The Future is Bright

Tonight the top two men in the Boston lineup stats' looked something like this: 7 hits, 10 at bats, 4 runs scored, 3 runs batted in, 2 home runs, and 3 doubles. The top two men in the lineup are both 24 years old and look to be in there for years to come. They are center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and 2007 Rookie of the Year, Dustin Pedroia.

Many were looking to deal Ellsbury over the winter for lefty ace Johan Santana. I was firm in my position that Ellsbury was not to be traded because he is a spark plug in the everyday lineup whereas Johan affects the game every fifth day. Tonight, Ellsbury proved my theory correct, at least for one game. Ellsbury homered twice and laid down a beautiful drag bunt to get on base setting up a game winning double by none other than Dustin Pedroia.

As of right now, the Sox have won 6 in a row and have been led by Pedroia hitting .364 with 12 RBI's out of the 2-hole. He has delivered game winning or tying doubles in 2 of the last three games. Sophomore slump? Hardly. These kids are here to say and I am loving every minute of it.

Other Tidbits

*Chris Paul has effectively shut me up over his first two NBA playoff games, single handedly embarassing Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks. Paul had the video game stats of 32 points and 17 assists. The Hornets will head to Dallas up 2-0 after blowing out the Mavs 127-103 tonight. So much for me thinking that Chris Paul was a fluke.

*The Spurs-Suns series will do down as a classic first round matchup. After game one's double overtime thriller, the two teams were back for game two tonight. The Spurs showed once again, while they are the most boring team in the league, they will win basketball games by being fundamentaly sound. The Spurs will head back to Phoenix up 2-0.

*In a "who really cares series?" the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 104-103.

*Congrats to John Smoltz for achieving his 3,000 career strikeout tonight. It is too bad the Braves are atrocious and lost to the lowly Washington Nationals 6-0. I still do not understand why so many baseball writers had the Braves winning what could be the 2nd toughest division in baseball (behind the NL West).

*The Philadelphia Flyers won game 7 in overtime over the Washington Capitals. The Flyers will go on to face the much hated Montreal Canadiens.While I must admit I am not a hockey fan, if you do not get excited when your team is in the playoffs, check your pulse, you might be dead.

And I will leave you with a quote from my inspiration, Bill Walton.

"You talk about Shaq as a ballerina, what a pirouette from Yao!"
-- Bill Walton, as Ming twists in the lane. 2.11.2004

-Scottie