Lewis earned 20.5 votes surpassing 11.5 for the Saints’ Sean Payton and 9 for the Chargers’ Norv Turner.

Lewis led his team to the head of the AFC North with a 10-6 record despite a season marred by emotional difficulties. These included the death of receiver Chris Henry and the death of the wife of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

The Bengals have only won two AFC North titles since 1990, both of which were under Lewis. Lewis also led a turnaround year from a 4-11-1 record in 2008.

The star football player apparently fell the back of a pickup truck he had jumped into that his fiance was driving away.

Henry’s family had said he “suffered grave injuries,” but news broke around 10 a.m. Thursday that he has died.

Oakland’s three late touchdowns, the final one coming with 9 seconds left in regulation, push the Steelers out of reach of the 9-3 Cincinnati Bengals who lead the AFC North. The Steelers will now have to fight to make themselves relevant within the playoff picture.

The Steelers have lost to two of the NFL’s worst team in the Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers have proven unable to hold a fourth quarter lead over their last few games. This is an odd correlation as in previous season’s “Big” Ben Roethlisberger has been known for his ability to orchestrate a forth quarter comeback with little time left.

The Dolphins are Patriot killers just like the Canadiens are Bruins killer but without Ronnie Brown most people expected the Pats to take this one.

I don’t doubt that Brady could have pulled out a win on this one had he not been intercepted on that final throw while being pulled to the ground. Then again a few questionable calls took place during that game, like Belichick choosing to go for it on fourth and one instead of kicking a field goal.

Woods was apparently pulling out of his home at 2:25AM when he struck the fire hydrant then proceeded to hit a tree on his neighbor’s property.

The crash is being investigated and charges are pending.

I don’t think he should have, the risk of coming off a dislocated shoulder and playing a full game of football is too great.

How do our readers out there feel about this?

The fatal flaw in the system is that the games, at least for the last couple years, feature teams that aren’t very good. This is the case in two games this year: firstly we have the Packers at Detroit.

Detroit has lost their last five Thanksgiving Day games since beating the Packers in 2003. First overall pick and quarterback for the Lions Matt Stafford was injured last week with a dislocated just before throwing right-handed to win the game against the Browns. Stafford won the game and set a record as the first rookie QB to throw for five touchdowns.

Without Stafford who is listed as doubtful, and Calvin Johnson who is listed as questionable, the Lions chances are slim. Neither of the players practiced Tuesday. Last time Detroit faced Green Bay without Stafford or Johnson was last month and Detroit lost 26-0. You can pretty much chalk this one up for the Packers. This win will move them to 7-4.

Next is Raiders at Dallas.

I can’t see this game being very good in all honesty. With Asomugha at Corner for the Raiders and Romo with a sore back I can’t imagine a very pass heavy offense form Dallas. I’d say the majority game will be Marion
Barber churning away at 5 yards-per-carry with a heavy helping of Felix Jones thrown in. The Raiders offensive performance will be lackluster as usual.

I say Cowboys take it moving them to 8-3.

The one shining light in what may be a day of football blowouts will probably be watching the Giants play the Broncos at Mile High. Both teams started out strong and have recently been troubled, either outright losing or coming very, very close. The Broncos have been playing decent pass D but with the amount of receivers Eli Manning has to throw to and TE Kevin Boss I don’t think the Broncos will be able to keep the lid on.

The Broncos’ offense has also only managed an abysmal 9.25 points-per-game over their last 4 games. That being said, I don’t feel confident with Brandon Jacobs spending the whole game in the backfield especially at Mile High, Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to be out with a foot injury.

All in all this will be the game of the day to watch. I’d go with too close to call, If I had to call it: Giants, moving them to 7-4.

Cromartie was out celebrating the Chargers’ 32-3 win over the Denver Broncos at a San Diego bar with several other players.

Cromartie’s party and other bar patrons were supposedly spraying champagne back and forth until someone allegedly threw a bottle and hit another patron in the head.

TMZ was told the victim had a cut on his head but no ambulance was called to his scene.

Police told TMZ that Cromartie, 25, was identified, as the bottle thrower by at least one witness but there are conflicting reports.

Cromartie is a star on the Chargers’ defense and if there is truth to this allegation this could hurt them going forward especially since Roger Goodell has made it his personal mission to bring down the hammer on misconduct.

Brown is the lynch pin of that system and without him i doubt it will be as productive as it has been in the past. Brown is out for the season with a foot injury and was placed on the IR earlier today.

