickets, Ramirez in a fit of unprovoked anger shoved the poor seceretary to the ground. Now a couple things about this. Manny is a big strong athlete and that would be fairly intimidating to the seceratary who is not  likely as big or strong as Manny Ramirez the athlete. Also Manny Ramirez is a superstar athlete who has hit over 500 home runs so the matter is quickly dismised, apologies are made and discipline is handled privately behind Red Sox closed doors. All is supposedly forgiven. But what if Ramirez was a .200 hitter or a struggling pitcher like Shawn Cicon..Ramirez deseves some type of punishment or discipline and once again I'm a Red Sox fan. I just don't like to see unpleasant incidents like this occur. The general manager and traveling seceratary were just doing their jobs and didn't deserve to be provoked by men likely twice their size and strength.

In conclusion, fighting, incidents and altercations are always going to part of the game and sports unfortunately. But those who overstep the line should be punished/ discliplined in some way. As for the action on the field such as the Tampa Bay Rays who I started off this post mentioning, congratulations on the good start and good luck in fair and exciting competition the rest of the season. Have a great and productive day and celebrate America and a Happy 4th of July. Hang a flag and remember why it's the greatest country in the world to live in. Best wishes, take care and talk soon friends. fenfan

Hello friends,

How are you and sorry for my absence the last few weeks. I notice this is my first blog in May and I apologize to you my readers. Anyway interleague baseball is starting again this weekend in baseball and as long as they're going to have it I think they should have some of the classic matchups more often since you never know until each October who will play in the World Series and since that is for the championship it isn't quite as fun in a relaxing enjoyable way as an interleague regular season series for bragging rights. Let me explain what I mean by this.

This weekend I am looking forward to a great matchup at Fenway Park between two of my favorite teams the Milwaukee Brewers and the Boston Red Sox. There will be several other great matchups to watch and some not so great, you can't have everything with the schedule. But what I want on a more regular basis is some of the classic baseball interleague matchups. Starting off with the most obvious matchup between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. I remember their weekend matchup at Wrigley Field in 2005 when the Cubs took two of three from the Red Sox, the games were fun and nostalgic to watch based on the teams histories and first meeting since the 1918 World Series and I remember ESPN broadcaster Jon Miller closing his broadcast by saying lets do this every year. Or other year. Why not? This year in fact the Cubs division the NL Central plays the Red Sox and Yankees division the AL East but none of those teams play each other and I ask again, Why Not?  I know the teams don't play every team in each division but for fan interest at its peak shouldn't we get some games between these teams at Fenway Park, Wrigley Field or the last year of Yankee Stadium. Or would you rather watch Diamondbacks vs Mariners or Rays vs Nationals?

Why cant we have more Cubs vs Red Sox or Yankees, Yankees vs Dodgers or many other ones where you could find some interest for everyone. True the schedule cant provide all sizzling matchups and while we have interleague it's good to have everyone play everyone once in a while, it is also good to bring out some classic interleague games as I've described for fan interest more often. I know the fans of the local cities want Yankees-Mets, Cubs-White Sox, Angels- Dodgers and Giants-A's but we also want more of the classics as well. Please work on this Commisioner Bud Selig and Baseball. You're doing a great job with interleague baseball already and as long as you're going to have it you might as well bring out the classic matchups more often. As I said also they're never guaranteed to meet in the World Series often and the regular season matchups without the championship pressure are more fun as well. Let me know what you think friends. Best wishes and have a great and productive day friends. Talk soon. fenfan

Hello friends

Today I hope to start a discussion about what should and shouldn't be an error in baseball and speaking of errors, an old friend returned to Boston to face his "error" in the 1986 World Series Game 6  whether it was fair or not. Welcome Back Bill Buckner. I never thought your so called error was the main reason for the Red Sox loss that year instead focusing on the managing decisions of then Boston manager John McNamara and the poor pitching of Calvin Schiraldi and Bob Stanley's wild pitch. The slow roller hit to Buckner hit a pebble or a piece of dirt and took a funny bounce. Whether the slow footed or partially injured Buckner would have gotten to the ball or not to make the play, the Red Sox would have just been getting out of the inning with the score tied after going ahead by two runs in the top of the tenth against the Mets, and then getting within a strike of winning the World Series that they would ulrimately have to wait 18 years more for in Boston. It was just unfair to blame Bill Buckner especially the media and it was nice to see him get a warm reception in tough and a passionate crazy baseball town such as Boston. And of course the two recent World Series to end the 86 year drought withought a championship helped the healing. Welcome back Bill Buckner.

