Random Thoughts (July 11, 2007)

Exciting finish to the All-Star Game last night. Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez came on in relief of the struggling J.J. Putz in the ninth and after some initial control problems, K-Rod got Aaron Rowand to fly out to rightfield. Our own Josh Beckett got the win (he pitched a scoreless third and fourth inning) and Ichiro Suzuki was named the MVP after going 3-for-3 with the first ever inside-the-park homerun in All-Star Game history. The A.L. now has homefield advantage in the World Series after winning their tenth consecutive All-Star Game... Do you think Ray Fosse flinched at all last night when Alex Rodriguez was bearing down on catcher Russell Martin after the missile of a throw Ken Griffey Jr. launched to the plate on a Pudge Rodriguez single to rightfield? I bet you Pete Rose almost choked on his whiskey when A-Rod pulled up and allowed Russell to tag him out... Pete, please don't take that bet, I want you in the Hall of Fame... Some All-Star trivia: Last night, Barry Bonds started in left field and hit second for the National League. When was the last time Bonds hit second in any lineup? Bonus points if you can name the should-be Hall of Fame pitcher he faced that night. Answer below... The Boston Herald reports this morning that David Ortiz believes he will need knee surgery after the season to fix whatever is causing the quad and hamstring soreness he has battled through all year. In my opinion, if the Sox can extend their lead to 13-15 games AND the surgery wouldn't cost Big Papi more than 2-3 weeks, he should have the surgery now so that we'll have a healthy Papi mashing through October... Clay Buchholz, the top pitching prospect in the Red Sox system, was called up to Pawtucket from Portland at the All-Star break. Buchholz, who pitched in the MLB Future's Game, will make his Pawtucket debut on Monday, July 16 against Ottawa. There are some who believe that Buchholz, if he is successful at Triple-A, could help Boston this year, be it as a starter or (more likely) a power arm in the bullpen... Just to show America he still can outspend God, Portland Trailblazers owner Paul Allen bought out guard Steve Francis' $30 million contract. Francis, acquired on draft day along with Channing Frye in the Zach Randolph trade with the Knicks, will get a fat check and free agency. I heard he's on his way to the Clippers but I wouldn't be shocked if Kobe stepped in to bring him to that other team in Los Angeles... The Patriots came to terms with a key player yesterday but it was not Asante Samuel. Instead the Pats signed veteran receiver/cornerback Troy Brown to a one-year deal. This team is loaded at the receiver position with Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth, Wes Welker, Kelly Washington, Reche Caldwell and Chad Jackson but will anyone at all be surprised if Brown -- the most underappreciated Patriot of the Dynasty Era -- makes this team? Even Pete Rose wouldn't bet against that... Trivia answer: On July 27, 1986, Bonds hit second for the Pirates against the San Francisco Giants. Pitching for the Giants that night was none other than the 1971 A.L. Cy Young and MVP winner, Vida Blue. (Thanks to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com for that one). Enjoy the Celtics/Team China game tonight...