Random Thoughts (March 11, 2009)

If you are a reader of this space, you know that I am no Damon Runyan in the making. That said, no sportswriter could capture the magic inside the TD Banknorth (Boston) Garden last night as Milton High School defeated Woburn High School 70-69 to win the Division II Eastern Massachusetts boy's basketball championship. As a longtime fan, former player, and now assistant coach at Milton, last night was one of the most memorable and special evenings I will ever experience. There are no words to describe the feeling of seeing a group of young men that you spend countless hours with throughout the year rise to the occassion on the big stage of the parquet floor at the Garden. Thank you for taking me along for the ride... The Patriots still have not addressed their lack of a pass rush -- Jason Taylor remains a free agent -- but Bill Belichick has shored up the secondary, signing Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden. Springs and Bodden should be valuable members of the defense in 2009... The Red Sox stopped pursuing Mark Teixeira when the dollars reached stimulus package levels but they have distributed their cash to their rising young stars instead. Since failing to land Teixeira, the Sox have given Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Jon Lester (who is expected to sign a 5-year extension this week) long term contracts that give the franchise a base for the future while looking to compete for the World Series in 2009. This is the way to build a long term winner. Make good draft picks, develop your own talent, and keep those players in the system... Enjoy Paul Pierce tonight...