Sports Redux: Yes, Virginia

Stop the presses! Sit down! Get ready for the headlines that are shocking and awing Boston sports fans today, because the information that is being offered is sure to leave you astounded.

Yes, Virginia, we've had a good decade. Kids, at this time ten years ago, things weren't looking so great for the typical Boston sports fan. We'd had some brushes with glory here and there, but there were no Vince Lombardi trophies at home in Massachusetts. The Celtics Big Three was still Bird, McHale and Parish. The Red Sox were still battling the ghosts of 1918 and the Bruins didn't look like they had any dates with Sir Stanley scheduled for anytime soon.

Bob Ryan reminds us today that Boston has evolved from a city of lovable losers to Title Town. How does he do so? By asking the following: "As we approach the end of the decade (and what do you call the first 10 years of a century, anyway?), are you, the Boston sports fan, better off than you were 10 years ago?"

Who's going to say no to this? Is anyone REALLY going to say they'd rather have not experienced the comeback, the 48-yard field goal, KG's post-title interview, the Revolution (after all, we don't forget that we have a soccer team) and Game 6 over the Canadiens?

Yes, Virginia, people want to play for the Celtics. Nate Robinson wants to play for the Celtics. A professional basketball player wants to play for the 21-5 Boston Celtics (who face off against the Pacers at the Garden tonight). Mind. Blown.

Yes, Virginia, Tim Thomas can get the job done. OK, so it's true that Thomas has had a tough time this season, but when the guy gets locked in, the opposition gets locked out. Thomas was looking like a Vezina Trophy winner on Monday night, as the Bruins shot down the Senators, 2-0.

Yes, Virginia, people scalp Fenway tickets. They also suck. The second you offer tickets to something at Fenway Park, whether it's free or not, people are going to take advantage. It's sad but true. Shady scalpers are trying to take the free out of free skate when it comes to the Jan. 3 and 10 public skating opportunities at Fenway.

In other news, BC might have lucked out big time as they prepare for the Emerald Bowl on Saturday. Not only are Trojans Anthony McCoy, Tyron Smith and Averell Spicer academically ineligible for the bowl game, there's a big question mark for USC's Joe McKnight.