Sports Redux: Focus on the Positive

It's funny the way spin works. While there's little positive that one can take away from the way the Oakland Athletics trounced the Red Sox, 8-2, on Monday night, the Nomar Factor has at least made things amusing.

Given that it's been almost five years since former Sox darling Garciaparra headed out of Boston as the catalyst to that wonderful 2004 season, we could understand how some, er, newer fans might not remember the NG years. But last night was the first time the two sides of a rather bitter breakup met since '04. Nomar only landed one hit in the matchup, but he made it count: a homer.

The Boston spin: Memories all fond for Garciaparra.

California? Nomar sticks it to old club.

Ah, spin. We're preferring to focus on this, rather than the fact that our team, known as one of the top three in the top AL East, has two wins so far this season and fans reaching for the panic button in April. Lowrie's nursing a bum wrist, Lester's looking a little shaky, Beckett's throwing balls above batters' heads, we're already 3.5 games back in the standings --

Sorry. We're OK now. It's just too easy sometimes to fall into the panic trap. We're just rattled, is all.

Speaking of rattled, that's how Mr. MVP was sounding on Monday, when he retracted the jeers he'd thrown his old hometown's way. At this point, we can only say with certainty that Dustin Pedroia may either love or loathe Woodland, California.

It was a sad day in baseball yesterday, scores aside. Two of the sports' characters passed away: The Bird, Mark Fidrych, passed away at his Northboro farm at age 54. Fidrych had a short MLB pitching career, but the man sure made that run exciting. Fidrych died the same day Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas, 73, collapsed in the Washington Nationals' broadcast booth. Kalas, in DC preparing to cover Monday's Phillies/Nats showdown, was pronounced dead.

The Celtics are in Philly tonight. Kevin Garnett's out 'til the playoffs.

Speaking of playoffs, if you haven't seen the Bruins first round schedule yet, check it out. This showdown is going to be epic. Bostonist has to wonder if we'll be able to get a last-minute roster addition, just in case everyone else winds up in the penalty box during these games.

Photo by flickr user kla4067