Sports Redux: Farewell, You Old Bubble

Unless they meet the Twins in October, the Red Sox played their final game in the unlovable Metrodome, and Terry Francona couldn't be happier. "I think this place stinks. This ballpark stinks." Between the plastic roof (colored the same as a baseball), the giant A/C vents, and the listless crowds that are there 90% of the time, it's hard to disagree.

Francona hated the place, so much, that he decided to get an early start to the airport. After Jason Varitek complained about a non-strike call in the seventh, Tito came out to defend his catcher (and keep Josh Beckett from getting too involved), both the captain and the skipper were told to walk the plank. Umpire Todd Tichenor was in an ejectin' mood, as he'd sent Minnesota catcher Mike Redmond and Ron Gardenhire to Davy Jones' locker earlier in the inning.

Varitek had already done plenty of damage before he left, hitting two solo homers (#9 and 10) to account for most of the runs in the 3-1 win. The pitching was complaint-free, as Beckett fired off seven innings of three-hit, 8-K ball, while Okajima and Papelbon finished the Twins off. Jacoby Ellsbury, alas, went hitless and will have to start another streak. On to Toronto!

Millionaire playboy Tom Brady took time out from his social whirlwind to practice with the Patriots the last couple of days. He kind of has a Bruce Wayne/Batman thing going on, doesn't he? "I feel as good as I could possibly feel," he said when he finally met the media, which we choose to interpret in terms of football.

The Cavaliers saved their season last night, beating Orlando at home 112-102 to force a Game Six in Florida. If you think the state of NBA refereeing has reached the point where fans need to take up arms, you're not alone; Bill Simmons wants a revolution, and you know it's gonna be alright.

Image from Wikipedia.