As for my other topic today besides the Bill Buckner rant which coincidentally fit in with my topic of errors. One time several years ago when Alex Rodriguez, A-ROD was playing in Texas I got to see him play in person. In his at bats in the game he had a double, triple and a home run. In the bottom of the eighth inning he came up with a chance to get the "easiest " hit a single and he would have the cycle a rare and impressive feat in baseball where a player gets at least one of all the hits in a baseball game. Anyway A-ROD hit a slow roller down the third baseline to the Indians third baseman. The fielder couldn't get the ball out of his glove an they called it an error. In my opinion it wasn't A-ROD'S fault or the fielder because he made an honest effort to get the ball out of his glove. Should this have been an error and did I miss out on getting to see the rare cycle achievement? In the long hitting streaks of Joe Dimaggio, Pete Rose, Paul Molitor and others they had questionable infield type hits that extended their hitting streaks and kept the streaks alive.

Now if someone has an error I want it to be an error, but not because of hustle like not getting the ball out o####love or in Buckner's case the ball hitting a pebble. Errors should be when a player drops a ball, goes through his legs or he throws it away. Don't give an error to a player for hustling to a ball because the umpire or scorekeeper thinks the fielder was out of position. Why don't they give errors when a player drops a foul ball or in the stands if he has a reasonable chance of reaching it?. Let me know what you think friends about errors in baseball. I just want to know the official rules and baseball and life to be fair. Right! Anyway I look forward to a good discussion and we'll talk soon. Best wishes and have a great and productive day. fenfan

Hello friends,

Well the final four is set in basketball and hockey and the first full day of baseball is Monday. Yeah!! For the first time in NCAA Men's Basketball History amazingly four number one seeds made the Final Four. North Carolina, UCLA, Memphis and Kansas which survived a close scare from 10th seeded Davidson in the final regional final winning 59-57.

I got half of my Final Four right picking traditional powers North Carolina who I have as my national champion and UCLA. My other two Final Four picks were favorite teams of mine and good teams but they just didn't have enough as Wisconsin got upset by Davidson in the round of 16 and then Texas lost in the regional final to Memphis who finally shot some good free throws believe it. Also Sunday night the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team lost in their regional final at home in overtime 3-2 to North Dakota so there will be no Frozen Four for them this year.

Anyway I'm looking forward to the first full day of regular season in Baseball on Monday March 31 as early and cold as it is. My teams the Boston Red Sox are trying to repeat and dominate baseball the next 86 years as much as the Yankees dominated the previous 86 years to 2004. No matter how much the Red Sox win it wont be enough to overcome the 86 years without a championship. And how about the Chicago Cubs who are staring at least their 100th season without a championship. Will this be the year?! Cubs fans can only hope and will keep hoping and waiting until it happens. Boy what a party that will be when they win. I hope we all live to see it! As for my third favorite team, my hometown growing up, the Milwaukee Brewers they finally had a winning season at 83-79 for the first time in 15 years. Now can their young team win the division or wildcard and make their first playoff apperance since the 1982 World Series. With their young hitters led by 50 plus home run hitter Prince Fielder and hopefully some improved pitching, defense and lessons from their mistakes last year and the Brewers have some chance for success this year. Only the team now called the Washington Nationals formerly known Montreal Expos have a longer postseason drought by one year since 1981 and that was a strike interrupted season meaning that franchise has never gone to the playoffs in a 162 game season. By the way did you see the National's home opener against the Atlanta Braves at their new park Nationals Park where Ryan Zimmerman hit a game winning home run in the ninth inning in the first game at their new park. Exciting and hopefully the first of many great moments this baseball season. I wish your teams well except against mine of course. It's great to be a sports fan especially at championship time and Opening Day and that's where we are today with the Final Four and start of the new baseball season. Enjoy it while you can. If your team isn't good they could be out of it in a matter of weeks. And then we'll look forward to the NBA/NHL playoffs, the NFL Draft and NFL News constantly and all the other summer sports ahead before football season. So take care friends, crack open a cold beverage and good food and enjoy your sports action the next several weeks and months. Best wishes and talk soon. Have a great and productive day always. fenfan

Hello friends,

Well as many people have said this morning congratulations to the Boston Red Sox and the Red Sox nation on winning another World Championship, the second in four years and for Red Sox fans everywhere it truly feels great.

