The final pitch of the Red Sox 2003 season saw yankee third baseman Aaron Boone launching a Tim Wakefield knuckleball into the left field stands at yankee$ Stadium. After seven games and eleven innings, it was really the last of a startling turn of events that gave the yankee$ and their fans an emotional come- from- behind win and a trip to the World Series that no one cared about. For the Red Sox, it was yet another demoralizing blow from the team to whom they have finished second place in the American League East for the past six seasons. For Boone it was vindication after a postseason- long slump with the bat and glove that left him looking more like an All State insurance salesman than an All Star third baseman. This morning, as a frigid New England fandom looks south for the first week of the prelude to the 2004 season, Spring Training, George $teinbrenner and his yankee$ have sent shocks throughout Major League Baseball by acquiring Ranger shortstop Alex Rodriguez. The Lucchino- dubbed Empire has indeed struck back, and this may be their biggest move in decades, if not since Babe Ruth. The trade, for yankee$ second baseman Alfonso Soriano, is one of the biggest in baseball history, and Boone had a hand in it too.

sure he was on the Reds at this point, but it's nice to see Aaron Boone take one for the team

What is Aaron Boone's role in all of this? The yankee$ signed him to a one year, $5.75 mil. contract earlier in the offseason. Boone subsequently injured his right ACL playing basketball on January 16 and will be lost for the entire season. The injury set into motion a series of events that ultimately resulted in the yankee$ acquisition of American League M.V.P. Alex Rodriguez. ARod will replace Boone at third base. For those keeping score, Boone ended the Sox 2003 season with a homer, and made it necessary for the yankee$ to bring ARod to the Bronx. Damn. This guy has become the most evil yankee player of them all. I pray that if he returns from his injury, he goes somewhere in the National League where he can cause no more harm.

The offseason for the Red Sox has been unlike any other. The addition of closer Keith Foulke and starter Curt Schilling to a team that was just five out from going to the World Series last year had left them the favorite to win the 2004 Series, according to Las Vegas bookmakers. Red Sox fans had been increasingly bold, predicting big things for this year's edition. Theo Epstein was being praised in many circles for crafting the most successful offseason of any team. The only failure by the Sox front office was the much publicized attempt to acquire Rodriguez from Texas for Manny Ramirez, and then spin Nomar Garciaparra to the White Sox for Magglio Ordonez. The potential trade kept New Englanders on the edge of their seats, even stealing media attention from a Patriots juggernaut that was picking up speed under the radar as the trade talks continued. The trade was never consummated, Rodriguez is a yankee, and Vegas certainly has changed it's mind.

In the January 21, 2004 edition of the couch I noted that the yankee$ also had a great offseason. The moves they made have undoubtedly improved the team. Although Kevin Brown and Jon Lieber are fragile, combined with Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill and Javier Vazquez, their pitching staff has rebounded from the losses of Andy Pettite and Roger Clemen$. Kenny Lofton and Gary Sheffield add stability to positions that were in a state of flux for most of last season. Add ARod to the mix, and no one can say the yankee$ are not the team to beat.

ARod will move to third, which leaves me scratching my head as to why the Sox had to trade Nomar if they picked up ARod for Manny. Like Nomar, Magglio Ordonez is a free agent after the 2004 season, and both make essentially the same money for the upcoming season. Contract length and dollars did not necessitate the move. The Sox may have felt they had a better chance at resigning Ordonez, but now that both trades have fallen through, they seem to think, at least publicly, that it is still possible to lock up Garciaparra long term. With ARod at third, Bill Mueller could have moved to second base. He has played there in the past and the team had not signed Pokey Reese at that point. Did Theo lack the imagination or gumption to ask ARod to make the move? The fact that he is moving to third is almost as startling as the fact that he is going to the yankee$, given the intensity of the negotiations between the Red sox and Rangers back in December.

It is also interesting to note that the failure of the negotiations with the Rangers showed the first visible signs of weakness in the Red Sox 3- headed ownership/ leadership group of Tom Werner, John Henry and Larry Lucchino. After making inflammatory remarks about the Major League Baseball Player's Union, Larry Lucchino was ultimately replaced by Werner in negotiations with the Rangers and ARod. Theo's role was hard to ascertain. Even more puzzling, weeks later Lucchino was given a contract extension. Upon purchasing the team, various media outlets cautioned that having so many hands in the proverbial decision- making pot could lead to problems, and this prediction may be coming to pass.