Ricky Williams will move into Brown’s starting role for the remainder of the season though I doubt his career high 5.3 yards per carry will stand without Brown present to distract defenses.

Williams is not as good as he was in 2002, he’s in his 30’s now and though I’m sure he’s still in great shape has probably been going downhill for years. He also lacks the versatility that made Brown so great which is why we will most likely see the elimination or at least a downplaying of the wildcat offense.

No one claimed Johnson off waivers last week presumably due to sub-par performance coupled with a history of behavior issues. The Bengals have offered Johnson a fourth string slot on their depth chart so we probably wont be seeing much of the man who was slated to break Preist Holmes’ franchise record unless Cedric Benson’d hip strain becomes more serious.

They face the 8-0 Indianapolis Colts. If they win they will prove that Tom Brady is back and that they can compete in the top of the league once again. I think the Patriots can hand the Colts their first loss of the season despite allowing more points per game on defense. The patriots have allowed 14.4 points while th colts have allowed just 13.5.

The Patriots defense has allowed 39.0 third down conversions  per game to the colts 44.1. Third down conversions can be utterly demoralizing to a defense. On top of that the Colts also allow more total yards per game, 303 to the pats 291.

One of the Colts best Defensive players, Bob Sanders, is out for this game. This could make it very easy for Wes Welker to pick them apart on the sub-10-yard pass attempt game.

Lastly but probably most importantly, the Colts are a one-dimensional offense depending entirely on Peyton Manning. Yes, they have Joseph Addai in the backfield but when they use him it’s usually for some bizarre Half-back back reminiscent of college offenses. With Leigh Bodden and a reformed Brandon Meriweather in the secondary passing all day just wont fly on this defense.

Meriweather has been playing well this season and watching him I see a bit of Troy Polamalu in his play style. Give him another year or two and he can be a premier safety in the NFL.

On offense the the patriots Outscore the Colts 28.1 to 27.1 points per game. The patriots also utilize more of their weapons with Maroney being an option he will most likely have a decent game tonight.

For our fantasy playing readers I’d say Welker and either of the elite QB’s playing in this game would be a likely start although I wouldnt bank on either defense as it will probably be a very offensive game.

This game will most likely set the tone for the rest of the season for both teams. I recommend you watch it it will probably be one of the top games of the season.

And you’ve never heard of them.

Real Salt Lake went into the final weekend of the MLS season needing a whole bunch of results to go their way in order to make the playoffs. They took care of their own business, annihilating local rival Colorado Rapids, but that was only one step of a 5-piece parlay the Utah team needed to reach the postseason. And, improbably, every piece fell into place.

There really isn’t any good way to compare how lucky Salt Lake even was to make the playoffs. The closest metaphor I can come up with would be if last season’s Tampa Bay Rays made the playoffs. Not a great team, hardly even a good team, but somehow the math worked out in their favor.

Of course, in baseball, squeaking into the playoffs usually means you’re rewarded with the toughest opponent on the slate. MLS is much the same way – Salt Lake’s four-leaf clover gave them a date with the Columbus Crew, last season’s MLS Cup Champions and this season’s best team in record. But Salt Lake became the little team that could, beating Columbus in both halves of the two-game series to earn a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. (I know, “Eastern Conference Finals” and Salt Lake City? MLS has a strange process that lets the best 8 teams qualify, regardless of conference. They get broken into East and West after that.)

But even beating the champs left them with a match against the Chicago Fire, who had dispatched the New England Revolution in their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. The game was in Chicago, where massive supporters groups light flares and hurl streamers and dance and sing for 90 minutes solid, all in an effort to intimidate the away team.

And somehow, despite having just barely made it into the playoffs in the first place, the Rocky Mountain gang pulled it off. After a full 90-minute game and 30 minutes of overtime, nobody had scored. So the Eastern Conference Championship would go to the team that could best win in penalty kicks.

Here’s another baseball reference for you. Imagine penalty kicks as being like a Home Run Derby. Only the Home Run Derby counts, and they use it instead of extra innings. That’s what the pressure is like.

Remarkably, Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando (“moonpie” to his detractors in fanbases around the league) stopped three of the penalty shots he faced in a Herculean effort that saw this season’s Cinderella through to the championship.

But two household names are waiting to smash the glass slipper. Landon Donovan, David Beckham, and the rest of the Los Angeles Galaxy will take on the “Eastern Conference Champion” Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup Final November 22nd in Seattle. L.A. will be a heavy favorite, but so was Chicago. And so was Columbus.

And so were the four teams Salt Lake leapfrogged on the last weekend of play.

