Bleacher Report - Articles by Anthony Emerson

Is Marco Scutaro the Answer for the Boston Red Sox at Shortstop?

Anthony Emerson — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:58:14 -0500

The rumors that the Boston Red Sox are interested in former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Marco Scutaro are flurrying.

I prefer Scutaro to almost every other shortstop on the market for the Red Sox. Boston has already let their shortstop from last season's stretch, Alex Gonzalez, go to Toronto.

Scutrao's defense is not as good as Gonzalez's defense, but it's passable compared to some of the other shortstops the Red Sox had since the traded Nomar Garciaparra back in 2004.

Both Scutaro and the Red Sox brass have expressed very serious interest in each other.

Scutaro has always seemed to be underrated. He was never a really good offensive player. 2009 was his best season, as he hit .282 with 12 home runs and 60 RBI, all career highs. His OBP last season was .379 and his slugging percentage was .409 for an OPS of .789, also career highs.

Scutaro has been the apple of my shortstop eye for some time. I've always liked the guy, as he seems like a hard worker who mixes good defense with average offense.

There are very few decent shortstop free agents out there, as Adam Everett seems to be the only other option that seems as good as Scutaro. Khalil Greene could be an option, but he may suffer from an anxiety disorder, and has been anemic at the plate and with the glove.

Scutaro appears to be the best option at shortstop the Red Sox. One thing about Scutaro scares me, though. His age. He just turned 34 years old. Gonzalez will be 33 at the start of 2010 Spring Training. Jed Lowrie will be 26 at the start of the 2010 season, but his injury problems will likely keep him on the bench as the backup to whoever the starting shortstop in 2010 will be.

Marco Scutaro appears to be a leg-up over Alex Gonzalez, and most likely will be in a Red Sox uniform in 2010.

A (Premature) Thanksgiving Slideshow: 10 Things the NFL Should Be Thankful For

Anthony Emerson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:15:18 -0500

Happy (early) turkey day, everyone. There's a lot to be thankful for. Your health, your family, your friends. Some NFL personell, has a few things that they should be thankful for, too. The Lions should be thankful that they have a victory, let alone two. Jim Zorn should be thankful that he still has a job. In no particular order, here are 10 things the NFL should be thankful for. At the end of the article, there will be one thing the NFL should NOT be thankful for (hint: it's about the Seattle Seahawks).

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Why Trading Clay Buchholz Will Set Back The Boston Red Sox For Years To Come

Anthony Emerson — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:40:17 -0500

The Clay Buchholz rumors are flying again.

The Red Sox are interested in a big hitter, like Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers or Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres.

Trading for either Cabrera or Gonzalez would likely involve a huge package of young players, almost definitely including Clay Buchholz.

Buchholz has taken steps back from his no-hitter in September of 2007. But down the stretch in 2009, Buchholz was great, anchoring the Red Sox staff behind Josh Beckett and Jon Lester.

His 2009 ERA was a decent 4.21. He went 7-4 and had an opponents batting average of .256 with a WHIP of 1.38.

Not stellar numbers for Buchholz, but definitely passable.

Most of all, Buchholz is just 25 years old, turning 26 late in the season. His prime is ahead of him.

Cabrera is 26, and will be turning 27 a few days after opening day of the 2010 season. Gonzalez is 27 and will be turning 28 a month after the 2010 season will start.

I know it's not a major age difference, but Buchholz's best years are still ahead of him, while Cabrera and Gonzalez might have peaked early.

Plus as they say, great pitching always beats great hitting. Buchholz is potentially a great pitcher. I'd rather have the Red Sox stop runs then pile them on.

Adrian Beltre and Rick Ankiel: What's up with the Boston Red Sox?

Anthony Emerson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:04:19 -0500

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly interested in four different free agents who are represented by Scott Boras.

Two of them, Matt Holliday and Mike Gonzalez, have been rumored to go to the Red Sox numerous times. The other two, Adrian Beltre and Rick Ankiel, have never before been even thought as potential acquisitions.

Ankiel, the former pitcher turned center fielder, would probably be a better option than Beltre, who's been less than stellar these past few seasons with the Seattle Mariners.

With the potential of former Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay returning to Boston looking bleaker and bleaker, the Red Sox are looking into potential replacement left fielders. They have already acquired former Florida Marlins left fielder Jeremy Hermida for two middle relief pitching prospects, Hunter Jones, and Jose Alvarez.

I'd be fine if the Red Sox signed Ankiel. It's the potential Beltre acquisition that I don't like.

The Seattle Mariners paid through the nose for Beltre, who was coming off a 48 home run season.

The Mariners devoted $11 million to Beltre's first season in Seattle. By the end of his contract, the Mariners had devoted $64 million to Beltre. He never hit above .276. He never had more than 99 RBI. He never hit more than 26 home runs.

Beltre was a $64 million mistake for the Mariners. I don't want him to be an under-$10 million mistake for the Red Sox.

It's clear that Beltre hasn't been able to handle American League pitching in his four seasons in the AL.

Ankiel would likely be cheaper than Beltre, even if he is a Scott Boras client. Ankiel is coming off his worst season since his comeback in 2007, hitting .231 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. He also played in 122 games in 2009, his most since his comeback.

Is Ankiel on the decline? Maybe. He might be in a Rocco Baldelli position for the Red Sox. Baldelli provided a few solid games for the Red Sox last season in a utility outfield role.

I would rather have Bay, Matt Holliday, or Hermida start in front of Ankiel. However, if Bay and Holliday both sign elsewhere, Ankiel might be a last option for another outfielder.

Personally, I don't like either Beltre or Ankiel coming to Boston. They both seem overrated and overpriced. And, they have Scott Boras as their agent. And Red Sox Nation knows how much Scott Boras and Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein have butted heads in the past. Among the notable Boras-Red Sox cons, Johnny Damon leaving the Red Sox after the 2005 season to join with the arch-rival New York Yankees.

This is definitely not the first, nor will be the last, time the Red Sox will have to deal with "super-agent" Scott Boras.

Should the Boston Red Sox Look into Ryan Doumit?

