Random Thoughts (September 1, 2008)

With 26 games remaining in the regular season, the Red Sox are in a very good position to make the playoffs as the A.L. Wild Card (which would be their sixth such avenue into the postseason since 1998). The Sox lead Minnesota by 2.5 games for the Wild Card. There are many reasons for the success of the Red Sox. They have very good starting pitching, a solid bullpen, a deep lineup and a fantastic manager/front office. They also have Dustin Pedroia, who should be the 2008 A.L. MVP. Pedroia is the sparkplug that does not allow this team to lose. David Ortiz misses over a month with a wrist injury and it is no big deal because the Sox have Pedroia. Manny could care less about winning in his last days in Boston but still, the Sox have Pedroia. Josh Beckett, J.D. Drew, and Mike Lowell have missed time and the team doesn't miss a beat because of Pedroia. The stats are impressive (.326 BA, 15 HR, 68 RBI, .861 OPS), he plays excellent defense at second base, and, above all else, Pedroia's commitment to winning is infectous. There isn't a game where Pedroia isn't covered in dirt and sweat. He plays all out on every play. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, someone who has no time for phonies, said this of Pedroia this weekend as Pedroia was going 9-for-12 (including an 8-for-8 start to the series) and after the ChiSox intentionally walked Pedroia on Saturdy night: ‘‘I never thought I would walk a jockey. I must be the worst manager ever in the history of baseball right now, walking a guy that just came from being on top of Big Brown to beat the White Sox.’’ Pedroia is a winner who is leading a team that was banged up across the board all year into September with a shot at another playoff berth and possibly a second consecutive World Series. I know I pushed his teammate Kevin Youkilis for the same award in this space just a few weeks ago but as of today, Pedroia is the A.L. MVP... The Pats have made some interesting moves in the past 48 hours. They released cornerback Fernando Bryant, who started the entire preseason, safety John Lynch, and receiver Chad Jackson. Today they signed free agent cornerback Deltha O'Neal. O'Neal joins Ellis Hobbs, Lewis Sanders and rookies Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite at corner. The loss of Lynch, who Bill Belichick hinted could be brought back into the fold, leaves just Rodney Harrison, James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather at safety. Ty Law is still a free agent and could be signed by the Pats this week. I always love following the Patriots roster moves because Belichick and Scott Pioli never follow the path that is expected. For example, when they signed Bryant, he was expected to replace Asante Samuel. He started the entire preseason but when Belichick and Pioli decided they could do better, they cut ties. This is a formula that has brought the Patriots six division titles, five trips to the AFC Championship games, four trips to the Super Bowl and three Lombardi Trophies since 2001. It is the formula that should bring them another world championship this season... Boston College opened their 2008 football schedule with a 21-0 victory over Kent State on the road. BC, coming off a 2007 which saw them win 11 games, the ACC Atlantic Division, and the Champs Sports Bowl, will not be the long-shot national championship contender they were a year ago but they should contend for their eighth consecutive bowl victory (the longest current national streak). Chris Crane replaces Matt Ryan under center and the speedy Jeff Smith and Josh Haden are the new running back tandem. The defense, led by the returns of B.J. Raji and Brian Toal, should be one of the best units in the ACC. A 7-5 or 8-4 regular season will make for a good year over at the Heights... Happy Labor Day, enjoy Dustin Pedroia tonight...