They have now shown a current dominance over their hated rivals from New York, the Yankess and baseball as well. You also never know how long these championships will last so you have to enjoy them while they happen. It is my second championship in a major sport this year for my favorite teams along with the San Antonio Spurs and now I'll see how the Pittsburgh Steelers can do as they chase another Super Bowl championship this year. It will be difficult but these same three teams the Red Sox, Spurs and Steelers achieved championship success over a 16 month period from October 2004 to Febuary 2006 and now we'll see if they can do it in a calender year.

Anyway back to the Red Sox and after 86 years without a World Series title the Red Sox have now won two in the last four years and have swept them both over the Cardinals in 2004 and congratulations to the Colorado Rockies whose great season this year and run to the playoffs was not completely diminished by the Red Sox World Series win and sweep over them . The Red Sox were just more experienced and talented but the Rockies never quit either so they should be congratulated as well.

Also being a Red Sox fan of course has to mean putting up with decades of torment and a great rivalry with the New York Yankees and now that the Red Sox currently have the upper hand I don't want to disrespect them and other teams. They are truly great rivals and the Red Sox championships are that much sweeter because of them especially the Yankees. It is truly the best rivalry in baseball.

As for the A Rod, Alex Rodriguez situation with him opting out from the Yankees and it happening during the World Series who cares. It will happen no matter where he goes and whoever gets him is getting not only a great player but also a hefty contact and a rock star type image so best luck to whoever gets him and lets not forget his less than perfect postseason numbers as well. That will be a lot to think about for whoever gets his services. In my mind the Angels or the Cubs would be the best places for him to go I think. Boston already has Mike Lowell and I don't want to disrupt the chemistry there. Well see what happens

Anyway its been a great year in baseball for me with the Red Sox winning the World Series and the Milwaukee Brewers having a winning record. Who knows maybe next year at this time we'll be talking about the Chicago Cubs first world championship in 100 years. Who knows. In the meantime take care and best wishes friends. Have a great and productive day friends and congratulations again RED SOX NATION!!!! Even all the dearly departed fans are watching like my late great grandmother who was a die hard Red Sox fan. These last two championships were too late for you but I know you're still watching and I miss and love you a lot and think of you often especially when the RED SOX win like this since you were one of the first to teach me my love of baseball and sports. I just had to add that personal note friends. Thank you. fenfan

Hello Friends,

Well it's a happy happy day for Red Sox fans everywhere the city of Boston and the fabled Red Sox nation. With my apologies not,  but too bad for the Cleveland Indians, Yankees fans and for small market haters of big teams, but you've got the Colarado Rockies and they've done a great job seriously and congratulations.

I personally don't look at the fun loving "Sweet Caroline"  Red Sox in the same way as the  businessmanlike win at all cost Yankees. Teams like the Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Indians and others haven't won 26 World Series or for a very long time and while they want and expect to win every year they don't try to make everyone in their path pay if they don't like in New York with the Yankees.

Well maybe in Boston they do yes they are passionate fans but they like the team are also fun loving and enjoy the experience along with winning so that's what makes it fun when they win just like it will be whenever the Cubs finally do. It's not just like going to collect another World Series like it is with the Yankees 26 World Series titiles.

So how about those Red Sox and congratulations to the Colorado Rockies again as I already said. But after 86 years without one the Red Sox are going for their second world title in four years and if they do it will be two World Series to none over the Yankees this century. Remember the official start of this century didn't come until after 2000 so the Yankees 2000 title was actually in the 20th century. And yes I remember the Red Sox won five World Series in that century before the Yankees won 26, but as Cubs fans would like to say it's time for a new century, but unlike the Cubs the Red Sox are producing this century and we'll see where that legacy stands in a few weeks.

It was a great 7 game American League championship series with the Cleveland Indians and the Red Sox had to battle to the end coming back from a 3-1 deficit, but they hung in there and got big pitching performances from starters Josh Beckett who won the series MVP winning Games 1 and 5, Curt "Bulldog" Schilling who went seven strong innings in Game 6 and Daisuke "Dice K" Matsusaka  who got 103 million dollars to come over from Japan and came through with 5 solid innings before handing the pitching over to Hideki  Okajima and Jonathon Paplebon along with Jon Lester who gave some nice innings in these playoffs.

