Sports Redux: A is for Allegedly

Imagine for a moment that things had turned out differently back in 2003: the Red Sox acquired Alex Rodriguez and brought him here into Boston. A-Rod spoke candidly about how happy he was to join our storied franchise and proclaimed his determination to bring thirsty Red Sox fans their first world championship since 1918.

We probably would not have won that title in 2004. There might never have been 2007 Red Sox championship rings. And we'd have had ourselves one heck of a headache on Saturday, as word spread that the man predicted to return baseball to steroid-free glory allegedly (allegedly, allegedly) tested positive for steroids during his 2003 MVP season.

Today makes us re-affirm our love of MIke Lowell. It even makes us want to give a high-five to Julio Lugo. This A-Rod (A-Roid, A-Fraud) business is all the Yankees' problem. Nice, isn't it? Three days 'til pitchers and catchers!

Expect the coming days to include a whole slew of A-Rod-related stories. We predict that the players' union will try to order Sports Illustrated to release their sources for Saturday's story. SI will say no. Legal battle will ensue. And A-Rod will spend his 2009 season hearing the heckles in every opposing ballpark the Yankees visit. We can't even yet imagine the response he'll get at Fenway (April 24, people).

But there was other news on Saturday, something a little more familiar to Boston fans: the Bruins found themselves back in overtime. This time, the Flyers got the win, but there was good news. Manny Fernandez made his first appearance in goal since Jan. 8, and the man could have picked up a W. Randy Jones recorded the winning goal for Philly, unfortunately notching a dubious sort of assist by Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference. It could have happened to anyone. Unfortunately for the Bs, it happened to us. Marc Sevard, Byron Bitz and Chuck Kobasew recorded goals for the hometown team.

The Celtics will face down the Spurs this afternoon, and Boston will be led by a coach $15,000 poorer than he was last week. Rivers was fined for verbal abuse of refs after Thursday's OT loss to the Lakers (the Globe incorrectly lists that date as Jan. 5, but we all know it was Feb. 5). All we have to say is that if NBA officials were in our home Thursday night, we would have been fined waaaaaay more than Doc was.

Photo by flickr user themikelee.