In the past few years, Rollins has become a present-day Nostradamus of baseball. Never shying away from the pressured spotlight of having to live up to his word, Rollins has assumed a prophet-like role forecasting the triumph and success that he expects his Phillies to accomplish. Prior to the 2007 season, he declared the Phillies as the “team to beat” in the NL East over the New York Mets. Not only did the Phillies use a late-season surge to take the division during the Mets’ titanic September collapse, but Rollins walked away with the NL MVP award as well.

In the months leading up to the 2008 season, Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran attempted to one-up Rollins by noting that New York and not Philadelphia was the team to beat after the Mets acquired left-handed ace Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins in the offseason.

Beltran’s comment struck a nerve with the overly confident shortstop as Rollins once again stepped up to the plate by publicly announcing that the Phillies would win 100 games in 2008, accusing Beltran of plagiarism along the way. Rollins stayed true to his word as Philadelphia went on to win the 2008 World Series, carrying with them 103 victories (including the 11 games they won in the postseason).

Rollins continued to bat 1.000 on the prediction scale when he prophesied that the Phillies would meet the Yankees in the 2009 World Series. After the two teams squared off in a three-game interleague set in May, Rollins told Playboy magazine that he expected to see the highest-paid team in baseball face off against the defending champion Phillies in the Fall Classic. So it was said, so it was done.

Fast forward to Oct. 26, when Rollins appeared on “The Jay Leno Show” and made his notorious nationwide prediction that the Phillies would be the victors in five games, or six if they were feeling generous. Unfortunately (at least for the Philadelphia shortstop), Rollins’ legacy as a faultless fortune-teller came to an end when the Yankees sealed their 27th championship with a 7-3 win over the Phillies in Game 6.

After batting a mere .217 in this year’s six World Series games, Rollins may have learned if he is going to play Joe Namath, he needs to be prepared to face the music if he is unable to back up his claim. (At least he can take anything thrown in his way.)

Rollins certainly isn’t the only athlete to be audacious enough to guarantee a title or victory and fall short of turning their opinion into a cold, hard fact. Last March during the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, Oklahoma center Courtney Paris promised that if the Sooners did not win a national title, she would pay back the entirety of her four-year scholarship to the school. For a while, it seemed like Paris might be able to keep her piggy bank full until the Sooners lost in the Final Four to Louisville in a 61-59 contest.

Then-Steelers safety Anthony Smith guaranteed a Pittsburgh win over the undefeated Patriots when the two teams met on Dec. 9, 2007. New England ensured that Smith would be incorrect in his assessment as the Patriots offense totally dismantled the Pittsburgh defense, with Tom Brady throwingfor 399 yards and four touchdowns to win by a final score of 34-13.

The victory upped the Patriots’ record to 13-0 en route to a perfect 16-0 regular season and a trip to Super Bowl XLII. However, when the Patriots finally did reach the Super Bowl and faced the New York Giants, they heard a familiar proclamation when Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress predicted New York would win 23-17 over the 18-0 squad. Many laughed and shrugged off Burress’ comments. Though the final score read 17-14, it did so in favor of the Giants, giving Burress at least partial credit for his fortune-telling.

For a while, Rollins was in the company of players such as Burress and Petr Sykora, the former right winger for the Pittsburgh Penguins. During a break in Game 5 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, Sykora accurately told a sideline reporter that he would score the game-winning goal. In triple-overtime, Sykora delivered a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

With Wednesday night’s blemish on his once-perfect prediction slate, Rollins may need some coaching himself.

FOOTBALL: Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Dolphins should be a good one. Chris Price has Five Things to Watch For in this key divisional battle.

Adalius Thomas said rumors of a players strike during the playoffs are “totally absurd.”

Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. The National Organization for Women called for Raiders coach Tom Cable to be suspended.

D.J. Bean has his fantasy football can’t-pass-up matchups.

Dan Rowinski has Five Questions for Boston College during its off week. Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant lost his final appeal with the NCAA.

BASEBALL: The Red Sox traded for Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida. Alex Speier delves into the thinking behind this low-risk/potentially high-reward transaction.Curt Schilling was on Dennis & Callahan yesterday, and he revisited the Pedro Martinez-Red Sox prima donna controversy.

The Angels signed Bobby Abreu to a two-year deal. Tim Hudson and the Braves are closing in on a three-year deal.

Dan Guttenplan says the key to the Yankees winning was Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter learning how to get along. Yankees manager Joe Girardi stopped to help a car crash victim on his way home from Yankee Stadium after his team won the World Series. Jamie McCourt’s bid to get her job back with the Dodgers was denied by a Los Angeles court. Giants ace Tim Lincecum was cited for possession of marijuana.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics are No. 1 in Michael Holley’s NBA power rankings. Wyc Grousbeck says the Celtics are not having financial problems. Gary Marbry has some stat nuggets from the Celtics’ wins this week. LeBron James was denied on a final shot and the Cavaliers lost to the Bulls.

HOCKEY: The Bruins finally scored a goal, but they lost to the Canadiens in a shootout. David Krejci was sent home after testing positive for H1N1.The B’s signed goalie Tuukka Rask to a two-year extension.

The Penguins finally lost a road game.

The Sharks put defenseman Rob Blake on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Kings forward Andres Nocioni was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. According to a business report, Columbus will have trouble keeping the Blue Jackets due to financial problems.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: The offseason following the 1976 season marked the first time for free agency as we know it in Major League Baseball, following an arbitrator’s ruling the year before. On Nov. 6, 1976, the Red Sox made the first and biggest splash in that year’s free agency, signing which pitcher?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We scored. Obviously, that’s a positive we can take out of the game.” — Forward Blake Wheeler, after the Bruins ended a 192-minute scoreless streak last night in a 2-1 shootout loss to Montreal

STAT OF THE DAY: 27 — Consecutive quarters scoring 20 or more points by the Celtics until they scored 19 in the first quarter Tuesday night (thanks to Gary Marbry for that stat)

AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED TRANSCRIPT OF THE DAY: Paul Pierce appeared on the Dale & Holley show yesterday. When asked about the Rajon Rondo-Chris Paul incident, he said, according to the automatically generated transcript:

“In the people’s — as if there was this transcript of the technology called open you know to look closely from the rights. As — in the view of — the minister of Soviet.”

What he actually said: “Hey, it’s up to you to be able to just concentrate and focus on the game and not get caught up in that, because people are going to say things some nights, and if it throws you off your game and gives us an advantage, so be it.”

‘NET RESULTS: On Monday, we showed the video of San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobli swatting a bat out of the air during a game. The website Mental Floss came up with 10 instances of animals delaying sporting events. Here’s No. 1:

TRIVIA ANSWER: Bill Campbell, who previously pitched for the Twins

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Eugene Pitt of the Jive Five is 72 today. Here the 1965 hit “I’m a Happy Man” (recorded at a reunion show in 1982) to get you in a good mood for the weekend.

BASEBALL: The Yankees won. Hideki Matsui was MVP. Alex Rodriguez finally has a title. Fans celebrated. Blah, blah, blah. Alex Speier rates the last 10 World Series winners.

Rob Bradford writes about what the future holds for Josh Beckett. Former Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette will participate in a WEEI.com chat today at noon.

Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla is recovering from a bullet wound in his leg after a shooting accident in Nicaragua.

FOOTBALL: Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter doesn’t like the Patriots. Again.

Colts starting linebacker Tyjuan Hagler is out for the rest of the season with a ruptured biceps.

Dan Guttenplan has his Week 9 NFL picks.

The University of Florida upped the suspension of Brandon Spikes to a full game. Police made another arrest in the stabbing death of UConn cornerback Jasper Howard.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics finally had a close game, edging the Timberwolves, 92-90. Jessica Camerato looks at Three Things We Learned from the win.

The Suns became the latest team to fall from the ranks of the undefeated, losing handily to the Magic. The Nuggets stayed perfect, using a 44-point third quarter to pull away from the Nets.

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was released from jail. Nancy Lieberman will be the first woman to coach an NBA Development League team.

Isiah Thomas made his debut as coach of Florida International and lost an exhibition game to Northwood, an NAIA team coached by Rollie Massimino. UConn crushed Division 2 AIC in an exhibition in Hartford. At the University of Central Florida, Michael Jordan’s son Marcus cost the school a shoe contract with adidas by insisting on wearing Nike Air Jordans.

HOCKEY: Bruins fans, it could be worse — Carolina’s winless streak reached 10 games last night. The Sharks won their sixth straight.

MISC: Kirk Minihane has his weekly mailbag.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Nov. 5, 1946, for the first time in pro basketball history, a player shattered a backboard — albeit with a shot instead of a dunk. Which Celtic did the honors?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Look, a lot of people ran the other way. My teammates and coaches and organization stood right next to me. And now we stand together as world champs.” — Alex Rodriguez, after the Yankees won the World Series

STAT OF THE DAY: 6 — RBI for Yankee Hideki Matsui last night, tying a World Series single-game record

AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED TRANSCRIPT OF THE DAY: Celtics boss Danny Ainge appeared on The Big Show yesterday. When talking about the C’s bench, he said, according to our automatically generated transcript:

“And KG they have mystical city night last night that we get a database at the Sheldon.”

What he actually said: “And KG and Ray have miserable shooting nights last night but we get it out of Eddie and Shelden.”

‘NET RESULTS: Al Jefferson played well against the Celtics last night in Minnesota. Maybe it was revenge for the way Paul Pierce treated him when Jefferson was a rookie in Boston in 2004.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Chuck Connors, who was better known for starring in the TV show “The Rifleman”

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Herman’s Hermits lead singer Peter Noone is 62 today.

We all know how that game ended, but it opens up an interesting subject. How often have we seen athletes make game-changing mistakes that cost their team wins? We decided to list some of the more (un)forgettable moments.

Chris Webber calls a timeout
Webber, while maybe not one of the all-time NBA greats, was a good big man and a contributor for the teams he played for. However, he will always be known for calling a timeout in the 1993 NCAA championship game between Michigan and UNC. In retrospect, there was plenty of time left in the game for Michigan to set up a play and if the Michigan guards, who usually handle the ball, had helped after the rebound, we might only talk about how Michigan collapsed and not how Webber lost the game for his team.

Andres Escobar scores own goal
Escobar was a defender on the Columbian 1994 FIFA World Cup team. Despite a celebrated career, he cemented himself in sports history when he scored an own goal in a match on June 22 against the United States while attempting to redirect a shot from U.S. midfielder, John Harkes.

The result of the own goal was the U.S. winning the match, 2-1. Columbia failed to advance past the first round in the tournament, and helped propel the U.S. into the second round, where they lost a 1-0 match to Brazil. The win over Columbia put U.S. soccer on the map in terms of World Cup play. For Colombia and Escobar, the result was far more harrowing. On July 2, 1994, Escobar was shot and killed in front of a bar. His death is widely believed to be punishment for the own goal.

Jim Marshall runs the wrong way
As a football player, this is one of those situations that you hope never happens to you.
It was an athletic play to pick up the ball on one bounce, but you have to pay attention to where you are! Even to this day Marshall can’t live it down. But at least Roy Riegels has company.

Bill Buckner 

Need I say more?

Merkle’s Boner

The granddaddy of all brain cramps in U.S. professional sports, which has been immortalized in culture and literature. Fred Merkle, a rookie making his first-ever big-league start, was on first base when one of his Giants teammates lined an apparent walkoff single against the Cubs, with whom New York was in a heated pennant race. Rather than touching second, however, Merkle sprinted straight from first base to the Giants clubhouse, located in centerfield, to avoid a flood of fans on the field. Johnny Evers of the Cubs somehow retrieved the ball (or a ball), brought the umpires back on the field as he stepped on second for a force out, and insisted that Merkle was out. Instead of a Giants walk-off win, the game was declared a suspended tie that the Cubs ultimately won, a pivotal moment in their claiming the pennant and their last World Series triumph in 1908. 

These plays and others like them will live on in infamy because of how much fans cherish sports and their favorite teams. These plays gain significance over the years because they are often deciding factors in what makes an individual, a team or game memorable.

NBA legend Bill Walton announced this week that he will not return to ESPN to provide NBA analysis, saying, “It is time to dedicate the rest of my life to service.” Here’s a clip of him playing horse vs. Will Ferrell. Coincidentally, this video shows the Larry Bird behind-the-backboard shot that’s being compared to Rajon Rondo’s shot last night.

BASEBALL: Pedro Martinez knows he has the support of Red Sox Nation tonight as he faces Andy Pettitte at Yankee Stadium. Phillies sparkplug Shane Victorino is still hurting after being hit on the hand by a pitch in Game 5, and he’s questionable for tonight.

Josh Beckett plans to talk to the Red Sox brass about his future.

FOOTBALL: Chris Price has his weekly Patriots mailbag. Price also writes about Dolphins speedster Ted Ginn Jr., who comes to Foxboro Sunday. D.J. Bean has his Week 9 Living With the Bye fantasy football column

The Seahawks cut running back Edgerrin James, who ranks 10th in NFL history in rushing. The Chiefs picked up tight end Chris Chambers, who was waived by the Chargers.

Browns owner Randy Lerner met with some disgruntled fans. Meanwhile, his team reacted to the departure of general manager George Kokinis. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder talked publicly about his frustration with his team’s woes.

In college news, Georgia running back Washaun Ealey, the victim of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes’ attempted eye gouge, said he doesn’t think Spikes should be suspended. At Syracuse, three players were suspended for violating team rules. Longtime Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews will retire after the season.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics routed the 76ers, 105-74. Paul Flannery writes about how the C’s are making it look easy.

The Magic lost to the Pistons, and the Heat were felled by the Suns, leaving the C’s as the only undefeated team in the Eastern Conference. The Nuggets are 4-0 and off to their best start in 24 years. The Lakers survived the Thunder in overtime.

Cavaliers guard Delonte West faces additional weapons and traffic charges in Maryland. Clippers owner Donald Sterling paid a $2.7 million fine to settle a housing discrimination dispute.

Syracuse lost to Division 2 Le Moyne in an exhibition game at the Carrier Dome. Duke guard Nolan Smith was suspended two games for playing in an unsanctioned summer league.

HOCKEY: The Bruins dropped a 2-0 decision to the Red Wings.

Former Bruin Phil Kessel made his debut with the Maple Leafs in a losing effort.

HISTORIVIA: On Nov. 4, 1986, which Red Sox bench boss was named named American League Manager of the Year?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t want to die and then hear everybody say, ‘Oh, there goes one of the best players ever.’ If you’re going to give me props, just give them to me right now.” — Pedro Martinez, as he prepares for tonight’s Game 6 of the World Series in New York

STAT OF THE DAY: 132 — Consecutive scoreless minutes for the Bruins

AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED TRANSCRIPT OF THE DAY: Ken Rosenthal appeared on the Dale & Holley show yesterday and talked about the situation in the Phillies clubhouse after Game 5, when Brett Myers confronted teammate Cole Hamels.

According to our automatically generated transcript, Rosenthal said:

“I just bought our used joke you know look at the big deal at all. It back when I woke up the border learned that the fluid in Britain.”

What he actually said: “I just though Myers was joking and it wasn’t a big deal at all. And in fact, when I woke up this morning to learn that the story had been written …”

‘NET RESULTS: Comedian Stephen Colbert is sponsoring the US Olympic Speedskating team.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: John McNamara

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Harry Elston is 71 today. He sang with “Friends of Distinction,” which you know from their version of “Grazing in the Grass.” The group was “discovered” by football legend Jim Brown in the late 1960s, or so the story goes.

James LaShoto of Arlington Catholic is being charged with assault and battery after hitting Abington’s Daniel Curtin on Sept. 19. Curtin missed 10 days of school and two football games while recovering.

No penalty was called on LaShoto as officials did not see the incident (it was away from the ball). LaShoto was suspended two games by Arlington Catholic, and his lawyer, Ronald Martignetti, said the punishment was discussed with Abington High School school and team officials before being delivered.

However, the Curtin family was not satisfied and decided to seek a legal remedy.

“We see this as an appropriate venue,” Curtin’s mother, Paula, told The Boston Globe from Cambridge District Court in Medford on Friday. “We’re hoping that by doing this, this doesn’t happen again to anybody.”

Said Curtin lawyer Fran McGee: “There are rules and there are rules. In this case here, the issuing of the complaint indicates that perhaps a line was crossed here, but we’ll find out when there’s a trial. … This case suggests a broader issue. High school football is mimicking the NFL and becoming more and more violent every week, it seems to me.”

Martignetti called into D&C Tuesday morning to defend LaShoto and insist that it’s not appropriate for this to become a legal matter. Here is what Martignetti had to say.

Ronald Martignetti: My name’s Ron Martignetti and I’m an attorney and I represent young James LaShoto, and I wanted to get a couple of ideas out there

John Dennis: All right, we should point out that LaShoto is the young man charged with the misdemeanor count of assault and battery.

RM: Yes, the Arlington Catholic former captain, football player, yes. The LaShoto family and James in particular wanted to apologize immediately after the incident, but as what happens with some of these matters is they take on a life of their own. Immediately, there were legal implications and essentially what happened is the family was frozen to speak, to talk, to do anything. So they were quiet, they have since apologized, both to Arlington Catholic, to Abington High School, and James has apologized to his coaching staff, to the coaching staff of the other team, to his league, to the Curtin family, and specifically to young Daniel Curtin, who was injured on the play. It seems as though everyone has accepted the apologies with the exception of the Curtin family has rebuffed Daniel’s apology, so that is probably first to be known.

Secondly is that it seems as though as I listened to the conversation between your callers and thank them for voicing their opinions, but it seems as though we have on one side perhaps a consensus that the suspension was too short, on the other side it seems as though had the suspension been longer, and there seems to be varying degrees on how long it is, that people would have been satisfied with the outcome. And I think that expresses the points of the Curtin family as well. But I don’t think that if we can’t agree on whether or not we have a two-game suspension being too short or a year being too long, that if we can’t come to an agreement between those two parameters, that we should get the criminal law, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, involved in the case.

And that’s been my point with this matter. I’m not going to get involved in whether or not two games was too short, four games just right, the rest of the season perfect — that all seems to be an appropriate conversation, but that’s a matter of opinion between the people who run the respective leagues, the MIAA, whoever else was involved. But because we can’t agree on that, the right answer is not because someone had a lapse of judgment in a football game, in a play, before the whistle, with equipment that he was provided. This isn’t a knife that was taken off the field, I think all those fact patterns really are red herrings.

Gerry Callahan: Can you confirm, counselor, it’s two games, right, and it’s already been served?

RM: Yes, it was two games, it was served.

GC: And he lost his captaincy, is that what you just said?

RM: He did lose his captaincy. This is a kid with a 3.5 GPA, member of the National Honor Society, a kid with a stellar, stellar record at Arlington Catholic. He is under consideration to play football at a small college. The whole play was under two seconds. This is a kid that this play is going to affect his life. He’s being talked about right now Boston radio, he’s on the news, on television. Imagine what this would be like for a high school senior. This was supposed to be a great year for LaShoto, it was supposed to be a great year for Curtin. There’s no defending the injury to the Curtin kid, it’s unfortunate, I don’t think that we get involved in football that we either want our children to come off the field bloodied by a dirty play, nor do we want our kid to come off the field in handcuffs. I think the bigger question here is: Are we a society that really needs to give more power to the police and the government? Is that what’s wrong with us?

JD: Well I think the discomfort factor, counselor, and this is just my opinion, came with the idea that not enough was done. And we can sit here and go back and forth and negotiate two games vs. a year, but that’s not the point. The fact of the matter is both these kids, and the rest of their teammates, by the way, went to that game on September 19, I believe that was, with a reasonable expectation of what their risk would be. And if you’re a running back or a quarterback it might be that your knee gets caved in or it might be if you’re a wide receiver that you take a blow to the head going over the middle that you get a concussion. This would not have risen to the level of anybody’s reasonable expectation of your risk on the field, thus, that’s why I think law enforcement, in this case, has a reasonable chance of getting involved.

RM: Well, law enforcement clearly is involved, the boy’s been charged, and there will be a criminal trial moving forward. So that isn’t really any longer in the balance. The issue, though, is given the fact that these are very rough sports and given the fact that sometimes emotions become overblown, and sometimes someone has a mistake, a lapse in judgment, this is not a premeditated grudge match between these two boys, that “I’m going to get that kid the next time I see him,” [or] “I’m going to stalk him down and chase him,” these are kids that were faced off against each other at the line of scrimmage and one kid’s helmet comes off and can be kicked around, how it came off, it’s my guy’s position that it came off in the play, and my guy’s view was that, “I tried to get in his face and say, ‘Stop cut-blocking me.’ ”

GC: Who suspended him? The coach, the school, the superintendent?

RM: The head of school of Arlington Catholic suspended him, but the head of school at Arlington Catholic, along with his athletic director and his coaching staff, conferred with Abington High School and conferred with the administration and the athletic department and coaching staff of Abington High School and all of the adults at Arlington Catholic and Abington High School were in agreement that the suspension was appropriate. So you have opposing teams agreeing that this is an appropriate suspension. The losing of the captainship and the two-game suspension was appropriate.

JD: Counselor, let me ask you this, and I understand, and you’re sort of stating the obvious when you say football is a rough and violent game, things get heated during the course of  a game, sometimes things happen, sometimes they don’t. Fact of the matter is, and I understand that your client is going through a tough time here and he’s looking at the rest of his life being affected, whether he does get to play in college or not, and this stay and this stigma will be on him, my question would be, and I think it’s almost rhetorical in nature: Do you think if he does go to play in college that James Lashoto would ever do this again?

RM: Oh, God no.

JD: Of course he would not. And do you think anybody on the Arlington Catholic High School football team or the Abington High School football team for that matter, in the heat of some moment down the road, would think that it was a good idea, even in the heat of the moment, to either take a guy’s helmet off or see a guy’s helmet off and head-butt him.

RM: Of course not.

JD: Of course not, but if this had not risen to the level of all the attention of criminal case and maybe there’s a one- or two-game suspension, my guess is this teaching moment would not have been so profound.

RM: I disagree with your conclusion in that the two-game suspension definitely would have made LaShoto never do this again and it would have been a good lesson for everyone else.

JD: I’m not talking about LaShoto, I’m talking about the other kids on the team.

RM: Let me add to what you’re saying. The issue is not whether or not a half or a two-game or a four-game would have done it. The issue that you put forward is how to get the boy’s attention and how to get other players’ attention so this doesn’t occur. And in order to do that, a suspension is as important to these kids as anything else they’re doing. They work very hard to play these sports, it’s their life, it’s their dream, they view themselves as going much further in sport than any of them will realistically go.