For once, the Cinderella story might not end at midnight. It might carry through to next season.

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Smoltz has struggled this season; he allowed nine hits and eight earned runs in 3 1/3 innings of a 13-6 loss to the Yankees on Thursday night. He has an ERA or 8.33.

Tonight John Smoltz faces Joba Chamberlain.  Smoltz is pitching less like his old self and more like a 42 year-old who doesn’t throw a knuckleball or take steroids.  He is also a right-hander with slowed fastball pitching against a lot of lefthanders in a park where check-swings can knock balls out of right-field.  Still, the Yankees counter with Joba.  Joba has three straight wins, but those are on the heels of starts in which he went 4.1, 3.2 and 5.1 innings.  In two starts against the Red Sox this season, he is 0-1 with a .344 batting average against in 11 innings pitched.  Also factor in that Red Sox ringer Victor Martinez is 2/5 against him and David Ortiz is batting .320 with 2 homers against the Yankees this season, further noting that much of his at-bats against them came in his early-season super-slump.  J.D. Drew is on another one of his hot streaks between injuries.  The Sox better hope for a bloodbath tonight because it is doubtful Smoltz will keep the runs off the board.  Still, Smoltz knows how to pitch and how to win a big game.

Friday is another Beckett vs. Burnett showdown.  This season the enigmatic A.J. Burnett is 0-1 with a 12.91 ERA, 2.74 WHIP and .382 batting average against in his games against the Red Sox.  Those numbers came in two starts totaling 7.2 innings pitched.  Josh Beckett, who is now in pennant-race cruise control, has not completely dominated the Yankees this season but in three start against them, he is 2-0 with a 5.82 ERA (most coming in his last duel with A.J.) with 16 strikeouts in 17 innings.

Saturday’s matinee on FOX features Clay Buchholz against C.C. Sabathia.  Buchholz has not faced the Yankees yet this season and has a 7.45 ERA and no decisions in his two career starts against the team from the Bronx.  C.C. pitched an ok game against the Red Sox earlier this season, going seven innings and giving up four runs for an 0-1 mark on the season.  In his career against the Red Sox, dating back to his Indians days and including the 2007 ALCS, Sabathia is 2-5 in eight starts with a 4.07 ERA.  Keep in mind the Red Sox right-handed lineup features Mike Lowell and Varitek and Victor batting from the right.

It’s Southpaw Sunday for the series finale with Jon Lester and Andy Pettite facing off.  Pettite pitched well against the Red Sox this season, going six innings and giving up three earned runs in his sole start against them.  In his career against the Sox, Pettite is 16-9 with a 3.72 ERA.  In 2008, he was 1-2 with a 7.04 ERA and .375 batting average against.  In two starts this season against the former Highlanders, Jon Lester is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA and .255 batting average against, retiring 17 Yankees by the strikeout.

In terms of offense, the Red Sox have added Victor Martinez but will likely miss Jason Bay for this series.  The Yankees return the same lineup against the Red Sox that they had earlier in the season.  One team may be slumping while another is thriving but that is the nature of baseball.  The Yankees also feature a stronger bullpen with the emergence of Phil Hughes as a setup-man.  Other x-factors include David Ortiz facing a fan-reception as vitriolic as he faced in the 2004 ALCS and the fact that being 0-8 against the Red Sox, the Yankees might also need to win their head games to beat the Sox in the next few days.

So if I do not supply you with news, then what do I provide?  I will link you to interesting stories that are not getting the star treatment on the major websites and will also write analysis that goes beyond the mere facts of an event.  While the Internet–and blogging in particular–has enabled much quicker access to information than previously allowed by print media, I believe that it has had the counter-effect of watering down the analysis.  An AP article can tell you that a team made a move or that a player did something but it generally will stop short of saying what that occurrence actually means.

Today I received a comment, which I interpreted as a sarcastic swipe (if it was not, my apologies), thanking me for the “mindless” sports info because it was just what he “needed.”  For starters, if a person actually needed sports information, which likely is information about the teams and athletes he or she follows, he or she likely would go about finding it on his or her own.  Secondly, I do not know what readers “need.”  What I can do, is write and reccommend material I think sports fans would find interesting.  Last Friday’s post was a collection of links.  One link was an article on SI.com about BC linebacker Mark Herzlich and the support he has received in his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma.  While it did not concern an outcome or player transaction, it was a heartwarming, well-written article that I believe conveys the true spirt of sportsmanship.  Whether you are a BC fan or not, it is worth every sports fan’s time to read.  National sports media however are sometimes so busy reporting on Michael Vick, Brett Favre and steroids that some good articles and writers slip through the cracks.  The lines about the Red Sox being engaged in discussions with the Indians about Victor Martinez (who is now in the everyday starting lineup) as well as the Pirates not making a move that day were relevant to the Major League trade deadline.

