Is there anything Dustin Pedroia thinks he cannot do? Without hesitation, he would accept an invitation to take on Rocky Balboa for the heavyweight crown. In the blink of an eye, he would challenge Usain Bolt to a 200-meter sprint. With a grin on his face, he would engage in a one-on-one dunking contest with Yao Ming. Most likely, he would even assume the daring underdog role of David to stand up to the intimidating giant Goliath.

He may be short in size, but his ambition and determination is colossal in height. After acknowledging earlier in the week he would welcome the opportunity to switch infield positions from second base to shortstop, Pedroia has once again proved why his value as a player surpasses any level of talent. Even though the Red Sox signed Marco Scutaro to fill the shortstop void, there is no denying Pedroia has in him an unflappable persona that does not recognize fear or apprehension, nor does it know the definition of an impossible task or an unachievable goal.

Come spring training, the 2007 Rookie of the Year and the 2008 Most Valuable Player could have been the next gutsy individual to occupy the No. 6 infield. Although shortstop is considered to be the most defensively demanding position on the field, Pedroia approached the notion of playing there with his usual confidence and certainty. Pedroia relishes the idea of a challenge. He savors the prospect of defying the odds. But could he have done it? If he says he can, he can.

Switching positions has become common in recent years as many teams look to upgrade offensively, often opting to sacrifice an elite defensive position to add an extra bat. However, while several players have successfully acclimatized themselves to their new positions (whether they chose so or had no other choice), Pedroia would have been one of the few who sought to fulfill a more taxing infield role.

Here are some examples of notable players who have given up their traditional positions for new ones in the last few years:

Alex Rodriguez

If Alex Rodriguez had wound up in Boston prior to the 2004 season, we would not be having this conversation. Afterthe deal that would have sent Rodriguez to the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez to the Rangers fell through, the Yankees landed Rodriguez shortly before the season began. After third baseman Aaron Boone had suffered a season-ending knee injury after playing a game of pickup basketball in the offseason, A-Rod, a two-time Gold Glover, surrendered his role as shortstop, allowing Derek Jeter to retain his position. Since the move, A-Rod has experienced an up-and-down defensive transition. In 2004 and 2005, his errors at third totaled 13 and 12, respectively, before inflating to 24 in 2006. Yet, A-Rod has become more comfortable since, compiling 13 errors in 2007, 10 in 2008, and nine in 2009 (though he was limited to 116 games at third).

Cal Ripken, Jr.

When baseball’s Iron Man broke Lou Gehrig’s record for most consecutive games played on Sept. 5, 1995, Ripken was penciled in as the full-time shortstop for the Orioles. Yet, when the Orioles and free agent shortstop Mike Bordick agreed to a deal before the 1997 season, Ripken moved to third base permanently after playing only 83 games there his entire MLB career. In his first season at third, Ripken struggled, making 22 errors with a subpar .949 fielding percentage. The next year, Ripken was an entirely different player at third, committing only nine errors in 161 games with an improved .979 fielding percentage.

Michael Young

After A-Rod departed the Rangers to put on pinstripes, Michael Young transitioned from second base to shortstop to accommodate Alfonso Soriano. Finishing second in the league at second base with a .988 fielding percentage in 2002 and following with a .987 percentage in 2003, Young carried his Gold Glove-caliber defense to shortstop. Winning his first Gold Glove in 2008, Young was rewarded by being asked to move over to third base so that rookie shortstop Elvis Andrus could man the position. In response, Young requested a trade from the Rangers, though he eventually ended his protest and consented to the switch. Limited to 134 games at third after battling injuries throughout the season, Young finished 2009 committing nine errors to give him a .969 fielding percentage while Andrus was charged with 22 errors and had a .968 percentage at shortstop.