JD: Do you think any other SEC football player will gouge an eyeball based on Urban Meyer’s punishment of Brandon Spikes?

RM: I must ask forgiveness at this point, I don’t know anything about the Urban Meyer incident.

JD: My point is a suspension, long, short or in this case ridiculously short, I don’t think has that much of a deterrent for people other than the ones involved.

RM: Well, let me say this. I think that deterrent is different to different people. And I’ve watched the criminal law now for 25 years as an attorney and I don’t want to pull rank over the young law student that called in a moment ago, but I was that young law student some 25 years ago. Deterrent is very much in the eye of the beholder. I don’t know the other professional or college players involved in their incidents. I’ve heard discussions of incidents where people have gotten involved in heinous acts off the field, people who it sounds to me from your description has proclivity to get involved in criminal behavior. We’re now dealing with a kid who’s an exemplary kid and very well raised from a very good school [for whom] just the accusation has been much, much more of an impact on his life than the suspension. … You may call it short, and I would not be on the phone with you had there been a year suspension, a season suspension, it just wouldn’t be a matter. It would have been a matter of the administrators. But to lose track of a suspension from sport vs. a criminal charge, these are completely different realms, and I think this matter is really poorly placed.

GC: Can you tell me how and why the apology was rebuffed? Is this a legal matter now, is the Curtin family going to sue? Will you be presenting LaShoto in a civil trial?

RM: Well, I don’t know what they’ll get from young James LaShoto. I imagine his football equipment belongs to Arlington Catholic. The idea of suing him is foolish, he doesn’t have anything. But the idea of putting him in criminal jeopardy, I don’t think that this matter has helped the LaShoto boy — it certainly hasn’t. I don’t want to be so presumptuous as to tell the Curtins how to raise their son — my wife and I are raising eight of our own, and I know it’s a formidable task — I just think that they’re not doing anything for the Curtin boy either by pursuing this. I think that this should have been handled [by] the leagues — an argument can be placed that it should have been handled more firmly by the leagues — but it’s grossly misplaced to have this in the criminal court.

JD: And I would suggest to you, and I don’t want to open up another end of conversation because we’re up against the clock here, but I would think that James LaShoto should be very, very thankful that [he] didn’t lose his temper or temporarily go insane at a high school dance where he encountered this guy.

RM: My coaches used to say that dancing is a contact sport, and football is a collision sport. … To say that this is the same had it happened at a high school dance or in line at a Dunkin’ Donuts, I would hope that people who go to high school dances don’t have the same level of adrenaline and the same emotional input as they do when they’re playing contact sports. This is a contact sport where he crossed the line. I think to take the other facts is just to skew the argument.

WEEI’s Ian Tasso contributed to this report.

BASEBALL: Maybe the Philadelphia Inquirer knew something. Yesterday, the paper apologized for accidentally running an ad for Phillies World Series championship gear. Last night, the Phillies beat the Yankees, 8-6, to close to within a game.

Not all is well with the Phillies, as there’s a report that Brett Myers and Cole Hamels got into a dispute after last night’s win. Apparently, Myers instigated the argument by saying something to Hamels in reference to a comment Hamels made after Game 3 about wanting the season to end.

Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen reportedly turned down an offer to be Jed Hoyer’s assistant general manager with the Padres.

FOOTBALL: The Patriots are getting ready for the Dolphins and their wildcat offense. Tom Brady spoke on Dennis & Callahan about playing for a long time to come. Bill Belichick loosened up a bit during the bye week, or so he told The Big Show. Meanwhile, the Patriots continue to bring in free agents for workouts.

Joe Zarbano has his weekly NFL power rankings, lead by the Saints, who beat the Falcons last night to remain undefeated.

The Chiefs cut Larry Johnson’s suspension in half after discussions with the NFL Management Council and NFL Players Association. The Raiders will investigate coach Tom Cable after ESPN aired a report accusing him of abusing women. Browns owner Randy Lerner will meet with the organizers of a fan protest against the team for its incompetence. Meanwhile, Browns general manager George Kokinis is out. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell testified before a congressional subcommittee as he seeks more power to suspend steroid users.

University of Florida coach Urban Meyer suspended linebacker Brandon Spikes for an incident Saturday in which Spikes gouged the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey while he was on the ground. At Syracuse, leading receiver Mike Williams left the team, which means more of a struggle for quarterback Greg Paulus, who has been getting booed by the home crowd. Former Boston College quarterback Dominique Davis is transferring to East Carolina.

BASKETBALL: Paul Flannery examines the ramifications of the Rajon Rando signing. Rondo said: “I’m thankful for what I’m signing for.” Meanwhile, the NBA is reviewing Sunday night’s Rondo-Chris Paul incident.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson spoke to the press to hype their forthcoming book some more.

Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody heads the AP preseason All-America team.

HOCKEY: A judge approved the sale of the Coyotes to the NHL.

SOCCER: David Beckham will return to AC Milan on loan in January.

MISC.: New York Post media critic Phil Mushnick and WFAN radio host Mike Francesa took their feud to another level yesterday. Based on the evidence, Francesa isn’t looking too good.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Nov. 3, 1942, the results of the American League MVP voting were announced. Despite hitting .356 with 36 home runs and 137 RBI, Red Sox left fielder Ted Williams lost out to a Yankees infielder who hit .322 with 18 homers and 103 RBI. Which Yankee won the award?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He’s earned what he has, but this can’t be the defining moment of his career.” — Celtics coach Doc Rivers on Rajon Rondo’s new contract

STAT OF THE DAY: 5 — Home runs in the 2009 World Series by Chase Utley, tying the record set by Reggie Jackson in 1977 for the Yankees against the Dodgers.

AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED TRANSCRIPT OF THE DAY: Tom Brady was on Dennis & Callahan yesterday morning, and he was talking about Brett Favre. According to our automatically generated transcript, he said:

“Gingrich Pollack passed away in mount Drobo has touched on — Oakland he’s just he’s really got kind of Portland.”

What he actually said: “I always remember the game when his father passed away and he came out and threw all those touchdowns against Oakland. He’s really that kind of player.”

‘NET RESULTS: In honor of the Revolution winning their playoff opener, here’s Frenchman Remi Gaillard with some amazing soccer tricks. The scenes at the start are of him celebrating in the locker room with 2002 French champion Lorient after sneaking in.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Second baseman Joe Gordon

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Lulu is 61 today. She’s best known for “To Sir With Love,” but here she is with fellow Scot Gilbert O’Sullivan singing his 1973 hit “Get Down.” Is it just me, or does O’Sullivan look a little bit like John Kerry here?

Revving his engine while sitting in a car with a cougar painted across the hood, Ricky Bobby’s return to the racing world was greeted by a mixture of cheers and encouragement from his crew team, jeers and gibes from Jean Girard (the Frenchman who orchestrated his descent from the top) and taunts and teases from his former best friend, Cal Naughton Jr., who was now married to his ex-wife and living in his million-dollar mansion.

Still, Ricky Bobby did not allow his emotions to get the best of him. He did not walk away with a first-place finish, but his return to NASCAR was one he will surely never forget (though he may want to).

Even though Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a fictional but inspirational comedy, many athletes have had to deal with returning to a place where they were once hailed as heroes and now looked upon as a modern-day Benedict Arnold.

Yesterday, Brett Favre finally made his long-anticipated return to Lambeau Field, returning to his football home of 16 years, where he was once heralded as one of the greatest to ever put on a Green Bay Packer uniform and play in front of some of die-hard Cheeseheads. As soon as he trotted onto the field in a Minnesota Vikings jersey, Favre drew an immediate chorus of boos as if he was being attacked by ghosts lingering from the previous night’s celebration of Halloween.

Not only did a plane fly over the field carrying a banner that read “Retire 4 Good,” but a multitude of fans showed their displeasure with the quarterback by wearing shirts calling him names such as “Judas,” “Traitor” and “Drama Queen,” including one fan who held a Fredo-Favre sign to illustrate his dissatisfaction with his deal with the Vikings. Much to the dismay of Packers fans, however, Favre got the last laugh as his team overpowered the Packers, 38-26, in a game in which Favre threw for four touchdowns and 244 yards to give him a 128.6 quarterback rating.

While fans in Wisconsin were disappointed by the outcome, Patriot fans can empathize with them. On Nov. 5, 2006, Adam Vinatieri, perhaps the greatest clutch kicker in the history of the NFL, returned to Gillette Stadium after leaving the Patriots to join the rival Indianapolis Colts. Winning three Super Bowls with New England, Vinatieri was hailed with boos and jeers. Later in the game, the kicker heard the cheers he was accustomed to at Gillette only after missing a 37- and a 46-yard field goal for his first two misses of the season. He did, however, connect on two other kicks  for 23 and 31-yards to help secure the Colts’ 27-20 victory.

On the baseball end, Phillies fanatics got a taste of what Red Sox fans felt when they watched Johnny Damon advance from first base to third in the top of the ninth inning to give the Yankees the go-ahead run to win Game 4 of the World Series, 7-4. As a free agent following the 2005 season, Damon signed a four-year contract worth $52 million with his former AL East, rival leaving Red Sox fans flabbergasted and stunned. Previously stating that he would never sign with the Yankees, Damon was greeted back at Fenway on May 1, 2006, to a combination of boos and applause.

Like Favre, Damon was the target of “Judas” comparisons (though he actually looked like him before he shaved away his caveman persona). Tipping his helmet before his first at-bat, Damon received a welcoming shower of dollar bills as fans who were not in attendance were quick to resort to other extravagant public displays of disaffection.

Damon did not get the opportunity to enjoy beating his former team, as he went 0-for-4 in the Yankees 7-4 loss. Yet Damon may soon obtain his first World Series ring as a Yankee as his former teammate Pedro Martinez will have to wait at least another year to continue his quest to win another World Championship on the Phillies’ bench.

Leaving the Red Sox after the 2004 Championship season, Pedro inked a four-year, $53 million contract with the other New York team when he chose to sign with the Mets instead of remaining in Boston. Unlike Damon, Pedro was the recipient of a warm welcome when he took the mound as a member of the Mets during an interleague game on June 28, 2006. The fans had other reasons to cheer for Pedro that night, as the ace surrendered eight runs (6 earned) in only three innings as the Red Sox defeated the Mets 10-2.

Not all former Boston players cozy-up to the fans the same kindhearted way Pedro did. On July 12, 1997, Roger Clemens made his return to Fenway Park as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays just months after former Red Sox GM Dan Duquette proclaimed that the ace was “in the twilight of his career”. While on the mound, Clemens glared directly into the owner’s box where Duquette was sitting, still angered by the general manager’s comment. If Clemens had any disdain for Duquette he clearly used it for further motivation as he pitched a memorable game, striking out 16 batters in eight innings and only allowing one earned run in Toronto’s 3-1 victory.

Players come and go. Whether it be via trade or free agency, many treat their respective sport as a business first and a game second. Players are cheered, others are booed, and some just can’t seem to find their seat, just like Stephon Marbury.

FOOTBALL: The Patriots were off, but it was a big day in the NFL. Denver suffered its first loss, getting routed at Baltimore. Brett Favre frustrated Green Bay fans by leading Minnesota to a win. The Dolphins completed a sweep of the Jets. The Eagles rolled past the Giants. The Titans got their first win, overpowering Jacksonville. The Colts rallied past the 49ers in a low-scoring affair to remain unbeaten.

Christopher Price has a story about former Patriots lineman Joe Andruzzi’s ongoing fight against cancer. According to an ESPN report, Raiders coach Tom Cable has been accused of abusing his ex-wife and a former girlfriend.

D.J. Bean has the fantasy football Week 8 wrap-up.

Dan Rowinski has Five Things We Learned from Boston College’s victory over Central Michigan Saturday.

BASEBALL: The Yankees closed to within a game of their 27th World Series title, as Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez keyed a three-run rally in the ninth inning for a 7-4 victory last night in Philadelphia. Phillies closer Brad Lidge was left looking for answers after coming within a strike of ending the inning unscathed. A.J. Burnett will start against Cliff Lee tonight.

Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols were named winners of the Hank Aaron Awards.

Dustin Pedroia talked about Halloween and watching the World Series in an appearance on WEEI’s Mutt & Bradford show Saturday.

Kirk Minihane has a look at the best and worst of the decade for the Red Sox.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics pulled away late for a 10-point victory over the Hornets. Jessica Camerato has Three Things We Learned, which includes at item on the Rajon Rondo-Chris Paul feud.

Camerato also has Rondo talking about his future, saying he doesn’t think it’s likely he’ll be a Celtic forever.

A couple of offbeat items from the weekend. First, Spurs guard Manu Ginobli swatted a bat out of the air during Saturday night’s game in San Antonio.

Second, Stephon Marbury returned to Madison Square Garden Saturday night after buying a courtside ticket, but the former Knick (and Celtic) left early because he was in the wrong seat and he apparently didn’t like being asked to move.

HOCKEY: The Bruins could not follow up Saturday’s victory with another, dropping a 1-0 decision to the Rangers yesterday. Joe Haggerty has Three Things We Learned, leading with a lack of offense again being a problem.

SOCCER: The Revolution doused the Fire, 2-1, in their playoff opener yesterday in Foxboro.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Nov. 2, 1946, the Celtics played their first-ever road game. They didn’t have far to travel, as which New England team was the opponent?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There’s no question — I’ve never had a bigger hit,” — Alex Rodriguez, after his go-ahead double sparked the Yankees’ 7-4 win last night in Game 5 of the World Series in Philadelphia

STAT OF THE DAY: 14 — Consecutive successful penalty kills by the Bruins

AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED TRANSCRIPT OF THE DAY: Dustin Pedroia joined Saturday’s Mutt & Bradford show, and when asked if he was watching the World Series, he said this, according to the automatically generated transcript:

“Torrealba I watch actually watch every watch every game every pitch some. You know still will — in in Antigua those — don’t.”

His actual comment: “Oh, yeah, I actually watch every game, every pitch, I’m still learning and seeing what those guys are doing.”

‘NET RESULTS: On Wednesday, we linked to ImprovEverywhere’s “Grocery Store Musical,” in which members of the improv group “spontaneously” broke out into a musical at the supermarket. Here’s another offering from the troupe, called “Suicide Jumper.”

TRIVIA ANSWER: The Providence Steamrollers, who beat the Celtics, 59-53 (the Steamrollers folded after the 1948-49 season)

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Jay Black of Jay and the Americans is 71 today.

Oakland Raiders - Black Hole

You have to respect a fan base that dresses in football pads with spikes on them, skulls and black and silver face paint. Their “Black Hole” is infamous and notorious for making opposing kickers miss chip shot field goals. It’s just too bad they don’t have a better team to cheer.

Denver Broncos - Barrel Man

You have to love this. Quick breakdown: Cowboy hat, check. Megaphone to lead cheers, check. Winter gloves, check. No shirt, check. The mark of a true fan is how few clothes you wear depending on how cold the weather is. The Barrel Man is clearly a true fan. It takes a special commitment to only wear a barrel to a game played a mile above sea level.

Green Bay - Pope of Packerland

This fan pays attention to the details. First, he has the appropriate vestments for a Roman Catholic pope. Notice the years listed on the stole, years the Packers won a championship. His mitre (pointy hat) has an image of Vince Lombardi. If you worship the Packers, is Lombardi the messiah? One question. Where do you get a “cheese” bra?

Cleveland Browns - Dawg Pound

Face paint is a mark of a true fan. A mask is along the same lines. The Dawg Pound is much like the Black Hole in its rowdiness but with less of an effect. Much respect to those who count themselves among the Dawg Pound, but when you cheer for the Browns it’s understandable why they wear masks.

Washington Redskins - The Hogs

Men in dresses wearing pig snouts. There is not much more to say about it. The origin of the Hogs actually has nothing to do with fans. It refers to their famous offensive line from the early 80s. These days the hogs in the stands seem to be more entertaining than those on the field.

New York Jets - Fireman Ed

He might be the ultimate fan. His costume is simple, a Jets jersey and a Jets-themed firefighter helmet. But his influence is legendary. Fireman Ed, who is actually a fireman, leads the famous Jets cheer “J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets!” In fact he’s so well known for his role in cheering the team that Coach Rex Ryan recognized his work after the week two win against the Patriots.

Super Fans can often add to the experience of going to a game. It’s interesting that the most memorable super fans cheer for teams that don’t do well, but perhaps when your team is in the cellar, you have to find other ways to entertain yourself. Did we miss a super fan? Let us know!

Many say a pitcher naturally functions with a short-term memory, erasing any negativity lingering from a dismal outing. An ace is groomed to always look on the bright side, set his sights on the start ahead, and carry an optimistic outlook for the future. There is no dwelling on the past, no need to rekindle the discontent.

Yet, Pedro is an exception to that generalization. When Martinez took the podium before Game 1 of the World Series in front of a crowded room of reporters and media personnel, Pedro did not hesitate to refresh everyone’s memory of how the media battered and beleaguered his character, painting him as “the man New York loves to hate.” He showed no reluctance addressing the infamous Don Zimmer incident, nor did he stutter in the least when he denoted himself “the most influential player that ever stepped in Yankee Stadium.”

Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, and even Derek Jeter may have a degree of difficulty agreeing with that. But, hey, as Pedro says, “Go wake up the damn Bambino, maybe I’ll drill him in the [behind]. 

Still, Pedro has certainly left a sizable portion of his legacy permantly embedded in the old Yankee Stadium. His name will forever be engraved in the century-long history of the revered franchise. His memory will be passed along from generation to generation of Yankee fans. And some of his most controversial moments involving the fans, the players, and the coaches of New York will never be forgotten (and maybe never forgiven).

To the gratifying recollection of Boston fans, Pedro’s one-hit, 17-strikeout brilliance on Sept. 10, 1999, against the rivaled Yankees remains one of his finest moments as a member of the Red Sox. Allowing only a solo home run to Chili Davis, Pedro shrugged off the long ball and went on to turn in one of the best starts of his career. That year, Pedro was honored with the second of his three Cy Young Awards, winning the AL Triple Crown in pitching and finishing second in the AL MVP voting. Pedro was at the top of his game. He was arguably the most dominant pitcher of the era and continued to be a menace to the Yankees causing fans to despise his ability to so effortlessly silence the most lethal offense in all of baseball.

Then, in 2003, the tides began to shift. In the 2003 ALCS between the Red Sox and the Yankees, Pedro would be at the epicenter of brawls and the target of criticism. During Game 3, Pedro launched a fastball behind the head of Karim Garcia. From there, Pedro was Public Enemy No. 1. Among the shouts of dissatisfaction from the Yankee bench, Jorge Posada was one of the most vehement protesters, causing Pedro to single out the catcher by pointing to his temple with his right index finger. The Yankees interpreted this gesture as a foreshadowing of a future beaning, but Pedro meant that he would remember Posada’s objections, not necessarily fire a 95-MPH heater at his helmet.

Later in the game, Roger Clemens threw a ball high to Manny Ramirez, who overreacted to a ball that was over the plate and started approaching the mound accusing Clemens of intending to hit him. Benches cleared and the sight that would remain fixed in everyone’s mind was the image of Pedro tossing the 72-year-old Zimmer to the field.

New York would have its revenge. Taking the mound for Game 7, Pedro entered the 8th inning only six outs from securing a trip to the World Series for the Red Sox. Everyone knows the story. On fumes, Pedro was unable to hold a 5-2 lead, sending the game into extra innings, which would eventually end on an Aaron Boone walk-off in the bottom of the eleventh off of Tim Wakefield. Manager Grady Little would lose his job and some wondered if Pedro lost his confidence.

The next year, Pedro finally let out his built-up frustration with the Yankees by calling them his “Daddy” late in the season after back-to-back disappointing outings. Since then, a tirade of banners, shirts, and teases have flooded the stands of Yankee Stadium ridiculing the pitcher that once owned their team for years.

Last night, Pedro made his first appearance at the new Yankee Stadium. In the first six frames, the right-hander held the Yankees to two solo home runs courtesy of Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui before Charlie Manuel pulled a Grady Little and sent out Pedro one inning too long.

Still, upon his departure, Pedro left in high spirits, warmly smiling as he made his way back to the visitor’s dugout in the midst of a few “daddy” chants from the crowd at Yankee Stadium. He made sure to take in all the jeers and the cheers echoing throughout unwelcoming atmosphere. It was a start Pedro will never forget.

Before we get to the links, here’s a reminder that there will be football (futbol) at Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon, as the Revolution host the Chicago Fire in the opening game of the MLS playoffs. Tickets are still available.

BASEBALL: The Yankees beat Pedro Martinez and the Phillies, 3-1, in Game 2 of the World Series. Dan Guttenplan is impressed by Pedro’s performance but not surprised, as he predicted the stat line quite accurately (at the bottom of his NFL picks Wednesday). Curt Schilling talked to the Big Show about the World Series ad Pedro.

Derek Jeter was given the Roberto Clemente Award for on- and off-field excellence.

After some confusion and a Major League Baseball ruling, the Red Sox retained the rights to Reynaldo Rodriguez, a first baseman they acquired from the Yuma Scorpions of the independent Golden Baseball League earlier this month. Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay checked in for a chat on WEEI.com yesterday.

FOOTBALL: Wes Welker has become the ultimate security blanket for the Patriots. Tom Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month.

Green Bay is eagerly awaiting Brett Favre’s return Sunday. Browns fans are preparing a protest for a Nov. 16 game.

In New Orleans, former Patriots fullback Heath Evans is done for the season with a torn right knee ligament, and another former Patriot, Kyle Eckel, has been signed as his replacement. Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu had his season ended during surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. The Titans are switching to Vince Young at quarterback.

Dan Guttenplan presents his Week 8 NFL picks. D.J. Bean has his fantasy football can’t-pass-up matchups.

North Carolina knocked off No. 14 Virginia Tech on a field goal with no time left. Boston College is preparing for Central Michigan and talented quarterback Dan LeFevour.

BASKETBALL: The deadline for the Celtics to sign Rajon Rondo was moved to Monday. Michael Holley debuted his NBA power rankings and put the Lakers ahead of the Celtics. Doc Rivers appeared on Dennis & Callahan yesterday and talked about the Celtics’ early success and Glen Davis’ woes.

The NBA says it will investigate the allegations made by rogue referee Tim Donaghy.