Anthony Emerson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:45:09 -0500

Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates were rumored to be trying to trade their catcher Ryan Doumit. Teams mentioned were the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners.

When the regular season hot stove was heating up, I thought that Ryan Doumit might be a good fit at catcher for the Boston Red Sox. I even wrote an article about the potential of him coming to Boston.

Doumit, ultimately, stayed with the Pirates.

But with the Pirates apparently shopping Doumit around, he might head to Boston. Doumit hasn't been rumored to the Red Sox, but Theo Epstein has already pulled off a seemingly surprising move by acquiring Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins.

If the Red Sox go after Doumit, it would be another seemingly surprising move.

Despite the Red Sox acquisition of Victor Martinez on Trade Deadline 2009, the Red Sox catching situation is still up in the air.

Martinez can't play everyday, and the Red Sox' current backup catcher is Captain Jason Varitek, who has been abysmal at the plate since 2008. V-Tek is still valued as a defensive and pitching asset, but .

Behind Varitek is George Kottaras, who previously caught knuckleballer Tim Wakefield but is even worse than Varitek at the plate.

Doumit's numbers aren't spectacular, but they're better than Kottaras's. Doumit hit .250 with 10 home runs and 38 RBI in 75 games this season. Kottaras hit .237 with one home run and 10 RBI in 45 games for the Red Sox this season.

Varitek hit .209 in 2009, with 14 home runs and 53 RBI.

Doumit would be a better offensive option than Varitek or Kottaras. If Doumit was acquired, he would be the backup to Martinez, with Varitek being the third string catcher, working almost exclusively with the pitching staff.

It could only take some low-to mid-level prospects to pry Doumit away from Pittsburgh, because he's coming off an off year.

Is Ryan Doumit the future second string Red Sox catcher? What do you think, Red Sox Nation?

Red Sox Potential Free Agent Signings, Resignings and Trades:

Anthony Emerson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:35:42 -0500

The Boston Red Sox are certainly in for an eventful offseason. Already there's been the seemingly surprising move of acquiring Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins. But there are still many decisions to be made regarding players. In this article, I'll breakdown a few of the players rumored to be heading to, or from, the Red Sox. If you think I've left any player off this list, leave me a comment. This article is in no particular order.

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Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin: Plenty of History Behind These Football Rivals

Anthony Emerson — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:59:47 -0500

Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Colleges are three liberal arts schools in Maine. They play in the NCAA's Division III, in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. And they can't stand each other.

Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin have been facing each other in sports since the 1870s.

The schools compete in a three-team football tournament (the CBB Tournament), which started in 1965, with each team playing the other two once. It replaced the Maine State Series, which included the University of Maine Black Bears, who moved to a higher level of competition after the 1964 season.

Bowdoin has won the most CBB championships with 18. Colby's won 14 and Bates eight. There has been three three-way ties and one two-way tie.

Because Colby, Bates and Bowdoin are small, rural colleges, they share many academic resources such as libraries.

The Colby White Mules play at Seaverns Field at Alfond Stadium in Waterville, Maine.

Colby was founded in 1813 as Maine Literary and Theological Institute. MLTI changed its name in 1821 to Waterville College. During the Civil War, the college was on the verge of closing because so many students left to fight. Gardner Colby donated a large amount of money to keep the school open. It was renamed Colby College in his honor.

Colby has never produced an NFL player, but Eric DeCosta, the Director of Player Personnel for the Baltimore Ravens, graduated from Colby in 1993.

The Bates Bobcats play at Garcelon Field in Lewiston, Maine.

Bates was founded in 1855 as New England's first interracial college. The founders were abolitionists, and some of the first students enrolled at Bates were former slaves.

Bates, like Colby, has never produced an NFL player. Or even someone involved with the NFL. But Bates has produced two Red Sox players. Harry Lloyd, class of 1908, played for Boston from 1908 to 1910, then joined the Chicago White Sox from 1910 to 1914. The other is Charles Small, class of 1927, who played for the Red Sox for one season in 1930.

The Bowdoin Polar Bears play at Whittier Field in Brunswick, Maine.

Bowdoin was founded in 1794. It is said that the Civil War "started and ended in Bowdoin." It began when Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin in Bowdoin's Appleton Hall. The war all but ended when General Joshua Chamberlain, a professor at Bowdoin, was recruited to lead the 20th Maine to Gettysburg. Chamberlain and the 20th defended Little Round Top valiantly. Chamberlain went on to win the Medal of Honor, and became Governor of Maine.

Bowdoin was also the college of President Franklin Pierce. He graduated in 1824.

Despite being the most successful of the three schools in football, Bowdoin also has never produced an NFL player.

The CBB rivalry has been a tradition in Maine since the sport was brought to the colleges in the 1890s. It's as much a tradition in college football as USC-UCLA, Oklahoma-Texas and Ohio State-Michigan.

It's a tradition filled with history. Loaded with history. Three distinguished liberal arts colleges in Maine, fighting each other on the gridiron.

I Love You, Bleacher Report, but Something Has To Change

Anthony Emerson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:02:02 -0500

I would first like to thank Bleacher Report for the opportunities it has offered me as a writer. It has given me the opportunity to work on the site FanHuddle with the Boston Bruins.

I love Bleacher Report. B/R has given me the opportunity to meet new and great people from all over the world. I have spoken to people from Scotland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and right in my home state of Maine. Bleacher Report has given me the opportunity to make my voice heard in the crowded world of sports media.

And I thank Bleacher Report for that. I'm 14 years old and a freshman at Deering High School in Portland, Maine. I joined Bleacher Report in June of 2009, during eighth grade at Lincoln Middle School. I was recently promoted to Analyst from Scribe. I love to write. I've loved writing since second grade.

But, two of whom I'd like to call my personal friends on Bleacher Report have recently been, for lack of a better phrase, screwed over by the B/R brass.

Robert Domaine and Revo Boulanger. Boulanger was my first fan on Bleacher Report. He gave me my first Pick of the Day vote, on a Boston Bruins article.