Offfensively the Red Sox had big performances from big stars like Manny Ramirez and David "Big Papi" Ortiz, but other heroes came through like JD Drew with his grand slam in Game 6, Kevin Youkilis  with three home runs including the capper that hit the Coke bottle above the Green Monster in Game 7. Also Dustin Pedroia for his game 7 homer as well. Or Mike Lowell or Jacob Ellsbury for their timely hits. And how about Coco Crisp's great catch against the centerfield wall for the last out of the series.

However you want to look at it it was a great series for the Red Sox and their fans and I must admit they were fortunate to win. Cleveland was the better team in a lot of ways, but however just didn't have the experience to get it done in the end but they will be back as will a lot of baseball teams I think. While there still is no salary cap, we do have more parity and teams competing than before. This World Series is a good indicator of that. The big market and tradition of the Boston Red Sox against the young and upstart Colrado Rockies who have won 21 of 22 games coming into the World Series. Let the games begin and enjoy them and let's hope for good weather in cold Boston and snowy Colorado as well. Yikes. Anyway best wishes and talk soon friends. Have a great and productive day. fenfan

Hello friends,

Well we've got another exciting postseason and a lot of good and interesting story topics that I want to touch on. First Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox who are playing the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS opened his mouth with a comment that got a lot of publicity, but I don't think was that bad and I'm a Red Sox fan too. He said with the Red Sox down 3-1 and now 3-2 at this writing that it wouldn't be the end of the world to him if the Red Sox got beat in the ALCS. Now I think a lot of people might confuse this statement with his effort or love of the team and game which I think is wrong on both parts. Now you can say whether it was good judgement for Manny Ramirez to make his comments publicly especially during a heated playoff series, but Manny Ramirez has always been outspoken aka Manny being Manny and as long as he produces and does his best win or lose I'm not upset with his comments. We've all been tired of our job and other things in life especially when things aren't going well and we often blow off steam. Of course we don't have the media coverage and fan adulation that Manny Ramirez and the Boston Red Sox do, but I think his comments are ok with me. I know there's second guessing and criticism about a lot of things from referees and umpires call to managers and coaches decisions, but as long as it's done in the best interest of the game and there is no cheating or gambling then I am fine with the the actions and comments of those involved with sports. They have to make tough decisions and their actions are always scrutinized.

As for actions and speaking his mind how about Joe Torre turning down the Yankees 1 year offer to manage the Yankees. Now I think you can look at that a couple of ways. On one hand his performance of not winning the World Series which is most important especially in New York with the Yankees has not been great this young century since the Yankees last won the World Series in 2000. Remember New York doesn't know what it's like to have a drought like Boston had or the Chicago Cubs or Cleveland currently do. So in that sense a one year deal with incentives to win the World Series isn't bad. On the other hand the Yankees with the highest payroll in the majors over 220 million or so by far have made the postseason the last 13 years and Joe Torre led the Yankees to 4 World Series titles and six appearances. Impressive numbers although ask the Brewers, Pirates, Royals and Devil Rays what they could do with a salary cap and half that payroll to compete. Anyway I think it's fair to judge Joe Torre that he didn't win a championship with the biggest payroll the last 7 years but his overall body of work as I said included 4 World Titles in six apperances and 13 playoff appearances with no misses since he became manage even though the team did lose in the first round the last three years. Again ask the smaller market teams about that. But this is the New York Yankees and they are held to a higher standard under their passionate to win always owner George Steinbrenner. So in the end Joe Torre walked away from the one year deal he was offered to keep managing the Yankees and I respect that. He's done his best that he can and I don't think it will get any better for him win or lose. So he's moving on and we'll see what the next manager can do in what is the fishbowl atmosphere of the New York Yankees. Good luck.