Alfonso Soriano

When the Washington Nationals acquired Soriano from the Rangers in December 2005, the team announced it planned to have Soriano play left field while Jose Vidro would remain at second base. Disgruntled by the switch, Soriano refused to take the field during his spring training debut. In turn, the Nationals threatened to place Soriano on the disqualified list if he continued his holdout. Two days later, Soriano ended his standoff as he made his way out to left field. Known for being a below-average defender at second, Soriano did not do much better in the outfield, committing 11 errors in 2006. After signing an eight-year deal with the Cubs in the offseason, he has since been limited in playing time due to injuries. However, he certainly knows how to entertain fans while out there.

Thanksgiving is a day to show appreciation for the family members and friends who give their love and care to us in every aspect of our lives. It is a time to reflect and value the smaller things in life that are often overlooked in one’s busy schedule. Yet, after getting into a car accident early Friday morning outside his Florida mansion, Tiger Woods is just thankful enough to be alive.

From the moment Orange County police officers found the No. 1 golfer in the world lying in the street with his wife by his side, rumors, reports and gossip about the cause of the accident have flooded media outlets across the country. Refusing to meet with the authorities, Woods has remained silent on the details concerning the incident, generating a PR catastrophe. Now, after damaging the front bumper and the grille of his brand new Cadillac Escalade (along with a smashed window courtesy of his wife, Elin Nordegren Woods), Tiger has gone from being the face of the PGA Tour to the poster boy for rumors involving alleged affairs and domestic abuse disputes.

Sure, Woods may be entitled to keep personal matters discrete from the public eye. He may consider the crash to be a private situation. He can even claim sole responsibility for the accident in hopes that authorities will not press the issue further. Yet, when one of the most popular athletes in the world becomes involved in a hot, juicy scandal, the superstar goes from being on the cover of best-selling sports publications to the front page story of the latest tabloids and gossip magazines.

This is not the first time the man who is arguably the greatest golfer in history has been the center of controversy. Here is a sample of a few occasions in which Tiger has found himself in the middle of a conflict.

“Fartgate”

On Aug. 2, 2009, during the Buick Open, a video caught Woods releasing what sounded like flatulence while waiting to take a shot. Despite winning his third career Buick Open, Woods’ victory was overshadowed by the suggestion that the golfer let out a whiff of gas on national television. Pacing around uncomfortably on the 18th hole, Woods was heard laughing along with his caddy Steve Williams after a loud noise echoed from where he was awkwardly positioned.

Wii

In December 2008, an advertisement for the game Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 featuring Woods was banned from the airwaves. The advertisement revealed the image of Woods swinging a Wii controller while the video game character imitated his trademark movements and reactions with a Wii logo at the bottom. However, although the ad was meant for all formats, the footage was obtained from the Xbox 360 version. This led the Advertising Standards Authorities to ban the commercial from future broadcasts, stating it misled consumers to believe the graphics were taken from the Wii version.

“Noose” Comment

On Jan. 4, 2008, Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman sparked controversy when she made a divisive comment during Hawaii’s Mercedes-Benz championship. Discussing with her co-host, Nick Faldo, how young golfers could potentially challenge Woods, Tilghman joked they should “lynch him in a back alley.” Although Tilghman apologized for her poor word choice and Woods acknowledged the fact that no harm was meant, she still was suspended for her remarks.

The situation did not end there. In the Jan. 19 edition of Golfweek Magazine, the image of a noose appeared on the front cover of the issue in response to Tilghman’s comment. Under the picture, a caption read, “Caught in a noose, Tilghman slips up, and the Golf Channel can’t wiggle free.” As a result, it was the magazine’s editor Dave Seanor who suffered instead of Tilghman or the Golf Channel, as he was fired immediately for the publication.

“Kobe Special”

Woods may have sunk himself in a deeper hole after a report from TMZ indicated that Tiger told a friend in a phone conversation on Friday he needed a “Kobe Special.” After his friend asked what Woods was implying by this suggestion, the golfer replied, “a house on a finger.” Apparently referring to the ring Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant bought his wife after admitting infidelity during the infamous Colorado sex scandal, Woods’ comment led many to assume Tiger had engaged in an extra-marital affair with a woman named Rachel Uchitel, who vehemently denied the report.

