GarySJ

No, Velcro... if you're tied with another team, the condition clearly stated in KnightsRule's post, you are no longer leading. I scarcely need to resort to such tactics.

That happened to a lot of Latin ballplayers. It's a common practice for prospects from those countries to lie about their age to increase their chances of being signed. After 9/11, security tightened and a lot of their birthdates were found to be false. Adrian Beltre I think was another. I forgot about Furcal's underage DUI though. Wonder if that gets him out of the underage drinking charge.

So.... it's relevant that the Red Sox are leading the wildcard race, even though they're not anymore?

No, no, no, VG my friend, it is your continued defense of the indefensible that makes things amusing. And couldn't you come up with a better crack than "you know how to use the quote feature on YABB?" Of course I do. I use it all the time. How is that witty? I mean, if I was responding to myself I would have said "All you've proven is that you still don't know to check Disable Smilies." Let's start from the top, shall we: 1. I never took the position that the ten items cited are non-issues. Surely they are issues. However, Red Sox Nation's tone throughout this entire thread is overwhelmingly that the Yankees are sunk because of them. Do you agree, or do I need to exhibit my mastery of the quote feature again? As an aside, the laws of probability and statistics dictate that is highly unlikely that all ten woes will befall the Yankees. Can they overcome, say, Rivera wearing down and Clark having to play first but none of the other stuff? 2. The New York Yankees have a strong history of effectively rectifying any roster deficiencies before the playoffs. Your attempts to portray the Yankee dynasty as crumbling at the sight of Jason Varitek's fists of fury shamelessly ignore that fact. I would think that of all people, a Boston Red Sox fan would better understand the importance of history. 3. Even if the Yanks were to fall apart for all ten the reasons cited, and failed to rectify any of them, it can scarcely be concluded that the Boston Red Sox will be the team to benefit from it. May I remind you The Sox' record is merely fourth-best record in the American League, and there are four other teams within five games of they wildcard chase they're "leading", including the Cleveland Indians. I merely suggest that before you start digging a grave for the New York Yankees, maybe your team should put a little more distance between itself and Coco Crisp.

Yeah, well, poking Red Sox fans elicits more interesting reactions. All the quotes in my post were taken from you or other Red Sox fans earlier on this thread. And regardless of who said them, they are all completely asinine. To wit: By half a game. And that's only because they've played more games than the other teams in the wildcard race. Irrelevant: see above. BWAHAHAHAHAHA. Only if you don't consider 2000 part of the current century. I suppose if they win this year you'll say they've never won in an even-numbered year in the current century. And in the last 90 years, the Red Sox have not won the WS during a year that anyone was in office. And if not for a brief run of success during the 1910s, even that wouldn't be true. In the 1840s, no one was in office for one full day. Well, that's something to hang your hat on, because Lord knows it's your only chance of making the playoffs. And let me do your little top 10 list while I'm at it: 10. Yanks lineup potent enough without Giambi, Giambi having bad year anyway 9. Wishful thinking 8. Sample of 5 games not statistically relevant; even if Contreras completely incapable of getting W vs Red Sox, Yanks can work rotation around him - assuming Sox make playoffs at all 7. Wishful thinking 6. A-Rod quite capable of dealing pressure 5. Wishful thinking 4. Yanks will trade to improve long relief help if need be 3. Wishful thinking 2. Since when have the Yankees post-season chances been hurt by a panic move 1. The Big Unit deal not dead by any account I've read, and even if it is the Yanks have proven they'll do whatever it takes to improve their team down the stretch

No wonder Red Sox fans are so good at trivia. It's the only thing they can use to validate the superiority of their team.

I'm going to the Mad Cow board to debate politics with Smazza. Compared to you Red Sox fans, he's refreshingly in touch with reality.

The good news is, you've inspired me to write a caption for the photo: This photograph captures one of the rarest moments in all of sports: a Red Sox actually beating a Yankee.

Sheesh, I don't even like the Yankees, but your spin is so myopic and delusional that I find myself compelled to argue their case. Yep -- and the Yanks lead the series 4-2 in games played after April 26th. Wanna try again? It's better than not winning the close ones with the Devil Rays, like a certain AL East team I could name. Let's check some team vs team records, since you seem to like those. The Yankees' beating up on the weak teams would be irrelevant to the AL East race if the Red Sox could just do the same. The Yanks are 21-5 against the Rays/Jays/O's, while the Sox are 18-11. That's 6 games in the loss column; the Yanks' lead is only 8 in the loss column. Yet you'll continue to blame your team's failure on everything except the simple fact that the New York Yankees win more games over a 162-game schedule than the Boston Red Sox do.