Finally we've got one great playoff series left this weekend with Game 6 and possibly Game 7 between the Indians and Red Sox in the ALCS, and we've got another great exciting young team waiting for them from the National League, the Colorado Rockies who have amazingly won either 21 of their last 22 or 22 of 23 to get to this point. Anyway we'll have a great conclusion to the American League championship series and then we'll see if the Rockies can continue their Mile High success in the World Series. As always we'll watch let me know what you think and we'll talk soon again friends. Best wishes and have a great a productive day. fenfan

Hello friends,

We'll we have a week or so to go in the baseball regular season and the race is getting tight for my two or three favorite teams. The Brewers are one game behind the Cubs as I write today and the Red Sox lead is down to a game and a half over the Yankees. First the Brewers. No matter what happens the rest of the season as they try to win the NL Central it's been an exciting and breakout season for the team and they'll finally having a winning record at the very least and I think there is hope for the future at last even though they are one of the smallest markets they have very good ownership management and a nucleus of young players led by Prince Fielder who could win MVP in the National League and has set the Brewers new nome run record already with at least 47 homers so far. And Ryan Braun for Rookie of the Year would be great as well. The one thing I am concerned about is the pitching both starting and relief. WE need more consistency and less reliablity on just Ben Sheets. Youvanni Galardo is an excitng young pitcher. As for the home runs and the nicknames I recently realized they need a nickname as they approach the all time single season record of the team 216 homers set by the 1982 pennant winners led by then manager Harvey Kuenn and his team of sluggers nicknamed HARVEYS WALL####ERS. Before that the team was led by manager George Bamberger and were nicknamed BAMBIS BOMBERS with much of the same bunch of players. So what should we call this team led by current  Brewers manager Ned Yost who also played on those 82 Brewers as a catcher and hit a big home run in the last week of the season at Boston. As for the current nickname how about Yost's YardSwingers or Yos't YardSticks. Or you could have Ned's Knockers or Bernie's Broomsticks after Bernie Brewer who slides down after every Brewer home run. Anyway this team needs a nickname and I'm asking you along with some friends I have in Milwaukee as well. I'ts just a fun thing to think about for an exciting young team. As for my big market Red Sox who once had a 14 1/2 game lead AGAIN over the Yankees only to see it almost go away. I want to see them win the division really bad even though there's a wild card because even with all the great success and long awaited World Series championship in 2004,  winning the division is still the one thing they haven't done in the highly successful era of the Yankees under manager Joe Torre which started in 1996. The Red Sox last division winner was in 1995 which was a strike shortened season as well. Two years ago the Red Sox led the division for most of the season before losing it in the final weekend to the Yankees and while they still had the wildcard they were then swept by the then to be World Series champion White Sox and that was defintely a let down . That's why I don't want to go in as the wildcard. Yes it worked for them in the past such as 2004 when the Red Sox won the World Series and beat the Yankees coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs. But I still wan't to win the division over the Yankees who have tortured and beaten the Red Sox so many times and that would make me happy no matter what. Anyway let me know what you think friends and we'll talk soon again. Best wishes and have a great and productive day. fenfan

Hello Friends,

How are you doing? Well it's another Red Sox Yankees weekend at Fenway Park and the only thing missing is Roger Clemens isn't pitching and the Yankees are 13 1/2 back. So what happens next?  Does Clemens resurect the Yankees season every 5 days? Does A-Rod have another embarrasing moment on or off the field or do the Red Sox just start putting the nail in the coffin and praying it's not another 1978 season. Dont worry Red Sox fans it shouldn't be. These aren't those Yankees but they are still the high priced and talented George Steinbrenner Joe Torre led Yankees so who knows and the Yankees are always interesting and worth a headline so we'll see.

June is also time for the Finals in the NBA and the NHL Stanley Cup Finals as well. First the NBA. I'm happy to see the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals again. Kind of a boring team to watch but I love the way they play and win and I especially enjoy those parades down the Riverwalk the best championship celebration site in sports I think and after that Tony Parker gets to marry Desperate Housewives Eva Longoria sorry I don't have a picture of her but you can imagine her in France where they are getting married July 7. Anyway  back to basketball it would be nice to see Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli my favorite player on the Spurs and Parker and the rest of the team win again for Spurs fans that is. It's an odd numbered year and the Spurs aren't going for a repeat so things could be in their favor this year. I think it would be fun to play Lebron James and the Cavaliers for NBA fans watching and I get tired of the Pistons boring defensive style even if they aren't quite the Bad Boys of the 1980's. As I always say we'll see.

As for the NHL for those hockey fans who are watching the Anaheim Ducks are dominating so far at 2-0 in the series but I'm looking forward to the series going back to Ottawa and the Canadian fans spirit. That's what I think makes the games exciting for those who watch and I hope Ottawa can bring back the Stanley Cup to Ottawa and Canada although it looks like Anahiem is the better team at this poiint.