David Ortiz’s June performances and comparisons to other teams’ sluggers is another example of an observation that isn’t worthy of a news article but still insightful.  Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain do not play for the Red Sox or Yankees but their performances warrant attention from all baseball fans.

Blogging breaks down the barriers between writers and readers.  Commenting allows readers to share information or post criticism.  An unfortunate side effect is that commenters–at least from what I have seen on this blog–also leave their politeness and courtesy offline.   Suggestions and questions are highly welcome and will be considered.  Jabs that insult my writing or deride a post with no valid suggestion or information are just a waste of your time.  Saying that you would like to see more non-Boston material is a valid comment and one that I have considered.  Asking my thoughts on a team, player, transaction or any other sports issue is a good comment.  Responding to a post or another comment with your own thoughts is also a good comment and stimulates discussion which is something blogs should do more often.  So is sharing related stories and information.  I will respond to those comments and encourage you all to do the same.  Corrections, especially when it comes to statistics, are also welcome.  I previously worked as a newspaper sports writer and received my fair share of criticism.  If you have a complaint, I ask that you back it up.

With sports and sports media focusing on subjects such as performance-enhancing drugs, NFL quarterbacks’ retirement or reinstatements, college recruiting scandals and hotel voyeurism, a lot of the good in sports is often overlooked.  In this excellent article for SI.com, Kevin Armstrong chronicles the support Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich has received in his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer with which he was diagnosed in the spring.  As exemplified by Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis and the Clemson team and university community, who would consider Mark and the Eagles far from friends on the gridiron, athletes and coaches do not need to wear the same uniform to all be fighting for the same victory.

It’s college basketball time all the time in North Carolina.  The Charlotte Observer says the 2010 ACC basketball season will be close and that BC is among the teams that can emerge as a “dark horse” to win the conference.  The Triangle-based News and Observer also provides a summer basketball preview and has BC at the top with UNC and Florida State.   In addition he News and Observe has ACC football previews.  The Boston Herald has good coverage of BC and the ACC.  The Boston Globe will likely run original material for the Eagles’ basketball games against UNC and Duke and a couple football games.

The Pirates did not make any trades on Thursday but still has until 4pm EST Friday to make a non-waiver deal.  That is if there are players left at the Major League level of the Pirates system.  The Dodgers acquired Baltimore Orioles reliever George Sherill for two minor league players.

Foxsports.com columnist Kevin Hench writes a letter of thanks to Brett Favre.

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi says that trade talks for Halladay are all but dead.  The Red Sox and Indians are reportedly discussing a deal that would send Cleveland first baseman/catcher Victor Martinez to the Red Sox.  A third team will likely get involved.

With the Red Sox’s comeback win over the A’s Thursday afternoon and a Yankees ninth-inning loss to the White Sox that night, the Sox trail in the AL East by 2.5 games.

Julio Lugo is tearing it up as a second baseman and shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals.  Since he was given to the Cards by the Red Sox last week, Lugo is 10 for 25 with a homerun and stolen base.  His fielding hasn’t been bad either.

Until the Dallas Stars Ice Girls make their 2009 Lake Day video, we’re stuck with the 2008 edition.  And 2007, in which you learn about the squad.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is pitching Air Tran.

The new United Football League plans to bring pro football to Hartford in 2009.  The league has not yet announced team names.  Michael Vick says he’s talking to pro teams, but did not specify that they are NFL teams.  Franchise QB for the New Whalers?