Kansas is ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason Top 25. Bob Knight will not attend his induction into the Indiana University Hall of Fame.

HOCKEY: The Bruins lost to the Devils, 2-1, on a goal with 1:26 remaining. Joe Haggerty has Three Things We Learned from the loss.

WEEI.com’s latest NHL power rankings are out, and the Bruins land at No. 17.

NHL scoring champion Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins will miss 2-3 weeks with a strained right shoulder.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 30, 1980, the NBA announced its 35th Anniversary All-Time Team. Red Auerbach was named the greatest coach, and three Celtics players were on the 11-man team. Who were the players?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I know they really want to root for me. It’s just that I don’t play for the Yankees, that’s all. They love the fact that I compete. I’m a New Yorker, as well. If I was on the Yankees, I’d probably be like a king over here.” — Pedro Martinez, after pitching six innings in Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium

STAT OF THE DAY: 14 percent — The Bruins’ performance on the power play this season (6-for-42)

AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED TRANSCRIPT OF THE DAY: On yesterday’s Dennis & Callahan show, Doc Rivers was asked if Wednesday night’s blowout win was useful. He got all political in his response, at least according to our automatically generated transcript:

“Apparently some sort mobile solutions didn’t who didn’t look so much. How little Americans — work or and so. And Obama didn’t want to social work most of the — set out. They’re running out by the principally blue moon did obviously.”

His actual response:

“It’s always useful this early in the season. We have a lot of things to work on. They didn’t play well, Charlotte, especially in the first half. It’s funny, I thought defensively we were really good, obviously.”

‘NET RESULTS: In honor of Halloween, here’s a mummy throwing out the first pitch/body part at a Dodgers game.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Bob Cousy, John Havlicek and Bill Russell, who was named the greatest player of all-time.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Otis Williams of the Temptations is 68 today. That’s Otis at the 1:32 mark singing his one line in this song.

Portions of disgraced referee Tim Donaghy’s book, “Blowing the Whistle,” have been published on the web, and this makes for some compelling reading. The book has been shelved by the publisher, apparently due to the threat of legal action by the NBA. But Deadspin printed a number of excerpts, including this:

Studying under Dick Bavetta for 13 years was like pursuing a graduate degree in advanced game manipulation. He knew how to marshal the tempo and tone of a game better than any referee in the league, by far. He also knew how to take subtle — and not so subtle — cues from the NBA front office and extend a playoff series or, worse yet, change the complexion of that series.

Donaghy accuses Bavetta of routinely making calls against teams that were building leads for the sole purpose of trying to keep games close.

Also:

To have a little fun at the expense of the worst troublemakers, the referees working the game would sometimes make a modest friendly wager amongst themselves: first ref to give one of the bad boys a technical foul wouldn’t have to tip the ball boy that night. … After the opening tip, it was hilarious as the three of us immediately focused our full attention on the intended victim, waiting for something, anything, to justify a technical foul. If the guy so much as looked at one of us and mumbled, we rang him up. Later in the referees’ locker room, we would down a couple of brews, eat some chicken wings, and laugh like hell.

And:

If Kobe Bryant had two fouls in the first or second quarter and went to the bench, one referee would tell the other two, “Kobe’s got two fouls. Let’s make sure that if we call a foul on him, it’s an obvious foul, because otherwise he’s gonna go back to the bench. If he is involved in a play where a foul is called, give the foul to another player.”

Donaghy goes on to make specific allegations of biased refereeing — sometimes for reasons as silly as the officials betting each other to see who could go longest without making a foul call. Any player who ever disagreed with a referee is going to have a field day with this.

BASKETBALL: Even Donaghy would have had a difficult time keeping last night’s game close. The Celtics dominated the Bobcats to the tune of 92-59. Paul Flannery has Three Things We Learned, leading off with Rasheed Wallace fitting in nicely at the start of the season. Mike Petraglia has Charlotte coach Larry Brown admiring the Celtics’ effort. Kevin Garnett left midway through the third quarter after hitting the floor but is fine.

The Cavaliers fell to 0-2 with a loss in Toronto. Tuesday night, TNT had its most-watched opening night ever, thanks to the Celtics-Cavaliers and Lakers-Clippers doubleheader.

BASEBALL: Chase Utley hit two home runs and set a postseason record by reaching base for the 26th consecutive game, and Cliff Lee pitched a complete-game gem to give the Phillies a 6-1 victory over the Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series. Alex Rodriguez struck out three times, in case you were wondering. Lou Merloni checks in with his analysis.

Yankees fans can take solace in the news that George Steinbrenner made a rare appearance at Yankee Stadium. And tonight they can vent their frustration by yelling at Phillies Game 2 starter Pedro Martinez, who yesterday talked about the 2003 Don Zimmer incident and his return to the Bronx.

Terry Francona appeared on Dale & Holley yesterday and talked about Brad Mills leaving his side and heading for Houston. Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay checks in for a chat on WEEI.com at noon today.

The McCourt saga in Los Angeles continues to get uglier, with Frank now accusing Jamie of adultery.

FOOTBALL: Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The Chiefs suspended Larry Johnson until Nov. 9.

Boston College players expressed surprise at the decisions by Josh Haden and Justin Tuggle to transfer.

HOCKEY: Patrice Bergeron is emerging as a quiet leader of the Bruins.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 29, 1977, this Celtic became the second player in NBA history with 10,000 field goals. Who is he?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t know if you realize this, but because of you guys in some ways, I might be at times the most influential player that ever stepped in Yankee Stadium. I can honestly say that.” — Pedro Martinez, talking to reporters yesterday in New York

STAT OF THE DAY: 18 — The most points the Bobcats scored in any quarter last night against the Celtics. Charlotte scored 13 in the first quarter, 18 in the second, 10 in the third and 18 in the fourth for a total of 59, a franchise record for fewest points.

AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED TRANSCRIPT OF THE DAY: Here’s a new feature we’re debuting. In WEEI.com’s audio on demand section, we have an automatically generated transcript feature for radio interviews. As it notes, the automated transcript “may not be 100 percent accurate.” In fact, often times it’s way off. But it’s interesting nonetheless.

Yesterday, Red Sox manager Terry Francona appeared on Dale & Holley and was asked what kind of manager Brad Mills will be with the Astros. According to the automated transcript, Francona replied:

“The auto mall. I’d don’t want Big East he could not complete recaps coaches don’t. Have a war on that you know you don’t want to be.”

For the record, Francona actually said: “You know, I don’t know. I know one thing, he’s cheap. He’s not going to pay for any cabs for his coaches. You’re going to have start working on that.”

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s Pedro Martinez with his good luck charm from the 2004 playoffs, 2-1/2-foot Nelson de la Rosa. The mini Dominican passed away in 2006, so Pedro must have found a new lucky friend considering how well he and the Phillies are doing this postseason.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: John Havlicek, who reached the milestone during a 103-98 loss at Cleveland

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Cedric Maxwell was called “Cornbread” in his younger days, but in his prime with the Celtics we also knew him as the “Rubberband Man.” So, to honor Max, here’s a memorable clip of Lynda Carter, aka Wonder Woman, performing “Rubberband Man” on “The Muppet Show.”

And here’s the real version, by the Spinners.

The Celtics overcame a slow start and roared past the Cavaliers in their opener last night, 95-89. Check out our Green Street blog for bits about the game plus Glen Davis’ fight/injury and Rajon Rondo’s contract talks, which are ongoing.

BASKETBALL: Mike Petraglia has Three Things We Learned from the Celtics’ victory. Paul Flannery notes that the Big Three era previously has been free of distractions such as Davis’ fight. Owner Wyc Grousbeck appeared on The Big Show yesterday and was candid about his disappointment with Big Baby. Rondo and the C’s talked about a new contract but are far apart. The C’s return to action tonight at home against the Bobcats.

The Lakers received their rings and then beat the Clippers. Sacramento’s Omri Casspi, the first Israeli player in the NBA, is set to make his debut tonight.

A Hampton University player was killed in a shooting at a nightclub.

FOOTBALL: Kerry Byrne examines the Patriots season as we head into their bye week. Christopher Price has a piece called Upon Further Review in which he takes another look at Sunday’s game. Price also has his weekly mailbag. Bill Belichick appeared on The Big Show and talked about the London crowd.

D.J. Bean has his fantasy football report, Living With the Bye.

Larry Johnson apologized for his offensive comments, but the Chiefs told the running back to stay away.

Boston College quarterback Justin Tuggle and running back Josh Haden will transfer.

A Connecticut man was charged in the stabbing death of UConn cornerback Jasper Howard. Iowa running back Adam Robinson is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with an ankle injury. Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant remained suspended by the NCAA for lying to investigators about his Deion Sanders meeting.

BASEBALL: The World Series begins tonight in New York, with former Indians teammates Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia facing off. Pedro Martinez will start Game 2 for the Phillies. Dan Guttenplan makes his series predictions.

Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills is the new manager of the Astros. Jamie McCourt fired back at her husband by filing for divorce and asking for reinstatement as Dodgers CEO.

HOCKEY: Bruins forward David Krejci continues to show improvement after a slow start following an injury.

MISC: Andre Agassi has a book coming out, and in it he admits to using crustal meth and lying to tennis officials to avoid a suspension following a failed drug test.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 28, 1958, which infielder, in his first year with the Red Sox, was named Comeback Player of the Year after finishing second to Ted Williams for the highest batting average in the American League?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “You’re not supposed to do that stuff when you’re a professional basketball player.” — Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck on Glen Davis’ fight

STAT OF THE DAY: 11 — Losing streak in Cleveland the Celtics snapped last night

‘NET RESULTS: With Halloween coming up, maybe this can help get the kids to eat more healthy.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Second baseman Pete Runnels, who his .322 (second in the AL to Ted Williams’ .328) after coming over from the Washington Senators, for whom he hit just .230 in 1957

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Just to show we can keep it (somewhat) current once in a while, Dave Tirio of Plain White T’s is 30 today. Here’s the song he wrote about a Columbia University track star he had a crush on.

And here’s the parody “Hey There, Trent Edwards” for all you Bills fans.

9. Marbury loses it on the Internet

What started as a 24-hour look into his personal world turned into a summer-long escapade of bizarre behavior over the Internet. Stephon Marbury’s streaming video kept basketball fans entertained, confused, and slightly disturbed during the offseason. After turning down a one-year offer from the Celtics, Marbury professed his greatness in the NBA while eating Vaseline and having emotional breakdowns along the way. In the end, the guard ended up isolating himself and failing to secure a job this season.

8. Celtics draft … who?

Second-round draft picks, let alone the 58th overall selection, are hardly guaranteed to pan out. But the Celtics hope to have found a sleeper in the University of Tennessee-Martin’s Lester Hudson. The relatively unknown combo guard broke on to the college basketball scene when he recorded the first quadruple-double in NCAA history. Hudson had a bumpy road to the NBA and is embracing his opportunity in the pros by playing aggressive basketball. Will he one day join Ryan Gomes and Leon Powe as another one of Danny Ainge’s late-draft sleepers?

7. Leon Powe signs with Cavs

Leon Powe wanted to stay and he was under the impression the feeling was mutual. This summer, however, a blown knee came in between the C’s and the dedicated bench player. The Celtics reportedly told Powe they could not afford to wait for his recovery and declined the option on his contract. In turn, Powe gave his word to the Cavaliers and kept it when the C’s made him a late offer. Instead of jeering Powe for signing with the Celtics rivals, many noted his hard work and felt it was the Celtics, not Powe, who made the wrong decision.

6. Big Baby re-signs (and gets injured)

Glen Davis re-signed with the Celtics in August before a supposed bidding war could begin. In fact, the only real fanfare about the deal was a reported string of tweets from Davis’ twitter account complaining about the lack of progress on his contract. Of course, those turned out to be fake. If that weren’t enough attention for Davis, the recent altercation, which left him with a broken thumb and out of commission for 6 -8 weeks, won’t raise his stock in Waltham, especially in the “no non-sense” system the Cs maintain.

5. Marquis Daniels signs

The addition of Daniels directly benefits Paul Pierce. Not only does Daniels allow Piece to play fewer minutes and therefore be fresher down the stretch, his size also means he can defend or even play small forward. He can effectively fill the a role that was missing when James Posey left. Plus he can rap.

4. Is this Ray Allen’s last season with the C’s?

That is a sub-question under the larger question of whether or not this is the end for the “Big Three.” While each player is at a different stage in his individual contract, the fact that the players’ collective window for winning championships is closing is obvious. With Allen, his contract ends after this season. Of course, there are rumors about a contract extension and there isn’t anyone who would mind seeing Jesus Shuttlesworth throw on that green number 20. However, with the amount of young talent on the Celtics bench, the time might come after this season for Allen to step aside.

3. Rasheed Wallace joins the Celtics

Kevin Garnett’s injury at the end of the season, last year, showed the lack of depth in the Celtics front court. The addition of Rasheed Wallace changes all of that. Wallace brings an excellent outside shot as well as a big body who can also spell Garnett. Moreover, you have to love the way the Celtics pursued Wallace. Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers and the the Big Three all went to Detroit to sell him on joing the C’s. How could anyone say no to that? As Garnett said, “It’s a perfect fit.”

2. The Rajon Rondo Contract and Trade Saga

This has the makings of an epic serial movie. Picture this: A young point guard with raw talent. He is thrust into a starting position on a pro team making a run at the championship. He performs admirably as the team goes all the way and wins everything. But, the success goes to his head. He breaks some team rules like being on time for meetings. Then there are the trade rumors, and he can’t understand why the team would want to ship him elsewhere. Then there is the contract dispute. Will he sign before the season starts? What happens if he goes to free agency? Stay tuned to find out!

1. KG’s road to recovery

It’s been a long five months for Kevin Garnett, during which he was on the sidelines watching the C’s lose to the Magic in seven games, which was followed by surgery and months of rehab. Now, exactly five months to the day of his surgery, Garnett gets to play in games that count. He’s expressed fatigue with the questions about his knee and excitement at the prospect of playing with Wallace and other players who joined the team this year. He’s even adjusted to a later practice schedule. All that being said, we learned from the preseason that he is ready. So let’s get to it.

The Celtics open the season tonight in Cleveland. We’ve got plenty of coverage, leading off with 25 questions facing the team and the league for 2009-10. Find a list of all our coverage at the Green Street blog. Checking out reports from Cleveland, it seems the Cavaliers aren’t as excited about tonight’s opener, as they would prefer more time to get ready.

FOOTBALL: Chris Price examines the Patriots’ season to date and tries to figure out just how good this team is. Joe Zarbano has his weekly NFL power rankings, with the Patriots remaining at No. 6.

The Eagles handed the Redskins, 27-17, on Monday Night Football. The Cowboys signed linebacker DeMarcus Ware to a six-year, $78 million deal. Jets running back Leon Washington is out for the season with a broken leg. Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was charged with assault stemming from an incident in Cleveland when he played for the Browns. Chiefs running back Larry Johnson continues to offend with his poor choice of words.

BASEBALL: Jason Bay’s agent discusses his client’s free agent possibilities and says Bay’s defense is not as bad as some have been making it seem. The Red Sox front office congratulated Jed Hoyer on being named Padres general manager. Mark McGwire joined Tony La Russa’s coaching staff in St. Louis.

Ally Mielnicki looks back at the Red Sox’ 2004 World Series championship, which was clinched five years ago tonight.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics will be without Glen Davis for 6-8 weeks after Big Baby broke his hand in an off-court incident. Rajon Rondo and the team talked about a contract extension but don’t sound close to completing a deal. Gary Marbry offers up a statistical look at the C’s.

No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin has a broken kneecap, and the Clippers forward could miss six weeks. The Heat will retire Tim Hardaway’s jersey Wednesday night. Cavs guard Delonte West is having some domestic issues with his wife. Ally Mielnicki recaps LeBron James’ interesting offseason.

HOCKEY: Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk will miss 3-5 weeks with a broken foot. The Devils lost defenseman Paul Martin and forward Jay Pandolfo for 4-6 weeks due to injuries. Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes agreed to sell his bankrupt franchise to the league.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 27, 2004, the Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in 86 years, finishing a sweep of the Cardinals in St. Louis. Which Sox pitcher completed the trifecta of picking up wins in the closing games of the ALDS, ALCS and World Series?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s up to Mark how he wants to handle it. What we want him to do is coach our hitters, and if he does that well, we’re going to be happy.” — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, on how new hitting coach Mark McGwire will address questions about steroid use

STAT OF THE DAY: 16 — Consecutive games between the Celtics and Cavaliers that have been won by the home team

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s a video a guy took walking through Davis Square in Somerville five years ago tonight. For some reason, there were a lot of people hanging out in the street celebrating.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Derek Lowe

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Simon Le Bon, lead singer of Duran Duran, is 51 today.

Perhaps the only dream that went unfulfilled for Lebron this offseason was his passionate desire to dunk on former President George W. Bush’s behind, as he said in an interview with Maxim magazine. Even so, perhaps one day soon James will be able to purchase the right to do just that — with free agency on the horizon, there could be a contract that exceeds the treasure of all kings (and Bushes?) combined in the not-so-distant future.

James’ offseason was anything but uneventful. After losing to the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron knew he needed a reinforcement. Contrary to popular belief, he was not a one-man show who could single-handedly defeat the Superman known as Dwight Howard and his Magic to deliver a championship to Cleveland. LeBron sought help and his request was granted.

On June 25, the Cavaliers sent Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a 2nd-round pick, and $500,000 to the Phoenix Suns for O’Neal — arguably the most dominant center in NBA history. It was a trade that was fit for a King. To be partnered with one of the best of all-time was exactly what James had ordered. He faced Shaq multiple times throughout his career and now he was one-half of the dynamic duo. Hey, he doesn’t even have to dance off against him anymore:

That would only be the beginning of LeBron’s frenzied offseason activites. Although the next saga of his summer proved more amusing to others than it did to James.

On July 6, during a night session at the Nike LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio, Xavier’s Jordan Crawford did the unthinkable and dunked on the King himself. A freelance photographer named Ryan Miller caught the two-handed jam by the college basketball player on the NBA MVP on tape, then watched as Nike officials confiscated the film. Whether it was an attempt to shield James from the embarassment of having an amateur dunk on His Highness or cover up any sign that the King has a kryptonite, Nike attempted to hide the video before the report was eventually released.

However, Crawford wasn’t the only one to challenge King James. In the early morning hours on Oct. 5, former Browns‘ wide receiver Braylon Edwards angered LeBron when he reportedly took a swipe at his friend, Edward Givens, in a Cleveland night club. Calling Edwards “childish” for his actions, LeBron suggested that some jealously existed between Edwards and his friends. In the days that followed, Edwards was traded from Cleveland to the Jets … although head coach Eric Mangini claimed it had nothing to do with the alleged punch.

If anyone happened to watch Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor throw for 239 yards with two touchdowns and rush for 104 and a touchdown in the Buckeyes’ win over Minnesota, then they may want to applaud LeBron (unless they are Michigan fans) for his remarkable mentoring skills. James took the young quarterback under his wing after suffering through a sophomore slump. Guiding Pryor on how to deal with balancing a celebrity lifestyle with on-the-field performance, LeBron made may have given Pryor the confidence he needs to excel going forward into the season.

Yet LeBron’s call to inspire did not cease there. Playing in a theater near you, “More than a Game” is a documentary narrating the story of LeBron James and his “Fab Five” in their improbable journey to claim a high school championship. Through all sorts of obstacles, James was able to rise from rags-to-riches and sit atop of the basketball world as “The Chosen One.” (For the trailer, if you so desire, click here.)

When Lebron squares off against the Celtics in the 2009-2010 season opener on his home court on Tuesday, all of the memorable offseason affairs and events that surrounded him will be pushed aside. When he opposes the Big Three and sees the shadow of a 2008 Championship glistening in the eyes of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, his entire focus will center on delivering his first championship trophy to the city of Cleveland. 

LeBron has seemingly gotten everything else he’s wanted since the end of the last basketball season. Will the Larry O’Brien Trophy be next?

In case you are wondering how Sunday’s Patriots game went over with the locals in London, check out this London Times article here. The author, Nick Szczepanik, says he doesn’t think the league won over many converts. He also points out that the NFL’s new international website has a formula to help fans pick teams for which to root. You answer some questions and then the site suggests a team. Try it here, to make sure your allegiance is correctly placed.

FOOTBALL: To no one’s surprise, the Patriots routed the Buccaneers, 35-7, in London. Chris Price has Ten Things We Learned, leading off with the steady Wes Welker. Kirk Minihane says the blowouts are nice, but the real tests await after next week’s bye. Check the It Is What It Is blog for more notes and quotes from the Patriots.

Elsewhere in the NFL, the Cardinals knocked off the Giants at the Meadowlands, the unbeaten Saints rallied from an early 21-point deficit to beat the Dolphins by 12. The Steelers scored two defensive touchdowns and handed the Vikings their first loss of the year. Peyton Manning did not pass for 300 yards for a record-tying sixth straight game because he didn’t need to in the Colts’ rout of the Rams.

D.J. Bean has his fantasy football realizations from Week 7.

In college news, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will have season-ending shoulder surgery and then plans to enter the NFL draft. Florida regained the top spot in the AP Top 25. Dan Rowinski has Five Things We Learned from Boston College’s tough loss at Notre Dame. The funeral for UConn cornerback Jasper Howard is today in Miami.

BASEBALL: The Yankees closed out the Angels in the ALCS for their 40th league title.

In other Yankees news, there’s an investigation into why the concrete in the ramps at the new Yankee Stadium is cracking.

The Phillies said Cliff Lee will start Game 1 of the World Series. The Indians named Manny Acta manager. Acta was fired by the Nationals in July. Japanese 18-year-old pitcher Yusei Kikuchi decided to stay in his home country after meeting with the Red Sox and seven other MLB teams.

ESPN fired Steve Phillips as a baseball analyst. Tony La Russa is considering his future with the Cardinals, and reportedly wants to bring in Mark McGwire as hitting coach.

BASKETBALL: Paul Flannery wonders if this is the last shot for the Celtics’ Big Three. Ray Allen received five stitches above his left eye after being accidentally elbowed by Kendrick Perkins at practice on Saturday.

NBA referees officially are headed back to work.

The ACC held its media day Sunday, and North Carolina and Duke were named co-favorites. Boston College was tabbed ninth of the 12 ACC teams.

Michael Jordan’s son Marcus, a freshman guard at the University of Central Florida, is making some waves by refusing to wear adidas sneakers despite the school’s contract. Jordan wants to wear his father’s signature Air Jordans.