Finally a couple of things what do you all think of Kobe Bryant wanting a trade out of Los Angeles and the Lakers and where should he go if he gets out of his contract? Also just in Billy Donavon has decided to leave the University of Florida Gators and two national championships to go down the road in Florida to the NBA and the Orlando Magic. I think that could hurt his legacy bacause great college coaches aren't  often great in the NBA or NFL ala Steve Spurrier and Billy Donavon's legacy will be hurt because he won't have the same control he did in college and those coaches are often disappointed. Meanwhile the one's who go to college coaching like USC's football coach Pete Carroll often have great success.So good luck Billy Donovan, but my opinion is you'll be back in college coaching again like your mentor Rick Pitino and also John Calapari. So we'll see what happens and let me know what you think as always friends.Best wishes and have great and productive days friends and talk soon again.

Hello friends,

Today I wanted to talk about a couple of things. The San Antonio Spurs my favorite NBA team are in a tough second round series with the Phoenix Suns and I'd like to talk about their chances for another championship. And the big news of the week in baseball is of course the Rocketman Roger Clemens returning to New York and his "beloved" Yankees.

First the Spurs who are once again involved in another tough playoff series this time with the very talented fast paced Phoenix Suns who if they score 100 points automatically win. Wrong at least Sunday the Spurs showed they could play with the Suns pace and beat them 111-106 in Game 1. Of course they had a little unfortunate help from the Suns when Suns guard Steve Nash collided in a nasty head butt with Spurs guard Tony Parker and Steve Nash got the worst of it with an ugly bloody nose gash, but amazingly his nose wasn't broken and he returned to the game and hit a key three pointer although he lost some valuable time on the clock being out with the nose gash which ultimately cost the Suns although remember the Spurs got 32 points from superstar player Tim Duncan so that helped too in the Spurs win. There's several games left in the series though so we'll see what happens.

As much as I respect the Suns and the rest of the NBA I like the Spurs chances. They have a veteran well balanced team who's been there before. The Dallas Mavericks should take note of that. They also have a couple of intangibles which we'll see if it works for them again this year. It's an odd numbered year 2007 and they won their previous three championships in odd years 2005, 2003 and 1999 so maybe that's in their favor. They're also not trying to repeat as champion this year which for some reason they have trouble doing. Anyway I'd love to see them win again for nothing else they have the coolest championship celebration riding the gondolas down the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio one of the more picturesque places to celebrate.

As for Roger Clemens good luck and congratulations on your decision to return to the Yankees except when he pitches against the Red Sox of course. I think he made the right move for himself and might be a better fit for the Yankees rotation who might need him much more than the Red Sox would. I've "divorced  myself"  from ever thinking he'll come back with the Red Sox because New York is obviously where he wants to be. He's won championships there, he's friends with manager Joe Torre, pitcher Andy Pettite and shortstop Derek Jeter and he even gets along with the Boss George Steinbrenner so yes I think he should retire a Yankee and go into the Hall of Fame with a Yankee cap even though he spent the first 12 years of his career in Boston, had two 20 strikeout games and won 3 or 4 of his 7 Cy Young awards there. So good luck Roger the Red Sox will be just fine without you and by the way you're 45 not 25 years old no matter how good you are. I also enjoyed seeing him pitch in Houston last year so that was a thrill as well.

One last thing I'd like to mention is the media's bias towards wanting big market teams to win. While I understand it's a business and there are more people in the big cities like New York and Los Angeles, it is not fair to the fans in the smaller cities to not be able to equally compete and or get equal coverage in the media's eyes. Otherwise it should be a big market's league. Finally to New England quarterback Tom Brady, it's ok to wear a Yankees cap in New York even though he plays in Boston home of the Red Sox. You see players wearing caps or jerseys of teams they like in other sports all the time so what's the big deal. I've heard Curt Schilling of the Red Sox is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, but I don't hear him being criticized or ridiculed. Well those are my rants and raves today. We'll talk soon friends and have great and productive days always.

Hello Sports Friends,

Well a couple of things have dominated the stories in baseball this past week and they have been the cold weather problems and the Red Sox exciting new Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsusaka who made his home debut this week in Boston against fellow Japanese player Ichiro Suzuki who plays for the Seattle Mariners. But in a surprise turn their efforts were both bested by Felix Hernandez the Mariners pitcher who pitched a no hitter into the bottom of the eighth inning against the powerful hitting Red Sox before giving up a hit to JD Drew for the only Red Sox hit in a complete game 3-0 victory for the Mariners.

