Ortiz Was a Marked Man, Martinez Helps Sox and More

News

As A Red Sox Fan, I can't honestly say I'm surprised with the news that David Ortiz once used PEDS. With every other power slugger from this era under suspicion, it was only a matter of time before Ortiz was outed.

Maybe it taints his personal accomplishments from the playoffs, but I don't believe that the news taints either of the Red Sox's two world championships under Ortiz, especially the one in 2004.

In order for that to happen, either the majority of the team had to be taking PEDS. Ortiz and Manny Ramirez weren't the only ones who contributed that year.

Trades

I've always admired Victor Martinez for his solid bat, but I must question how much playing time he'll get since Kevin Youklis is already entrenched at first base and it would set a bad example for their captain to be benched.

If it were up to me though, Varitek can quit for all I care. He's partically useless at the plate.

In the end, the Philies realized that although Roy Halladay may be the best pitcher in baseball, it would have been too much of gamble to trade away your future for one guy. Cliff Lee is a top tier starer in the game as it is.

George Sherill is a nice pickup for the Dodgers. He can give Jonathan Broxton a breather, and gives them a proven closer as their setup man.

One trade I don't understand is the Casey Kotchman for Adam LaRoche trade by the Braves and the Red Sox. Why would the Red Sox trade for another first baseman when they already have two of them.

Speaking of LaRoache, he now joins Jim Landis and Jose Cruz Jr, as the players that barely got playing time in their Red Sox careers.

Oakalnd's Brett Anderson is the first rookie pitcher to beat the Red Sox twice in a month since 1938. If I were the Yankees or Rays, I'd seriously consider grabbing him when his contract is up and  if his luck continues.

The Pirates couldn't pay me enough to cover or broadcast for their team.

Sorry Tigers fans, but with Jake Peavy now in the mix, the White Sox are going to be awfully hard to beat for the AL Central crown.

I'm surprised the Yankees didn't make more of a splash at the trading deadline, especially with the Red Sox trading for Martinez.

Other News

It's been exactly 30 years since Thurman Munson died in a plane crash, and the fact that the Yankees have never altered his locker shows what a great leader and person of character he was.

Terrell Owens has his own breakfast cereal now. What is this, every time the Bills sign a marquee free agent they get a cereal named after him? Remember Flutie Flakes?

Michael Vick needs to return to the NFL with a team that has a stable backbone such as the Patriots or Steelers. If he goes to a NFL team or the UFL, he'll probably be public enemy No. 1 based on his background.

What if Vick went to the Browns? Would the Dawg Pound be disbanded?

Lamar Odom's willingness to re-sign with the Lakers as the likely backup to Ron Artest shows that he is committed to winning and is comfortable where he is.

I think Phoenix is a terrible market for hockey. I know Jerry Reinsdorf is committed to keeping the Coyotes in Arizona, but I feel they would draw better in Hamilton, or really well in Winnipeg.

It was great to see Sandy Koufax at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Boy, I would have loved to see him pitch.

I still think it would have been entertaining if Rickey Henderson referred to himself in the third person in his speech.

Last week's quiz answer was Dave Winfield.

This week's question, Besides Heathcliff Slocumb, who did the Red Sox give up in their deal for Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe?

ESPN's SportsNation said that Bo Jackson in Techmo Bowl was the greatest video game athlete of all time. I personally think it was either him or Mike Tyson in Punch-Out!

If I were Roy Halladay, I'd be breathing a sigh of relief right now. I get to stay where I'm comfortable.