In one of the longer, and in my opinion unnecessary, protracted MLB contract negotiations, Scott Boras has agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a two year $45 million contract for his client Manny Ramirez. The two sides spent much of this week disputing how much if any of the $45 million would be paid out as a deferred payment. Ramirez who was traded to the Dodgers last July at the trade deadline helped to lead the Dodgers to a playoff birth by driving in an average of one run per game.
In other news from fellow Red Sox alumni, Nomar Garciaparra is said to be very close to signing a one year deal with the Oakland Athletics. Garciaparra had said to be contemplating retirement but now it looks like he will suit up for at least one more season.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
U2 Revs up the Hype Machine in the .S.
Today marks the release of U2’s latest effort, No Line on the Horizon, and to get a preview of the band’s thoughts and feelings going into the record and subsequent tour check out The New York Time's Sunday piece on the band.
Last night also marked the band’s first of five performances on David Letterman’s show and to see that performance check out this Youtube video. (While it lasts)
Last night also marked the band’s first of five performances on David Letterman’s show and to see that performance check out this Youtube video. (While it lasts)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Cassell a Chief
Matt Cassel’s days as a New England Patriot are officially over as The Boston Globe now confirms that there is a trade in place to send the quarterback to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots compensation is not yet known but it is believed that the two team's trade yesterday that included the sending of Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs is also a part of the Cassell trade.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Busy Days for U2
It would be hard to imagine a more busy time in the lives of U2 than the one they are currently facing. Next Tuesday marks the release of their latest effort, No Line on the Horizon, which will be promoted heavily by the band’s week-long turn as house band for David Letterman and followed up by the band’s first ever morning show appearance that Friday (March 6) on Good Morning America. All of this U.S. promotion comes on the heels of a week-long blitz from the band through the United Kingdom where they seemed to be omnipresent on Britain’s BBC.
If all of this excitement was not enough, this week has found the band in a firestorm back in their homeland for the band’s decision to withdraw a portion of their business from Ireland to the Netherlands in order to capitalize on more beneficial tax policies. The controversy stems from the fact that in his work advocating for expanded financial support to African nations from the Irish government, Bono is acting hypocritical by taking business away from Ireland. The dispute has been around for a few years and only time will tell if the band can lay it to rest.
In addition to all this, this week produced confirmation of a start date for the 2010 Broadway production of Spider-Man the musical which Bono and the Edge wrote the music for. No confirmations on the cast of the musical was made at this time.
2009 is off to a fast start for U2 and it seems as though things are just getting started for the Irish rockers.
If all of this excitement was not enough, this week has found the band in a firestorm back in their homeland for the band’s decision to withdraw a portion of their business from Ireland to the Netherlands in order to capitalize on more beneficial tax policies. The controversy stems from the fact that in his work advocating for expanded financial support to African nations from the Irish government, Bono is acting hypocritical by taking business away from Ireland. The dispute has been around for a few years and only time will tell if the band can lay it to rest.
In addition to all this, this week produced confirmation of a start date for the 2010 Broadway production of Spider-Man the musical which Bono and the Edge wrote the music for. No confirmations on the cast of the musical was made at this time.
2009 is off to a fast start for U2 and it seems as though things are just getting started for the Irish rockers.
Busy First Day of Free Agency for Patriots
The Patriots wasted no time during the first day of NFL free agency by signing Fred Taylor to a free agent contract. Terms of the contract weren’t immediately available but The Boston Globe reports in the article that Taylor would be holding a 6:00 PM press conference to discuss the details of the signing. Taylor is the Jaguars all-time leading rusher and was forced out of Jacksonville as a salary cap casualty.
In other Patriots news, veteran linebacker and team leader Mike Vrabel saw his time as a Patriot come to a close when he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick. Vrabel whose presence in the Patriots locker room has been touted by many former and current players will leave Patriots fans with many fond memories probably none more so than his ability to switch from defense to offense and become a dangerous touchdown threat.
In other Patriots news, veteran linebacker and team leader Mike Vrabel saw his time as a Patriot come to a close when he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick. Vrabel whose presence in the Patriots locker room has been touted by many former and current players will leave Patriots fans with many fond memories probably none more so than his ability to switch from defense to offense and become a dangerous touchdown threat.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A Quick Thanks to the Captain
Gratitude is something that is often lost on us sports fans. Super Bowls meld quickly into March Madness which meld into Nba Finals and before we know it the leaves are falling and it is time for another World Series. With this seemingly never ending process of championships followed by parades, Sports Illustrated covers, and eventually ring and banner ceremonies it is easy to under estimate the importance that each title might have on a player, its fans, and its city.
Gratitude for a singular accomplishment has become even more difficult to put into context for us Boston fans when six championships, won in three separate sports, have been one in the past seven calendar years. This accomplishment is a remarkable one and when you stop to think that Philadelphia fans tonight are hoping to win their first professional crown in a quarter century in this evening’s World Series game 5, it is even more illuminating.
This brings us to last night at the TD Banknorth Garden where just for a moment the sports world stopped its fever-pitched, non-stop, forward motion for a few moments and we got to see the realization of a life long dream. Paul Pierce came into Boston with high expectations. A first round pick from a highly regarded Kansas program, Pierce seemed to fit nicely in the Celtic tradition of bringing in players with winning pedigrees. But while Pierce showed flashes of brilliance over his Celtic career, it wasn’t until the team finally made its mind to build around Pierce with the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen that we saw a fully happy Pierce who seemed to be for the first time in his NBA career comfortable in his role as leader of the Celtics.