It just shows that even though Matsusaka pitched well he wont dominate every day especially if the Red Sox have an off night against a pitcher who pitched well, but it the long run Matusaka aka DiceK  will be just fine and so will the Red Sox as the season goes along. They'll probably need another starter and another few bats for insurance wouldn't be bad either but I like their chances in the AL East if they stay healthy to make a run at the Yankees who don't look totally dominant despite A-Rods efforts with six home runs in seven games recently.  It should be a fun race as always.

As for the cold weather problems in baseball I don't know what to do for a number of reasons. They won't shorten the schedule or have doubleheaders because that would lose teams and baseball money and it would make the players more tired playing a tighter schedule. I heard Lou Pinella the new Cubs manager make a comment that his team isn't constructed to play in 40 degree weather so they would struggle the first few months until it got warm. Oh yeah Lou what kind of weather do you expect in April and May  and later September and possibly October in the cold open air windy city of Chicago. I'd say that's about 60-80 wins for a team trying to end an almost 100 year World Series championship drought. And who's to say the bats will get hot despite their $300 million dollar payroll. Not what I'd want to hear as a Cubs fan from their new manager.

And then we have the Cleveland Indians of Milwaukee who finally found a way to bring the movie Major League to life playing in Milwaukee where they filmed the movie at the old County Stadium years ago. All they needed was the Wild Thing pitcher played by Charlie Sheen and did Bob Uecker who also starred as a broadcaster in Major League happen to call the games for Cleveland if he didn't go on the road with the Brewers who were playing in Florida while Cleveland played in Milwaukee against the Angels. This was  because their open air ballpark in Cleveland was filled with snow which by the way they had snow in Milwaukee too but they have a retractable roof so the games could be played there.

It made for some interesting questions about what teams should do playing when there's cold weather. Yes they've been doing it for over 100 years but baseball is a lot bigger business than it was years ago. Baseball is also the only sport majorly affected by weather conditions on the field. Football only cancels if there's a hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake or lightning and basketball and hockey which are indoor sports are only not played if the weather is really bad outside.

Certain teams like Milwaukee, Houston, Arixona, Minnesota withe Metrodome, Tampa Bay with a dome and possibly Seattle. Do they have a retractable roof in rainy Seattle at Safeco Field?  I also personally think they should have one (retractable roof) at the hot in the summertime Ballpark in Arlington where the Texas Rangers play in Arlington Texas but they don't  have one there unfortunately.

Now I don't want to mess with the beauty of stadiums and open air ballparks  like old Wrigley Field or Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium or a lot of the beautiful new stadiums as well, but there will always be cold weather and long baseball seasons so something needs to be done but what. It's impractical and often impossible and costly to build retractable roofs that aren't already built or bring in rolling roofs which was proposed when Kansas City was offered the Super Bowl a few years ago. So what do they do if stadiums don't have retractable roofs? Should teams who were smart like Miwaukee, Houston and Arizona have to share their ballparks and locker rooms with teams who weren't smart enough to build their own weather controlled stadiums. I even wondered in the World Series last year if they shouldn't have moved the games between St Louis and Detroit to Minnesota and Milwaukee. Only half kidding, but any new baseball stadium like the one's being built in Minnesota or New York should have a retractable roof that can be opened on sunny days and closed on inclement ones. Now I'm all for history and tradition at the old ball parks and want open air baseball mostly, but they have to be practical in today's modern age of big business sports where they have to get the games in so lets get the games in with as few cancellations as possible. I know it's a lot of money and a lot of work and a lot of money but baseball is a big business and it isn't the early 20th century anymore, heck it isn't even the 20th century so lets make some new changes to make watching the great game of baseball even better with also the sensitivity to not destroy it's wonderful past. It can be done and it must be done. Let me know what you think and as always have great wonderful and productive days friends.. Best wishes and talk soon. 

Hey sports friends,

I've been reading some of the blogs this morning about the Red Sox bringing back Jonathon Paplebon as their closer and all I can say is why not? Yes his arm wore down last season after a lot of use. A lot of good arms do like Kerry Wood and Mark Prior of the Cubs and some others who do or don't come back to pitch, but I believe Jonathon Paplebon has a good strong young arm and I've been wondering all winter as the Red Sox search for a closer, Jonathon Paplebon WHY NOT?