HOCKEY: Joe Haggerty examines the Bruins’ early season struggles and has Three Things We Learned from the B’s impressive comeback Saturday night against the Senators.

SOCCER: The Revolution earned a playoff spot Sunday night, as Jeff Larentowicz scored in the 79th minute for a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew in the MLS regular-season finale.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 26, 1980, the Bruins tied the Winnipeg Jets, 7-7. Which Bruin scored a pair of goals, including the 200th of his career (which was spent entirely in Boston)?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I think it’s a privilege to come over here and get to enjoy this type of experience. It will probably never happen again for us, so we’ll retire 1-0 internationally.” — Tom Brady, after the Patriots’ victory over the Bucs in London

STAT OF THE DAY: 11 — Consecutive losses by the Buccaneers, their worst streak since the franchise started with 26 consecutive losses in 1976 and ‘77.

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s a collection of top 10 plays from the NBA preseason, with former Celtic Mikki Moore getting posterized at No. 1.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Don Marcotte, who finished with 230 career goals, which currently ranks 10th on the Bruins’ all-time list

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Natalie Merchant is 46 today.

Isiah Thomas, showing the grace, maturity and professionalism that allowed him to be so successful as coach of the New York Knicks (that’s sarcasm, in case you don’t recognize it), ripped Magic Johnson yesterday. Thomas did his best to drive a wedge between Magic and Larry Bird, who co-wrote a forthcoming book with Jackie MacMullan. In the book, Magic criticizes Isiah. There are a couple of new allegations — such as Isiah questioning Magic’s sexuality after the Lakers star contracted the HIV virus — but a lot of it’s been reported before. What’s interesting is we haven’t heard it before from Magic, who was one of Isiah’s best friends — and one of his few friends, based on the apparent widespread dislike of Isiah by other NBA stars.

Here’s part of Isiah’s response from an interview with Sports Illustrated.

“Let’s be real. I’m not going to say the things Magic said in private about Larry, but I do know the public stance he’s taken [in becoming Bird's friend],” Thomas told SI.com. “I know that’s not how he felt about Larry Bird. Magic hated Larry, and he tried to make other people hate Larry. Magic was no friend of Larry Bird’s during that time. And his Laker teammates will tell you that. And I’m sure they’ve got to be disgusted with the way he’s carried on with this whole me-and-Larry bull.”

Isiah now will return to focusing on his current job, setting an example for the basketball players at Florida International University as coach.

BASEBALL: The Yankees were not able to close out the Angels, dropping a 7-6 decision and sending the ALCS back to New York for Game 6 Saturday night. Yankees starter A.J. Burnett feels he let down his team.

Finally, Major League Baseball has responded to complaints about umpiring, with an announcement that it will use only veteran umpires in the World Series.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein’s comments on Dennis & Callahan yesterday morning have been drawing a lot of interest. He’s taking some heat for his defense of J.D. Drew, insisting Drew has been a good value. Alex Speier further explains what Epstein was saying and shows how the stats back up the GM’s argument.

Hitting coach Dave Magadan chatted with WEEI.com readers yesterday. Tim Wakefield said his Wednesday surgery went well.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt fired his estranged wife, Jamie, as CEO of the team.

FOOTBALL: The Patriots spoke before departing for London, where they will face the Buccaneers on Sunday. Chris Price has his Five Things to Watch For Sunday.

Raiders coach Tom Cable will not face charges for breaking the jaw of assistant coach Randy Hanson. A Nevada judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was accused of raping a woman at a Lake Tahoe hotel.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill allowing the construction of a 75,000-seat stadium that developers hope will lure an NFL team back to the Los Angeles area.

Dan Rowinski previews Saturday’s Boston College-Notre Dame game. UConn is trying to prepare for Saturday’s game against West Virginia, a week after the stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard.

The University of Minnesota apologized for its mascot making fun of a Penn State player who was praying in the end zone prior to Saturday’s game. Here’s the video, in case you’re bored. Not much to it.

HOCKEY: The Bruins picked up a point in a shootout loss to the Flyers. Joe Haggerty has his hat trick of Things We Learned.

Mark Recchi was named to a four-player committee that will conduct an investigation of the NHLPA’s internal operations.

Ducks forward Evgeny Artyukhin was suspended three games by the NHL for a slew-footing incident in Wednesday night’s game against the Stars.

The Kingston Frontenacs, a junior team in Ontario, normally wear uniforms that are similar to the Bruins’, as the original Frontenacs franchise used to be affiliated with the B’s a half-century ago. On Wednesday, as part of Military Appreciation Night, the team paid tribute to former Bruins coach and legendary television analyst Don Cherry with uniforms that honored Cherry’s taste for loud sport coats. Take a look. And you can purchase one of the jerseys as part of a charity auction.

BASKETBALL: Paul Flannery takes a look at Five Things We Learned from the Celtics preseason.

According to a report, the Celtics are unlikely to offer Michael Sweetney a guaranteed contract.

Hawks forward Al Horford followed up his Tuesday radio interview — when he accused Paul Pierce of reneging on a $10,000 wager on the 2008 playoffs — by Tweeting that it was a joke. Ha ha.

SOCCER: The Revolution are one of a few teams fighting for an MLS playoff spot as they head into the final weekend of the season.

MISC.: Dan Guttenplan says Deadspin went too far in its attacks on ESPN following the Steve Phillips suspension.

HISTORIVIA: Game 1 of the 2004 World Series was played five years ago today. The Red Sox took a 7-2 lead, but the Cardinals rallied to tie the game at 9 in the eighth. Which Red Sox player hit the game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth for the 11-9 victory?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “From a straight objective standpoint, what he contributes offensively and what he contributes defensively, and add in baserunning so it’s the total value of the player, on a rate basis he was outstanding and there aren’t too many outfielders who compare to what he did.” — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein on the Dennis & Callahan show, talking about J.D. Drew

STAT OF THE DAY: 1 — Longest winning streak this season for the Bruins, who dropped to 4-4-1 with last night’s shootout loss to the Flyers

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s an inside look at London’s Wembley Stadium, where the Patriots will play the Buccaneers on Sunday.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Mark Bellhorn, hitting against reliever Julian Tavarez, homered off the Pesky Pole.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: What are the chances the fans will break into the soccer anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at Sunday’s Patriots game? One can only hope. Here’s Gerry and the Pacemakers performing the song at Wembley.

Instead, it will be Tom Brady & Co. who will take to the field at Wembley Stadium to engage in a physically aggressive, hard-hitting, vigorously dynamic game of football. No, not futbol, but the great American sport itself. And the Patriots will not be opposing Peter Griffin’s London Silly Nannies, either.

For the third consecutive year, London will host a regular-season football contest with a matchup of the Patriots and the Buccaneers. With a sold-out crowd already guaranteed, who knows what London has in store for both professional clubs.

When the NFL made its regular-season London debut in 2007, the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins had no idea what they would be getting themselves into. Playing in front of a crowd of excessively passionate, wild, and enthusiastic British fans, the Giants defeated the Dolphins 13-10. However, they were not the only entertaining contributors to the international affair. At the beginning of the second half, Mark Roberts, a legendary British streaker, stormed the field with nothing but a football concealing his privates. Stripping down from a referee uniform and leaving on a hat and knee socks, Roberts paraded the field fiddling his feet to an Irish jig before being removed by  security.

That was quite the welcoming party, but not the first instance of Roberts’ British invasion in American sports. At Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, where the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers 32-29, Roberts successfully performed his first North American streak when he kicked off the second half by running to midfield barely covering his genitals with a g-string.

It was Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham who eventually leveled Roberts before he was carried off the field by security. Roberts, who is considered by the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most recognized streaker, was later fined but received no jail times for his outrageous actions. It was a Super “Bowel” no one will forget. (Roberts was overshadowed by Janet Jackson’s halftime wardrobe malfunction that occurred just minutes prior to the streaking).

In January 2007, the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy announced that America would have a front-row to watch David “Bend it like” Beckham. Instead of signing an extension with Real Madrid, Beckham agreed to a $250 million, five-year deal with the Galaxy, bringing his wife Victoria “Posh Spice” with him. That’s some couple competition for Tom and Gisele (at least now that there is no more Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson).

Although game shows do not fall in the same category as contact sports, “The Weakest Link” was an instant hit when host Anne Robinson debuted the English television program in the United States. And it did not take long for the English quizmistress to become acquainted with the sports world when she appeared on “The Tonight Show” with NBA great Shaquille O’Neal on April 11, 2001. Never shy about embarrassing dumbfounded participants on her show, Robinson became notorious for her sarcastic and witty remarks going along with the infamous phrase “You are the weakest link, goodbye!” (Just like the Tennessee Titans this past week.)

When the Beatles stole the hearts of rock fans of all ages around the country, the British Invasion did not limit itself to concerts, TV guest appearances, and on-stage performances. Even though only half of the members of the beloved Liverpool band survive (Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr), the rock sensations are now featured in their own video game entitled “The Beatles: Rock Band” which was released on Sept. 9.

Ah, London. So much to see, so little time for the Patriots. Hey, maybe in their spare time they can play some cricket, watch an intense rowing competition, or have a morning jog with Mark Roberts.

While Major League Baseball continues to stick its head in the sand regarding mistakes by its umpires, at least one college football conference is being proactive. The Southeastern Conference yesterday suspended an officiating crew following two horrendous calls this month. The most recent blunder was a personal foul (a late hit) that set up a Florida touchdown in the Gators’ 23-20 victory over Arkansas Saturday. We linked to the video on Tuesday, and here it is again.

It’s time for baseball to get the message as well.

BASEBALL: The Phillies punched their ticket to the World Series with a 10-4 victory over the Dodgers in Game 5. Ryan Howard was named NLCS MVP. The Yankees look to close out the Angels tonight.

Manny Ramirez is taking some heat for not sticking around in the dugout and supporting his Dodgers teammates after he was lifted in the ninth inning of Game 4. Peter Gammons appeared on The Big Show yesterday and talked about Manny, A-Rod and the playoffs.

The Padres reportedly are set to give their general manager job to Red Sox assistant GM Jed Hoyer.

Alex Speier writes about how David Ortiz turned around his season with the help of hitting coach Dave Magadan. Magadan will be on a WEEI chat today at noon. Check the Full Count blog for more information.

Speier also lists Red Sox players with contract options and discusses the possibilities. Tim Wakefield had successful back surgery yesterday at Mass. General.

Steve Phillips was suspended from ESPN for his role in a sex scandal.

FOOTBALL: Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas stepped in front of the microphones and offered a little insight into his situation. Mike Petraglia writes about the Patriots’ maiden voyage to England for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. Tom Brady was reminded that he did play a football game in London — at least, a cartoon version of him did in an episode of “Family Guy.” Chris Price writes about receivers Brandon Tate and Terrence Nunn, who have a chance to contribute now that Joey Galloway is gone and Julian Edelman is hurt.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher is defending himself after giving a speech at a fundraiser in Indianapolis while wearing a Peyton Manning Colts jersey — lighten up, it was a joke (he was introducing former Colts coach Tony Dungy). Bengals running back Cedric Benson says his former team, the Bears, tried to blackball him.

Dan Guttenplan makes his Week 7 NFL picks.

BASKETBALL: Despite giving the Big Three the night off, the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers, 96-82. Paul Flannery has some observations from the game.

The Trail Blazers are reportedly close to signing LaMarcus Aldridge to a five-year contract extension.

HOCKEY: First, the bad news: Bruins forward Marc Savard will be out 4-6 weeks with a broken foot. Now, the good: The B’s edged the lowly Predators, 3-2. Joe Haggerty has some thoughts about the much-needed win. And here’s what the Bruins had to say about it. Former Boston University star and Nashville rookie Colin Wilson scored his first NHL goal.

Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar will be out 4-6 weeks with a broken wrist. The Islanders beat the Hurricanes in a shootout to record their first win of the season.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 22, 1975, the Red Sox and Reds finished up one of the best World Series ever with an exciting Game 7. Joe Morgan broke a 3-3 tie by singling in Ken Griffey with the game-winning run in the ninth inning. Which Red Sox reliever took the loss?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Bill makes the decision. It is what it is. Whether you like it or not, that’s what it is. I live with it. I’m a professional. I come here, do my job and then go home. That’s basically it.” — Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas, commenting on coach Bill Belichick’s decision to make him inactive for Sunday’s win over the Titans

STAT OF THE DAY: 25 — Consecutive postseason games reaching base for the Phillies’ Chase Utley, who walked last night to tie Boog Powell’s MLB record.

‘NET RESULTS: Patriots offensive  lineman Sebastian Vollmer is getting recognition for his solid play in place of Matt Light. Here’s an early sign that the Pats were on to something with the rookie from Germany (via the University of Houston). He catches a punt at the end of a training camp practice to allow the team to avoid extra conditioning.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Rookie left-hander Jim Burton

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Leslie West of Mountain is 64 today.

Lastly, a warm welcome to Boston’s newest sports fan, Lily Burke.

In the odd story of the day, a couple of Atlanta Hawks accused Celtics captain Paul Pierce of failing to pay off a $10,000 bet Pierce allegedly initiated during the team’s 2008 playoff series.

Al Horford alleged Pierce followed up some on-court trash-talking with the bet, but he didn’t pay off after the Hawks pushed the series to the full seven games.

FOOTBALL: Chris Price breaks down the strange week for Patriots linebackers, leading with Tully Banta-Cain’s release and re-signing. Price also has the Patriots moving on without receiver Joey Galloway. Fellow receiver Julian Edelman reportedly broke his arm during Sunday’s game. Bill Belichick discusses the team’s recent moves and says that linebacker Eric Alexander was never released, despite reports to the contrary. Special teams ace Sam Aiken signed a contract extension.

Steve DeOssie has his Week 6 Patriots report card, and to no one’s surprise, the team grades out well across the board. Kerry Byrne dissects the information supporting Tom Brady’s dominance in wintry-weather games.

Even Rolling Stone magazine is critical of Browns coach Eric Mangini.

UConn held its first practice since the weekend stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard.

BASEBALL: The Yankees closed in on another World Series appearance by routing the Angels, 10-1. The umpires had another tough night. Meanwhile, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is denying accusations that he spit on the baseball in Game 3, after a video clip made it appear so.

Ned Colletti agreed to a long-term extension as general manager of the Dodgers.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics dropped a 108-103 preseason decision to the Knicks in New York, as Doc Rivers focused on getting the bench plenty of action.

Jessica Camerato write about how music is a driving force for new Celtic Marquis Daniels.

The NBA and its regular referees are apparently close to ending their dispute.

HOCKEY: The Bruins traded a pair of 2010 draft picks for Sabres forward Daniel Paille. Joe Haggerty presents the weekly NHL power rankings.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 21, 1975, the Red Sox beat the Reds, 7-6, in an epic Game 6 of the World Series. The game was best remembered for Carlton Fisk’s game-winning home run off the foul pole in left field in the 12th inning. The other dramatic Red Sox home run came off the bat of pinch-hitter Bernie Carbo, a game-tying three-run shot with two outs in the eighth-inning. Tough question: For whom was Carbo pinch-hitting?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t think it’s anybody’s fault or anything you can just pinpoint. It’s just one of those things that just didn’t work out. Anytime you sign a player, you expect he’ll come in and be a productive player for you.” — Patriots coach Bill Belichick on receiver Joey Galloway, who was released yesterday

STAT OF THE DAY: 14 — Number of times Tom Brady has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, including two this season after this week’s honor.

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s a gem from the summer that only recently showed up on the web. An entertainer named Durwood Fincher, who goes by the alias “Mr. Doubletalk” when conducting fake interviews, got some Red Sox in front of the camera when they were in Atlanta and had some fun with the unsuspecting players. The video is 8 minutes, 32 seconds long, but it’s worth it. Especially the parts where the interviewer repeatedly refers to Jonathan Papelbon as “Bobby” until Papelbon threatens to hit him.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Roger Moret, who pitched the eighth inning in relief of starter Luis Tiant

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Manfred Mann is 69 today.

FOOTBALL: Tully Banta-Cain is apparently out but soon to be back in with the Patriots. Bill Belichick says linebacker Adalius Thomas still is a key part of this team despite being inactive Sunday. Thomas told Deion Sanders that he’s upset but will “work it out with his coach.” Amid swirling trade rumors, Belichick denies he’s up to something. Tom Brady talked about Sunday’s big win on WEEI yesterday, as did Belichick. Ty Warren shared some interesting stories about his youth when he visited with Dale & Holley.

Joe Zarbano has his weekly NFL power rankings, and the Patriots have jumped to No. 6.

Eddie Royal returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns, and the Broncos remained undefeated with a 34-23 victory over the Chargers. Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins is out for the season with a torn ACL. Jim Zorn lost play-calling responsibilities with the Redskins, as Sherm Lewis will take over.

UConn wide receiver Brandon Parker also was stabbed in the fight that led to the stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard, according to sources on campus. Meanwhile, arrests are imminent.

BASEBALL: The Yankees finally lost, although the Angels tried their best to blow this one before finally winning in the 11th inning on Jeff Mathis’ two-out double. In the NLCS, Jimmy Rollins hit a two-out, two-run double in the ninth inning to give the Phillies a 5-4 win over the Dodgers and get them one win away from the World Series.

Takashi Saito is a free agent, but he may consider re-signing with the Red Sox.

HOCKEY: Joe Haggerty says the Chuck Kobasew trade sends a message to the Bruins. Winger Milan Lucic is out 4-6 weeks after having surgery on his broken finger.

The Rangers’ seven-game winning streak is over, courtesy of the Sharks.

HISTORIVIA: Five years ago today, the Red Sox beat the Yankees, 10-3, in Game 7 of the ALCS to cap a comeback from a three-game deficit. Derek Lowe started and got the win for the Sox. Who started for the Yankees?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Man, that was one of the craziest games. It was an emotional roller coaster, man. We were up, we were down. I’ve got a headache right now, but it was a lot of fun.” — Torii Hunter, after his Angels beat the Yankees, 5-4, in 11 innings in Game 3 of the ALCS

STAT OF THE DAY: 8 — Consecutive postseason games with an RBI by the Phillies’ Ryan Howard, tying Lou Gehrig’s MLB record.

‘NET RESULTS: OK, Patriots fans, you thought that unsportsmanlike penalty on Brandon Meriweather in the Broncos game was bad? Check out this call from Saturday’s Arkansas-Florida game.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Kevin Brown, who was pulled in the second inning

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Tom Petty is 51 today.

FOOTBALL: Chris Price has 10 Things We Learned from the Patriots’ record-setting rout of the Titans. Kirk Minihane says to remember this game when things aren’t going so well for the Pats. Joe Zarbano has cornerback Darius Butler talking about playing the same day he learned of the death of his former teammate at UConn, Jasper Howard. For more Patriots coverage, check our It Is What It Is blog.

Elsewhere in the NFL, with the Bills beating the Jets in overtime, the Patriots have reclaimed first place in the AFC East. In Sunday’s showdown of undefeated teams, the Saints dominated the Giants. In Minnesota, the Vikings remained undefeated after some more Brett Favre last-minute heroics and a missed field goal in the final seconds by the Ravens. The Raiders surprised the Eagles. And Kansas City won its first game by beating the Redskins in a game that featured zero touchdowns on either side.

D.J. Bean writes about the day in fantasy football.

Dan Rowinski has Five Things We Learned from BC’s 52-20 rout of NC State on Saturday.

BASEBALL: The Phillies routed the Dodgers, 11-0, to take a 2-1 lead in the NLDS. In New York, the Yankees are reveling in another clutch hit from Alex Rodriguez as they prepare to meet the Angels today in Game 3 of the ALCS.

HOCKEY: After falling to 3-4 over the weekend, the Bruins made a trade Sunday, shipping forward Chuck Kobasew to the Minnesota Wild for minor league forward Craig Weller, the rights to Harvard freshman Alexander Fallstrom and a 2011 second-round draft pick. Milan Lucic is out indefinitely with a broken finger.

In Thursday night’s Avalanche-Canadiens game, the Habs could not score the equalizer in the final seconds despite having a 7-on-4 advantage. Yes, 7-on-4. With Colorado short-handed, Montreal pulled its goalie, and apparently defenseman Hal Gill did not leave the ice when he was supposed to, so the Canadiens had seven skaters. I guess only the Bruins can get penalized for too many men on the ice in Montreal.

BASKETBALL: Ray Allen regained his touch and the Celtics crushed the Raptors, 101-82, Sunday in Toronto. It was the Celtics’ fifth straight win, and Paul Flannery examines what we learned. Ray Allen says he would consider politics when he’s finished playing.

Strange scene in New York yesterday. The Knicks beat Maccabi Tel Aviv, 106-91, and the Israeli team’s coach, Pini Gershon, was ejected for arguing with the refs. After a foul was called FOR his team. And then he wouldn’t leave. And then a rabbi intervened, trying to convince the (replacement) referees to “forgive him.” Finally, after an eight-minute delay, Gershon departed.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 19, 1986, the Red Sox won Game 2 of the World Series, 9-3. The game was billed as a showdown between two heralded young pitchers, but one was shelled and the other couldn’t last five innings for the win. Who were the starters?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I have been playing sports since I was 8 and never in any sport have I experienced anything like this.” — Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck after the Patriots’ 59-0 domination

STAT OF THE DAY: 619 — Total yards for the Patriots Sunday, setting a franchise record

‘NET RESULTS: From an English soccer game, Sunderland beat Liverpool 1-0 when a ball bounced off a balloon and into the goal. UPDATE: The video has been removed from YouTube, but you can see it here.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Rogers Clemens and Dwight Gooden

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Keith Reid of Procul Harem turns 64 today.

It’s finally time to get back to work.

After agreeing to recommence his quest for his first career Super Bowl ring, the 40-year-old linebacker was immediately ready to go, taking part in his first practice of the season on Wednesday. The 12-time Pro Bowler makes his return to the Patriots in the midst of a 3-2 season that has been plagued by key injuries and inconsistent play.

Sure, Seau’s homecoming has not generated nearly as much excitement as the return of past greats to their respective sport. His arrival to Gillette Stadium and reclaiming of his No. 55 won’t quite replicate the enthrallment Chicago Bulls fans exhibited when Michael Jordan ended his short-lived baseball career to rejoin the team late in the 1994-95 NBA season.

Though he started out donning No. 45 for a brief period, Jordan eventually had his legendary No. 23 restored to his jersey and led the Bulls to three more NBA championships.

