MLB: Yankees vs. Redosx

by Steve Cernak

Can someone please explain to me why Boston and New York fans are cool with one another now? And am I alone wishing that the bitterness returns?

When "NYY vs. BOS" shows up on the schedule, the game is now a rivalry. Before the Sox won a couple chips, the game technically wasn't a rivalry, but meant more.

The All-Star Break unofficially started with Terry Francona riding the Yankees' brass and Mariano Rivera's jocks. And the Yankees' brass rode Francona's unit, and Hal Steinbrenner said something about the two empires having similar interests in and outside of baseball.

What the hell happened?

I once had this girlfriend that was a huge Sox fan. I felt dirty every time I thought about it, like I had violated the sanctity of the team, sport, and region. Now, Francona says Derek Jeter deserves the two hole, and gives priority to Alex Rodriguez over and above Manny Ramirez?

What the hell happened?

And crazier yet, Sox fans acknowledge how very special this All-Star game is, with the game likely being the last major baseball performance on this most historic of stages.

Yet even crazier, as a Yankees fan, I'm happy to get accolades of that magnitude from the new Kings of Major League Baseball. I need an effing shower.

SPORTS: BoSox Signings and Other News Recapped

MLB
The Red Sox agreed to terms with OF J.D. Drew (five years, $70 million) and SS Julio Lugo (four years, $36 million). Rumor had it these signings were to replace Manny Ramirez, which looks less likely now.

Manny has a few screws loose but let’s not forget he’s been the best overall hitter in the game for the past decade. He hits for average and power and uses the combination to drive in many runs. You don’t think David Ortiz sees more fastballs with runners on first and second with Manny protecting him?

If Lugo leadoffs (effectively replacing Johnny Damon a year late) and Drew protects Manny, Beantown’s lineup just got nastier.

Elsewhere, the Padres signed Greg Maddux to a one year contract (with a player option for 2008), reportedly worth $10 million. … The Mets dealt SP Brian Bannister for the Royal's RP Ambiorix Burgos. … The Indians signed RP Joe Borowski, likely to close in 2007.

NBA
NBA Commissioner David Stern admitted a mistake by not consulting with players before implementing a new basketball.

Really? Synthetic material is less desirable than leather? Steve Nash sustaining cuts on his fingers from dribbling the basketball qualifies as a mistake?

I'd say that "mistake" constitutes aggravated assault.

My only explanation is Spalding talked Stern into this so the company could charge as much for an “Official NBA Basketball” as it does for the old leather balls.

NCAA BASKETBALL
No. 24 Oklahoma State held off No. 21 Syracuse, in one of the best games I’ve seen all year, 72-68.

Two impressive aspects of the game:

(1) Oklahoma’s scoring tandem of Mario Boggans and JamesOn Curry is awesome. Watch this team climb the rankings because these two are that good together. I hopes the team doesn’t improve in ranking so I look like a genius in my bracket.

(2) The heavily recruited Paul Harris nearly burst onto the college basketball scene in a big way. He scored nine of his 11 points during Syracuse’s furious fourth quarter rally at the Jimmy V Classic. Down by 13, Harris led the charge. He performed in the clutch at Madison Square Garden, something stars do. Keep your eye on him; maybe his star will burn bright. It would help if he built his technical skill-set though.

Others Jimmy V Classic upsets: Washington State beat No. 18 Gonzaga 67 -77. No. 11 LSU beat No. 6 Texas A&M 52-64.