It's not like the Red Sox had so many more appealing options as closer, Joel Pinero and Brendan Donnely are ok and serviceable if Paplebon gets hurt but Paplebon proved he was the best option last year with his effective work and the Red Sox are already pretty good at starter with their rotation so WHY NOT?

Also there wasn't a marquee name at closer in the market this year and the Red Sox have enough money as the big market team they are to add a good starter or possible closer later in the season or next year so WHY NOT go with the best possible current option they have at closer or possibly starter in the future. Do the names John Smoltz and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersly come to mind as pitchers who have succeeded at both starter and reliever. I think Jonathon Paplebon can serve the same serviceable role for the Red Sox. Again I ask WHY NOT? I welcome your comments as always and thanks for reading friends. I am a big Red Sox fan yes, but that is my opinion as well why I think the Red Sox are in good shape with Jonathon Paplebon at closer or whatever role they put him in. WHY NOT? Have a great and productive day today and best of luck to you and your teams this year.

Hey Sports Friends,

I saw an interesting roundtable discussion on ESPN last night where the experts of all the sports got together to argue and debate the best rivalries in sports and I thought I'd add my opinions and see what you think as well. The discussion started in part because North Carolina was playing at Duke which is one of college basketball's best rivalries because the schools are only eight miles apart and are both national college basketball powers. While there are several different rivalries both in proximity to where the teams are located and where they are in the league and conference standing I thought I would try to pick some of the best rivalries both based on their current intensity and also their long range status.

Now I just mentioned North Carolina Duke as one of the great rivalries in college basketball and when you talk about college football Ohio State Michigan comes to mind. Currently they played a 42-39 game with Ohio State winning and both teams were in the national picture to the end. Long term Bo Schembecler vs Woody Hayes who were two legendary coaches who had a Ten Year War which was the way their intense coaching rivalry was described from 1969-1978.

Baseball's best and most traditional rivalry has been the Yankees and the Red Sox. Recently the Red Sox ended their 86 year old so called Curse of the Bambino when they came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Yankees in the playoffs in 2004 and then defeating the Cardinals to win their first World Series since 1918. Long term there were all the memorable disappointments for the Red Sox against the Yankees since the famous sale of Babe Ruth like Bucky Dent's home run in 1978, Bill Buckners error in the World Seies in 1986 and Aaron Boone's pennant clinching home run in 2003 as well as the great fights between 1970s catchers Thurman Munson of the Yankees and Carlton Fisk of the Red Sox.

In pro basketball my favorite current rivalry is the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks. First both teams are in Texas along with the Houston Rockets as well. San Antonio has won three NBA titles, Houston has won two titles and the Mavericks lost in the NBA Finals last  year trying to win their first title and beat the Spurs in an exciting 7 game playoff series as well. When you throw in the Mavericks flamboyant and outspoken owner Mark Cuban it makes for an exciting current rivalry. Some of the older more traditional rivalries like the Lakers vs Celtics have lost their current luster especially with the Celtics losing 16 in a row like they currently have.

Hockey has had exciting rivalries traditional rivalries in Canada such as the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames who both made Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals the last few years and call their rivalry the Battle of Alberta. Some great American rivalries the last few years include the Detroit Red Wings vs Colorado Avalanche and a current one between the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes seems to be starting as well.

Finally pro football, the NFL which has become America's most popular game based on the Super Bowl rating which was the second highest television show of all time to be watched behind another Super Bowl and the final MASH show as well. Anyways the best current rivalry is the Indianapolis Colts vs the New England Patriots. Tom Brady three Super Bowl rings. Peyton Manning now has a Super Bowl ring and it  was a great game with Colts winning 38-34 in the just completed AFC championship game which sent the Colts to the Super Bowl after traling 21-3 in that game. Anyways long term there are rivalries like Packers-Bears, Steelers Browns, Cowboys Redskins and Giants-Eagles are all traditional rivalries which makes the NFL the great league that it is.

So there is a wide variety of different rivalries and I'd be interested to hear what you think, and what are your favorite rivalries and memories as well. As always I thank you for you comments and look forward to hearing from you . Take care, best wishes and have great and productive days always friends.