Beantown Sports Guys

Attitude is Everything

I'm watching the Best Damn Sports Show, and they bring on one of the best outfielders in the big leagues, Torii Hunter. He tore his ankle up playing against Boston this year at a game my buddy James was at, and the girl and I were at as well (only we were on the wrong side of Fenway on Landsdowne Street and not on the other side of the Monster). I'm thinking about the free agent at center field we have in Johnny Damon, and agree with Steve he'll ask for at least 5 years, $12 million per, and am thinking of who I would rather have in CF if he's not there.

And Torii Hunter comes to mind.

Funny how that works, because Torii Hunter just sold his house. He said it was to reduce his expenses and how it doesn't make sense to pay $5k a month for a place he barely lives in, and doesn't even go to in the offseason since he lives in Dallas. He said if the Twins don't want him (in a very tongue in cheek way) he wouldn't mind wearing Dodger blue, playing for the Angels, or wearing pinstripes.

Good God. Let's do the math here: the Sox will be too focused trying to resign Damon, and our other free agents we won't be able to get to guys like Hunter, and by the time we can, they'll be gone. Bernie Williams is about to be put out to pasture (already has, as far as I am concerned), and the Yankees need a CF. I'd be shocked if they didn't get him somehow. Matsui will resign with the Yanks now that Torre is staying, and Sheff's days may be numbered. If not, that is a nasty outfield, one with speed, and great fielding abilities.

One thing that isn't usually thought of when signing free agents is their clubhouse presence. Many people think that is why Millar has survived so long in Beantown, because he lightens everything up, and keeps it fresh for everyone. From what I've seen so far, Hunter could be one of those kinds of guys in any clubhouse. He has a fantastic sense of humor, and had everyone (myself included) rolling at just about anything he said.

Let's see: decent money, Gold Glover, amazing ability and speed, and a clubhouse presence.

Yeah, that's exactly who I don't want the Yankees getting.

The NFL's Darlings

After 6 games, the Patriots are 3-3, while the Colts are 6-0. Not surprising when you take a glance at both team's schedules:

Patriots:

Oakland
Carolina
Pittsburgh
San Diego
Atlanta
Denver

The Pats alternated between wins and losses all season. How many of those were teams in the postseason last year or will be this year? Now look at the Colts.

Colts:

Baltimore
Jacksonville
Cleveland
Tennessee
San Francisco
St. Louis

The Colts' next 3 games are against Houston (0-5) and the Patriots. Yes, that's right, they get to play Houston twice. Oh, and did I mention the Colts get to play the Patriots after their Bye Week? What the hell is that? The Patriots are lucky to be 3-3 right now, decimated by injuries, and this schedule the NFL concocted in order to give Indy homefield advantage and propel them deep into the playoffs certainly isn't helping us.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Tedy Bruschi is back.

I can't stand people that say he shouldn't be playing, who say he could have another stroke, or worse, die. Don't they understand he would never put his health or life at risk to play? Don't they realize that football is not the cause of his stroke? Don't they understand anything?

Sadly, they don't. And yet, they continue to bitch about how he's making the wrong decision.

The truly sad thing about all this is that this is mostly bandwagon fan driven complaints and bitchings. Real fans know that what I stated above is true and rejoice in the fact that Bruschi is coming to lead us back to the promise land: the Super Bowl.

Getting Bruschi back on the field isn't just about his talent and skill at the linebacking position. It's about instincts. It's about heart and soul. It's about picking your team up when its down, its about making that big play when your team needs it the most. It's about getting everyone else in the position to make the plays. That is what Bruschi does. If anyone over the years can be labeled Peyton Manning's Daddy, it would be Tedy Bruschi. Coupled with the fact the game is in New England, these two things may just be the difference between beating Manning's ass one more time and bending over and taking it from him, giving him his first win against Belichick and the Patriots since B-squared became our head coach.

One more example of Manning being the darling of the NFL was on display last night during the Colts/Rams game. Edgerrin James fumbled the ball on the 2 yardline. Within 2 seconds, one of the officials signaled that the Rams recovered...until Manning runs over to the pile and screams at the head official and tells him to wait until they uncover the pile. Of course Manning had no chance at getting the ball if he doesn't say anything, so he gave his guys some time to come up with the ball. And what happens of course? The Colts get it back. I have never seen this before. Ever. Most officials wave players away from them when they are conferencing. But not when Peyton comes over. No, never. The favortism he is shown is amazing.

We'll see who comes out on top, even though the odds are on the side of the Colts right now (courtesy of the NFL), I'm betting on the Pats to bring their A game.