Growing up in New England and reading the Boston newspapers gave a unique insight into the sports psyche of the region.  Although we have a successful franchise, won a World Series (and loaded to win many others) and have a level of baseball that is lacking in many parts of the country, the paranoid vision of a typical Red Sox fan is amazing.  I would expect to hear gloom and doom from the fans 20 years ago, but NOW?  Come on, folks.  Do you really think the Yankees, as depleted as their talent pool may be, are going to lay down and go away?  Yes, their pitching sucks, but their bats are not going away quietly.  Alex Rodriguez, despite of steroid rumors (my son calls him Roid-riguez), is having a career year, fueled by the prospect that he can opt out of the final year of his contract and find bigger money elsewhere.  This is a prime example of the problems of free agency and sports, in general.  His agent, Scott Boras ( or Bored Rat, it depends on your perspective), was smart enough to get this guy a contract with Texas for $250 million or more.  Actually, Tom HIcks, the owner of the Rangers, was stupid enough to take the bait.  The Rangers never made it past fourth in their division, despite stellar numbers from A-Rod.  But, I digress.

Red Sox Nation:  Keep your heads on straight.  This team is fine. I hope that Matsusaka can dig down inside and find that extra something when he walks the bases loaded.  All he need is some incentive, like a big game with playoff implications or a Yankee series.  Sign Mike Lowell for another two years.  After an early season error flurry, he has been a rock at third.  Kevin Youkilis plays and hits with passion: he is the new king of the Dirt Dogs. Thank God Julio Lugo broke out of his slump.  It is a pleasure to watch him hit again. I could go on about the pitching staff, but I won’t.  But Red Sox Nation, remember this: this is not your father’s Red Sox team or ownership.  These guys won’t screw it up like Haywood Sullivan or Lou Gorman.  The farm is LOADED with talent, and once Manny Ramirez’s contract is up, he won’t be resigned.  I am tired of “Manny being Manny”.  Old school RedSox fans would have booed him for packing it in last September.  They would not have put up with the crap.  When he hits, the fans love him and they forget that he dogs it in the outfield.  He could hustle for balls a little harder.  Yes, he has become very good at playing balls off the Green Monster, and his flip throws to the infield are accurate, but he could play his position with more intelligence.  Have I given you enough?

In a nutshell, avoid the 12-inning marathons with Tampa Bay.  You will see more of them in the next two months, so get ready to pound that pathetic pitching staff.  Get off J.D. Drew’s back and just let the guy play.  Trade Willie Mo Pena…please.  And when you play the Yankees, just follow these guidlines and the lead will double: Let the old-school rage out and beat them like a rented mule.  Pray you get Mike Mussina more than once, just to see him melt down. Send Roger Clemens packing early and often.  And hope that Torre has no other option than go deep into his bullpen.  Poor Joe, he probably wishes Rudy Giuliani was still mayor, and Brian Cashman wasn’t a twit.