Revo quicky became one of my personal friends, defending me when I got into comment arguments some of my more opinionated articles.

Revo left Bleacher Report in late July, because of mistreatment and mismanagement on the B/R brass' part. He was a Senior Writer and the leader of the Boston Bruins community here on B/R. He published several articles toward the end of his tenure here on Bleacher Report about how he had been mistreated by Bleacher Report, even going so far to call the site a "cesspool."

Revo Boulanger was terminated within weeks after his final article, blasphemy in the eyes of Almighty Bleacher Report, was published.

Robert Domaine is still on Bleacher Report. However, many of you have seen his most recent article, "You Are Not a Unique Snowflake: An Open Letter to All of Bleacher Report." In it, he describes how he lost the "Syndicated Writer" tag that every one of us Bleacher Creatures gets the moment we publish our first article on this site.

He lost it because, according to Bleacher Report, he wasn't a good enough writer.

Robert Domaine has an AOTD, a 99 percent superstar rating on CBS Sports, and 542 fans. I'm one of them. He, like Revo Boulanger, is also a Senior Writer. How can a Senior Writer not be granted syndication status on his own site?

I am writing this article as a concerned citizen of the B/R nation. I no longer want to see good B/R writers leave the site because of mistreatment. Writers who are of the quality of Revo Boulanger and Robert Domaine deserve respect, and Bleacher Report simply refused to give it to them.

I am writing this article because I don't want to see gratuitous mistreatment any of us B/R writers go on any longer.

Robert Domaine, Revo Boulanger, and dozens of other B/R writers have poured the hearts and souls into this site.

Like I said before, I am 14 years old, I live in Portland, Maine, and have been on Bleacher Report for almost six months. I have recently been promoted from Scribe to Analyst. I love to write. And I love to write for Bleacher Report.

But if more of my friends are mistreated on this site, I simply won't stand for it.

Mark Teahen To The White Sox: Why This Deal Is a Win For Kansas City

Anthony Emerson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:46 -0500

There have been mixed reports about the potential inter-division deal involving the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox.

The Royals are apparently trying to send their popular third baseman/outfielder Mark Teahen to division rivals, the White Sox.

Nothing's been confirmed, but the deal is close to being made official.

The Royals are apparently going to get White Sox infielders Chris Getz and Josh Fields.

On the outside, it appears that the White Sox are getting a good player who can play a ton of positions.

However, the story goes much deeper.

Teahen is 29 years old, hit .271 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 2009.

Getz, 27, hit .261 with two home runs and 31 RBI in 107 games.

Fields, 27, hit .222 with seven home runs and 30 RBI.

The stats of Fields and Getz pale in comparison to Teahen's, but both Getz and Fields are two years younger than Teahen. They could both develop into good hitters.

Teahen's average has been erratic at best throughout his career. His RBI numbers have gone down every year since 2006, his second season in the Majors. He's never had more than 69 RBI.

Getz and Fields are loaded with potential. Getz was great in his rookie year.

However, if this deal goes down, it has the potential to swing the other way, towards the White Sox. But as it stands right now, the Royals look like the winners of this trade.

The Jeremy Hermida Trade to the Red Sox Is Better Than You Think for Boston

Anthony Emerson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:58:12 -0500

Yesterday, the Boston Red Sox traded minor leaguers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez to the Florida Marlins for outfielder Jeremy Hermida.

As I checked my favorite site, MLB Trade Rumors, for the trade, the general comments were spread out from people hating the trade to people welcoming Hermida to Boston with open arms.

I'm one of the people who love this deal.

I look at Hermida as a safety net for the oft-injured J.D. Drew, as a Rocco Baldelli replacement.

I think that getting a 25-year-old fourth outfielder with some pop in exchange for two minor league pitchers that we don't need is a good move.

Hermida should appear in more games than Baldelli's 62 in 2009.

Hermida hit .259 with 13 home runs with 47 RBI with an OBP of .348 and a slugging percentage of .392 for an OPS of .740. For his career, Hermida has hit .265, 57 home runs, 210 RBI, OBP .344, and a slugging percentage of .425 for an OPS of .769.

Jones and Alvarez might be decent prospects, but I believe that Hermida will use quaint Fenway Park to his advantage.

This deal also might be good for Jones and Alvarez. Neither of them really had a future in Boston, currently packed to the gills with good relievers. But Jones and Alvarez should see a lot of playing time in Florida.

Overall, a good move for both sides.

From Avery to Artest: The Seven Craziest Athletes

Anthony Emerson — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:45 -0500

Athletes have often been thought of as flamboyant or outrageous. Today, they're just plain nuts. From Terell Owens getting his own television show on VH1 (the show is terrible, by the way) to the completely insane Tonya Harding. From a crazy Dennis Rodman to a crazier Mike Tyson, athletes today are just unpredictable and insane. If you think I've left an insane athlete off, just leave me a comment. This article is a list, and in no particular order.

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Brad Mills to Leave the Boston Red Sox to Become Houston Astros' Manager

Anthony Emerson — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:11:49 -0400

On the exact day five years ago that the Boston Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in 86 years, their bench coach from that improbable 2004 season left the Red Sox to take over as the manager for the Houston Astros

Mills has spent the last six years as bench coach of the Red Sox, and was generally considered one of the best bench coaches in the game. Red Sox manager Terry Francona knew that it would just be a matter of time until Mills was called upon to take the reigns of another major league franchise.

The Astros had offered former Washington Nationals' manager Manny Acta the job, but Acta turned it down.

Mills has previously coached for the Montreal Expos and the Chicago Cubs.

Mills was one of ten who interviewed for the Astros job, including Houston minor league director Al Perdique, former Brewers manager Ned Yost, Padres hitting coach Randy Ready, former Diamondbacks and Mariners manager Bob Melvin, Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin, and Red Sox first base coach Tim Bogar. Others that were suspected of being finalists for the position were former Astros manager John Garner and interim manager Dave Clark.

A Mistake On Everyone's Part: Joey Galloway

Anthony Emerson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:34:33 -0400

When the New England Patriots signed Joey Galloway, I thought that Galloway would provide extra depth at wideout, while giving Tom Brady a reliable target.

