The Celts Cruise and The Sox Sign

The unveiling ceremony went as planned. The Big Three performed perfectly on the new Red Auerbach floor at the Boston Garden beating Washington 103-83. In attendance were Patriots' owner Robert Craft and wide receiver Wes Welker, and line backer Junior Seau. But, the star of the night was the World Series trophy brought by John Henry and Tim Wakefield who has just been extended another year to play for the Red Sox.

In other signing news the Sox picked up their option on Julian Tavarez and got confirmation from pitching coach John Farrell that he would be returning. Also, the Sox completed the Joel Pineiro deal with the Cardinals by acquiring the player to be named later Sean Danielson. No surprise, Danielson was a leader among Cardinal minor-leaguers in on-base percentage.

Kevin Cash filed for free-agency.

The Patriots have announced that Sammy Morris, their leading rusher, will be out for the rest of the season with a chest injury he sustained during the Dallas game a few weeks ago.

Fitzy's Back!

Fitzy has been busy helping ESPN make Monday Night Football watchable, so it's understandable that he hasn't had time to lead the Nation in a while. But, he's back big time with his World Series wrap-up and his mid-season Superbowl preview. (This is a must listen. Don't be tricked into clicking the Frank DeFord link.) Fitzy takes on NPR's audience in this clip in an audacious defense of all things Patriots.

It's obvious that the NPR (National Patriots Radio) reporter has had enough of Fitzy's beautiful boondoggle of his show so he rolls the "get him out of here" music and once out of earshot says, "Fitzy alleges he's a sports expert." The joke's on you, jackass. Fitzy already GFY'ed you in his sign off.

Line of the show?

Fitzy to a Colts' fan caller: "Gimme a break Nell Carter."

Here's Eric Wilbur's great take on the Pats' runningituppyness.

And, don't blame the Pats for their lopsided victories, blame the Colts. Judy Batista of the NYTimes does.

Have You Seen My Baseball?

I finally got "that song" out of my head. Well, it's not really out of my head it's been transformed into a folk version more in tune with Woody Guthrie or a ditty by Pete Seeger circa 1944. It makes more sense, but it's far more annoying. Think the old Old Spice theme.

By the way, Paul Shaffer did a fine version of "that song" last night in introducing Papelbon on Letterman (If that doesn't work, try here.) The cavalcade of stars continues Friday with Papi on Conan and "Bad Man" Manny Ramirez on Leno. (They should have them both as contestants on "Jay Walking".)

It took a whole two days for me to miss the baseball season. Tuesday night, I grabbed my computer to check the score and quickly realized that there was no score. The party's over. Or, is it?

The Green Team

Just as one circus is packing up another is coming to town. The new and improved Boston Celtics kick off their season Friday night and there should be a great crowd of the dusty jersey wearing faithful on hand. Pundit after pundit has picked the Celts to win the East. Will they live up to the hype? If you're a huge Celts fan let me know. There might be a film in the works.

The Showdown X (that's a ten not an eks)

The bigger and badder Patsies visit their only real rival this week at 4:00 in Indianapolis. Tom Brady has faced Manning 9 times. He won the first 6 and lost the last 3. He's hoping number 10 will be a blowout, but he's not counting on it. I'm hoping they run up the score.

More Thom's Foolery

Have you seen my baseball? Here we go again. No one can blame Eyechart for this disappearing act. The final out has gone missing again. the last suspect seen with it was Varitek who caught the last strike, but he insisted that he gave it to Papelbon who, when asked, gave the reporters a bit of the who struck Jon.

Sign the petition to keep Mike Lowell.

Check out more photos from the World Series at Thom's here and here.

The party's over

The candles flicker and dim

You danced and dreamed through the night

It seemed to be right just being with him

Now you must wake up, all dreams must end

Take off your makeup, the party's over

It's all over, my friend

-Betty Comden and Adolph Green

The Death of Lancelot

As one star falls, another rises.

News came down yesterday of the sad death of Robert Goulet. A native of Lawrence, Mass., Goulet was a huge Red Sox fan who considered his performance of "Impossible Dream" at this year's home opener his greatest thrill.

Goulet died in the hospital awaiting an heart transplant. According to his wife Vera, among his last words were, ""Just give me a new pair of lungs and I'll hit the high notes until I'm 100."

Meanwhile, the new popstar of sports is Seamus McPapelbon. The kilt wearing, jig busting closer of the Red Sox will appear on David Letterman tonight Muddy River Dancing.

*****

According to the Globe, Schilling has likely pitchedd his last game in a Red Sox uniform.

There was the chapel, at a brooklet's side.

I galloped downhill to it with my guide.

I was too late, for Lancelot had died.

(Click post title for full text.)

Pictures from World Series Game 4

The Love

The People

The Joy

The Bunting

The Celebration!

The BLOHARDS

Around the Bar.

Time to Dance

It's all over. They won. They dominated. I really don't have much to say yet except that I'm exhausted. I get one night of rest then back to the bar tomorrow at noon for a parade party. That's right, the duck boats will be waggling through the streets of Boston tomorrow loaded with champions and we'll have all of the NESN coverage at Thom's. I've gotten lots of queries, so there should be a nice crowd. I hope I see all of those faces that have become so familiar to me over the last few weeks. Honestly, I was overwhelmed by the general air of geniality and cooperation in the bar. Instead of people in the back row fighting through the crowd to get beers all they had to do was shout their order and they were duly passed through, hardly ever sipped. Thank you all.

I realize many of you are shipping up to Boston to see it live, but if you're in town take a long lunch and join us at the bar.

I have a bunch of pictures from last night that I'll be posting here. If you have some too, please send them in.