Besides the yankee$ and their fans, the biggest winners in the trade may be the Red Sox 2004 free agent class, especially Garciaparra. Nomar, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Derek Lowe, Scott Williamson and Jason Varitek are all eligible for free agency after this season. The Sox may have been banking on the fact that ARod was still available, and used this to their advantage as a negotiation tool with Nomar. Obviously that is no longer an option. With Arod traded to the yankee$ and Miguel Tejada signing with the Orioles, the 4 best shortstops in the game play in the American League East. Can the Red Sox afford to let Nomar go for that reason alone? Given the amazing demand for tickets (most of the Fenway seats have already been sold) and the lofty expectations, the Sox need to keep many of these stars in the fold. If they are unable to hold on to these core players, the fans and the rest of baseball will continue to perceive the Red Sox as a second- class operation to the New Yorkers.

As usual, it is clear that you cannot underestimate $teinbrenner, but the Red Sox have to continue to be creative as they try to keep pace. The move is such a kick in the ass not only because the yankee$ are getting arguably the best player in the game, but because of it's effect on the Sox. They chased after him and failed, and now he is wearing the uniform of their arch rival. I have tried to distance myself from the overconfidence that has been rampant among Sox fans this winter, as I have also eschewed the panic and negativity surrounded the end to last season. That said, it still feels terrible. The move ranks right up there with Bucky Dent, Aaron Boone, Babe Ruth, etc., and may be even worse because the Sox really were so close to getting ARod.

Can you blame yankee$ fans for getting all over Sox fans in the face of the way they have handled themselves this winter? Sox fans have been borderline obnoxious because of the Sox offseason moves. I still cannot fathom why people are chanting 'yankee$ suck' at the Patriots Super Bowl Parade. That alone tells me that Sox fans suck just as much. Also, once the Red Sox signed Schilling and Foulke, one could no longer use dollars as an excuse. The Red Sox and yankee$ are in a class by themselves when it comes to payroll. Yes, the yankee payroll is higher, but the Sox are outspending the rest of the league too. Now that ARod is going to New York, I will go nowhere near talk radio. Without hearing a peep, I can imagine the doomsday furor the hosts and callers are spewing. It would not be surprising if the ridiculous behavior of the locals after the Super Bowl victory does not resume. Instead, let's all remember that the games still have to be played on the field, and a lot could happen in the next few months. Finally, take a look around the rest of the league. The Orioles, Jays and Angels are vastly improved, and they could end up laying claim to the playoff spot that the yankee$ and Sox have seemingly won without even playing one inning. It is going to be interesting and sure it's demoralizing, but at least we won't have to look out for Aaron Boone for the rest of the year.

Under The Cushions

Congratulations to the Patriots. The season was amazing, and true to form, the Super Bowl was great theater. As Vinatieri lined up to kick the game winning field goal, I was in my living room waving the autographed photo from the 2001 kick (see http://www.dmsjr.com/couch20021113.html.) Was there any doubt he makes the kick? When the Pats fell behind, you were nervous, but you knew the game was not over. Tom Brady and Vinatieri are the Bird and Orr of this generation. Belichick is a modern day Auerbach. These are the guys who get the job done. You don't doubt the outcome when the ball is in their hands, you expect success.

The 2001 Super Bowl team was more about catching the right breaks, playing as a team and coaching. This season they continued with the excellent coaching and team play, but luck was not a major factor. This year's team was all about execution. One critical play in just about every win can be pointed at as game saving or game turning. Players stepped up and made plays when they had to. Willie McGinest and Ted Johnson making big stops on Edgerrin James in Indianapolis, Brady to Brown in Miami, the list is lengthy. As the season wore on, it was amazing to look back and think that they had won so many consecutively. Each week was so tight, making it seem like an isolated incident rather than part of a winning streak. What a great ride, and hopefully there is more to come. The last 2 Super Bowl champions, including the 2001 Pats did not make the playoffs the following year. It is hard to imagine this group not making it back, but we said the same thing two years ago, and I am sure the Tampa fans said the same thing last year. With 4 draft picks in the first two rounds, the Patriots seem to be in a prime position to reload, let's hope that is the case.
****