A week ago, Bill Belichick was not in the most cheerful of spirits after his failed decision to go for a fourth-and-2 from his own 28-yard line. Now, seven days later, Belichick can sit back in his office in jollier spirits after the Patriots overpowered Rex Ryan’s Jets, 31-14, in a Sunday afternoon showdown in Foxboro.

Yet, while Belichick may be able to put on a merry Monday morning quarterback face this week, a few of his former coaching pupils find themselves either in the losing column, on the hot seat or just plain out of work.

Since Belichick first became a head coach for the Cleveland Browns in 1991, there have been multiple coordinators, assistants, scouts and other personnel who have sought to create their own legacy to follow in the footsteps of their great mentor. Although some have fared better than others since leaving Belichick’s staff, the majority of his coaching family tree has experienced a degree of difficulty making the transition from acting behind-the-scenes to manning a franchise of their own. Here is a look at how the five most prominent graduates of Belichick’s Coaching Academy have performed since departing from their teacher.

Charlie Weis

When Belichick left the Jets to be named head coach of the Patriots in 2000, Weis followed him from New York to New England. Serving as the offensive coordinator until 2004, Weis engineered the initiation of the Erhardt-Perkins offensive system. Assisting in Tom Brady‘s development as the franchise quarterback, Weis helped guide the team to three Super Bowl titles before leaving the Patriots to take over as Notre Dame head coach in 2005. Since then, Weis has not enjoyed the same success as he did in New England. With a 35-26 mark and a 1-2 record in bowl games, Weis has recently come under massive scrutiny, allowing many to speculate that his days as the Fighting Irish coach could be numbered. Indicating a 6-5 record was not good enough when he replaced Tyrone Willingham, Weis has already stated he would not argue with a firing if that is the end result.

Eric Mangini

Hired as the Patriots defensive coordinator in 2005 after serving as the defensive backs coach, Mangini left New England for the Jets in 2006. Accepting the job Belichick had turned down seven years earlier, Mangini instantly became Belichick’s nemesis, causing their relationship to sour. From avoiding postgame handshakes to refusing to acknowledge each other’s success, these two coaches spiced up a rivalry for three years. Referred to as “Fredo” (the disloyal son in “The Godfather”) by Patriots defensive lineman Ty Warren, Mangini opened the door for New England fans to detest him even further after accusing Belichick of recording the Jets’ defensive signals in 2007 during the infamous Spygate incident. In his three years overseeing the Jets, Mangini struggled, including a late-season collapse in 2008 that ultimately cost him his job. Mangini’s tenure in New York ended with a 23-25 record along with a 2006 AFC wild card playoff loss to the Patriots.

Now guiding the Browns, Mangini’s coaching career has gone from bad to worse. With a 1-8 record in the first year of a three-year deal, Mangini has drawn criticism for his strict coaching mechanisms and his inability to earn respect from his players.

Romeo Crennel

Winning three Super Bowls as defensive coordinator with the Patriots from 2001-04, Crennel was unable to carry his success over to the Browns. As Browns coach from 2005-08, Crennel failed to deliver a playoff berth, compiling a 24-40 record in four seasons. Entering 2008 with high expectations after a 10-6 2007 season, Crennel watched his young, talented team fall to a 4-12 record that led to his firing at year’s end, making way for Mangini to take over. Even though he is currently unemployed as a coach — opting to sit out this year while recovering from hip surgery — Crennel still can be seen on Sundays — in Coors Light commercials, that is.

Josh McDaniels

Starting out as a personal assistant with the Patriots in 2001, McDaniels assumed several coaching roles with the Patriots before becoming offensive coordinator in 2006. Agreeing to take over in Denver following the Mike Shanahan firing, McDaniels wasted no time sparking controversy in his new organization.

After reports were leaked indicating McDaniels had tried to aquire Matt Cassel from the Patriots to serve as his quarterback, an offended Jay Cutler requested a trade from the Broncos. The disgruntled quarterback was eventually dealt to the Bears.