• Theo Epstein will make a significant move before Friday’s 4pm non-waiver trade deadline.  While the team is just behind the Yankees in the AL East and leading the Wild Card standings, the post All-Star break swoon looks more like a tailspin every day.  Looking beyond the obvious 4-8 “second-half” record, the Sox have two pitchers on the DL–Tim Wakefield will be back whereas Daisuke Matsuzaka is setting the stage for an acrimonious free agent departure which can’t come soon enough, a banged-up catcher who tends to fade in the second-half of seasons (to Varitek’s credit, most catchers do), shortstop issues and slumps by Jason Bay and J.D. Drew.  Like the 2004 squad, this year’s team is highly talented but flawed to the point where postseason dreams can be derailed.  Victor Martinez and Roy Halladay look like the top two choices since Indians lefty Cliff Lee, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, was traded to the Phillies earlier today.  Cleveland will likely want to further stockpile prospects and, more importantly, replace the recent loss in pitching with young arms.  As we all know, the Red Sox have pitching prospects.  It must be noted that Sox GM Theo Epstein has worked multi-team deals in the past (Nomar in 2004 involved the Cubs, Twins and Expos; Manny-Bay involved the Pirates and Dodgers).  You would have to think that the arrival of Victor Martinez would coincide with the departure of newcomer Adam LaRoche.
• The Pirates continued to throw everything off their sinking ship today, trading infielder Freddy Sanchez to the Giants and shortstop Jack Wilson and Ian Snell to the Mariners.  It appears that these are actually good trades that dumped the salaries of veterans the Bucs would not resign in exchange for Major League-ready prospects.  San Francisco sent over right-handed pitcher Tim Alderson who is currently in AA but a top pitching prospect.  The Mariners sent shortstop Ronny Cedeno, who is really just an expiring contract, and catcher/first baseman Jeff Clement who has 20-homerun potential at the Major League level.  Maybe Pirates GM Neal Huntington really does have a plan.  Hopefully by this time in a year or two, when Huntington talks to his colleagues around the league, it will be as a buyer.
• Before today’s deal for Sanchez, the Giants acquired first baseman Ryan Garko from the Indians.  The club may not be done dealing as pitcher Randy Johnson went on the DL today.
• In football news, Boston College was again picked to finish last in the ACC Atlantic Division.  The Eagles are used to not receiving any respect from the media but there are quite a few question marks this season: another coaching change (former defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani is now head coach after Jeff Jagodzinski left over the winter), another quarterback change (redshirt freshman Justin Tuggle vs. old freshman Dave Shinskie in a “Necessary Roughness” impression vs. juco transfer Codi Boek), major defensive losses (linemen Ron Brace and B.J. Raji went to the NFL; linebacker Mark Herzlich is being treated for the cancer Ewing’s Sarcoma) and the same kicking game which is always a question.  Still, BC returns 13 starters from last season’s division-winning team, including four of five offensive lineman and star sophomore runningbacks Montel Harris and Josh Haden.  The losses of Brace, Raji and Herzlich will be big but the Eagles were one of the top defenses in the country last year and still possess a deep linebacker corps.  Far from the floor of the Atlantic, BC will again contend for a trip to the ACC title game and finish the season with eight wins.
• Some washed-up NFL quarterback decided against a run at another last hurrah this season.  That does not however rule out the chance of a Roger Clemens dating show-like midseason return.
• I do not normally watch The Real World or any “reality” TV due to my involvement with the original reality TV–sports.  While up late one night, I attempted to see whether anything could be watchable in HD and put on a Real World Cancun episode from OnDemand.  Not only was I struck by how MTV cast four ok-at-best looking women including one with bad teeth and a self-mutilation problem, but how easily any of these people can get some action.  I would be more intrigued to see an entire show based on how they pick up their conquests which I bet involves something along the lines of “Hey, I’m on the Real World.  There are the cameras.  Come home with me and you could be on TV.”

Despite the offense and somewhat shallow starting pitching depth, the Giants can be a nasty draw in a play-off series, especially one in which Cain and/or Lincecum can start twice.  All they need to do is get there.  Thus, while the usual suspects are in the talks for the big trades, don’t count out the Giants who are either a bat or another arm away from the play-offs and a bat and arm away from winning in the play-offs.  The Giants have not won a World Series in their time in California.  While overtaking the Dodgers in the division would require a stretch run reminiscent of the late summer and fall of 1951 that culminated in the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” these Giants can make some waves by the bay this season.

Note: the title of this post in an allusion to a legendary mantra for that other Boston baseball club in 1948.

As important as the hitting and Josh Beckett’s pitching (7 IP, 3 ER, 10 K, 1 BB, 8 H), the bullpen continued its stellar performance by continuing its scoreless streak–now at 24 innings–since the All-Star break.  Central to the bullpen is rookie reliever Daniel Bard.

In 27.2 innings, Bard is rocking a 1.01 WHIP, 2.28 ERA and .184 batting average against on top of 34 strikeouts.  Most impressive is the distribution of Bard’s runs: in his 23 relief appearances since arriving at the big club from Pawtucket, Bard has only allowed earned runs in three of them.  The last time one of Bard’s runners scored was on June 25–eight appearances ago.