I was dead wrong.

Galloway was terrible, playing in just three games, starting two, with just seven receptions. He hadn't played in a game since the win against the Atlanta Falcons. He had no touchdown receptions.

The 37-year-old wideout sat on the bench for the rest of his Patriots career, even during the 59-0 trounce of the Tennessee Titans, when almost every backup saw playing time.

But, did the New England brass actually believe the Galloway could be the player he was with Tampa Bay and Dallas?

Obviously, no. But the Buccaneers knew that Galloway was going downhill, releasing him on Feb. 25.

Galloway signed with the Patriots on March 14. I didn't think it was bad having Galloway as the extra wide receiver for the Patriots until I saw him missing passes in the loss at the New York Jets on Sept. 20.

I only watched a little of the game, but I saw Galloway miss at least three passes.

Galloway's 37-year-old body seemed to act it's age in the game against the Jets.

Something was obviously up when Galloway stopped playing, and he probably had his bags packed during the 59-0 route of the Titans.

So, whose fault is it? Is Belicheck's, for thinking Galloway could be reliable, when he clearly wasn't? Or is Galloway trying to play past his prime?

Galloway should've retried with the Buccaneers, where he was beloved. He should be remembered as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

Instead, he may be remembered as a guy who was over the hill trying to play a young man's game.

The Chuck Kobasew Deal: A Prelude to Bigger and Better Bruins Trades?

Anthony Emerson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:24:34 -0400

Last night, the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild pulled off a trade: Craig Weller, a second-round pick, and the rights to prospect Alexander Fallstrom to the Bruins for right wing Chuck Kobasew.

Fallstrom, currently unsigned, was a fourth-round pick (116th overall) by the Wild in the 2009 draft. He also began his first year at Harvard University in September. The Swedish native has played for several semi-pro clubs in his homeland.

Weller, a fifth-round selection by the St. Louis Blues in 2000, is a tough forward. He has just 14 career points but 127 penalty minutes. He has played in 95 games in two seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes and the Wild. This season, Weller has been playing with the Wild's minor league team, the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League.

Kobasew was acquired by the Bruins with Andrew Ference from the Calgary Flames for Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau, two-thirds of the three-player package the Bruins got from the San Jose Sharks in the Joe Thornton trade, which happened a few years ago, on Nov. 31, 2005.

The second-round draft pick represents the ninth pick the Bruins hold in the first or second rounds of the 2010 and the 2011 draft.

With all those draft picks in the Bruins' possesion, the Bruins might try and pull of a bigger move.

One name I've heard is Ilya Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk is among the best players in the NHL. Only no one ever seems to notice. It's because Kovalchuck plays with the abysmal Atlanta Thrashers.

Kovalchuk has scored 304 career goals and 261 assists for a career points of 365.

Because the Thrashers have never been good, they'll be looking for some draft picks to rebuild their roster for the future.

The Bruins could send no more than four of their first- and second-round draft picks from the '10 and '11 drafts (they should keep five for themselves; they need to build their core of good young players with more good young players) and Marco Sturm. Sturm would give the Thrashers' young players veteran guidance, and Kovalchuk could thrive in the hockey-rich Boston and New England market.

The hockey hot stove is heating up, and we're only eight games into the season.

NHL vs. NBA: Five Reasons Why the Ice Is Much Cooler

Anthony Emerson — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:34:53 -0400

It's hockey season, friends. And it's almost basketball season, too. Soon, the debates will be starting about which sport is better: hockey or basketball? By a pure revenue standard, the NHL doesn't come close to the NBA. By pure fanhood, the NBA can't touch the NHL. With the NHL, it seems to be the devout fans or nothing. In the NBA, you have literally tons of those fairweather fans ("Shaquille O'Neal is still on Miami, right?"). I'm a huge Boston Celtics fan. But I love the Boston Bruins more. Here is why I think the NHL is better than the NBA.

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Could Jonathan Papelbon Be Papel-Gone before Next Season?

Anthony Emerson — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:44:43 -0400

Jonathan Papelbon allowed two inherited runs to score in the top of the eighth inning in Game Three of the Best of Five series against the Angels. He allowed three of his own in the ninth inning.

Jonathan Papelbon had the worst season of his career. Don't be swayed by his pretty little 1-1 record or his 1.95 ERA. He had a career high in walks (24), WHIP (1.15), and was only four hits shy of his career high in hits allowed, set last year. He also set many other career highs in 2008 (ERA, earned runs, and opponents batting average).

Is this just a rough two-season stretch? Or the start of the potential downfall of Papelbon's career?

The Red Sox might trade Papelbon.

They have young flamethrower Daniel Bard waiting in the shadows. If the Red Sox do trade Papelbon, it would be a pure Moneyball move, a move which was even mentioned multiple times in the book: selling the closer.

Think about what they could get for Papelbon: an outfielder to replace Jason Bay (if need be), a steady shortstop, and maybe a young catcher or another reliever.

To me (and to other people who have read Moneyball) trading Papelbon makes sense. I wouldn't trade him to any team in the American League East. Other than that, every team is fair game.

Tons of teams need pitching help. The Brewers are the first team to jump to my mind. Papelbon can take over for Trevor Hoffman once he leaves Milwaukee.

Would the Red Sox be better off without Paps? What do you think, Red Sox Nation?

Boston Bruins Player With Most at Stake: Mark Recchi

Anthony Emerson — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:30:15 -0400

The Boston Bruins acquired Mark Recchi on March 4, 2009, from the Tampa Bay Lightning for expendable defender Matt Lashoff.

Recchi immediately began paying dividends for the Bruins, scoring 10 goals and tallying six assists for 16 points in 18 games.

However, this season Recchi is 41. He's likely going to retire after this season. The younger guys on the team likely look up to Recchi because of his experience.

Mark Recchi has a lot riding on 2009-2010. He probably wants to leave the NHL on the top, so he'll try his hardest to get a ring in his last season.

But Recchi is under a lot of pressure.

