Thirsty Thursday Notes

I like what the Red Sox are doing so far this winter. The Doug Mirabelli-for-Mark Loretta deal is a steal on paper (backup catcher for a potential All-Star at second base) and that is in addition to the Josh Beckett/Guillermo Mota/Mike Lowell trade. If the Sox can figure out a way to keep Johnny Damon (4-years/$48-million, with an option?) and Manny Ramirez then the outlook for '06 is bright. Now that Lyle Overbay is in Toronto, is it possible that Boston could send Matt Clement to Los Angeles for Derek Lowe. Lowe might be a tad inconsisitent at times but he is a big game pitcher, something the Sox can't afford to wait and see if Clement will become. One more Sox thought -- bring back Nomar! It makes sense -- he could even get a chance to play some shortstop because the Sox are hell-bent on dealing away Edgar Renteria... Well, the Boston College football team is off to Boise after all. The MPC Computers Bowl between BC and (host) Boise State should be a good game if the Eagles can re-focus after getting the cold shoulder from the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando... Speaking of BC, the men's basketball team has its first ACC game on Sunday when they travel to College Park to face Maryland. Maryland is coached by former BC coach Gary Williams. The Eagles are looking to bounce back from their first loss on the season, a 77-71 defeat at the hands of Michigan State... Al Jefferson may finally be at full strength after missing most of October's training camp with an ankle sprain. Big Al dropped 12-points and grabbed 10-rebounds on Houston on Tuesday night and came back last night with 16 and 9 in a win over the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. Along with Jefferson, third-year center Kendrick Perkins is playing his role as rebounder/enforcer very well. There is hope for the Green...