click on the photo to see the video of Super Bowl Streaker

the Angels argue with Lt. Frank Drebin

If you caught the video of the streaker who ran on to the field at the beginning the second half of the Super Bowl, you had to laugh. Basically this guy used the same plan Lt. Frank Drebin used to get on the field in California to to try and save the queen in the Naked Gun. Wearing a referee uniform, the streaker, identified as 39 year old Mark Francis Roberts, jumped out of the stands and onto the sidelines. Next he stripped down to his speedo. Wearing only the speedo, sneakers and referee cap, he placed a ball in front of Panther's kicker John Kasay, danced on the thirty yard line, then sprinted around the field. Patriot linebacker Matt Chatham then sent him flying, superman- style, with a crushing shoulder tackle. Funny stuff, but where was security during all of this? You mean to tell me that this jackass can get on the field in such a ludicrous manner, yet we feel safe from terrorists? Keep Osama away from Blockbuster, we don't want him renting Hot Shots and getting any more ideas. Incidentally, this guy has a webpage, http://www.thestreaker.org.uk/streaks/sbowl/sbowl.htm. It is definitely worth checking out if you can stomach it
****

The whole half time show fiasco was overblown. MTV, CBS and the NFL should be reprimanded for having artists playing music that was so outdated. Janet Jackson singing 'We are a part of a Rhythm Nation'? Sorry Janet, we were (barely) a 'Rhythm Nation' in 1989. All that was missing was Rico Suave. Everyone was lip synching, save for maybe Kid Rock. Justin Timberlake sang the only song released in the last 12 months, and it sounded like the Bee Gees. Who were they targeting with this lineup? Every gay male and 9 year old girl watching was delighted to see Justin. Timberlake, Nelly, Puff Puffy, Janet Jackson and Kid Rock? What the hell?

Janet Jackson

no 'FREE MICHAEL' tattoo?

Janet Jackson's breast exposed? The same thing happened with Li'l Kim on the MTV awards a few years ago, yet people were surprised. I was more surprised that there wasn't a 'FREE MICHAEL' tattoo on the boob. Hey MTV, CBS NFL, whoever; there are commercials that were just as racy as the breast shot, why aren't they being called out. Saying parent were embarrassed for their children is a valid point. That said, I guarantee kids see more provocative things on TV or cable without your knowledge. There are billboards that are racier. If you are going to make a big stink about something, how about Joe Namath repeatedly asking Suzy Kolber to kiss him? Stalking and alcoholism, now those are ISSUES. The last I checked, the NFL's core audience is guys, then guys, and then guys. Do you think they were upset? The breast flashing moment is the most repeated item in TiVO history. Either Bill Clinton went crazy with his TiVO, or we are a nation of horny bastards.
****

Dan Marino quit as the Dolphins' senior vice president of football operations. Head Coach Dave Wannstedt's mustache may live to see a few more years on the Miami sidelines.
****

Someone please tug on Danny Ainge's face. I have a sneaking suspicion that he is not Danny Ainge at all, but Rick Pitino in an Ainge costume. Once Coach Jim O'Brien left, it became impossible to even want to like the Celtics or Pitino, er, Ainge. O'Brien leant a certain level of stability to a team with just about 100% turnover from last season, save for Paul Pierce. One day O'Brien is in the local papers saying he is sorry to see Byron Scott fired as coach of the Nets. The media notes that O'Brien is the longest tenured coach in the Eastern Conference, especially surprising given it is only his fourth season on the job. The next day, the coach walks away from $7 mil. guaranteed over 2 seasons because of philosophical differences with Ainge? Ridiculous. I bet O'Brien found out about the Ainge costume, Pitino threatened to trade him, and rather than being traded to the Knicks to work under the equally crappy Isiah Thomas, O'Brien resigned.

Consequently, if the Celtics are able to rid themselves of Vin Baker's contract after his most recent suspension, Celtics ownership will be saving $42 mil. over the next two seasons. That's $35 mil. for Baker and $7 mil. for O'Brien, and Ainge did not even trade either one of them. It's like finding a sack with $42 mil. on the sidewalk. Perhaps they could lower ticket prices, or acquire someone decent. Seeing as he seems to be trying to mold the team into his own image, my guess is Ainge will use the found money to overpay for some cocky shooter.