Seau’s return does not fully possess the knockout punch that George Foreman brought to the boxing ring when coming out of a 10-year retirement. The Lean Mean Grilling Machine, who lost his heavyweight title in the “Rumble in the Jungle” on Oct. 30, 1974, to Muhammad Ali, stopped fighting after a 1977 loss to Jimmy Young. He returned 10 years later and eventually regained his crown by defeating Michael Moorer in a 1994 match to become the oldest fighter (45) to be heavyweight champion. That was surely one well-done piece of meat.

And how can any reporter sharing the news of Seau’s return possibly top the call of WCBS-AM’s Suzyn Waldman when Roger Clemens appeared at Yankee Stadium to announce his comeback to New York in 2007?

Seau’s return to Foxboro may not have the same fireworks, elation, enthusiam nor crazy exclamation that other monumental homecomings have experienced, but his presence surely will bring a magnitude of cheers and standing ovations when he takes the field against the Titans on Sunday.

And yet, while Seau is the latest retiree to wake up one morning and decide there is more left in the tank and some unfinished business to be taken care of, he is not the only professional athlete this year to put a hold on an extended vacation and suit up to compete for a chance to win a championship.

It seems like Brett Favre should be the poster child for comebacks. Calling it quits after a historic run to the NFC championship game in 2007, Favre announced later in the offseason that he wished to return to the Packers for another season after Green Bay had already planned on handing the quarterback duties to former first-round draft pick Aaron Rodgers.

Tired of his retirement antics, the Packers opted to trade him to the New York Jets, where he spent the 2008 season on a team that fell short of obtaining a playoff berth. Despite announcing that he was retiring after the season came to an abrupt end, Favre pulled a Favre and signed a contract with the Vikings in August to give football another go-around. This time, Favre was given the opportunity to square off against his former team when Minnesota hosted the Packers in the fourth game of the season. Favre had the satisfaction of sticking it to the Packers when he defeated them on Monday Night Football, 30-23, at his new home in the Metrodome.

In September 2008, the cycling king himself, Lance Armstrong, made it known that he planned to come out of retirement to take part in another Tour de France in 2009. At age 37, the seven-time Tour champion climbed aboard his bike to tackle the rough terrains of the 2,200-mile course, and he finished third. Armstrong said he intends to compete in the race again in 2010. He should have no problem finding ways to train for the event.

Belgian tennis star Kim Clijsters took a break from maternity leave to get back into the swing of things on the tennis court. Following a two-year absence from the WTA, Clijsters announced on March 26, 2009, that she would begin what she referred to as her “second career.” She competed in the Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open in Cincinnati in August, losing to top-ranked Dinara Safina in the quarterfinals.

A month later, Clijsters made her comeback complete by becoming the first unseeded woman to win the U.S. Open and the first mother to win a Grand Slam title by defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the final. Clijsters opposed Serena Williams in the semifinals, a match made memorable by Williams’ epic blowout when she allegedly threatened to shove a tennis ball down the throat of a line judge.

However, not all returns can be glorious. With the rotation in need of a boost, the Red Sox telephoned Paul Byrd, urging him to leave retirement behind and rejoin the pitching staff. On Aug. 5, Byrd reached a minor league deal with the Sox with hopes to make a run at a World Series title. Though the Angels swept away the Sox postseason by clinching the ALDS last Sunday, Byrd made seven appearances (six starts) in which he went 1-3 with a hefty 5.82 ERA for the club. Not exactly the return the Kelsey Grammer lookalike had anticipated.

With all the hype generated around a star’s long-awaited return from exodus, it makes you wonder just when a highly successful athlete will finally know when to call it quits.

One thing is for sure, when it comes to age limitations, Rocky Balboa certainly does not have any.

FOOTBALL: Chris Price catches up with Tom Martinez, the Bay Area quarterback guru who has coached and advised Tom Brady for years. Martinez said Brady’s problems can be fixed. Price also tracks down former NFL linebacker Clay Matthews, who has advice for Junior Seau.

D.J. Bean has his Can’t-Pass-Up-Matchups for fantasy fans.

Rush Limbaugh isn’t happy about being excluded from owning an NFL team, and he passes out the blame. A Bay Area animal rights group plans to protest Michael Vick before the Eagles play the Raiders on Sunday in Oakland.

BASEBALL: Red Sox amateur scouting director Jason McLeod conducted a chat with WEEI.com readers yesterday. Takashi Saito remained with the Red Sox yesterday, despite a report to the contrary in a Boston newspaper.

Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez hit three-run home runs and the Phillies opened the NLCS with an 8-6 victory over the Dodgers. Manny Ramirez hit a big two-run home run in the fifth inning but left runners in scoring position in the seventh and eighth. Pedro Martinez starts for the Phils tonight. In the ALCS, Mark Teixeira get set to face his former team tonight as the Yankees meet the Angels in Game 1.

HOCKEY: Joe Haggerty looks at three things the Bruins need to do to jumpstart their season. Nicklas Lidstrom became the first European defenseman to reach the 1,000-point plateau.

BASKETBALL: LeBron James has the flu. Antawn Jamison will miss the rest of the Wizards’ preseason with a shoulder injury.

MISC.: Dan Guttenplan looks forward to a better weekend for Boston sports fans. Sort of.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 16, 2004, the Yankees crushed the Red Sox, 19-8, in Game 3 of the ALCS. The Red Sox lost the first two games in New York, despite sending their co-aces, Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez, to the hill. Who started Game 3 for the Sox?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Don’t tell Bill Belichick the 0-5 Tennessee Titans are not a good football team. “I think anybody that would say that about the Titans obviously hasn’t seen them play,” Belichick admonished at yesterday’s press conference. “I don’t know how you could watch them on film and possibly think that unless you were sleeping while the film was rolling. I don’t know how you could possibly think that.

STAT OF THE DAY: 78 — Career postseason RBI for Manny Ramirez, three short of breaking the all-time record held by former Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams

‘NET RESULTS: From the Bruins’ Mini 1-on-1 competition, this amazing goal by 9-year-old Oliver Wahlstrom of Portland, Maine, is making the rounds.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Bronson Arroyo

SOOTHING SOUNDS: C.F. Turner of Bachman Turner Overdrive is 66.

FOOTBALL: Chris Price has a look at where Junior Seau will fit in on this Patriots defense. Mike Petraglia has Bill Belichick pumping up Sunday’s opponent, the winless Titans.

Dan Guttenplan has his Week 6 NFL picks. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew isn’t happy with the Jaguars offensive strategy. Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Kicker Adam Vinatieri is out 4-8 weeks after arthroscopic surgery.

A Bay Area pit bull advocacy group says Michael Vick turned down a chance to visit some of his old dogs. And Rush Limbaugh is no longer part of a bid to buy the Rams.

Dan Rowinski has some midterm grades for Boston College.

BASEBALL: Lou Merloni takes a look at how the Red Sox lineup could look for 2010. Curt Schilling checks in with a blog entry looking at the makeup of the Red Sox.

Terry Francona was on the Dale & Holley show yesterday. He talked about his disappointment with the season being over and defended his Game 3 strategy. Pitching coach John Farrell will stay with the Sox. According to a report, the Sox plan to meet with a Japanese high school phenom.

The NLCS starts tonight in Philadelphia, with the Dodgers sending Clayton Kershaw out against fellow lefty Cole Hamels. John Smoltz wants to return to the Cardinals. Former Red Sox Carney Lansford is out as hitting coach of the Giants.

HOCKEY: Joe Haggerty has his first NHL power rankings, and the Bruins rate No. 12. The Rangers won their sixth straight, knocking off the Kings.

BASKETBALL: Aside from a cold-shooting night from Ray Allen, the Celtics looked sharp offensively in a 106-90 win over the Raptors in Hartford. Bobcats coach Larry Brown was fined $60,000 for criticizing replacement refs. Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins was fined $25,000 for a similar offense.

SOCCER: The U.S. national team scored in extra time to tie Costa Rica, while showing support for injured forward Charlie Davies.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 15, 1947, this Bruins rookie scored his first career goal. After playing 10 years in the NHL, he went on to be more well-known as the coach who led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cups. Who is he?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Bill doesn’t kick around tires and say, ‘I’m just going to go grab a guy that’s 40 years old off the surf board and say come and join us.’ He has a plan. — Linebacker Junior Seau, after officially rejoining the Patriots yesterday

STAT OF THE DAY: 1,515 — Career tackles by Seau, a 12-time Pro Bowler

‘NET RESULTS: On Oct. 15, 1989, Wayne Gretzky, playing for the Los Angeles Kings against his former team, the Edmonton Oilers, broke Gordie Howe’s career scoring record of 1,850 points.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Glen Sather, who is now the president and general manager of the New York Rangers

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Barry McGuire is 74. In 1965, he sang about the “Eve of Destruction.”

FOOTBALL: In his weekly stat-based analysis, Kerry Byrne says that Bill Belichick has lost hs mojo, at least when it comes to shutting down opposing quarterbacks. Chris Price checks in with his weekly Patriots mailbag, in which a reader questions the Pats’ play-calling.

Left tackle Matt Light has no ligament damage, according to a report, but his return date is unclear. It appears that Junior Seau is a Patriot again, although Bill Belichick continues to be coy for some strange reason.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said he would not support Rush Limbaugh’s bid to buy the Rams.

D.J. Bean has his fantasy football Living With the Bye Week 6 feature over at our Reality Bites blog.

University of New Mexico coach Mike Locksley was suspended 10 days by the school for fighting with an assistant coach.

BASEBALL: The Yankees might go with a three-man rotation against the Angels in the ALCS, which starts Friday. Joe Torre said he plans to manage one more year, until his contract expires.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics rallied past the Nets, 91-88, last night in Newark, N.J. The C’s play Toronto tonight in Hartford. Jessica Camerato looks at the win, which was fueled by Rajon Rondo’s near-triple-double and the play of the reserves, as the Big Three took the night off.

To no one’s surprise, replacement NBA referees are coming under fire. Ex-Celtic Delonte West resurfaced with the Cavaliers after taking a week off to hopefully get things in order. Washington’s Gilbert Arenas was fined $25,000 for not speaking to the media.

SOCCER: U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies, a native of Manchester, N.H., who played at Boston College, was in serious condition last night after being injured in a car accident.

MISC.: Dan Guttenplan takes a look at what would happen if he were King of the Sports Universe.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 14, 1986, the Red Sox evened the ALCS with the Angels at three games apiece, getting to Kirk McCaskill early and often in a 10-4 victory. McCaskill has some area ties, as he was a standout baseball and hockey player at which New England college?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: It was a slow day in Boston, so we’ll head out West to see what volatile Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Jackson said after returning from a two-game suspension and relinquishing his captaincy. “I don’t want to be a role model,” he said. “Being captain was overrated to me, anyway. You don’t do anything but go out before the game and talk to the refs. I don’t want to do that, anyway.”

STAT OF THE DAY: 0 — Minutes played last night by the Celtics’ Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in their exhibition game at New Jersey. Sorry, no refund, no exchange.

‘NET RESULTS: The legendary John Wooden turns 99 today. Here he is on a Gatorade commercial.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: McCaskill played baseball and hockey at the University of Vermont from 1979-83 before embarking on a 12-year Major League Baseball career with the Angels and White Sox.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Thomas Dolby is 51. You probably haven’t heard this song in a while.

When Aybar settled into his stance opposing Jonathan Papelbon with two strikes and his team down 6-4, he knew that he could be the last out of Game 3. He also understood that while he could not be the tying or winning run for the Angels, he could at least prolong the inning and give the Halos a chance for a comeback with the top of the order due up.

And he did just that.

After reaching on a two-out single, Aybar made his way to second on defensive indifference before Figgins drew a full-count walk. Abreu then plated Aybar with a RBI double to left to put the Angels within one run. Following an intentional walk to Torii Hunter to load the bases, Guerrero smoked a Papelbon offering to center to score both Figgins and Abreu and give the Angels a 7-6 lead they would not relinquish.

The bitter memory of watching Aybar serve as the rally-starter and Guerrero play the role of David Ortiz will certainly stick in the minds of Red Sox fans around the country for seasons to come. Yet, while both Aybar and Guerrero will most likely be the recipients of a loud ensemble of boos the next time they come up to bat at Fenway, they are not alone in the society of players who crushed the hearts of Boston fans and shattered their postseason faith.

Calling the Red Sox Spoiler Society to order, here is the executive board, consisting of players who make Red Sox fans cringe every time they hear their name.

Babe Ruth

Yes, George Herman Ruth passed on from this world decades ago, but the story goes that his ghost haunted the Red Sox until Boston claimed its first World Series title in 86 years in 2004. There are few who are oblivious to “The Curse of the Bambino” that supposedly accounted for the multiple mishaps that prevented the Red Sox from winning a championship since 1918. A star for the Red Sox both as a pitcher and a hitter from 1914-19, Ruth was part of three of the team’s first five World Series titles in 1915, 1916, and 1918.

Prior to the 1920 season, greedy Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to the Yankees for $125,000 allegedly in order to finance his Broadway theatrical productions. Frazee also received a $300,000 loan in exchange for player many consider to be the greatest to ever play the game.

Since the deal, Red Sox fans witnessed the Yankees win 26 World Championships while Boston failed to win one until the curse was lifted in 2004.

Bill Buckner

It is the nightmare that plays over and over in Red Sox fans’ heads.

In the 10th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, the Red Sox were one out away from being crowned champions until the New York Mets rallied to tie the game. After reliever Bob Stanley was summoned from the bullpen by manager John McNamara, Mookie Wilson stepped up to the plate for the Mets. A wild pitch pitch allowed Kevin Mitchell to score from third, knotting the game at 5 and Ray Knight to move into scoring position at second. Faced with a full-count, Wilson hit the 10th pitch of the at-bat in Buckner’s direction at first base. Red Sox fans were stunned as they watched the grounder slip under the glove and through the legs of Buckner, enabling Knight to score from second. The Mets’ 6-5 victory tied up the series at three games apiece, and New York went on to win Game 7.

Bill Buckner Play - 1986 World Series - Funny blooper videos are here
Once the Red Sox did win the World Series in 2004, fans carried around signs citing that they were forgiving of Buckner’s infamous error, though the memory of the blunder lives on.

Bucky Dent

In 1978, if anyone was to make a guess which Yankee would hit a three-run home run over the Green Monster in a one-game playoff to determine the victor of the AL East, chances are slim that he or she would pick Bucky Dent over the likes of Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson or Lou Piniella. After blowing a 14-1/2-game divisional lead in July, the Sox were forced to play the Yankees in a tiebreaker. Entering the contest with a .243 average and four home runs on the season, Dent was the unlikely hero for the Yankees after he hammered a 1-1 pitch off Mike Torrez in the seventh inning to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead in their ultimate 5-4 victory over the Sox en route to another World Series title.

That Bucky “Bleeping” Dent.

Secretary: Aaron Boone

It was the game that got manager Grady Little fired. Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against none other than the Yankees. No one will forget the fateful decision Little made to leave his ace Pedro Martinez in the game in the eighth inning which cost the Red Sox a 5-2 lead when the Yankees rallied to tie the score and send the game into extra innings.

Acquired by the Yankees from the Cincinnati Reds on July 31, 2003, Boone struggled during his stint in New York, hitting just .254 with six home runs in 54 games. Yet, on the first pitch of the 11th inning of Game 7, Boone smashed a Tim Wakefield knuckleball into the left field stands that sent the Red Sox packing and the Yankees into the World Series with a 6-5 victory (though Josh Beckett and the Florida Marlins made sure the Yankees would not claim their 27th title).

Boone would never see the Red Sox while in a Yankee uniform again as he would suffer an injury in the offseason that eventually led to the Yankees’ acquisition of Alex Rodriguez to fill the vacancy at third.

As the Red Sox clean out their lockers after another heartbreak, the Angels look to carry their momentum into Yankee Stadium to continue their quest for a World Series title. Both teams know what it feels like to be loathed by Red Sox fans, not that any players will shed a tear, however. So, congratulations Aybar, Guerrero and the rest of the 2009 Angels. See you next year.

PS. Red Sox fans know what it’s like to be surrounded by haters as well.

BASEBALL: It was moving day for the Red Sox, and they stopped packing long enough to discuss the long offseason that began a little too early for everyone’s liking. Manager Terry Francona and GM Theo Epstein held a press conference to discuss a number of topics. Jason Bay talked about his future as a free agent. Josh Beckett wants to see Jason Varitek return. Boston’s coaches will interview for managerial openings. There’s much more at our Full Count blog.

Rob Bradford analyzes each player’s future (story to be posted shortly). Kirk Minihane has a Red Sox report card.

In the last division series to be finished, the Rockies blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning (Sound familiar?) and fell to the Phillies, 5-4. It was a rough couple of days in Denver. In Sunday night’s Game 3, there were more blown calls by the umpires that affected the outcome in the Phillies’ one-run win.

The Cubs filed for bankruptcy as part of their plan to be sold by the Tribune Co. to the family of billionaire Joe Ricketts.

FOOTBALL: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady made appearances on WEEI on Monday to talk about Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Broncos. From the locker room, Sammy Morris said the offense’s problems can be fixed. Left tackle Matt Light was spotted on crutches in the area of the locker room.

Chris Price his a look back at the game he calls Upon Further Review. Steve DeOssie has his Week 5 Patriots report card. Joe Zarbano presents his NFL power rankings, with the Patriots dropping out of the top 10.

It was worth staying up for the end of the Dolphins-Jets game last night, as the teams played an entertaining and surprisingly high-scoring fourth quarter. Miami scored in the final seconds for a 31-27 victory.

Adam Schefter hinted about this during his appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show Friday: Browns coach Eric Mangini is being investigated by the NFL concerning an incident in which Mangini allegedly made rookie running back James Davis practice without pads — against players who were wearing pads. Davis is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

Rush Limbaugh’s interest in being an NFL owner does not sit well with some.

HOCKEY: The Bruins ended their season-opening five-game homestand by dropping a 4-3 decision to the Avalanche. In his Three Things We Learned, Joe Haggerty examines the defenseless B’s.

The Blackhawks tied an NHL record by rallying from a 5-0 deficit to beat the Flames in overtime, 6-5.

According to a soon-to-be-released book, the owners of the Oilers and Maple Leafs discussed trading their entire teams in 1980, just as the Wayne Gretzky era was beginning in Edmonton.

BASKETBALL: Jessica Camerato has a piece on birthday boy Paul Pierce, who isn’t showing his age (32). Kevin Garnett threw one down at practice Monday, another step in his return to form.

At his team’s tipoff luncheon Thursday, University of Louisville coach Rick Pitino claimed he was having a great year despite the recent controversy surrounding his adulterous behavior.

“Don’t succumb to being a critic,” he told his supporters. “Don’t become part of that negative environment that just knocks and constantly says things that tear things down. Build things up. That’s what positive people do.”

Two days later, two of his players, including co-captain Jerry Smith, were arrested in southern Indiana. Looking at the positive, at least it was only a misdemeanor charge (resisting law enforcement).

Over at Binghamton, school officials suspended off-campus recruiting after the latest revelation of misbehavior.

SOCCER: In case you missed this story (and I don’t know how that’s possible), Major League Soccer organizers are considering shifting the season to align with European professional soccer. The only problem? The new season would run from August through May. Yes, right through the winter.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 13, 1999, the Red Sox and Yankees met in the postseason for the first time ever. The Yankees took a 4-3 decision when Bernie Williams hit a home run in the bottom of the 10th inning. Who was the Sox closer who surrendered the hit?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I just showed up this morning at 11 with my little briefcase that doesn’t have much in it. It was the normal time to play a game and we’re not playing a game and I’m having a little bit of a hard time dealing with that. I’m a little confused, but health-wise, I’m probably better than I have been in a while.” — Red Sox manager Terry Francona, on dealing with the letdown of the season being over

STAT OF THE DAY: 0-for-5 — The Bruins’ result on the power play in yesterday’s 4-3 loss to the Avalanche. Colorado went 2-for-3 with the man-advantage.

‘NET RESULTS: You’ve probably heard about it by now, so here’s Owen Schmitt of the Seahawks bashing open his head with his own helmet on Sunday.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Rod Beck

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Paul Simon is 68 today. Here’s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” with a 1988 video that features cameos from Spud Webb, Mickey Mantle and John Madden.

Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard

zanimal|MySpace Videos

However, it’s probably not even the worst day in Boston sports this year. Consider that on May 14, the Bruins were eliminated by the Hurricanes in overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Celtics dropped Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinals to the Magic, and the Red Sox, despite amassing 15 hits, lost a 5-4 decision in 12 innings to the Angels in Anaheim. In that game, David Ortiz went 0-for-7 and left 12 runners on base, tying a team record.

In an article from earlier this year, Bleacher Report presented its list of top 10 worst days in Boston sports history, although all of these are based on single events.

Anyhow, here’s the rundown of today’s stories.

BASEBALL: Angels 7, Red Sox 6. Rob Bradford looks at what happened and what’s ahead for the Red Sox. Alex Speier writes about the Sox’ big arms failing to deliver. Jonathan Papelbon talks about letting down his team, and Jon Lester questions those fans who booed the closer as he walked off the field. General manager Theo Epstein says the Sox simply got outplayed. Dustin Pedroia considers the season a failure. Jason Bay looks ahead to an uncertain offseason. Bobby Abreu again won the battle against ex-teammate Billy Wagner. Read more about the Sox at our Full Count blog.

To make matters worse, the Yankees finished off their sweep of the Twins with a 4-1 win last night at the Metrodome. In last night’s late game, the Phillies edged the Rockies in chilly Denver.

FOOTBALL: Broncos 20, Patriots 17, OT. In his Ten Things We Learned, Chris Price writes about how much this win meant to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. Price also has the Patriots kicking themselves for letting this one slip away. Read more about this frustrating loss at our It Is What It Is blog. And listen to Tom Brady on the Dennis & Callahan show at 9 a.m., multiple Pats players on Dale & Holley mid-day, and Bill Belichick on The Big Show at 5 p.m.

Get the rest of the NFL results here, including the Colts, Vikings and Giants remaining undefeated, and the Bengals knocking off the Ravens. D.J. Bean writes about what we learned in fantasy football in Week 5.

Dan Rowinski has Five Things We Learned from Boston College’s 48-14 loss at Virginia Tech on Saturday. Alabama moved past Texas to No. 2 in the AP Top 25, just behind Florida.

