Sometimes You Win, Sometimes you Lose, Sometimes, it Rains. Think About That...

Why am I channeling Nuke LaLouche today?  Because sometimes "mixed bag" pretty much sums up life.  Take my professional pursuits.  (Please?)  Yesterday, I had two work things in two separate cities (Philly and Balt'more).  Without going into ANY detail, the Philly thang went good, the Baltimore thang...not as much.  But, the train rides were all superb.  See?  Silver lining y'all!

I am taking this philosophy to my rooting interests today.  First to the very, very good.  The Red Sox have opened their wallets once again to acquire the services of one Carl Crawford.  The terms of the deal haven't been released fully as of this writing, but it's in the neighborhood of 7 years, 140 million.  Which is probably about right for this guy.  I could not be more excited about the 2011 Red Sox right now.  Well, truth be told, I actually COULD be a little more excited about their bullpen.  They need some help there.  But, all in all, everything else is looking pretty good for Boston come opening day.  Here's their projected batting lineup, according to...well, me:

1) Carl Crawford--LF
2) Dustin Pedroia--2B
3) Adrian Gonzalez--1B
4)Kevin Youkilis--3B
5) David Ortiz--DH
6) JD Drew--RF
7) Marco Scutaro--SS
8) Jason Varitek/Jerrod Saltalamacchia(sp?)--C
9) Jacoby Ellsbury, CF 

Solid.  Real.  Solid.  Should be a real good defensive club as well, did I mention that?  Up the middle, on the corners, you name it.  Can we start playing tomorrow?  Clear the snow off the infield, I'm ready to shell peanuts, inhale hotdogs and buy another "American League Champions" hat come October!  Eat it Yanks!  Eat it!

(C'mon...it's just a few flakes.  Who's got a snowblower?  GAME ON!)

(taking a deep breath...om....om...)

(NOTE TO WASHINGTON NATIONALS FRONT OFFICE: Carl Crawford is a 4 tool player who is as durable as it gets.  A guy who comes as close to being "Ricky Henderson" as anyone has since that great player's retirement. THIS IS THE GUY YOU BACK UP THE BRINKS TRUCK FOR AND GIVE A 7 YEAR DEAL TO.)

On the minus side of my sports obsessions, Newcastle United have signed Alan Pardew to be their manager.  You know, the guy that ALMOST got relegated while managing West Ham in 2006, with Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez in the lineup.  I'm pretty sure Newcastle doesn't have that kind of talent coming out of the locker room each week.  (Looking...)  Nope.  Not even close.  Jonas Gutierrez has got "Tevez 2006" like hair, but even that's a stretch:

                              (Yeah, I know--not really that close)

I'm too depressed to offer any kind of in depth analysis on this subject, except to add that I HATE.  HATE.  HATE what has happened this past week in NUFC-land.  The last time I remember feeling this way about any of the teams I root for was when the Bruins traded Joe Thornton for Marco Sturm and a bag of pucks in '05.  It took me all of three years to get over that.  I just hate rooting for the team that is obviously going in the wrong direction. 

So, in other words, Red Sox: I am REALLY looking forward to a season of watching you play with joy and verve and poetry this coming spring.  (Must. Stop. watching "Bull Durham" every time it's on.)