With Phil Kessel leaving the Bruins for 'greener' pastures in Toronto, someone needs to step in. Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder could be the players to fill the Kessel-void as a duo.

But they'll look to Recchi for guidance. Something that he's used to, yes, but his production should decrease this year.

He's 41-years-old. Recchi has everything at stake for this season, leaving on a high note or leaving after a playoff loss.

Recchi should be decent this year, on the second or third line, but he will be far from the elite of the NHL, or the even among the best players on the Bruins.

J.P. Ricciardi: Looking Back On The Best (and Worst) Moves of His Career

Anthony Emerson — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:05:33 -0400

Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi was fired on the moning of October 3, 2009 after seven seasons as the Blue Jays GM. Ricciardi was the understudy to Moneyball gurus Billy Beane and Paul DePodesta. He got the Blue Jays GM job in November of 2001. This article hopes to look back on the 15 best and worst moves under Ricciardi's stewardship. The first 15 slides are the good moves, and the last 15 are the bad ones. The moves are in chronological order. If you think I left a Ricciardi deal off either of the lists, leave a comment about the deal.

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Boston Celtics: What to Watch For in The Coming Season

Anthony Emerson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:24:12 -0400

After the way the Boston Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs in the 2008-2009 season, most of New England was heartbroken.

But fear not, fellow Celtic fans. We battled the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic without Kevin Garnett. They battled Dwight Howard, and almost won.

But with additions like Marquis Daniels and Rasheed Wallace, the Celtics bench is now up to par with the 2007-2008 Celtics team.

Plus with the Big Three of Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce returning for one last NBA Championship run, the Celtics look like the class of the Eastern Conference again.

The guys on the parquet floor time is running out, though.

The younger Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls exposed the Celtics as an aging team during the playoffs.

Wallace and Daniels aren't necessarily young, either. Virtually, the Celtics are an old team. Their championship time is running out.

The Celtics main concern for 2009-2010 is keeping their starting lineup healthy.

Garnett's late season injury hampered the Celtics for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs.

However, this season if a similar injury were to go down, the Celtics' bench would definitely be able to pick up some slack, unlike last season's, which was weaker than the 2007-2008 Celtics' bench.

But I digress.

Ray Allen was showing his age in the playoffs. Allen made 35 out of 100 three pointers, for a three point percentage of .350, a playoff career low. The .350 average is a far cry from the season before, where Allen's playoff three point percentage was .396. In 2007-2008, he made 55 out of 139 three pointers.

Hopefully, Kevin Garnett won't have any adverse affects from his injury. He had the playoffs and the offseason to heal up. What I'm worried about with Garnett is rust. The heart and soul of the Boston Celtics did not play at all during the postseason.

For the rest of the Celtics, from Tony Allen to Shelden Williams, from Lester Hudson to Brian Scalabrine, from Rajon Rondo to Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics are looking strong. The Celtics should be in the top three in the Eastern Conference for most of the season.

Stephen Drew Joining His Brother in Boston?

Anthony Emerson — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:02:22 -0400

This morning, I was watching QuickPitch on MLB Network this morning, the host Matt Yalloff mentioned that the Arizona Diamondbacks are willing to take offers from teams to for Stephen Drew in exchange for pitching help.

Yalloff went on to say that the Boston Red Sox are reportedly interested.

The Red Sox have a slew of young pitching that they're (supposedly) willing to trade.

Drew's older brother, JD Drew, plays right field for the Red Sox, and have had a carousel of shortstops since trading Nomar Garciaparra in 2004. They've gone through Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez, Julio Lugo, Jed Lowrie, Nick Green, and Alex Gonzalez again.

Drew didn't have a great season in 2009, as he's hitting .258 with 12 home runs, 60 RBI, an OBP of .321, and a slugging percentage of .431 for an OPS of .752.

On paper, this looks like an easily matched trade. The D-Backs get some pitching help by way of the Red Sox prospects, and the Red Sox could (finally) end the Fenway shortstop carousel.

However, I've never been a fan of trading pitching prospects for proven hitters. Trading top pitching prospect to Cleveland for Victor Martinez at the trade deadline this season has worked out well, but I'm not willing to take that chance.

If Stephen is anything like JD, he may not do well in the intense spotlight of the Boston Media. Drew is coming off his second worst season in his four-year career, but he can rebound very well after bad seasons.

But, with the Red Sox pitching seemingly getting weaker on the pitching front, trading their future pitching isn't a wise move.

It's also a very weak pitching free agent market this offseason. If the Red Sox trade their good young pitchers, they might have trouble replacing the pitchers they lost to Arizona in the free agent market.

Still, Stephen Drew might seem like a piece to the Red Sox 2010 puzzle worth all of those potential repercussions.

New England Patriots: Moss, Edelman, Join Welker as Questionable

Anthony Emerson — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:00:06 -0400

After New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker missed last Sunday's game against the New York Jets with a right knee injury, he is expected to be a game-time decision against the Atlanta Falcons tomorrow.

However, Randy Moss missed team practices due to a back injury, and Edelman (who caught eight passes for 98 yards against the Jets in Welker's place) is questionable with an ankle injury.

Also new adds on the injury report: safety Brandon Meriweather, defensive back Shawn Springs, cornerback Terrence Wheatley, tight end Chris Baker among other backups and reserves.

Couple this with the Jerod Mayo injury, and the Patriots could have a tough time against Boston College alum Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.

Joey Galloway will have to step it up on offense, as he had a terrible game against the Jets. The defense will also have to step up to try to slow down Matty Ryan, Tony Gonzalez, and the rest of the high-powered Atlanta Falcons offense.

My prediction: If the Patriots' offense gets under control without Welker, Edelman or Moss, the Patriots will win. If not, it'll be a long day for the Pats faithful. Final score: Falcons 28, Patriots 17.

When a High School Football Player Passes: A Rememberance for a Friend

Anthony Emerson — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:11:13 -0400

On Sunday, Sept. 20, at around 2:30 in the morning, a green Ford Mustang crashed into a silver Chevrolet Impala on the corner of Brighton Avenue and Capisic Street in Portland, Maine. The car was driven by 21-year-old Yannick Mulongo, who was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.

