Random Thoughts (October 30, 2008)

I know that I promised previews for all of the NBA divisions, the NBA season as a whole, the Celtics, and a recap/look forward of the Red Sox but my home computer is on the disabled list. I will get to all of those subjects as soon as possible... I had the pleasure of meeting Terry Francona yesterday. The Red Sox manager was at the high school where I teach to watch his daughter play in her volleyball all-star game. I caught Tito before the game started and chatted with him for a few minutes about the Red Sox season and all of the enjoyment he has brought to Red Sox fans in his five seasons in the dugout. I'm sure he gets bothered like that all the time in public and I did feel bad about stealing his ear but I have to say he was extremly personable and came off as a great guy. I did get him to admit (the obvious) that Mike Lowell was a lot more hurt than anyone was letting on. I did not have the heart to ask about Manny... How upset are the producers at NBC this week? The 5-2 Patriots and Matt Cassel travel to Indianapolis to play Peyton Manning and the 3-4 Colts. It's the NFL on NBC... Everyone in America outside of the greater Philadelphia area was pulling for the Rays but congratulations are in order for the World Series champion Phillies. Talk about a potential dynasty. The Phillies offense features Jimmy Rollins (2007 N.L. MVP), Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard (2006 -- and likely 2008 -- N.L. MVP) who are all entering their primes and a pitching staff led by dominant young lefty Cole Hamels and dominant veteran closer Brad Lidge. I hate to brag but I called the Phillies to win the Series all of October. It wasn't just the Rays, I don't think the Red Sox could have stopped the Phillies either... If Penn State runs the table in the Big 10 and reaches the BCS Championship Game, how could you not be rooting for Joe Paterno to win a national championship at age 83... The Bruins are keeping me very interested... Why can't Greg Oden stay healthy? Portland would be a force with Oden playing at full strength. Of course, I would have posted that last week if my computer was healthy... Enjoy The Office tonight...