HOCKEY: Lost in this disastrous weekend, the Bruins posted a dramatic win Saturday night vs. the Islanders, rallying from a 3-0 deficit with just over eight minutes remaining in the third period and picking up the win in the shootout. Mike Petraglia discusses the B’s resilience.

Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken foot.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics beat the Nets, 100-93, on Sunday in their third exhibition game. Paul Flannery discusses the progress the Celtics are making. Jessica Camerato has a couple of former Magic players talking about how much better the Celtics look. Camerato also has a piece on how football is a popular topic in the C’s locker room.

The Warriors suspended disgruntled swingman Stephen Jackson for a couple of exhibition games after his behavior in the team’s last game.

Last week, we linked to a story about former NBA player Rumeal Robinson, who scammed his mother out of her house in Cambridge. The Miami New Times did a more detailed story that explains how Robinson squandered millions of dollars and is now broke. Here’s a preview: Strip clubs played a big role in his demise.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 12, 1986, the Red Sox pulled off a miraculous win over the Angels in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Boston trailed by three runs entering the ninth inning. After a two-run home run from Sox DH Don Baylor, the deficit was one. With the Angels one strike away from winning the series, Dave Henderson launched a two-run home run to center field. However, what’s not as well-remembered is that the Angels tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, forcing extra innings. Who hit the game-winning sacrifice fly in the 11th inning for the Sox?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It was 0-2, two outs, just waiting and planning on playing tomorrow. Then all of a sudden, one thing led to another and you look back and it was like, ‘Whoa, what just happened?’ ” — Jason Bay, after yesterday’s collapse against the Angels that ended the Red Sox’ season

STAT OF THE DAY: 0.00 — Jonathan Papelbon’s career postseason ERA entering yesterday’s game against the Angels, before he coughed up the lead with three ninth-inning runs that cost the Red Sox the game and ended their season.

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s a funny commercial with a Red Sox-Yankees theme to try to cheer you up.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Dave Henderson came through again in the 11th, driving home Don Baylor with the winning run. Henderson threw out the first pitch before yesterday’s ALDS Game 3 but could not provide the Sox any luck.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: On Oct. 12, 1997, John Denver died at the age of 53 when the plane he was piloting crashed off the coast of California. Here he is singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” This is the song that will be stuck in your head the rest of the day. No need to thank me.

Not surprisingly, both Youkilis and manager Terry Francona shared their discontent with Bucknor about the blown calls.

This year, players have regularly expressed their dissatisfaction with umpires. Whether it be arguing balls and strikes, claiming that a slide into home beat a tag, or disputing that a hit was fair or foul, players and coaches have been quick to make public their displeasure with MLB umpires. Thursday night was not the first time an umpire missed a call, nor will it be the last.

You would think that umpires would be more vigilant after drawing a whirlwind of criticism following the Red Sox-Angels game. On Friday night, the umpiring crew officiating Game 2 of the Twins-Yankees ALDS blundered in another key call. Left field umpire Phil Cuzzi declared that Joe Mauer’s hit was a foul ball when it should have been ruled a ground-rule double.

With no outs in the top of the 11th inning, Mauer launched a ball down the left field line that skimmed the glove of Melky Cabrera and then bounced fair before one-hopping into the stands. Cuzzi messed up on both counts and ruled it a foul ball, sending Mauer back to the plate. Though he ended up singling, Mauer certainly would have scored from second base on the next two Twins hits. The Twins ultimately concluded the inning leaving the bases loaded and failing to score before Mark Teixeira hit a walk-off home run in the bottom half of the frame to give the Yankees a 4-3 win.

Yes, it may be just a tad bit embarrassing to become the first team in MLB history to blow a three-game divisional lead with only four games remaining in the regular season. Yet, after dropping a 6-5 defeat in 12 innings in Tuesday’s one-game playoff loss to the Twins, the Tigers were not quite ready to walk out of the Metrodome for the last time without having a couple of things to say about the umpiring.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland not only shamed his own team, but also showed his frustration with the umpiring crew, noting that a missed hit-by-pitch call with Brandon Inge up and the bases loaded in the top half of the 12th would have given the Tigers a 6-5 advantage.

One of the first incidents this season that resulted in a suspension from arguing a call came unsurprisingly from none other than the contentious Milton Bradley. On April 16, Bradley was ejected in his Wrigley Field debut with the Cubs after vehemently disagreeing with a called third strike in his pinch-hit at-bat in the sixth inning. Two days later, Bradley received his punishment in the form of a two-game suspension and an undisclosed fine. He appealed the punishment and got the suspension reduced to one game. Chicago fanatics may have applauded his passion and furor then, but now they have a different outlook after his ill-advised comments about the team earned him an indefinite suspension despite Bradley offering an apology.

The captain of the Yankees, normally known for keeping his composure, expressed his dissatisfaction this season as well. On July 6, Derek Jeter had some not-too-kind words to share with umpire Marty Foster after Foster ruled Jeter out on his attempt to steal third in a 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays. The shortstop correctly insisted that he slid around the tag, but Foster replied, “He didn’t have to tag you. The ball beat you.” This comment sparked even more controversy than the blown call, since Foster essentially disregarded the rules of the game. After the game, even Foster’s crew chief, John Hirschbeck, questioned his fellow ump’s judgment.

When the final out or the winning run of a game comes down to an umpiring decision, a blown call becomes even more controversial, especially in the eyes of the losing team. On Sept. 16, the Angels were outraged when Red Sox batter Nick Green was granted a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie a game that the Sox would eventually win 9-8.

With the game on the line, Angels closer Brian Fuentes thought he got Green out on a swinging strike three, but it was ruled that Green held his bat to a check swing. Later in the at-bat, Fuentes delivered a full-count fastball to Green that was knee-high and down the middle. When home plate umpire Rick Reed failed to ring up Green, manager Mike Scioscia and the Angels protested vehemently.

The next day, however, the Angels were not the only ones complaining. The umpires took issue with the verbal abuse they received from the Angels as they walked off the field. Stating that the Angels acted “unprofessional and unbecoming,” the umpires struck back by filing a grievance.

Even when umpires do seem to get calls right, still there are critics. On May 17, Rays manager Joe Maddon mistakenly listed both Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist as playing third base on the lineup card. Maddon intended to give Longoria a day off from the field, but accidentally wrote third base next to his name instead of DH. The Rays were forced to forfeit the DH and have the pitcher bat as a result. However, the mix-up worked to their advantage as starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine hit in place of Longoria and contributed quite nicely with an RBI double in the 7-5 win over the Indians.

Even though the correct ruling was made, the umpires came under some criticism for taking 13 minutes to make their decision. Even Mike Port, MLB’s executive in charge of overseeing the umps, questioned the delay. To make matters worse, later in the game the umps messed up a call that gave the Rays a big break. In the eighth inning, Cleveland’s Ryan Garko hit a deep drive to left with one out. It was ruled that Rays outfielder Carl Crawford caught the ball for an out, but replays indicated the ball went off the padding first and should have been called a hit.

There are a magnitude of close calls that can go either way in every game that is played. A team loves an umpire when a ruling falls in its favor, and despises one when the decision goes against it. With so many plays occurring in a blink of an eye, it’s difficult for an umpire to make the correct call 100 percent of the time.

After all, they do pay attention … right?

BASEBALL: The Red Sox offense got an early start to the holiday weekend in a 5-0 loss to the Angels in Game 1 of the ALDS. Alex Speier has Five Things We Learned from this debacle. Rob Bradford says Victor Martinez will catch Josh Beckett in Game 2 as the Sox need offense, not sentimentality.

After a frustrating night, Jon Lester tipped his cap to his counterpart, John Lackey. Daniel Bard got a chance to get a taste of postseason play. Terry Franonca had a tough night, starting with an upset stomach after eating Mexican fast food. Here’s what the Angels had to say.

Yesterday on WEEI, Curt Schilling ripped the umpiring crew assigned to this series.

“It is embarrassing,” Schilling said. “Listen, Joe West, I think he is an ass and I have had problems with him forever, but here is the thing: Joe West is a pretty decent umpire. Greg Gibson and C.B. Buckner? They suck. They’re horrible, horrible.”

And what happened last night? Bucknor made a negative impact on the game, blowing a couple of calls.

Elsewhere in postseason play, former Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta singled in the winning run shortly after Matt Holliday dropped the third out in left field, and the Dodgers stunned the Cardinals, 3-2. The Rockies evened their series with the Phillies, taking a 5-4 decision. And Pedro Martinez wants to start Game 3 for the Phils.

Dan Guttenplan compares cheering for the Phillies this year to the uneasiness Red Sox fans felt following Boston titles.

TBS announcer Chip Caray is taking a lot of heat for his poor calls, especially his gaffe on a key play in Tuesday’s Tigers-Twins playoff game.

FOOTBALL: Patriots running back Fred Taylor had surgery on his right ankle, and Chris Price examines what’s ahead for the New England running game. Price also takes a look at what to watch for Sunday against the Broncos.

Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey talks about his team’s dramatic improvement on defense this season. Here’s the audio from the Broncos.

In case you missed this yesterday, while hyping Sunday’s game against the Ravens, Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco said that he would hit a) Ray Lewis in the mouth, b) challenge Terrell Suggs to a fight, and c) perform a touchdown celebration dance he calls the Ricky Bobby, in honor of Will Ferrell’s character in the movie “Talladega Nights.”

Said Ochocinco: “When I score, which you know I will do, I have a special thing. It’s called the Ricky Bobby. It should be really nice. It’s a rule-breaker. I did send the NFL the fine money ahead of time.”

At the other end of the spectrum, here’s some must-reading for this weekend: Alexander Wolff’s Sports Illustrated story on Jackie Robinson’s two UCLA football teammates who broke the NFL’s color barrier in 1946 but whose names are mostly unrecognized today.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez called Jonathan Vilma to apologize for the quarterback’s low hit during an interception return Sunday against the Saints.

Iraq War veteran and hopeful NFL rookie Tony Fein died of as-yet-unexplained causes. The 27-year-old linebacker from Ole Miss was cut by the Ravens in the preseason.

Dan Rowinski has a preview of Boston College’s game Saturday at sixth-ranked Virginia Tech.

HOCKEY: The Bruins forgot to show up in a 6-1 shellacking at the hands of the Ducks. Joe Haggerty has Three Things We Learned. And here’s the audio of a disappointed Claude Julien & Co.

BASKETBALL: The Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever play a fifth and deciding game in the WNBA finals tonight. Just thought you should know.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 9, 1967, In Game 5 of the World Series, Sox ace Jim Lonborg outdueled a young Cardinals pitcher who went on to a Hall of Fame career — but spent most of it as a member of a different National League team. Who is he? Bonus question: In the Sox’ 3-1 win, St. Louis’ only run came courtesy of a home run from a famous slugger who, like the pitcher previously mentioned, is more well-known as a member of a different team. Who is he?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It wasn’t like a game of missed opportunities. We really didn’t have any.” — Jason Bay, after last night’s 5-0 Game 1 loss to the Angels

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s a Canadian football-themed commercial worth a chuckle.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Lonborg and the Sox beat Steve Carlton, who was traded after his first 20-win season in 1971 to the Phillies. Carlton went on to play 15 seasons in Philadelphia and 24 years in the majors, winning 329 games. The player who homered off Lonborg was Roger Maris, who broke Babe Ruth’s single-season home run mark in 1961 during his second straight MVP season as a member of the Yankees.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Jackson Browne is 61 today. Here’s his biggest hit, made famous in the 1982 movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”

BASEBALL: The Red Sox open their ALDS against the Angels tonight at 9:37. Paul Byrd will be in the Sox bullpen and Manny Delcarmen will not. Jason Varitek is focused on the team and not worried about his playing status. Billy Wagner knows he hasn’t pitched well in previous postseason action. Keep up to date on all the Sox news throughout the day at our Full Count blog.

Alex Speier writes about Victor Martinez, and how he helped save the Sox’ season. Rob Bradford breaks down how the trade for Martinez came about.

WEEI’s Lou Merloni explains the Red Sox’ formula for ALDS success.

Terry Francona had some interesting things to say about David Ortiz, Victor Martinez and umpire/country singer Joe West in his interview with Dale & Holley yesterday.

In yesterday’s playoff action, CC Sabathia brought the Twins back to earth in a 7-2 Yankees win. In the NL, Cliff Lee and the Phillies stifled the Rockies, and the Dodgers turned away the Cardinals.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland is disappointed that umpires won’t admit they blew a call that would have given Detroit the lead in the 12th inning of their loss to the Twins on Tuesday (and he’s right).

And a 12-year-old Florida girl sued the Phillies to get back a Ryan Howard home run ball she caught at a game in July. UPDATE: Below is a video interview with the girl and her lawyer, and here’s more on the story.

FOOTBALL: Kirk Minihane checks in with his weekly mailbag and finds the Pats pessimists are slowly coming around. Dan Guttenplan has his Week 5 picks.

Tom Brady won’t apologize for supporting the new rules designed to protect quarterbacks. Meanwhile, the parody site Sports Pickle had a little fun with the issue, posting a story under the headline: “Tom Brady Draws Emotionally Roughing the Passer Penalty.”

Patriots defensive lineman Mike Wright is have a strong season, and he talks about which defensive formation suits him best. Chris Price introduces us to the newest Patriot, linebacker Bruce Davis, who was signed yesterday to the practice squad.

In case you missed it yesterday, the Jets moved to improve their offense by acquiring receiver Braylon Edwards from the Browns. First-round draft pick Michael Crabtree ended his holdout with the 49ers.

HOCKEY: Milan Lucic appeared on Dale & Holley to talk about his new three-year contract with the Bruins. Mark Stuart appears to be set as the team’s NHLPA rep, taking over for Andrew Ference. Zdeno Chara posed in the buff for ESPN the Magazine’s body issue.

The Maple Leafs were fined for tampering for expressing early interest in Vancouver’s Sedin twins. Patrick Roy’s son pleaded guilty to assault for last year’s on-ice attack of an opposing goalie in a junior hockey game and wrote a check for $5,000 to clear his conscience.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics opened the preseason with a 96-90 loss to Houston. Kevin Garnett had six points and five rebounds in his return from a knee injury. Jessica Camerato breaks down how each player did, and Paul Flannery offers his thoughts about the game — and the replacement refs (who handed Rasheed Wallace a technical).

NBA general managers picked the Celtics as the league’s best defensive team and predicted they will win the East. Delonte West needs a little more time away from Cavaliers training camp. Allen Iverson has a partial tear of his left hamstring. He hurt it in practice. Not a game, not a game, not a game — we talkin’ ’bout practice:

MISC.: WEEI is partnering with ESPN Radio and will pick up broadcasts of Major League Baseball playoff games, NBA regular season and playoff action, and college football’s Bowl Championship Series. WEEI also will syndicate ESPN’s AllNight with Jason Smith from 1-5 a.m. Monday through Friday, and have call-in appearances weekly from ESPN insiders Peter Gammons and Adam Schefter, among others.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 8, 1967, the Red Sox lost Game 4 of the World Series to Bob Gibson and the Cardinals. Which 19-year-old Red Sox reliever pitched a scoreless eighth inning and, in the process, became the youngest player ever to pitch in a World Series game?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I think there’s a lot of people that actually owe David an apology.” — Red Sox manager Terry Francona on yesterday’s Dale & Holley show, talking about criticism of David Ortiz earlier this season

‘NET RESULTS: As the Metrodome prepares for its farewell performance, here’s a time-lapse video of the facility as it hosts three Twins games, changes over for a University of Minnesota football game, and then goes back to baseball.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Teenager Ken Brett, older brother of Royals Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett, was a late replacement on the Red Sox’ 1967 World Series roster for the injured Sparky Lyle.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Happy 69th birthday to Fred Cash, who had the tall task of stepping in for Jerry Butler as a member of the Impressions in 1960. That’s him on the right, with Curtis Mayfield (left) and Sam Gooden.

The Twins and Tigers gave us a memorable lead-in to the playoffs with their 12-inning AL Central playoff thriller. Minnesota kept the Metrodome in business for at least another week with a 6-5 victory.

The hype has begun for the ALDS, and the Red Sox and Angels will get an extra day of it, as their series doesn’t start until Thursday night (9:37 EST). Curt Schilling analyzes the series. WEEI’s baseball writers make their playoff predictions. Rob Bradford says to watch out for Bobby Abreu. But Dan Gutteplan says Abreu isn’t clutch, as part of his reasons you should hate the Halos. Guttenplan also has an MLB postseason joke book.

Josh Beckett says his back is fine. Angels center fielder Torii Hunter isn’t concerned with his team’s past failures vs. the Sox. Boston Game 1 starter Jon Lester looks back on last year’s ALCS Game 7 vs. the Rays. Shortstop Jed Lowrie will be on Boston’s ALDS roster.

For regular Red Sox updates, check our Full Count blog throughout the day.

Baseball’s other three playoff series start today, with Rockies-Phillies at 2:37, Twins-Yankees at 6:07 and Cardinals-Dodgers at 9:37. All is not well in New York, as Yankees catcher Jorge Posada isn’t happy that his manager chose to sit him for Game 1 2.

On to football: Chris Price says that even though the Patriots have not piled up a lot of sacks, stats show that they are putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Price also has his weekly mailbag. Kerry Byrne has a statistical analysis as the Patriots hit the season’s quarter pole. The Junior Seau watch is on full alert, following a report that the linebacker worked out for the Patriots yesterday.

D.J. Bean writes about living with the bye week in his fantasy football report.

Rush Limbaugh wants to buy the St. Louis Rams, and he’s teaming up with Dave Checketts, owner of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues, to make a bid.

Joe Haggerty says Milan Lucic and the Bruins are a perfect fit after the big winger signed a new three-year deal. Lucic returned to Bruins practice yesterday after a day off to tend to a minor health issue.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers made an appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show and discussed a number of topics, including how the talkative Rasheed Wallace will fit in on this team of talkers.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 7, 1995, this Bruins forward scored three goals in a season-opening 4-4 tie vs. the visiting Islanders. In the process, he became the first player in NHL history to record a hat trick on opening night twice in his career. Who is he?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m a prime-time, lean machine.” — Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, when asked how he felt yesterday as the Sox prepared for the ALDS against the Angels in Anaheim

‘NET RESULTS: Injured Revolution star Taylor Twellman was named the hottest bachelor in Massachusetts by Cosmopolitan magazine. Twellman tells Cosmo: “I’m looking for a girl who’s about being with me, not about being with the soccer player.” OK, then. Here he is with a bicycle kick for a goal against Chicago in the 2007 playoffs.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Cam Neely

SOOTHING SOUNDS: On Oct. 7, 1952, “American Bandstand” debuted in Philadelphia. The singer with the most appearances on the show? Revere native Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon with 110 (at least according to various websites).

Chris Price writes about Bill Belichick preparing to meet former assistant Josh McDaniels, who has the Broncos at 4-0. Steve DeOssie has his Patriots report card, with the linemen at the head of the class.

Yesterday’s big story was the Rodney Harrison-Tom Brady feud that wasn’t. The former teammates knew Harrison was teasing in his comments Sunday night, but not everyone else did. Both Harrison and Brady appeared on WEEI yesterday and calmed the masses.

Belichick also made an appearance on WEEI. Among other things, the coach confirmed that yes, Junior Seau could soon again be a Patriot.

Brett Favre got the best of his old team last night, leading the Vikings past the Packers and becoming the first quarterback to beat all 32 teams.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning is day to day with plantar fasciitis. Raiders running back Darren McFadden will miss 2-4 weeks after surgery today for torn cartilage in his knee.

Joe Zarbano has his Week 5 NFL power rankings, with the Patriots moving up one spot to No. 5.

LeBron James expressed his disappointment with Browns receiver Braylon Edwards, who allegedly took a punch at one of James’ friends at a nightclub early Monday morning. And Raiders coach Tom Cable, who allegedly punched one of his assistant coaches, may face charges.

The Red Sox departed for Anaheim yesterday. With the regular season complete, Alex Speier, Rob Bradford, Lou Merloni and Curt Schilling compile their season-ending awards. Speier has a feature on Daniel Bard, whose career prospects are strong after he bottomed out three years ago. Bradford writes about Daisuke Matsuzaka preparing for any role in the postseason and Manny Delcarmen trying to be ready to pitch after a car accident Saturday.

The Tigers and Twins meet today at 5 p.m. to decide the AL Central winner. Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera took some heat after it was revealed that he was arrested while drunk and involved in a domestic situation early Saturday morning despite the fact that his team was battling for the division title all weekend.

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter and Blue Jays infielder Aaron Hill were named Comeback Players of the Year.

Joe Haggerty checks in from Bruins practice and notes that Milan Lucic was absent.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 6, 1985, in the final game of the regular season, this player went 2-for-5 to finish the season with 201 hits. In the process, he became just the fifth player to record 200 hits in both the AL and NL. Who is he?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This guy’s directly responsible for me having two Super Bowl rings on my fingers, and you think I’m going to call him out?” — Rodney Harrison on WEEI, defending his joking comments about former teammate Tom Brady

‘NET RESULTS: As today could be the final game at the Metrodome, here’s a look at one of the Twins’ commercials promoting the move to their outdoor stadium next season.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Bill Buckner

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Happy 63rd birthday, Millie Small. As a teenager in 1964, the Jamaican singer had a big hit with “My Boy Lollipop.”

Isn’t that right, Rick Vaughn?

In recent years, some of the most notorious brawls have stemmed from a batter’s irritation with a pitcher. After getting drilled with a 98 mph fastball, hitters sometimes seek retribution instead of simply taking their base.

Who can forget the July 24, 2004 confrontation between the Red Sox and Yankees that featured Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez consuming a mouthful of Red Sox catcher Jason’s Varitek’s glove after being nailed by a Bronson Arroyo delivery.

Nor will Chicago fans soon erase from their memories the image of Cubs catcher Michael Barrett heaving his fist into the face of White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski. The fight started after Pierzynski barreled Barrett to the ground when attempting to touch home plate on May 20, 2006, in an interleague matchup between the crosstown rivals. Barrett received a 10-game suspension.

Though players are fully aware of the punishments that will be handed to them in the form of fines and suspensions (and sometimes apologies, too, i.e. Kenny Rogers), they still have had no hesitations this season in starting an on-the-field altercation.

Perhaps the most memorable brawl of the season occurred on Aug. 11, when Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis angrily charged the mound to tackle Tigers rookie pitcher Rick Porcello. After Junichi Tawaza hit Miguel Cabrera in the first inning, Porcello retaliated the following inning by pounding Youkilis with a fastball. Both players were ejected, but not until after Youkilis and the young pitcher took their dispute to the ground.