Eighteen-year-old high school senior Guy Kitoko was killed.

Guy ran with the tough crowd during his earlier years at Lincoln Middle School and Deering High School, both in Portland. But Kitoko made the honor roll at Deering last school year, and he wanted to join the Marines after he graduated from college.

At the corner of Brighton and Capisic, there was a vigil. Candles, flowers, and T-shirts bearing the name of Kitoko's high school team: The Deering Rams.

The grief was shared by everyone at Deering. All 1,200 students. Including me. Even though I didn't know Guy very well, I knew that he was a talented football player as a wide receiver and special teams player.

Guy was quiet, helpful, and immensely respectful toward other people. He lived in the Riverton Projects, surrounded by drugs, alcohol, and crime. Whenever someone asked Guy about potential trouble that he and his friends might have gotten into, Guy owned up to his part but never implied anyone else.

Guy was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to parents native to Rwanda. Civil war in Congo forced him to flee to the country Benin, then to the state of Georgia, and finally to Maine in 2003.

Guy enjoyed basketball and football, and he was excellent at both. His last name, given to him by his parents, translates to "handsome."

Kitoko's father is currently stricken with cancer. His mother was tending to him when Guy went out on the night of Saturday the 19th. Guy had a curfew but used the likely absence of supervision to stay out past it. That's how he ended up in the Mustang that slid into an Impala.

Mulongo, the car's driver, is a figure well known to the Portland Police Department. Police have yet to bring charges on Mulongo, and the driver of the Impala is in fair condition at Maine Medical Center.

In honor of Kitoko, all Deering Rams football players will wear his uniform number on their helmets this Friday’s game against the Windham High School Eagles. Guy's last game for the Rams was on Sept. 17, against the Bonny Eagle High School Scots.

Guy Kitoko: friend, classmate, football player, brother, son. Dead at 18.

Rest in peace.

Prince Fielder to the Red Sox?: Why This Deal Should Be a No-Go

Anthony Emerson — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:34:56 -0400

Prince Fielder has been a world-beater during his four-season career. He hit 50 home runs in 2007 for the Milwaukee Brewers. Fielder is the son of former big leaguer Cecil Fielder.

And a few days ago, ESPN's Buster Olney boldly predicted that Fielder would be traded to the Boston Red Sox...Wait, what?

Yep. Olney predicted that a few days ago in his blog, which is censored by ESPN Insider, so you can't read it unless you subscribe to ESPN Magazine. If it was possible, I'd post a link, so you could check it out yourself.

Anyway, the deal would likely be this:

Red Sox get: Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy

Brewers get: Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, 1-3 other prospects.

On paper, it seems like a good deal. JJ Hardy could take over permanently at shortstop. Fielder could make up for David Ortiz's slowing production.

Because of Fielder's bat, Jason Bay may not be needed and can walk, while the Red Sox could sign Carl Crawford to man left field and the lead-off spot.

Buchholz would do well in the Brewers rotation, and Bowden out of the bullpen.

But, on the field, this deal is lopsided in the Brewers' favor. The Red Sox gave up good young pitching prospects in the Victor Martinez trade, and likely wouldn't want to give up more.

JJ Hardy has been downright terrible this season (he's hitting .225 with a .296 OBP), while Buchholz has had a great year.

Trading Buchholz and Bowden would leave the Red Sox at a pitching minimum, with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield (who might retire because of his back injuries), coupled with a weak pitching free agent market. Trading Bowden and Buchholz makes no sense on a depth level.

Fielder has also been known to have a short fuse. Remember a few weeks ago, when he nearly killed Guillermo Mota of the Dodgers?

So even if this trade goes through, it will ultimately mean the demise of the Red Sox.

Eagles QB Problem: Jeff Garcia Is The Answer

Anthony Emerson — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:08:24 -0400

When Donovan McNabb went down with an injury in Week 1, Philadelphia Eagles fans were killed.

With big free agent signing Michael Vick not available until Week 3, the Eagles are stuck with the unproven Kevin Kolb, and the aging veteran Jeff Garcia.

Kolb is in his fourth season, and has played in eight career games. Kolb's career passer rating is 25.0, and has 24 career completions

Garcia played for the Eagles in 2006. Garcia will provide veteran leadership in McNabb's absence, and will allow the Eagles to use Michael Vick as a slot receiver in Wildcat formation, instead of full-time quarterback.

One downside for Garcia, is that he's 39. he's not as nimble as he used to be, and might take sacks more than Vick or Kolb.

Still, Garcia has had success in the Eagles, going 5-1-0 in 2006. I'd rather have the proven veteran than the unproven rookie.

As for Vick, he should appear occasionally at quarterback, but expect to see Jeff Garcia as the primary quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles until Donovan McNabb returns.

The 1994 MLB Strike Hurt Everyone; Especially The Montreal Expos

Anthony Emerson — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:08:21 -0400

The 1994 MLB Players Association strike hurt everyone.

Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres was on pace to hit .400, and would've been the first player to do so since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941.

Matt Williams of the San Francisco Giants was on pace to break Roger Maris's record of 61 home runs in a single season.

And the Montreal Expos were the best team in baseball.

No, I'm not lying to you.

The Expos were led by a good group of players: Larry Walker, Moises Alou, Pedro Martinez, John Wetteland, and Wil Cordero.

At the time the baseball season was put on hold, the Expos had the best record at 70-40, and led the NL East by six games.

Then the strike went on and forced MLB commissioner Bud Selig to cancel the playoffs and the World Series.

If the 1994 season had continued, the Expos likely would've made it to the playoffs for the first time since 1981. They had a good enough team in 1994 to go all the way too.

Alou and Walker batting 3-4 in their prime. John Wetteland closing games for Pedro Martinez. Even better than Martinez that year was Ken Hill, who went 16-5 with a 3.32 ERA and could've won the NL Cy Young Award. Hill also had a WHIP of 1.22 and an opponents batting average of .248. His opponents batting average was not as good as his first two years with he Expos (.238 and .240 respectively), but still an admirable one.