The bickering did not end there. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall demanded to be traded during training camp after clashing with McDaniels. While McDaniels only suspended Marshall instead of granting him his request, he seemed to temporarily calm the storm as the Broncos began the season 6-0, including a Week 5 defeat of the Patriots by an overtime score of 20-17. With Denver having lost four straight since then, many wonder if McDaniels finally has become exposed. With the Broncos set to host the Thanksgiving night game against the Giants, only time will tell.

Nick Saban

In 1995, Saban was named defensive coordinator of the Browns under Belichick. After a successful tenure with Louisiana State University when he led the Tigers to a 2003 BCS national championship and was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, Saban started his NFL head coaching career following the 2004 season, when he agreed to fill the Miami Dolphins‘ vacancy. In his two seasons with the franchise, Saban showed he had difficulty transitioning between the collegiate and professional level, going 15-17 before leaving the Dolphins to return to college. His decision to do so generated a significant degree of controversy. For the past three seasons, Saban has coached the Alabama Crimson Tide, who are 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in the AP poll behind the University of Florida.

While Saban’s college history is decorated, his NFL career — like those of many of the Belichick coaching progeny — is remembered only for its mediocrity and controversy.

Big men love the big talk. Numerous athletes love to paint themselves as macho, tough guys who make Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci appear timorous in comparison.

Yet, if there is one thing Rex Ryan taught us this week (unless you remained stuck on Bill Belichick fourth-and-2 overload), these brawny, intimidating and ferocious professional sports personnel can have a soft spot underneath their body armor.

One day after the Jets‘ 24-22 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday, Ryan let his emotions get the best of him as he cried in front of his players during a team meeting Monday morning. Known for the fierce and resilient defenses he has coached in the NFL, Ryan surprised football fans around the country with his tears. Coming from a man who earlier in the year pronounced he was “not intimidated by New England or anybody else,” Ryan’s crying could be interpreted as an outburst of passion or a revelation of weakness.

But Ryan is not the only one to go from putting on a relaxed and confident front to experiencing an emotional outbreak. Here is a look at recent athletes who could not hold back their tears.

Terrell Owens

This may explain why T.O. was offended when he complained that quarterback Tony Romo favored Cowboys tight end Jason Witten over him as his No. 1 receiver. After losing to the Giants in the 2007 playoffs, Owens allowed the tears to pour below his sunglasses as he defended Romo to the assembled media. Asked how the loss would affect Romo, Owens immediately began to sob, telling reporters not to lay the blame on his quarterback. One year, a reality show and an offseason trade later, Owens now finds himself on an underachieving Buffalo Bills squad, though he has yet to comment about the firing of Dick Jauron or the benching of quarterback Trent Edwards.

Glen Davis

On Dec. 5, 2008, Kevin Garnett ripped into Big Baby and the rest of the Celtics bench as the team was on the verge of blowing a 25-point lead to the Portland Trail Blazers. Living up to his childlike nickname, Davis was spotted trying to fight back tears for the remainder of the game, obviously hurt by Garnett’s harsh criticism. Even though the Celtics ended up winning, Davis let KG’s words affect him, as he was seen whining to his teammates while the game was in progress.

Roger Federer

In one of the most epic tennis matches of all-time, Roger Federer lost in five sets to rival Rafael Nadal in the final of the 2009 Australian Open. Having suffered his third straight defeat to the world’s top-ranked player, Federer broke down in tears after Nadal sealed the championship. Citing how finishing in the runner-up position was “killing” him, Federer was consoled by Nadal, who sympathized with his opponent. Since then, Federer battled back from injury and reclaimed the No. 1 spot, which he holds today.

Mark Cuban

The fiery, outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner has never be one to shy away from voicing his opinion. So when Dirk Nowitzki was named the winner of the 2007 NBA MVP award, Cuban demonstrated just how overwhelmingly proud he was of his 7-foot forward by praising his work ethic in the midst of tears. Maybe he should have spoken more warm-heartedly when he inappropriately told Kenyon Martin‘s mother her son was a “thug.”