That was not the only squabble the Red Sox partook in this season, nor was it the first. On April 12, Josh Beckett instigated a bench-clearing incident when he threw a high fastball that nearly plunked Angels outfielder (and former Yankee) Bobby Abreu in the head.

HD QUALITY - Josh Beckett Throws High And Inside - More free videos are here
Abreu requested a timeout during his at-bat, and the umpire granted the request while Beckett was starting his windup. Beckett followed through and sent the pitch up high and tight as Abreu backed away. Angels manager Mike Scioscia was ejected along with Torii Hunter, Justin Speier and hitting coach Mickey Hatcher in the ensuing debate. In the days that followed, Beckett was stunned to receive a six-game suspension. The right-hander appealed and got the sentence reduced to five games.

The Yankees had their share of confrontational moments as well this year. On Sept. 15, Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Carlson each hit the showers with a three-game suspension awaiting for them after their in-game quarrel. After two Blue Jays batters were nailed by Yankees pitchers, Carlson launched a fastball behind Posada. After scoring a run later in the inning, Posada threw his arm in Carlson’s direction, which led to both teams storming the field.

And most recently, on Oct. 1, Twins outfielder Delmon Young did not take his frustration out on Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman when drilled in the leg, but on his own teammate, Jose Mijares, because the rookie threw behind Adam Everett in the previous frame. After rising from the turf, Young pointed his finger and screamed at Mirajes instead of challenging the player who actually hurled the pitch in his direction.

Not enough action for you? Don’t worry, there’s still a month of baseball left to be played, and tensions are running as high as ever as the eight remaining teams fight to be crowned World Series champion.

Don Zimmer knows that much.

Today on WEEI’s Patriots Monday, check in with Dennis & Callahan at 9 a.m. to hear Tom Brady discuss yesterday’s 27-21 victory over the Ravens, and listen to the Big Show at 5 p.m. for an interview with coach Bill Belichick. Dale & Holley will have their usual quartet of players midday.

Chris Price has his 10 Things We Learned from yesterday, led by a strong effort from the New England defense. Mike Petraglia reports on Wes Welker’s successful return and tries to sort out what happened on the fake field goal.

Rodney Harrison wants Brady to toughen up, telling him to “Take off the skirt” after drawing a few calls against the Ravens, who lodged plenty of complaints about the refs.

Kirk Minihane says it’s time to again consider the Patriots a Super Bowl contender. And there’s more good news: Junior Seau will sign with the Pats as soon as this week.

In other NFL action yesterday, the Saints turned away the Jets despite another impressive defensive effort from New York. The Dolphins picked up their first win at the expense of the Bills. The Bengals kicked a field goal on the final play of overtime to keep the Browns winless. The undefeated Broncos rallied late to thwart the Cowboys. And the Steelers turned away the Chargers.

DJ Bean draws realizations from the week in fantasy football.

Dan Rowinski has Five Things We Learned from Boston College’s 28-21 victory Saturday over once-mighty Florida State. Meanwhile, at least one Florida writer is calling for legendary Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden to step down. In the AP Top 25, Auburn moved into the ranking at 17 after its 5-0 start, while the top 10 did not have much movement.

In baseball, the Red Sox swept the Indians in their final series of the regular season, capped with a 12-7 victory on Sunday. Alex Speier has Five Things We Learned, beginning with the Sox announcing a rotation of Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz. Tim Wakefield will not be on the roster for the opening round.

Speier writes about Dusty Brown’s long road to Fenway, Jed Lowrie’s pain hitting left-handed (despite his grand slam), Jason Varitek’s reduced role, and how Alex Gonzalez is indispensible. Jessica Camerato has a touching piece on Gonzalez’ concern for his 3-year-old son, who has been in a coma for the last two years.

The Tigers will visit the Twins tomorrow in a one-game playoff to determine the AL Central champion. The Twins are trying to become the first team in baseball history to win the division after being down three games with four to go.

Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez set an AL record with seven RBI in one inning yesterday. The Brewers announced Ken Macha will be back for a second season in 2010.

Joe Haggerty has Three Things We Learned from the Bruins’ revenge-fueled pummeling of the Hurricanes on Saturday night. Haggerty also writes about defenseman Matt Hunwick learning to stay within his game.

The informative site Mental Floss has an entry explaining how all 30 NHL teams got their nicknames.

One week into Celtics training camp, Kevin Garnett says his knee is fine.

From the Cambridge Chronicle, here’s a shocking story about former basketball star Rumeal Robinson scamming his mother out of her own home in Cambridge.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 5, 1950,the Celtics participated in a lottery with two other teams to determine where the top three players from the disbanding Chicago Stags would land. Which future standout did the Celtics acquire?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Head-to-head with Ray Lewis, I certainly wasn’t thinking of that one going to bed last night.” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, referring to his 1-yard touchdown run right at the Ravens’ standout linebacker

‘NET RESULTS: With the one-game playoff tomorrow between the Tigers and Twins, let’s take a look at the crazy ending to the last MLB playoff game. In 2007, the Rockies came back from two runs down in the 13th inning for an incredible win over the Padres. Matt Holliday scored the game-winner on a sacrifice fly, despite the fact that he never touched home plate. And then he was knocked out. Said Padres announce Ted Leitner: “If that had been a Yankees-Red Sox game, it would be considered one of the greatest of all time.” He’s undoubtedly correct. This fan’s video of the final play will give you a feel for the excitement.

And that led to this commercial for the Rockies.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Bob Cousy

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Happy 68th birthday to Arlene Smith, former lead singer of the pioneering female R&B group the Chantels. Here’s Smith performing the group’s 1958 hit “Maybe” at a “Doo Wop Gold” reunion show.

The great experiment that was Milton Bradley’s career with the Chicago Cubs could be over. The Cubs suspended Bradley last month for “conduct detrimental to the team” for the remainder of the season. For the Cubs, it will be a costly move. They signed Bradley last winter for three years and $30 million because they needed a left-handed bat to balance their lineup. The thought was that Bradley could put up similar numbers to what he did in Texas the year before (.321 average, .436 on-base percentage, .563 slugging) and protect the rest of the Cubs’ right-handed power hitters who were exploited by the Dodgers in the National League Division Series last October. Bradley did not do nearly so well on the North Side of Chicago, hitting .257 with a .378 OBP and .397 SP in 124 games for the Cubs.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry explained his reasoning for suspending Bradley.

“Recently, it’s become intolerable to hear Milton talk about our great fans the way he has,” Hendry said. “We pride ourselves on having the greatest fans in baseball, so at this time we felt it was best to send him home for the rest of the season,” Hendry told reporters.

The thought was more like a dream from the very beginning. Now it’s a nightmare. The rationale behind signing Bradley was flawed in the first place. Bring in a blowhard whose only real talent is with the bat and put him in right field in one of the hardest places to play in the league with a manager known as a hothead on a team full of hotheads. Not to mention he had not played 100 full games in the outfield since 2004 and had done it only six times in the nine previous years.

It was a pipe dream. With a short fuse.

And now it has exploded.

It was bound to happen given Bradley’s volatile history. Buster Olney from ESPN breaks down the Bradley’s history of blow ups here. Here is Olney’s summary:

Spring 2004: The Indians trade Bradley after a series of disagreements with manager Eric Wedge.

June 2004: Bradley is ejected by an umpire, has to be restrained by Dodgers manager Jim Tracy and then throws a bunch of baseballs on the field on his way to the clubhouse.

September 2004: Bradley picks up an empty bottle that was thrown by a fan, approaches the stands and has to be calmed by teammates; he rips off his jersey on his way back to the dugout and is pulled off the field by coach Jim Riggleman. The Dodgers suspend him for the final five games of the season.

June 2007: After a series of internal incidents, the Athletics finally get fed up with Bradley and designate him for assignment.

September 2007: Bradley performs well for the Padres, but in a game on Sept. 23, umpire Mike Winters speaks words that are later deemed inappropriate by Major League Baseball — words for which Winters is suspended — and Bradley reacts angrily. As that confrontation plays out, Bradley suffers a season-ending knee injury as he is restrained by manager Bud Black.

Pretty impressive list, huh? I thought this was pretty good, too:

Have you ever tried to break a baseball bat over your knee? Not so easy.

To be fair to Bradley, apparently there has been some extenuating circumstances regarding his unhappiness in Chicago. The problem about this particular piece of information, though, is that neither the media nor the Cubs knew anything about it. It took Bradley’s mother, Charlena Rector, to explain the actions of her son. Bradley is a 31-year-old man, does he really need his mother to explain his actions? Given his history as an iconoclast, would it really matter what the excuse was? If the reports about his kid are true then it is sad. However, most people learn early in their professional careers that if you cannot keep your personal life and your job separate then it will be difficult to ever function as proper employee should.

Bradley operates with a chip on his shoulder. Check out this video from “Best Damn Sports Show” after the run-in with umpire Mike Winters in 2007.

Seems like a surly guy, huh?

The MLBPA was considering filing a grievance on Bradley’s behalf, though it later came out that the outfielder would accept his suspension and fade into the shadows … for now. We’ll see.

The sports writers of the nation are alive with the Bradley issue. Rob Neyer of ESPN’s Sweet Spot has two blog posts on it here and here. Al Yellon from Bleed Cubby Blue dishes on it here. Nick Friedell is not surprised. Ed Nickow from ChicagoNow has a haiku.

For my own part, I created a slideshow of some of Bradley’s greatest moment in bombast history.

Yet, one day after Vick’s agency, BEST, announced that a new deal was struck between the disgraced player and the company, Nike was quick to refute the report, claiming that it had only agreed to supply its products to Vick and not have him serve as a sponsor or spokesman.

Guess there will be no “The Michael Vick Experience, Part 2″ in the near future.

Even though Nike reiterated that it has not offered an endorsement to Vick, the company has a long history, dating back to the 1970s, of teaming up with controversial players and running contentious campaigns.

In 1978, Nike teamed up with tennis legend John McEnroe to launch the “Rebel With a Cause” campaign designed to sell its tennis paraphernalia. McEnroe, notorious for his outbursts, was featured in commercials and billboard advertisements, many of which portrayed him as the quick-tempered, hot-headed player he was.

Despite McEnroe’s tantrums and disorderly conduct, Nike still retains him as one of its primary endorsers in the tennis department, for which it released the Nike Air Zoom Tennis Trainer last fall.

On Sept. 11, Nike had to be thrilled to watch its star spokesman Michael Jordan achieve basketball immortality with his NBA Hall of Fame induction. Still, despite being arguably the greatest player in NBA history, Jordan faced some controversy during his career due to his endorsement deal with Nike.

Nearly signing a deal with Nike’s archrival Adidas after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls out of the University of North Carolina in 1984, Jordan ultimately chose to endorse Nike even though he had never worn the brand’s shoes before. A few months later, in 1985, Nike released the Air Jordan signature brand that still is highly popular today.

However, the red and black sneakers did not sit well with NBA commissioner David Stern, who banned the shoes from the game because they did not comform with the league’s uniform guidelines. With encouragement from Nike, Jordan ignored the ruling and continued to wear them, accruing a fine of $5,000 per game — which Nike was happy to pay in exchange for the publicity.

While “Just do it” may have a catchy ring to it, some of Nike’s other slogans have sparked debate and opposition. During the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Nike introduced an advertising campaign with the slogan: “You don’t win silver — you lose gold.”

Many Olympic athletes and coaches were offended by this, claiming that it showed bad sportsmanship and demeaned a competitor’s accomplishments. In response to the overwhelming criticism from individuals who said it damaged the spirit and integrity of the Olympic Games, Nike pulled the campaign.

Nike, however, never appeared to be fazed by its “bad boy” image. In 2003, just days before he was accused of raping a woman in a Colorado hotel, NBA phenom Kobe Bryant signed an endorsement deal with the Oregon company.

Event through the entire sexual assault trial, Nike opted not to part ways with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, though the brand did not use Bryant’s image in any of its commercial or billboard advertisements. It would take more than 2-1/2 years before Bryant’s first Nike television commercial aired. It featured the release of the Zoom Kobe I sneaker.

Nike has a knack for promoting the rebels and the renegades, as well as the respected, on campaign advertisements. There are those such as McEnroe, Bryant and Vick who are just as notorious as they are famous, and then there those such as Jordan, Tigers Woods and Mia Hamm who are idols in so many young athletes’ eyes.

So will there be a Michael Vick Nike commercial? At least Jimmy Kimmel thinks so.

Or maybe it’s how the game lends itself to last-minute heroics such as this:

Of course, when it comes to the Patriots, “In Bill, we trust,” but maybe Belichick kept the wrong player.

Greg Lewis‘ catch sparked some discussion about other phenomenal “circus catches” made in football. With only three weeks gone by, the NFL season still has plenty of time to offer up more sweet catches, though Lewis’ will be difficult to top.

Some research revealed some other memorable catches made in football, at all levels.

This catch, from Oregon State’s Jordan Bishop in his team’s 23-21 victory over UNLV on Sept. 12, is great because it involves two of the best facets of football. It was a great hit by the defensive back and a great catch by Bishop. He shows fantastic concentration in fulfilling that old adage: “You’re going to get hit, you might as well catch the ball.”

How about this catch by Morgan State’s Edwin Baptiste last season?

You have to love this. The player lays out completely for the ball, with no regard for his body. It’s a great catch, but perhaps if the player hadn’t cut his route short he could have made the catch in stride.

To be fair, awesome catches aren’t limited to pro and college football. These stars have to start somewhere.

Football allows us to escape, if ever so briefly, and enjoy watching the performance of elite athletes. These catches and plays confirm and renew our love for the sport and give us one more thing to talk about as we await the next game.

Let’s start with the bizarre, as there is a book coming out next week claiming that Red Sox legend Ted Williams’ body was abused at a cryogenics facility in Arizona.

Jon Lester looked strong while testing out his bruised knee, pitching shutout ball for 6-1/3 innings in the Red Sox’ 3-0 win over the Indians at Fenway Park. In his Five Things We Learned, Alex Speier says Lester’s performance provided a big lift for Boston. And in another dose of good news, the Sox are optimistic that Billy Wagner could be able to pitch on back-to-back days. However, Nick Green still is struggling with his leg injury.

Speier also has a look at how Jason Bay has proven himself and examines how Daisuke Matsuzaka has worked his way back into the fold.

Dan Guttenplan looks ahead to a Red Sox-Yankees ALCS.

Curt Schilling lists ways you can help Samoans who have been devastated by a massive earthquake.

When the Cardinals and Reds met up Wednesday night in Cincinnati, it was a battle of former Red Sox pitchers.  John Smoltz did not fare so well in St. Louis’ 6-1 loss, and he blamed his uncharacteristic lack of control on the baseballs not being rubbed down with mud as they normally are before the game. But Bronson Arroyo had no such problems, which led to accusations from the Cards that Arroyo was putting pine tar on the ball. A closeup of the bill of Arroyo’s hat does show a black mark, but it’s hardly conclusive, and Arroyo denies the claim.

Meanwhile, there’s a video that shows Justin Mauer apparently stealing signs from second base and tipping off  teammate Jason Kubel in a game against the Tigers. Hard to understand why this is such a big deal, but you can watch it here so you’re up to date on all the silly baseball non-controversies.

The Bruins opened their season with a 4-1 loss to Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals last night at the TD Garden. Joe Haggerty examines the Bruins’ sloppy start. Mike Petraglia has the audio interviews from last night.

Veteran forward Brendan Shanahan left the New Jersey Devils after he found out he wasn’t on one of the top three lines.

Christopher Price has Five Things to Watch For on Sunday afternoon when the Patriots host the Ravens. Price also checks in with 6-foot-8, 355-pound behemoth Terdell Sands, who will help plug a hole on the Patriots defensive line. Joe Zarbano provides audio from the Ravens.

DJ Bean steps into our fantasy football spot and offers a look at matchups you can’t pass up.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Michael Vick had signed a sponsorship deal with Nike. Yesterday. Nike said it only was providing footwear to the Eagles quarterback, and that there is no sponsorship.

Delonte West reported to Cavaliers training camp.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 2, 1949, the Red Sox lost the American League pennant on the final day of the season, one year after bowing out in a one-game playoff vs. the Indians. Who was the Red Sox manager who presided over both teams in his 2-1/2-year stint as Sox bench boss?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This will not be the team that you’re going to see night after night this year. That much I can guarantee you.” — Bruins coach Claude Julien, after last night’s loss to Washington

‘NET RESULTS: To get you ready for the Patriots’ matchup Sunday against the Ravens and their dominating defense, here’s Ed Reed’s NFL-record 108-yard interception return last season against the Eagles.

Here’s Reed playing for the University of Miami and breaking Boston College hearts in 2001. The Eagles were 9 yards away from the go-ahead touchdown in the game’s final minute when Reed took the ball the other way to clinch the win and keep the top-ranked Hurricanes undefeated.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Joe McCarthy, who is more well known for his time managing the Yankees from 1931-46

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Today is Don McLean’s 64th birthday. Rather than going with the old standard  “American Pie,” here’s the mellow “Vincent,” the singer’s haunting homage to Vincent van Gogh. “They would not listen, they’re not listening still. Perhaps they never will.”

One night after clinching the wild card, the Red Sox gave most of their starters the day off. With Roy Halladay on the hill for Toronto, it wasn’t a big surprise that hits were hard to come by in a 12-0 shellacking. I’m sure the fans at Fenway were thrilled when they saw that the Sox were fielding a spring training lineup, but at least they got to see catcher Dusty Brown pitch an inning.

In his Five Things We Learned, Alex Speier says to forget about the embarrassing end of the regular season, because it won’t matter once the playoffs start. Speier also has a piece on Halladay plunking David Ortiz to get some revenge for the previous night. Mike Petraglia discusses Halladay’s interesting season and upcoming offseason.

The Boston Globe sent a food critic to review Big Papi’s Grille in Framingham, and the reviewer says the place is about as impressive as Ortiz’ three-strikeout performance last night. She did like the Big Papi En Fuego hot sauce, though.

The Indians, who are at Fenway to close out the season with a four-game series that starts tonight, fired manager Eric Wedge, which leads to more speculation about Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell.

Elsewhere in MLB, the Tigers held off the Twins and can clinch the AL Central today, the Phillies celebrated their third straight NL East crown and the Rockies closed in on the NL wild card.

On to football: Chris Price notes that the Patriots offensive line has done a great job protecting Tom Brady from being sacked.

Kirk Minihane checks in with his mailbag and talks about the accusations that Randy Moss has been dogging it.

Nike signed Michael Vick to an endorsement deal, and the struggling Browns demoted quarterback Brady Quinn and reinstated Derek Anderson as the starter.

Over at Boston College, standout linebacker Mark Herzlich made an appearance and announced that he is “99 percent cancer free.”

The Bruins open the season tonight at the TD Garden against the Washington Capitals. Joe Haggerty says the rest of the NHL is gunning for the Bruins. B’s general manager Peter Chiarelli, appearing on the Dale & Holley show yesterday afternoon, continued to insist Phil Kessel forced his way out of town.

Mats Sundin announced his retirement after nearly two decades in the NHL. A bankruptcy judge rejected two bids (one from the league) to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.

The NBA banned players from using Twitter during games.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 1, 1978, the Red Sox beat the Blue Jays while the Yankees lost to the Indians, forcing a one-game playoff for the American League East title. Lost amid the Red Sox’ historic collapse that season (blowing a 14-1/2-game lead) is the fact that Boston made an impressive season-ending charge to come back from a 3-1/2-game deficit with two weeks left. How many games in a row did the Sox win to close out the regular season?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t know what they’re thinking there. If it had been any other pitcher besides [Roy Halladay], they’d get tossed. I think it’s a little bush league, but it’s the way it is,” — Red Sox reliever Billy Wagner, on the Jays plunking David Ortiz to get retaliation for the night before

‘NET RESULTS: You have to feel for the kid who makes a stunning mistake to cost his team the win in this clip of highlights from a Vermont high school football game. It’s gone national already, including an appearance on Sports Illustrated’s website.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: The Red Sox won their final eight games (and 12 of the last 14) to catch the Yankees and force the playoff.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: John “Bootsie” Wilson died last week at the age of 69. He was the last surviving member of the Silhouettes, although he didn’t join the group until 1961, three years after their biggest hit: “Get a Job.”

The Red Sox dropped an 8-7 thriller to the Blue Jays despite an impressive comeback, but the Rangers cooperated by again losing to the Angels, handing Boston the wild card. In his Five Things We Learned, Alex Speier says the Sox, who held a private, late-night celebration in the locker room, offer no apologies for the way they advanced to the postseason.

The Sox announced their minor league award-winners, led by Pitcher of the Year Casey Kelly and Offensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalish.

In baseball’s only close pennant race, the Tigers came back to earn a split of yesterday’s doubleheader with the Twins and keep their AL Central lead at two games.

Dan Guttenplan presents his Baseball All-Stink Team.

Nomar Garciaparra said he will consider his options — including retirement — after a disappointing year in Oakland. Former Yankee Chuck Knoblauch was charged with assaulting his wife.

Chris Price drops in with an international Patriots mailbag. Kerry Byrne says Patriots fans should have been more pleased with Sunday’s win, especially considering what expectations should be for this team.

Former (and future?) Patriot Junior Seau suffered only minor injuries after being run over by a bull (video below). More information was revealed concerning the situation involving cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, who apparently strained his groin running from two suspicious people at his house and had to miss Sunday’s game.

In college football news, USC running back Stafon Johnson is recovering from his weightlifting accident that crushed his neck and larynx and will cost him the rest of the season.

Joe Haggerty has Part 1 of his Bruins season preview. This article focuses on the forwards. Dan Rowinski puts the spotlight on Marco Sturm, who is back after sitting out most of last season with a knee injury.

There are no problems in the Bruins locker room regarding union issues, says player rep Andrew Ference, responding to a report that indicated otherwise.

In the NBA, troubled guard Delonte West missed the Cavaliers’ first day of practice, with Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry saying the former Celtic is addressing a personal matter.

In college basketball news, Jim Calhoun reportedly is discussing a new contract with UConn.

Dan Guttenplan offers a Most Wanted List, led by Patriots running back Laurence Maroney.