The Expos were hitting on all cylinders. They had so many good players in their prime. Here's a run down of stats for the Expos four best offensive players from 1994:

Larry Walker: .322 average, 19 home runs, 86 RBI, OBP of .394 and a slugging percentage of .587 for an OPS of .981.

Moises Alou: .339 average, 22 home runs, 78 RBI, OBP of .397 and a slugging percentage of .592 for an OPS of .989.

Wil Cordero: .294 average, 15 home runs, 63 RBI, .363 OBP and a slugging percentage of .489 for an OPS of .853.

Marquis Grissom: .288 average, 11 home runs, 45 RBI, .344 OBP and a slugging percentage of .427 for an OPS of .771.

Because the 1994 season ended on August 11, those stats are downgraded from what they potentialy could've been if the Expos had played a full season. Felipe Alou (the Expos manager that season) really had everything clicking in '94.

If the 1994 strike hadn't happened, and the Montreal Expos went on to win the World Series (or even just had some success in the playoffs), they likely would've stayed in Montreal, instead of moving to Washington, DC after 2004. The 'Spos likely would've gotten a new, state-of-the-art stadium to replace the rapidly aging Olympic Stadium.

Now, if it wasn't for stupid greedy players and stupid greedy owners, one of baseball's greatest seasons wouldn't have been erased from memory.

1994 World Series: Montreal Expos OVER the New York Yankees.

Boston Red Sox Offered Toronto Six Pitching Prospects for Roy Halladay?

Anthony Emerson — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:20:52 -0400

According to a recent article on MLBTradeRumors.com (seen here), the Red Sox had offered six of their best young pitchers (Justin Masterson, Felix Doubront, Nick Hagadone, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, and Michael Bowden) to the Toronto Blue Jays for their ace, Roy Halladay, before the trade deadline of July 31.

This deal seems incredibly un-Theo Epstein-like. Since arriving in Boston in 2003, Epstein has repeatedly preached prospect development.

Several of the products of the deep Red Sox system, such as Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Kevin Youkilis, have gone on to have a ton of success in the majors.

It had already been known that the Red Sox offered the best package to the Blue Jays for Halladay, and that Boston had very aggressively pursued Halladay. JP Ricciardi, Blue Jays GM, had also said the Boston deal was "probably the best deal [we] received."

One scout has said that he has "zero idea why they didn't take Boston's offer." Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun has given his readers two reasons why Toronto didn't take Boston's offer:

1. They didn't want Doc to beat them in 2010 (the only full season he'd be with the Red Sox).

2. They had doubts about Masterson developing into a starter. Apparently, the Cleveland Indians didn't share the Blue Jays' doubts, as that was the main reason why Masterson was sent to Cleveland for Victor Martinez.

I can add a reason why Epstein must've been drunk when he offered this deal: Why would he send the future of his franchise's pitching staff to a division rival for a player that they'd have to either pay ungodly amounts of money or let walk?

So that's my take on this (potentially fabricated) deal. What's yours, Red Sox Nation?

Memo to the Boston Herald: Here's How Your Red Sox Trade Deadline List Should've Been

Anthony Emerson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:36:34 -0400

Recently, Michael Silverman of the "Boston Herald" published a list of Boston Red Sox trade deadline and other late July trades under Theo Epstein's stewardship (which you can see here: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1196815). In Silverman's list, he virtualy ranked the deals by the amount of success the team had after the trade. While that may be a big part about looking back past trades, it should not be the only way. This article is correcting some of the errors Silverman had made. You probably won't agree with all my choices. You probably won't agree with all of Silverman's, either.

Begin Slideshow

After 9/11, Baseball Brought Hope Back to America

Anthony Emerson — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:38:46 -0400

Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will not falter, for You are with me.

Psalm 23

On September 11th, 2001, four airplanes were hijacked by terrorists from the group Al Qaeda. The planes were destined for the Pentagon, either the White House or the Capitol Building, and the other two were to strike the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

Three of the planes made it to their destinations. The one heading to the White House was brought down in Pennsylvania by brave passengers.

2,993 people died that day. America was forever redefined.

One week later, a baseball game helped heal some, albeit small, parts of the wound.

...We will show the world that we will pass this test.

President George W. Bush

President Bush was at an elementary school in Florida, reading to children when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:53 AM, EST. A Secret Service operative informed the President, as he did also with the second, third and fourth planes crashing.

Networks, including sports networks, broke away from their normal programming to bring live coverage of the World Trade Center burning.

At 9:59 AM, the South Tower collapsed. 30 minutes later, the North Tower joined its twin at Ground Zero.

Commissioner Bud Selig of the MLB immediately delayed the season, with the playoff race in full swing. The NFL also delayed a week off their schedule, moving Week 2, scheduled for September 16 and 17 for January 2 and 7, as Week 18.

Without the coping method most Americans would use, people were left to sit, think and mourn for those lost.

The only two things that got my mind off [9/11] were baseball and my son's football games

New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani

With the sports world, so many people found ways out of their grief, mourning and sorrow with other traumatic events.

But because the NFL was also off, and the NBA and NHL not starting until October, the American people were left without their coping method.

10 days after the terrible catastrophe, baseball returned, along with America's heart.

The New York Mets faced off against their bitter rivals, the Atlanta Braves. The game had huge playoff implications between the two teams, as they were fighting for playoff ground in the tightly-packed National League East.

The game was played at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York. The ballpark was near LaGuardia Airport, and unease came upon the crowd when planes flew over the Stadium.

But through it all, the American Spirit remained. The players from the Mets and the Braves stood on the first and third base lines during an emotional Star Spangled Banner. The New York Police Department Band took the field, along with other heroes of 9/11.

The Braves and Mets shook hands after the National Anthem, a feat uncommon between opponents in the baseball world. Players from both sides also shook the hands of many firefighters and police officers who attended that nights game.

The game eventualy got underway. Everyone in the crowd seemed to be waiving an American Flag. Someone held up a sign that read "Once bitter rivals, now United!"