Adam Morrison

The floppy-haired Morrison was a ball of emotions in the closing seconds of Gonzaga‘s 2006 NCAA tournament Sweet 16 matchup with UCLA. After the Zags blew a 17-point lead, Morrison was outwardly crushed by the defeat. Once Gonzaga missed a final opportunity to tie the score, Morrison dropped to the floor, bawling in the the middle of the court. Consoled by his coach in front of reporters, Morrison was stunned his team enabled UCLA to rally and steal a 73-71 victory. It would be the last game Morrison would play in a Gonzaga uniform, as he declared for the NBA draft.

Call it intuition. Label it a gut feeling. Follow your instincts. And just in case, be prepared to suffer the consequences and assume responsibility if your decision does not go according to plan.

It was no surprise when last week’s football talk was dominated by nothing but Tom Brady-Peyton Manning comparisons, the difference from playing indoors as opposed to outdoors, who had the edge, who was the better team, and, most importantly, who would win the intense battle between arguably the two best teams of the decade: the Patriots and the Colts.

For 57 minutes and 52 seconds, it had appeared the Patriots had answered that question and were on their way to locking up their seventh victory of the season, handing the Colts their first loss at the same time. Yet, Bill Belichick, the Jedi mastermind of the Patriots, opted to take the gamble of the season and go for the first down on fourth-and-2 from his team’s own 28. It was a risk he was willing to take and it was also what cost him the game.

Boomer Esiason deemed the decision “reckless.” Brady backed Belichick, insisting that he will “never second-guess” his coach. Rodney Harrison was quick to assert that it was “the worst coaching decision” he ever saw his former coach make. Tedy Bruschi admitted the call would make his “blood boil for weeks.” The Colts defense saw the move as a sign of disrespect while Patriots defensive back Brandon Meriweather was “ecstatic” that Belichick was confident enough to trust his defense to prevent Manning from scoring with only 20-plus yards to spare. Would Belichick himself make the call again?

“You only get one chance,” Belichick told reporters outside of Gillette less than 24 hours after making a decision that would cause e-mail boxes to overload and blogs to overflow around the country. Though many may question his fourth-down strategy, especially those who are reluctant to execute trick plays and make risky decisions, it is not the first time Belichick defied traditional standards and gambled while behind enemy lines.

Earlier this season, on Sept. 27 against the Falcons, Belichick challenged Atlanta’s defense by going for a fourth-and-1 on New England’s 24 in the third quarter with his team up 16-10. This time, instead of relying on Brady to complete a pass for the first, the Patriots handed the ball to Sammy Morris, who rushed ahead to the 26-yard line to move the chains forward. Later in that drive, the Patriots converted another fourth down from the Falcons’ 37, leading to a Stephen Gostkowski field goal. While the Patriots would end up winning the game, 26-10, Belichick ran the risk of shifting the momentum to the Falcons’ side if the initial conversion had not been successful.

In the 2004 AFC championship game against the Colts, Belichick made the decision to go for it on fourth-and-short from Patriots territory on the first drive of the game. The decision stood in defiance of football conventional wisdom. But the Patriots converted and marched down the field for a touchdown. Later, the decision to go for it was credited as having played a significant role in the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl. Belichick’s gutsy call — based on his embrace of the studies of economists — was deemed by the New York Times as an indication of his genius.

Maybe it’s the overwhelming level of trust Belichick has in his offense’s ability or perhaps it is the lack of confidence in his defense’s capability. Either way, Belichick has made some head-scratching fourth-down decisions that have not gone in his favor before. In the third quarter of Super Bowl XLII, with his team up 7-3, Belichick opted to go for a fourth-and-13 from the Giants‘ 32 instead of allowing Stephen Gostkowski to attempt a 49-yard field goal. Putting the ball in Brady’s hands, Belichick watched as Brady made an incomplete pass to turn the ball over on downs to the Giants, who eventually hoisted the Lombardi trophy after a 17-14 decision.

Still, while there certainly will be plenty of opinions circulating in the next few days by fans, analysts, experts, players and anyone else who wishes to add their two bits, there are also the cold, hard numbers and statistics that rely on quantitative data to either support or reject the decision.