HISTORIVIA: On Sept. 30, 1969, this player singled for the 55th pinch hit of his Red Sox career, a team record. Who is he?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “You play an entire season, spring training included, to get to this point. One night, you get to throw champagne around and have a little bit of fun. I think that everyone is entitled to that.” — Outfielder Jason Bay on last night’s Red Sox celebration

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s Junior Seau losing his battle with a bull.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Dalton Jones

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Josh Beckett blamed his bad back in part on “crappy beds” on the road. Maybe he should look into a bed like the one in this video. It had to be comfortable, considering how long John and Yoko were in it.

The Red Sox lost a rain-shortened game to the Blue Jays last night, 11-5, but the Rangers lost to the Angels, so the magic number is down to 1. Rob Bradford, in his Five Things We Learned, wonders if we should be worried about recent developments at Fenway and examines the injury situation in detail.

Patriots: Steve DeOssie has his report card, and he’s impressed with the New England defense. Chris Price has a feature on Fred Taylor, who is the go-to guy in the New England backfield. Price also introduces us to safety Brandon McGowan. The Pats made a move yesterday, signing defensive tackle Terdell Sands and releasing recently acquired Prescott Burgess.

Down in Miami, quarterback Chad Pennington was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder and may miss the rest of the Dolphins’ season. WEEI’s Joe Zarbano has his weekly NFL power rankings.

The Celtics had their media day yesterday in Waltham, before heading to training camp in Newport, R.I. Doc Rivers hinted that he would be careful not to overwork his team, especially with players such as Kevin Garnett returning from injuries. Garnett, however, said he was going “full blast.”

The Bruins also had their media day yesterday at the TD Garden. David Krejci is expected to play in Thursday’s opener vs. Washington. The team announced that there will be a ceremony to honor the late Fred Cusick between periods of Saturday’s game.

In soccer news, Revolution captain Steve Ralston is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

HISTORIVIA: On Sept. 29, 1968, the Red Sox ended the season with a 4-3 loss to the Yankees. Despite going 0-for-5, Carl Yastrzemski won the American League batting title with an average of .301. The Red Sox also had the league’s RBI leader. Who was it?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I just like to have fun. That’s the whole thing, you let loose because you go through so much throughout the season, so many ups and downs, the stress, and travel, to accomplish something, so when you do, it’s no holds barred.” — Jonathan Papelbon, talking about the Red Sox’ impending celebration for clinching a playoff spot

‘NET RESULTS: I wanted to post a video from the ESPN reality basketball show “Knight School” showing Dustin Richardson, who made his Red Sox debut last night. But when I searched for “Knight School” video, all I found was this.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Ken “Hawk” Harrelson had a league-leading 109 RBI in his only full season with the Red Sox.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: If you’re going to have a holiday lighting set-up this elaborate, you’d better start now.

The 2008 Lions were not the only team in the league’s history to scratch their claws trying to grasp a victory in any way, shape or form. In 1976, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made their franchise debut, hiring USC legend John McKay as coach and naming current University of South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier quarterback of the expansion squad.

In their inaugural 14-game season, the Buccaneers were consistently tormented by defeat after defeat. To the distress of fans, players and coaches, Tampa Bay’s disastrous rookie campaign would lead to an unlucky sophomore slump. Losing the first 12 games of the 1977 season, the Buccaneers finally were relieved from their misery when they won the final two contests to end the year with a 2-12 record.

Detroit fans have experience with their home team being declared one of the worst of all time. Though the Tigers reached the World Series in 2006 and are in a position to clinch the AL Central and make another postseason run this year, they toiled through a brutal 2003 season in which their 119 losses gave them the disreputable record of most ever by an American League club. Tigers lefty Mike Maroth reached the mark that no pitcher wishes to attain by compiling an MLB-record 21 defeats to post on the Wall of Shame.

While Yankees fans are partying after capturing the AL East title Sunday, their crosstown counterparts are reeling after the Mets finished up an utterly inauspicious opening season in their new Citi Field. However, as quickly as their season plummeted from the good to the bad to the ugly (think Luis Castillo), the 2009 Amazins’ are not nearly as depressing as Casey Stengel’s 1962 Mets.

An expansion team like the Buccaneers, the Mets managed to win only 40 games and lose a modern-day record 120 while dwelling 60 games out of first in the division standings. (The 1899 Cleveland Spiders lost a record 134 games).

What could be even worse than failing to reach double digits in wins in an 82-game season? The 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers will be the first to relate among the teams of losers after going 9-73. They began the season dropping their first 15 contests and ended 59 games behind the Eastern Division champion Celtics. The 76ers won consecutive games on only three occasions. Air Bud could have lent this team a hand (or paw).

The 1970s seemed to bring an array of worst teams. On the ice, the 1974-75 Washington Capitals joined the Buccaneers and the 76ers in the League of Extraordinary Losers by sliding to an 8-67-5 mark that still ranks among the worst ever in the NHL. An expansion club like the Mets and the Bucs, the Capitals had trouble motivating crowds to attend their frustrating games, managing to turn in only an .131 winning percentage and a revolting 1-39 record on the road.

Even though the Lions are finally able to exhale, they will forever be remembered as the first team to lose all 16 games in a regular season. Of course, they share the company of several other sports teams that are considered the worst in their sport, yet those are the few friends that no one wants to be on the same Top 10 list with.

Congratulations on the win, Detroit. Hopefully, it will not be another 19 games until the next.

Tom Brady misfired a few key passes, and his receivers dropped a few others that were on target, but the Patriots still managed to pull away for a 26-10 victory over the Falcons yesterday at Gillette Stadium. Chris Price has his 10 Things We Learned, leading off with the Patriots using a fourth-and-1 conversion at their 24-yard line in the third quarter as a character-building moment. Kirk Minihane says this is the Randy Moss game you should remember. Mike Petraglia talks to Matt Ryan about suffering the loss in his return to the Bay State. Check out the postgame interviews and more at our It Is What It Is blog.

The players will be all over the WEEI airwaves today. Listen to Tom Brady on the Dennis & Callahan show at 9 this morning, tune in for Ty Warren, the injured Vince Wilfork (hopefully), Sammy Morris and Chris Baker during Dale & Holley, and catch Bill Belichick during the Big Show this afternoon.

For the Week 3 wrap-up in fantasy football, check out our Reality Bites blog, where Greg Levy discusses trends he’s noticed in the early part of the season.

On to baseball. So much for the Red Sox clinching a postseason berth this weekend. Instead, the Yankees swept the Sox to clinch their first AL East title since 2006. Alex Speier has Five Things We Learned from yesterday’s game, leading with the Sox focusing on themselves and trying to look past the fact that the Yankees have owned them in the second half of the season. Speier also has an item about pitching coach John Farell having a clause in his contract that prevents him from leaving for a managing job next season.

In the upstate New York town of Baldwinsville, a Red Sox fan who teaches fourth grade is taking a heat for making a student turn his Yankees shirt inside-out. The kid’s father said the 9-year-old “was distraught” and that his First Amendment rights were violated. That’s going to be a fun class tomorrow morning. My guess is the kid will show up in a “2009 AL East Champions” shirt.

The Bruins wrapped up the preseason with their third game in three nights, a 4-2 loss to Columbus at the TD Garden on Saturday night. In his Five Things We Learned, Joe Haggerty says forward Blake Wheeler is looking to return to form after tiring late last season.

In case you missed Boston College’s 27-24 overtime win over Wake Forest on Saturday at Alumni Stadium, Dan Rowinski brings you Five Things We Learned about the resilient Eagles. In national news, Heisman Trophy favorite Tim Tebow is recovering at home after being knocked out of Florida’s win at Kentucky on Saturday. And the top three teams in the AP poll held their spots in a week when a number of highly ranked teams were upset.

HISTORIVIA: On Sept. 28, 1960, Ted Williams hit a home run in his final career at-bat. When he went out to left field for the start of the next inning, he was replaced by this player, who is better known for having been the only player to pinch hit for both Williams and Carl Yastrzemski. Who is this journeyman outfielder?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t really give a crap about what they’ve done.” — Jason Varitek, after the Yankees celebrated the AL East title by sweeping the Red Sox in a three-game series over the weekend.

‘NET RESULTS: Here a soccer goalie in Sweden with an interesting style of cheating. He lifts up the goal posts and moves them in a few inches. Not surprisingly, he got caught.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Carroll Hardy

SOOTHING SOUNDS: In honor of U2’s appearance at Gillette Stadium last week, here’s “With or Without You.”

After a week filled with trash-talking, expensive fines and suspensions, there are a few professional athletes and coaches who could use a day such as this to reflect on their less-than-honorable behavior.

I’m sure Chad Ochocinco has no regrets about performing his rendition of the Lambeau Leap in front of a sold-out crowd of Packers fans last Sunday. To the aggravation of the Cheeseheads, the Bengals wide receiver backed up his pregame trash talk when he jumped into a small crowd of Bengals fanatics after scoring a touchdown in Cincinnati’s 31-24 win. However, those in Green Bay likely feel No. 85 has some atoning to do, especially after it was revealed that Johnson purchased tickets for the Bengals backers so that he would have a safe landing in the enemy’s home stadium.

While icing his bruised quadriceps, Red Sox ace Jon Lester probably wouldn’t mind hearing some contrition from Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera. On Friday night, the Melk Man hit a line drive directly into the right knee of the hard-throwing lefty.

Earlier in the week, longtime Braves manager Bobby Cox announced that he will retire after the 2010 season. There aren’t too many umpires who have fond memories of the hot-headed Cox stored away in their heads.

Though he ranks fourth on the all-time win list for managers with 2,409 victories in 24 seasons with the Braves and four with the Blue Jays, Cox also owns the record for career ejections with 150, including seven this year. Maybe with some self-reflection, Cox will sit back and count to 10 the next time he has the urge to storm out of the dugout screaming his head off.

Milton Bradley surely will want to seek a reconciliation with the Cubs after he demonstrated several episodes of unruly conduct that led to an early vacation in the form of a season-ending suspension. Though he offered his sincere apologies, Bradley will be watching the remainder of the season from the comfort of his home after the Cubs decided to cut ties with him during his first year with the club.

In the football spectrum, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his wife, Gisele Bundchen, found a $1 million lawsuit on their doorstep after two photographers sued the couple Tuesday. Citing that security guards fired shots at them during Brady’s post-wedding party in early April, the photographers claimed that they suffered both physical and mental harm as a result. That’s quite a hefty medical bill for the three-time Super Bowl winner to cover.

Brady’s dynamic passing partner Randy Moss had an exchange of not-so-pleasant words with Jets linebacker Bart Scott. Instead of sharing the sportsmanlike attitude after the Jets’ victory over the Patriots on Sunday, Scott decided to be a sore winner by telling Moss to “man up” the next time the AFC East rivals oppose each other.

Giants defensive end Justin Tuck expressed some strong sentiments about the Cowboys after being injured when he was tripped by Dallas lineman Flozell Adams in New York’s 33-31 victory Sunday night during the opening of the new Cowboys Stadium. The former Notre Dame player’s initial reaction was to say that the hit makes him “hate the Cowboys a little bit more.” Maybe the holiday will inspire him — and other athletes — to forgive and forget. And atone. It’s not too late.

By all accounts, it was a good game that the Mercury could have won, but the tenaciousness of the Sparks defense kept Los Angeles in the game, forcing a deciding Game 3. Of course, it’s a West Coast game, so it started late — perhaps too late. But that’s OK, because the early game was a come-from-behind victory the Indiana Fever pulled out over the Detroit Shock to tie that series up as well. You should check out the recap.

It’s interesting to watch other forms of major televised sports. Even though I don’t follow the WNBA with any regularity, the few times I’ve seen the women play, the games have been good. OK, so they don’t dunk, and because of that many of the fast-breaks seem a bit anticlimactic. But no one can cast doubt on the intensity with which they play.

It’s a bit unfortunate that one of the only times the WNBA got some traction in the news was for a brawl that broke out during a game. You probably remember it, as it involved LA’s Candace Parker, arguably the face of the WNBA.

That incident received a lot of play on various sports news outlets. Now, the league’s conference finals are going on and there doesn’t appear to be much interest. It’s disappointing that the positive achievements of these female athletes are less noteworthy because they come at a time when most sports fans are concerned with baseball pennant races and NFL football.

Please, don’t confuse this — there is nothing wrong with reporting on the sports that people want to see and hear about. We’re all concerned and interested to see how the Patriots will defend Tony Gonzalez. It doesn’t mean there isn’t space to hear more about Lisa Leslie’s final season and her push to capture one more title, right?

Perhaps there is a local upside to all of this. With Shelden Williams being signed by the Celtics, we may see more of Candace Parker in the city, which can’t be a bad thing.

Let’s just hope the next time a female sporting event makes a headline, it’s for athletic ability and sportsmanship. Like Western Oregon and Central Washington.

The Red Sox head into New York on a high note after beating the Royals, 10-3. Rob Bradford has his Five Things We Learned, leading off with Clay Buchholz providing the team some peace of mind after a solid performance last night.

Alex Speier has David Ortiz talking about heading back to New York, where on his last visit he held a press conference to discuss steroid allegations in the midst of a nightmarish sweep at the hands of the Yankees.

Rob Bradford has an interesting piece about Jason Bay’s base-stealing prowess. Lou Merloni breaks down the Red Sox-Yankees head-to-head matchups and makes a prediction about the ALCS.

The Boston Herald’s Sean McAdam reports that the Sox plan to start Jon Lester in Game 1 of the ALDS, followed by Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz.

Following up on a bizarre story, an incarcerated Red Sox fan in Iowa returned to prison after being given a pass so he could see the Sox play the Royals Wednesday night in Kansas City.

On to football: Chris Price has Joey Galloway comparing Tom Brady to other quarterbacks he’s played with during his long NFL career. Price also reports on Wes Welker returning to practice.

Dan Guttenplan comes up with the answers in his Week 3 NFL picks.

Over at Sports Illustrated, Michael Rosenberg wonders what happens if Tom Brady never returns to form.

On the ice, Patrice Bergeron lifted the Bruins to a 2-1 shootout win over the Canadiens. From totalprosports.com, here’s some interesting video from Sunday night’s game in Quebec. Bruins youngster Jeffrey Lovecchio pushes a Canadiens player into the boards and the glass becomes dislodged, landing right in the nose of a woman in the front row.

Wayne Gretzky resigned as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, replaced by Dave Tippett. And Canadiens defenseman Patrice Brisebois tearfully announced his retirement after 18 NHL seasons, and then said he plans to become a driver in NASCAR’s Canadian Tire Series.

Jessica Camerato has a nice piece on new Celtic Shelden Williams and his wife, WNBA star Candace Parker.

Kirk Minihane presents his list of the best coaches in the history of Boston pro sports. Ally Mielnicki discusses recent stadium debuts that have not gone so well.

HISTORIVIA: On Sept. 25, 1965, Satchel Paige, reportedly 59 years old, came back for one last game after a 12-year hiatus from the majors. Pitching for owner Charles O. Finley’s Kansas City Athletics, Paige pitched the first three innings against the Red Sox and gave up just one hit. Which player got that hit?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I think you guys are spoiled up here, because Tom is different than probably 99 percent of the guys I’ve played with.” — Patriots receiver Joey Galloway, talking about quarterback Tom Brady

‘NET RESULTS: Our “historivia” question focuses on the great Satchel Paige. Here’s Paige in 1971 making an appearance on the game show “What’s My Line?” and discussing his age.

And while we’re on “What’s My Line?” here’s Ted Williams’ appearance in 1954.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Carl Yastrzemski hit a first-inning double in the Sox’ 5-2 victory.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: In honor of Jacoby Ellsbury getting stolen base No. 66 last night, here’s Nat King Cole performing the classic “Route 66.” Come on, just click play. We’re trying to learn you something about music history here.

OK, fine. Here’s the Rolling Stones’ version.

Enjoy your weekend. See you Monday, after the Patriots get everyone back on the bandwagon.

Thursday’s Morning Mashup

Wednesday’s Morning Mashup

On Sunday, Jerry Jones unveiled his box-office masterpiece of the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, replacing the old Texas Stadium that was home for so many years to greats such as Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Tony Dorsett and more. Yet, he did not receive what he had bargained for.

Despite the flashy lights, high-definition television screens, retractable roof and luxury suites, the Cowboys’ NFC East rivals spoiled the inauguration and left Jones and coach Wade Phillips speechless when Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes launched the game-winning, 37-yard field goal straight through the posts to give the Giants a 33-31 victory.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo threw three interceptions — all resulting in Giants touchdowns — in the stadium debut. The Cowboys quarterback completed 13-of-29 passes for 127 yards. One pick, in particular, was quite amusing, as Romo attempted to complete a pass to tight end Jason Witten that ended up in the hands of Kenny Phillips after bouncing off Witten’s shoe. One can only wonder whether somewhere, Jessica Simpson was in a skybox engaged in a victory dance.

Yes, Jones’ much-anticipated grand opening ended in a dud, but he should carries no long-term worries — yet, that is.

The Yankees and Mets celebrated the opening of their new home turfs this past April, bidding farewell to the old Yankee Stadium and the middle-of-nowhere Shea Stadium, respectively.

As with every New York event, the induction of both ballparks, the “new” Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, received an array of lights-camera-action coverage, including the momentous — and at times controversial — buildup. (There was that small incident where one of the construction workers, who was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, buried a David Ortiz jersey in the cement sealing in the restaurant section of the stadium. The jersey was dug up and removed days later, though the hole remains as something of a new Yankee Stadium monument.)

Yet, to New York fans’ dismay, the Yankees’ and the Mets’ home openers were overshadowed by losses. In fact, most fans found themselves questioning several aspects and features of the stadiums instead of focusing on their home team.

What is going on with that short porch in right field in Yankee Stadium that has turned Johnny Damon into a home run basher? Why are there more shrines and engravings dedicated to the Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field than the Mets? How much do these box seats actually cost, Mr. Steinbrenner? Wait, why is Dwight Gooden getting reprimanded for carving his autograph in Citi’s bathroom?

Dimensions and artistic differences aside, on April 16 the Yankees suffered a humiliating 10-2 opening defeat to the Indians in their $1.5 billion home investment. CC Sabathia (and his freshly inked $161 million contract) was tagged and proved unable to escape the sixth frame.

Earlier that week, on April 13, the Mets had flopped in their $800 million home, inaugurating the facility with a 6-5 loss to the San Diego Padres. From the moment Jody Gerut lead off the game with a home run off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey, fans have been convinced that the new park is doomed to failure, especially with the Mets owning a better record than only the miserable Washington Nationals in the NL East.

Back to football: Indianapolis Colts fans could not have been more ecstatic last year when the team kicked off the season in the new Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 7 against the Chicago Bears. Determined to avenge their Super Bowl defeat, however, the Bears rained on Peyton Manning and the stadium’s parade, winning 29-13. Though Manning manage to pass for 257 yards with one touchdown, the Bears limited the Indy rushing game to 53 yards.

While the Colts finished the season with a reputable 12-4 record, they were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Chargers. The Yankees currently are preparing for another postseason run, owning the best record in baseball while their subway counterparts dwell in fourth in the NL East.

What is now in store for the Cowboys? Only the future can tell.

And the award for Best New Home Stadium Opener goes to … Taylor Swift?

The Red Sox knocked off the Royals, 9-2, last night in Kansas City. Josh Beckett gave up 12 hits, but the large majority of them weren’t hit hard, which bodes well for Beckett’s prospects heading into the postseason, explains Alex Speier in his Five Things We Learned column. If you saw the game, that Sox lineup may become a familiar one, says Rob Bradford.

The other big news in Red Sox Nation yesterday? NESN hired another beauty queen to deliver us details about the hometown team. Newton native Jade McCarthy joins the station in January.

Nationally, Braves manager Bobby Cox announced that he will retire after the 2010 season. That sound you heard was the party in the umpires’ locker room. And suspended Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley apologized for being Milton Bradley.

On to football. Chris Price says Tom Brady isn’t stupid, and he’ll figure out a way to adjust to the problems in Foxboro. Price also talks to Sam Aiken about the Patriots’ special teams troubles. In case you missed it yesterday, Kerry Byrne of Cold, Hard Football Facts breaks down the Patriots’ mistake in relying too much on Tom Brady while ignoring the run game. Mike Petraglia checks in with a piece on Sunday’s opponent, the Falcons, led by former Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.

Speaking of BC, Dan Rowinski previews the Eagles’ game Saturday against Riley Skinner and Wake Forest.

In basketball news, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov is buying the New Jersey Nets, making him the first individual from outside North America to own an NBA team.

Yesterday in Washington, a documentary about Len Bias debuted, six weeks before a scheduled Nov. 3 showing on ESPN. “Without Bias” details the life and death of the University of Maryland star who died of a cocaine overdose two days after being drafted second overall by the Celtics in 1986. Bias’ mother, Lonise, attended the screening.

HISTORIVIA: On Sept. 24, 1998, this Red Sox reliever set a major league record by converting his 42nd consecutive save without a blown opportunity, on a night when the Sox clinched a wild card berth. Who is he?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We’re still feeling each other out. Obviously, you can’t expect him to go out there and he and I to be like me and Jason for three years now.” — Josh Beckett, on pitching to Victor Martinez instead of Jason Varitek

‘NET RESULTS:

A day late on this, but here’s Jennifer Garner coming through (with one gaffe) by reciting the Red Sox’ starting lineup on “The Jay Leno Show.”

The host was far more forgiving with Garner than “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek was with Cliff Clavin in this classic “Cheers” clip. “Who are three people who have never been in my kitchen?”

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Tom Gordon, who finished the season with a Red Sox-record 46 saves and continued his streak into the next season, finishing at 54 consecutive saves without a blown opportunity.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: With the Yankees winning in Anaheim yesterday, the Red Sox can forget those hopes of a stirring comeback to win the AL East, and instead start planning on playing the Angels. So, here’s “Send Me An Angel,” with a freaky video from the Australian new wave band Real Life.

Also see: Wednesday’s Morning Mashup

The Red Sox went down with a whimper against Zack Greinke in a 5-1 loss to the Royals. In his “Five Things We Learned,” WEEI’s Alex Speier says the bright spot last night might have been the ability of Michael Bowden to pitch well in back-to-back games, an accomplishment that may lead to a postseason roster spot. Meanwhile, the Yankees beat the Angels to clinch a playoff spot and move six games ahead of the Sox.

Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, a WEEI blogger, finally made his decision about his candidacy for the open U.S. Senate seat: He’s out.

And another former Red Sox pitcher just can’t let it go: Roger Clemens filed an appeal of his dismissed defamation