In other news, the Yankees still lead the American League East by 7 1/2 games.

Frustrated by his inability to land endorsement deals, Barry Bonds begins writing and performing his own commercials between innings. Pictured here is Barry's rendition of "Immodium AD."

Even after repeated explanations, US President George W. Bush fails to grasp the concept of Rock Paper Scissors.

There's rose-colored glasses, there's overly optimistic, and then there's just plain delusional.

It's a good and bad deal for the Heat. Good because Shaq is still Shaq and he alone makes Miami at least the #3 team in the East behind Indiana and Detroit. Plus he's going to be highly motivated, sell tickets, and stay out of legal trouble. Bad because Shaq is 32, isn't getting any younger and they had to give up their core talent to get him. Plus they'll have no flexibility to improve the team, which suddenly needs improving in a few areas. And you've got to feel bad for Lamar Odom. He had the rocky career, including trouble in L.A., moves to Miami, appears to get things straightened out on and off the court, and after one year he gets shipped right back to La-La-Land. I hope he doesn't fall back into old habits. Everybody's singing a dirge for the Lakers, but a team with Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Gary Payton, and a Vlade Divac/Brian Grant platoon at center is still going to be pretty good.

Good take on this from CBS Sportsline: http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/7523844

Shameless bump for the update. Some of our selections starting to appear.

Velcro is right. I follow the Heat and I don't like this trade. They're giving up too much of their nucleus to get one player who's paid way too much, and has had injury problems. Last year's Miami team was a young, athletic squad with great chemistry. Not only are they giving up Lamar Odom and Caron Butler, but they're losing the benefit of their athleticism. It's less advantageous to have a high flyer like Dwayne Wade when you're waiting for Shaq to plod his 350 pounds into position in the halfcourt. The Heat go from being a blossoming team with multiple young stars, to an incomplete, cap-challenged team that has to win now. Shaq is 32 and not getting any younger. He'll demand so much money that they'll be unable to bring in a supporting cast. And they STILL need a point guard. The Heat's decision to pass on the Hardaway-esque Jameer Nelson in the draft looks even dumber now than it did at the time.