According to the Lawrence-Journal blog, there is a 56 percent level of success when teams go for the first down on fourth-and-2. However, when it comes to choosing whether to pass or run, teams who make the call to pass experience a success rate of 44.1 percent as opposed to a 68.3 percent success rate when rushing. In addition, as Advanced NFL Stats points out, a successful fourth-and-2 conversion wins the game for the Patriots, leading those who like to play with numbers to side with Belichick. Add the fact that Brady and Randy Moss are better than your average quarterback-wide receiver tandem and it would seem the logical call would be to give the ball to your best guys on the field.

With all the frenzy and speculation that is sure to surround Bill Belichick this week, it will not come as a surprise if he chooses to make another daring decision in the team’s next game. Though we will never fully understand what goes on in his brilliant mind, one thing is for sure: He must be glad he won’t get the same treatment as Grady Little.

He is the one baseball fans love to hate. He is the Grinch that stole the offseason. He is the Ebenezer Scrooge who says “Humbug!” to hometown discounts, harmonizing negotiations and a love for the game over a love for money. He has every trick up his sleeve and a knack for getting every little bit that he wants. He is none other than the notorious agent himself: Scott Boras.

Sure, maybe Boras, as Curt Schilling says, “has no shame.” He certainly has no problems hyping players beyond their value, constantly painting them as a grand prize to be won and a gift to be blessed with. If Boras had his way, tapping into Johnny Damon’s stem cells would come close to discovering the fountain of youth and Matt Holliday — a potential target of the Red Sox — would serve as the poster-boy for the definition of a complete player.

Still, despite his crafty and cunning reputation, his sly fox persona, and his devious business tactics, Boras is still the leading agent in the world of negotiations. He attracts love from the players who are all about the Benjamins and draws anger from the general managers who are all about the luxury tax.

When it comes to the Red Sox, Boras has had quite a topsy-turvy history with the Fenway front office. From allowing Boston icons to become modern-day Benedict Arnolds to allegedly failing to advise his client he could make more money by accepting arbitration, Boras had made it clear that any deal that involves exchanging numbers with him is sure to spark some level of controversy. Here’s a look at recent events in the past few years between the customers of Boras and the Red Sox executive staff.

Johnny Damon

The Caveman himself vowed to never play for the Yankees. Yet when New York offered Damon a couple of million a year more than the Red Sox, Damon listened to his agent’s advice and took the money and ran. (With all that hair, a trip to the barbershop is worth more than a pretty penny.) After the 2005 season, Boras proposed his client with a weak throwing arm was set to receive a six-year, $72 million contract or  seven years at $84 million. Stunned by the ludicrous request, the Sox instead, offered Damon a four-year, $40 million deal with the possibility of raising the salary to the $44 million range. To the shock of Red Sox fans around the country, Damon let the money talk when he signed with the rival Yankees for four years and $52 million, prompting an unprecedented press conference by the then-Theo-less Red Sox to discuss the departure of a free agent in a deal that had not yet been announced by the team that signed the player.

Daisuke Matsuzaka

After missing the postseason in 2006, the Sox knew they needed a bold offseason. When Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka declared he wanted to pitch in America, the Sox brass won a $51.1 million posting bid just to open up talks with the former Seibu Lions ace. The Sox were given a 30-day deadline to strike a deal. If a contract was not in place by then, the Sox would forfeit their rights and Matsuzaka would have to return to Japan for the season.

Of course, Boras had no intention of taking the easy route to grant his client his dream to pitch in the United States. When talks stalled just days before the deadline, many speculated that Boras and the Red Sox would fail to settle on a deal since Boston figured the posting fee would play into the contract. Finally, the Sox brass flew across the country to Boras’ office in Southern California, where they reached an agreement at last on a six-year, $52 million deal along with plenty of extras and bonuses included in the package.

