Sports Redux: Red is Smiling

Sorry for those who waited anxiously for yesterday's Redux, but Bostonist was swamped. We were busy circling Celtic game dates on our calendar (with green Sharpie, natch), on hold to buy season tickets and hanging out with Kevin Garnett - which is hardly surprising, considering he's EVERYWHERE these days.

OK, so we weren't doing any of those things, but we know other people were. Lots of other people - Bob Ryan and a few sensibly minded folks notwithstanding - have spent the last couple of days doing just that. In a town that traditionally battles over whether the Pats or Sox should have the most media coverage and fan hype - since the late 1980s, at least - the Celtics have neatly and quickly claimed a chief place in the spotlight.

Don't worry, things aren't completely out of whack - the Bruins are still lurking around in the shadows and the Revolution is still the best team no one ever talks about.

That said, here's your quick Redux:

-- It was a good day for Tim Wakefield yesterday. Wake notched his 150th Red Sox victory to become only the third pitcher to reach such a tally in team history (the others: Cobb and Clemens). He's now tied for the most AL pitching wins this season. And, oh yes, it was his birthday! Folks were happy for the fella, and Doug Mirabelli was one of the loudest champions yesterday, saying, "I'm so proud of him."

Awwww, battery love. Isn't it grand?

Mirabelli didn't just offer up words of support, though. The catcher went 3-for-3 with a homer and served as the spark to the rally that pushed Boston over those pesky Baltimore Orioles. He kind of had to, though, as otherwise everyone would have been talking about his sixth inning base-running dance. You know, the one that should have ended with him scoring to give the Sox a 4-3 lead...but didn't.

Eric Gagne made his debut yesterday, striking out two in the ninth (including Kevin Millar) and giving up one run.

-- We're just going to send JD Drew and his family our best thoughts - as Drew learned last week that his 17-month-old son, Jack, needed surgery to repair developmental displacement of his hips. Surgery is frightening for anyone, but a small child? We'll respectfully refrain from our usual Drew-related snide remarks.

But just for today!

Photo of Red Auerbach's statue by flickr user wallyg