The game was tight. The Braves led 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th when New York native Steve Karsay of the Braves walked Met Edgardo Alfonzo. Mets captain Mike Piazza, choked up with all the emotion of the events of the past week and a half, stood in next.

I'm glad I could give people a diversion from the sorrow, to give them a thrill,

Mike Piazza

Piazza stepped into the batters box.

And he took a swing.

A swing, to try and heal a wound.

A swing, to try to return America to normality.

A swing, to try and bring hope back to a broken city.

A swing that sent a tiny leather ball over the centerfield wall.

The ball, which was carried by the might of New York, the will of it's citizens, the will of it's firefighters, police officers and paramedics, gave New York the lead. A 3-2 lead that would end the game.

People stopped being sorry. They started enjoying life again.

That is just a great sight. A firefighter, smiling because of a home run...

New York Mets color commentator

The Mets went on to win the game, but miss out on the playoffs. The Braves won the division, and the Mets finished in third place, six games behind them.

The American League's New York Yankees, the most decorated team in all of baseball, went on to win the American League championship that year, but lose to the four-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series.

But, on September 21, 2001, baseball wasn't about wins and losses; home runs and RBI; stolen bases and batting average.

It was about America; New York's sons playing the American game.

God Bless You.

God Bless America.

A League of Their Own: Three Former 2009 Boston Red Sox Excel in the N.L.

Anthony Emerson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:29:36 -0400

For 13 years, the American League has dominated its National League counterparts, including 13 straight All-Star game victories and 9 of the last 13 World Series rings.

Arguably, the 21st century's most dominant team is the Boston Red Sox, as the only team to win multiple World Series trophies in this young century.

During the 2008-2009 offseason, the Red Sox signed four "high-risk, high-reward" free agents: John Smoltz, who had been an elite pitcher and also spent his entire 20 year career before Boston with the Atlanta Braves; Brad Penny, another former elite pitcher whose injured shoulder had signifigantly hindered his career; Takashi Saito, an All-Star closer in the Japan League and with the LA Dodgers; and Rocco Baldelli, the Rhode Island kid with potential who keeps receiving physical and mental blows from his mitochondrial disorder that causes extreme fatigue, and multiple injuries.

As of September 10, only Baldelli and Saito remain on the Red Sox roster. Smoltz and Penny both had some good starts, but their shakiness eventually outruled their positives, and both were released.

Smoltz went 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA, an opponents' batting average of .343, and a WHIP of 1.70 with the Red Sox. He also had 40 innings pitched. In those innings, he gave up eight home runs.

Smoltz was released by Boston after a terrible start against the New York Yankees on August 6.

He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals a few days afterward. He had a great first start with the Cardinals, and is currently 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA. His batting average against is now .232 with the Cardinals.

Penny was better but started to wear down toward the end. During his last four Red Sox starts, he went 0-4 with a 9.11 ERA. With regular starter Tim Wakefield returning from the DL, Penny was relegated to the bullpen. After the acquisition of Billy Wagner from the New York Mets, Penny was granted his release. He finished his Red Sox career with a 7-8 record with a 5.61 ERA in 131.2 innings of work. His opponents' batting average was .299, and he had a WHIP of 1.53.

After clearing waivers, Brad Penny signed with the San Francisco Giants. So far, he has started two games and gotten wins in both of them. He has a 1.20 ERA, giving up just two runs. Penny's opponents' batting average is .154 and his WHIP is 0.67.

Both Smoltz and Penny have had success in the NL after performing terribly for the American League's Red Sox. But pitchers aren't the only ones affected.

Julio Lugo was signed before the 2007 season to fill the void left at shortstop after the trade of longtime staple Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs in 2004. Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, and Alex Gonzalez all saw time in the void, but none of them ever stayed in Boston for more than a year.

Red Sox general manger Theo Epstein had been watering over Lugo since he terrorized the Red Sox when he played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from from 2003 to 2006.

The Red Sox signed Lugo to a four-year, $36 million contract. It turned out to be one of the worst transactions the Red Sox have ever made.

Despite grossly overpaying Lugo, he failed to hit or get on base, and was continually on the DL.

On July 12, 2009, Lugo was designated for assignment by the Red Sox. He was traded to the Cardinals on July 22 for Chris Duncan, who was outrighted to Boston's AAA team, the Pawtucket Red Sox. Almost exactly one month later, Duncan was released by the Red Sox, and is currently a free agent.

Lugo finished his Red Sox career with a .256 average, 10 home runs, 110 RBI, a .324 OBP and a slugging percentage of .361 for an OPS of .685.

With St. Louis, Lugo has been on a torrid start. He's been hitting .301 with two home runs, three triples, seven RBI, a .371 OBP and a slugging percentage of .505 for an OPS of .876.

So in short: three former Red Sox players who were terrible with Boston, have all been off to torrid starts for two different NL teams? Coincidence, or is there something more brewing here? You decide, Red Sox nation.

This Red Sox Fan Is Aplauding Derek Jeter

Anthony Emerson — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:42:42 -0400

Congratulations Derek Jeter.

You are a class act who deserves his 2,721 career hits.

Congratulations Derek Jeter.

You've played for America's Team, won four World Series and are destined for the Hall of Fame.

Congratulations Derek Jeter.

There are only two single digit numbers that are unretired by the Yankees: No. 2 and No. 6. Soon, only No. 6 will remain.

With Derek Jeter getting his 2,721st career hit on September 9, 2009, Jeter cements himself in the Hall of Fame.

And this Red Sox fan is loving it.

Derek Jeter has always been a nice, good, class act kind of guy. If you read my B/R 'short list', you'll see that Jeter is mentioned as one of my favorite athletes. The guy is gritty. I love him. If he was on the Red Sox, he'd be my favorite player, hands down.

The guy isn't like most Yankees (by most Yankees, I mean Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez: jerks). He's civil, never dirty and an all-around nice guy.

He is at the utmost tier in major league baseball, now, as he has tied Lou Gehrig's record for most hits by a Yankee.

Congratulations, Derek Jeter.

You have earned the respect of this incredibly biased Red Sox fan.