The blog is back from vacation.

Now, I'm not going to even bother going into detail with everything that has gone on since my last post. I will just briefly discuss some of the stuff I'm excited about, and a couple things I'm worried about too.

Things I am excited about.

1. The Red Sox are still in first place!
   This really is special, and it seems as though the gap is widening again. What was once a 14 and a half game lead over the Yankees is now at 6.5 after plummeting to 4 a couple weeks ago. This means we have the biggest lead between 1st and 2nd place in any division in the league. A very positive thing for us Sox fans who are used to only vying for that blessed wildcard spot. It seems as though, possibly, the hot streak of the Yankees is diminishing and the only thing keeping them going is 43HR leading Rodriguez.
   
   
2. The Yankees are in second place and not even secure in the wildcard slot.
   It would just make my year if the Yankees don't make the postseason. Nuff said.
   
   
3. All-stars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett have joined the Celtics.
   Although I was really skeptical about all the players and draft picks we were giving away including Al Jefferson and Sebastian Telfair amongst others to start with, this set-up has started to grow on me. I think the Celtics have a decent chance of taking the East and taking us green fans to the finals! Nice to think the gamblers agree with us. Odds before Allen & Garnett: 90-to-1. Odds after: 5-1. That's a pretty hefty leap up the rankings!
   
   
4. The Patriots are contenders AGAIN!
   There are only a handful of teams that can boast the offense that the Patriots have since all of their offseason moves. Having acquired Moss, Stallworth and Thomas, the Pats are conceived by many as the top seed in the AFC. The new father Tom Brady has his O-line returning for this season and a plethora of guys to throw to. In last nights pre-season matchup with Carolina, Brady looked pretty keyed in.
   
   
5. Boston sports could make the triple this year.
   I really think its possible for the Sox, Celtics and Pats to win their respective titles this season. And who knows, at the current rate the Revs might do too. As for the Bruins, I reckon there may need to be some more work done on that front.
   
   
6. Consistency is probably the key thing keeping the Sox in first. Its really visible. Neither Ortiz or Ramirez are having power years, but still, they are both hitting for good average and getting the hits that win games. As for the starters, although there has been some shuffling with a Schilling injury and then the return of Lester and the debut of Clay Bucholz, we are still a pretty scary team to face with our pitching with still a chance to have three 15 game winners. (Beckett 16, Wakefield 15 and Matsuzaka 13).
   
   
7. Finally, Wily Mo has gone.
   It was about time that our strikeout prone power man left Fenway for a more suitable team, the Nats. As for his replacement Carter, is yet to be seen, but his spot on the roster made way for Bobby Kielty who has acclimatised very well.
   
   
8. A-Rod could become a free agent.
   I know this isn't a popular one, but if A-Rod doesn't go for his team option and the Yankees don't sign him (Cashman has already warned), then there are only a few teams with the financial capacity to pick him up, the Sox being one of them. Its hard not to like the idea of Youk, Dustin, A-Rod and Lowell in the infield, as long as they just switch Alex to an SS!
   

Things that are worrying me.

1. Eric Gagné hasn't impressed me yet. I'm still waiting to see the lights out stuff he has shown everywhere else.
   
   
2. The Yankees are still second.
   We all know by now not to count the MFY out just yet. Lets just hope we don't get a repeat of the Massacre from last year!

Ok, well maybe I did cover most of what happened while I was away. Now its off my chest. Go Boston!