Last night, we saw the ultimate sign of that comfort when Pierce, visibly overcome with tears moments earlier, made the decision to ask for the microphone and stand at midcourt and address the Garden crowd. And while the speech will never be confused with Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest man” speech or even confused with an above average high school graduation speech—it was undoubtedly heartfelt and spilling over with gratitude. And because it for a minute forced all of us to think about what we once dreamed of, or perhaps still do dream of, for all of those who saw it, it was something we all can be thankful for.
Gratitude for a singular accomplishment has become even more difficult to put into context for us Boston fans when six championships, won in three separate sports, have been one in the past seven calendar years. This accomplishment is a remarkable one and when you stop to think that Philadelphia fans tonight are hoping to win their first professional crown in a quarter century in this evening’s World Series game 5, it is even more illuminating.
This brings us to last night at the TD Banknorth Garden where just for a moment the sports world stopped its fever-pitched, non-stop, forward motion for a few moments and we got to see the realization of a life long dream. Paul Pierce came into Boston with high expectations. A first round pick from a highly regarded Kansas program, Pierce seemed to fit nicely in the Celtic tradition of bringing in players with winning pedigrees. But while Pierce showed flashes of brilliance over his Celtic career, it wasn’t until the team finally made its mind to build around Pierce with the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen that we saw a fully happy Pierce who seemed to be for the first time in his NBA career comfortable in his role as leader of the Celtics.
Last night, we saw the ultimate sign of that comfort when Pierce, visibly overcome with tears moments earlier, made the decision to ask for the microphone and stand at midcourt and address the Garden crowd. And while the speech will never be confused with Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest man” speech or even confused with an above average high school graduation speech—it was undoubtedly heartfelt and spilling over with gratitude. And because it for a minute forced all of us to think about what we once dreamed of, or perhaps still do dream of, for all of those who saw it, it was something we all can be thankful for.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Celtics Second Act Begins Tonight at the Garden
With a straight and vertical trajectory, the Celtics banner will take mere moments to find its way tonight from ground level to the ceiling. It was all most that quick in which the team’s fortune rose from that of an NBA lottery constant, to a playoff certainty, and finally to a champion.
But now as the Celtics embark on their second consecutive season of play back at the top of the NBA hierarchy, after over twenty years of being consistently removed from it, fans must recognize that much like the way in which cool fall temperatures are forcing us to close ours, the window of potential championship contention for the Celtics is not limitless and narrows more and more each season.
In fact, a poll of NBA general managers that came out this week may indicate that word around the league is that the Lakers, with the return of a healthy Andrew Bynum, have edged ahead of the Celtics in the race for the 2008 – 2009 crown. The same poll put the Celtics as favorites to come out of the east but trailing considerably in votes for the title behind Kobe’s squad.
What does all of this mean? Well nothing for certain accept that time moves on and with it past glories become just that, things in the past. So after a long awaited and well deserved ceremony takes place tonight on the Garden parquet around 7:38 PM the role of the Celtics turns from champions to defenders. The opportunity to defend is an awesome one and brings with it 82 unique and separate opportunities to prove that the Celtics are still a championship quality outfit while trying to fight off a nightly attempt by their opponent to knock the defending champion down a notch or two.
Rocker Warren Zevon once instructed us to “enjoy every sandwich.” Likewise, the Celtics and their fans should realize the fleeting nature of championship quality teams and enjoy each game that the C’s play at this level and try hard not too look too far ahead. Because as Patriots fans learned the hard way early last month, each team, no matter how dominant, is only one play away from having the script of their season thrown out and forced to be rewritten.
But now as the Celtics embark on their second consecutive season of play back at the top of the NBA hierarchy, after over twenty years of being consistently removed from it, fans must recognize that much like the way in which cool fall temperatures are forcing us to close ours, the window of potential championship contention for the Celtics is not limitless and narrows more and more each season.
In fact, a poll of NBA general managers that came out this week may indicate that word around the league is that the Lakers, with the return of a healthy Andrew Bynum, have edged ahead of the Celtics in the race for the 2008 – 2009 crown. The same poll put the Celtics as favorites to come out of the east but trailing considerably in votes for the title behind Kobe’s squad.
What does all of this mean? Well nothing for certain accept that time moves on and with it past glories become just that, things in the past. So after a long awaited and well deserved ceremony takes place tonight on the Garden parquet around 7:38 PM the role of the Celtics turns from champions to defenders. The opportunity to defend is an awesome one and brings with it 82 unique and separate opportunities to prove that the Celtics are still a championship quality outfit while trying to fight off a nightly attempt by their opponent to knock the defending champion down a notch or two.
Rocker Warren Zevon once instructed us to “enjoy every sandwich.” Likewise, the Celtics and their fans should realize the fleeting nature of championship quality teams and enjoy each game that the C’s play at this level and try hard not too look too far ahead. Because as Patriots fans learned the hard way early last month, each team, no matter how dominant, is only one play away from having the script of their season thrown out and forced to be rewritten.
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