Here's the best Brushback.com article so far: ARCHIE MANNING ASKS NFL DEFENSEMEN NOT TO TACKLE HIS SON NEW YORK--First, there was the 2004 draft, in which Archie Manning asked the San Diego Chargers not to select his son Eli with the first pick. The Chargers were insulted, but shipped young Manning to the Giants anyway. Now the senior Manning has issued a request to all NFL defensemen: Please don’t tackle my son. "First let me just say that I appreciate the opportunity for my son to play in the NFL,†Manning said during an appearance on Sportscenter. “I know it’s a huge privilege and an honor, and the last thing I would want to do is ruffle feathers or draw undue attention to him. But I would like to request that any and all NFL defensemen refrain from tackling my son. He’s young and fragile, and any kind of physical contact could really hurt his career. Again, I don’t want to disrespect the game, but we really can’t have Eli being tackled at this point. I’m sure you all can understand." Manning said the decision to make the request came after days of deliberation, and was not intended to make a mockery of the league. It was designed solely to protect the well being of young Eli. "This is completely out of character for our family," said Manning. "We really hate to ask for special treatment because we know what a privilege it is to play football for a living. This was a very, very difficult decision to make and we did not approach it lightly. Simply put, my son can’t be tackled. Look at him. Look at that pretty face. Do you want to be the one to damage that? I don’t think so. So let’s all pull together and make sure Eli doesn’t get tackled. If we can’t get everyone to agree to this, he will sit out the season." Reaction from around the league has been mixed. The league’s defensemen are furious with the Mannings, and have vowed to tackle Eli as often as possible. "Are they kidding? The kid doesn’t want to be tackled? This is football. Everyone gets tackled," said Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse. "I’m going to make it a point to beat the living **** out of that kid whenever possible. Hell, I’ll even take a penalty if I have to, just for the sheer joy of putting the pretty boy on his ass--that is, if I can stay healthy long enough to get in a game." Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis promised to remove Manning’s head from his body and vomit down his neck, if given the chance. "Let me put it this way," said Lewis from his home in Tampa. "When we play the Giants, it will be my mission to destroy him. I will stomp on him, spit on him, and crush his hopes and dreams. In fact, if he survives the game I will be very surprised. Don’t forget peopleâ€â€I’m crazy. I killed someone." Though Manning’s message may have been lost on the leagues defensive players, some experts are calling it "sensible" and "fair." Michael Irvin, ESPN football analyst, believes that players have a right to protect themselves in order to avoid a career ending injury. "Hey, we all got to make money We all want those endorsements, and any player who denies that is lying," said Irvin. "Why shouldn’t he be able to exempt himself from being tackled? Why shouldn’t he refuse to be thrown on the ground? If he gets hurt and his career’s in jeopardy, it’ll cost him millions." He added: "Anytime a player does something to look after himself, everybody jump all over him like he selfish. I say players have a right to look out for themselves. Actually, I don’t say it, I scream it. I scream everything, even though I have a perfectly good microphone to amplify my voice." Despite the criticism from around the league, Archie Manning said his son is willing to sit out the season to avoid being tackled. There are several options open to Eli, including the Canadian Football League and the Arena league, but Manning insisted that his son would much rather play pro football. The only stipulation is exemption from the tackling rule. "Look, it’s very easy. Just don’t tackle him," said Manning. "It’s simple. If you get into the backfield, simply stand in front of him and try to bat down the pass. But don’t do it too hard. The ball could be batted back at Eli and poke him in the eye. It could also graze him, causing him to lose his balance and fall down, getting his uniform and hair dirty. If all the defensemen in the league could agree to this simple solution, Eli will be an NFL quarterback next year. If not, I have two words for Giants fans: Jesse Palmer." As for Eli, he’s been keeping a low profile since the draft, content to let his father do the talking. When reached for comment at his Manhattan apartment, the young quarterback downplayed his dad’s request. "I understand that people are upset with me right now, but that’s OK," he said. "I know my dad really believes in me not getting tackled, and I don’t blame him. You only get one career, one shot at this thing, and we’ve seen what injuries can do to a player. It wouldn’t be fair for me to get injured and deprive America of my excellence, charisma, and beauty. People wouldn’t stand for it. I just hope that we can reach some sort of an agreement on this thing so I don’t have to go to the Arena league. I really can’t deal with all that Bon Jovi music." Manning Sr. has attempted to make a compromise with the NFL regarding his son’s safety. According to the commissioner’s office, he has already contacted the league and suggested Eli wear a flag or hankie in his back pocket so that defenders could attempt to capture it in lieu of actually tackling him. "Have you ever played flag football? It’s a lot of fun," said Manning. "You get to chase the guy around and try to pull the flag out of his back pocket. If you’ve never played it, let me tell you: It’s a blast. I think people like Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher and Warren Sapp would really enjoy trying to get that flag. It’s harder than you think!" When reached for comment, Urlacher vowed to capture Manning’s flag and use it to choke the life out of him.

Craig James. Eric Dickerson.

Question: if the Devil Rays beat the Yankees, does that count towards the D-Rays winning streak in interleague games? Because as we all know, the Rays are not in the Yankees' league.

Lets be realistic, UEI. Surely that rates no higher than #7 overall. One more: Larry Bird steals Isiah Thomas inbound, and Celtics steal NBA Eastern Conference title, 1987.

Maybe I don't understand the Red Sox fan mentality. But if I was one, I would not be counting on fortune to go my team's way. Especially against the Yankees.

They don't call it "Southern Money University" for nothing. They have a lot of rich alums and donors, and a lot of history from back in the pre-death penalty days. It's not like they're a new program trying to drum up support.

But if the last 100 years is any indication, it probably won't.

The NCAA already lets a team count a game in another state as a home game. Idaho plays "home games" at Washington State's stadium to meet the attendance requirement. But it's only nine miles away, which is within the range specified by NCAA rules (35 miles IIRC). Then again, what difference does it make what ULM does doing this to meet the rule, when the NCAA is just plain ignoring it re: FAU and FIU?