Francona said that he has been speaking with general manager Theo Epstein regarding trade negotiations before Friday’s deadline but the names that have been discussed aren’t the usual suspects.

“I listen to the talks. I don’t listen to the radio, but I talk to Theo,” Francona said. “Some of the people I hear talked about on the radio — you guys have no idea. I talk to Theo a lot. I know what’s going on, but I also know what’s not going on.”

Francona didn’t talk about any moves, either hypothetically or realistically, but said that they team may be active close to the deadline like it has in years past.

“We were players sometimes in the past and we may be players in the future,” said Francona. “Boston, as a city, seems to be a player in everything. We’re not the biggest city in the country, but we are one of the biggest markets in baseball.”

Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated reported in the Daily Scoop that the Sox are actively pursuing big deals. Rumors have them interested in Victor Martinez and Adrian Gonzalez to add depth offensively to the infield – but they’re two of the usual suspects tossed around all the time.

We’ll see by Friday.

He cannot participate in regular-season games until Week 6 (Oct. 18-19), but he can immediately take part in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games. A number of teams have already said they would not Vick and no teams have come forward to announce that they would. Once the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement in October.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to commissioner Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League,” Vick said in a statement released by his agent, Joel Segal. “I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given.”

At the very least, it appears the Sox’s bullpen is back on track.

According to Yahoo! (formerly of the Boston Globe and recently a sub in the NESN booth) writer Gordon Edes on Saturday:

“The Red Sox continue to track Cleveland’s Victor Martinez(notes), the switch-hitting catcher and first baseman who would give the team’s dormant offense an immediate lift while giving GM Theo Epstein a valuable piece for the future. The Adam LaRoche(notes) deal has no impact on the Red Sox’s interest in Martinez, but so far Boston reportedly is unwilling to give up Clay Buchholz(notes). This trade makes too much sense for the Red Sox for it not to happen. The All-Star Martinez will wear out the Green Monster, he could be the team’s first baseman (and less likely, their catcher) for years to come, and he’s terrific in the clubhouse, especially with Latin players and young players. GM Mark Shapiro will extract a high price, but there’s a match to be made here.”

I was unsold on Martinez until I read and heard more about his clubhouse character.  I like guys like that on teams and feel they’re sometimes necessary to get other players to play well.  That and he is a switch-hitter who plays multiple positions, far more valuable than Adam LaRoche.  Plus, Francona likes carrying three catchers in the play-offs and Martinez gives the team that without sacrificing offense or another position.

Leave it to the Yankees to catch the A’s right when they traded Matt Holliday.  Luckily the Red Sox get the A’s for four days starting tonight.

Coinciding almost annually with the Hall of Fame inductions is chatter about Pete Rose being taken off the permanent ineligibility list so he can be on the Hall of Fame ballot or considered by the Veterans Committee.  I for one believe that Rose should never be enshrined in Cooperstown.  Few people seem to remember or realize that Rose became permanently ineligible as part of a deal he struck with Major League Baseball in which he admitted there was factual basis to the ban and MLB would not make a formal finding about his gambling.  In addition, Rose initially denied he gambled as manager of the Reds before admitting in 2004 that he did gamble on games he managed but never against his own team.  A manager who bet on games he managed–who involved himself with gamblers and had control of the outcome of those games–should be treated the same as players who took dives for money.  Rose might say he never bet against his own team and maybe he didn’t, but why believe him now?

For the Sox, LaRoche gives skipper Terry Francona a fierce port-siding plank out of the cabin to spell first-matey Kevin Youkilis or third-matey Mike Lowell (with Youk manning that port) to hammer cannonballs coming from the starboard.  This barter the most recent in a week of ship shaking with the albatross Julio Lugo buried at sea last Fri., Tim Wakefield in sick bay and the impressment of Jed Lowrie and Clay Buchholz in the last days past.  General Theo Epstein is in the crow’s nest with his spy-glass on the lookout for what may be acquired or plundered from other ships.

Captain Jason Varitek has not been ahoyed for comment.

Tribune Co. spokesman Gary Weitman declined to comment.

The company has reached an agreement to sell the Cubs, their home park of Wrigley Field and a stake in a regional sports cable network for slightly less than $900 million to the Ricketts family, Reuters previously reported. The company is also in talks with a second group of potential owners.

Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy in December and put the Cubs, Wrigley Field and a 25 percent stake in a local sports TV network on the block in April 2007.

The company would only hope to keep the team in chapter 11 for a short amount of time to ensure the Cubs and related assets are free of liabilities so as to speed a sale, a Reuters source said.