J.D. Drew

When J.D. Drew opted not to sign with Philadelphia after the Phillies selected him as the second overall pick in the 1997 draft, Drew instantly became a target for jeers and sneers in the City of Brotherly Love. After spending a few season in the St. Louis Cardinals outfield, Drew played one season for the Atlanta Braves before signing a five-year, $55 million pact with the Dodgers. Two seasons later, Drew decided to exercise his opt-out option in November 2006, becoming a free agent.

With the Sox in need of an outfielder, Drew seemed like a natural fit to replace some of the power that was lacking in the lineup. Though both parties reached an agreement early, it took 52 days for the five-year, $70 million deal to be finalized in January 2007. Concerned about his health, the Sox were adamant about constructing an insurance clause in case Drew’ right shoulder prevented him from playing a certain number of games. Boras obviously thought the right fielder was worth a tick over $14 million.

Mark Teixeira

Teixeira’s gold glove and World Series ring could have been engraved with a Red Sox ‘B’ instead of a Yankees ‘NY.’ When the Red Sox announced they were prepared to offer Teixeira a deal that would be the longest and the richest in the seven-year history of the John Henry ownership group, many thought Boston would be the landing spot for the marquee free agent. Yet, as was the case with Damon, the Yankees lured Teixeira away, inking him to an eight-year, $180 million deal. Boras spoiled Christmas for the Sox once again.

Jason Varitek

Boston fans were thrilled when Varitek made a rare move by remaining with the Red Sox at a lower price at four years for $40 million after winning the 2004 World Series. But in the last offseason, Boras convinced Varitek that despite his declining numbers, he deserved more than the Red Sox were willing to give. When the Red Sox offered their captain arbitration, Boras advised his client to turn down the acceptance. Unaware (according to a report a year ago) that if he had accepted arbitration he would be guaranteed a raise, Varitek ended up saving the Sox a couple of million after agreeing with Boston on a one-year, $5 million deal with an option for 2010 that Boston could pick up for $5 million or Varitek could pick up at $3 million. Varitek chose to exercise his player option last week, yet the $8 million he’ll earn over his two years in Boston is less than he would have received in 2009 alone had he accepted arbitration.

For decades, professional athletes have served as inspiring role models for fans of various age groups through their tenacity, dedication and leadership both on and off the field. While many have reached out to local communities to improve the well-being of society, there are a few brave and courageous men and women who have taken their duties one step further by enlisting and serving in America’s armed forces.

On April 22, 2004, former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman was killed during a firefight near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Giving up the glamor and the luxury that comes with being a star in the NFL, Tillman had decided shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, that he wished to devote his life to becoming an Army Ranger.

Though it was originally concluded that Tillman was gunned down by an enemy, many of his closest friends and family became outraged upon learning that Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal lied about the specifics of his death. He actually died from friendly fire. Tillman’s brother, Kevin, who served alongside Pat in the war, sharply criticized the Bush Administration and the entire war. In addition, Tillman’s mother, Mary, appeared on an episode of “60 Minutes” to discuss her frustration with the Army for withholding further details of her son’s death.

Though Tillman’s death came under tragic circumstances, he exemplifies the true meaning of an American hero. In the past century, there have been numerous athletes who have served their country and put on hold the possibility of professional stardom. While Tillman’s service represented a rare modern case of an athlete sacrificing a multimillion-dollar contract for a military badge, there have been many players who spent the primes of their careers on the battlefield.

During World War II, many future Hall of Famers signed up for the armed and naval forces, resulting in a vastly different world of Major League Baseball and an exploration of America’s pastime by women, who soon learned there was no crying in baseball (thanks to Tom Hanks). In 1943, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was formed to share the spotlight with men’s baseball.

After the men returned home from the war, attendance at women’s games dwindled as MLB players resumed their roles on the field having already gallantly served their country.

Many ballplayers, such as Joe DiMaggio and Bob Feller, took a leave from baseball during years considered to be the prime of their careers. Choosing  to hang up their hats for helmets, future Hall of Famers including Yogi Berra, Warren Spahn, Phil Rizzuto, Stan Musial, Hank Greenberg and Ralph Kiner risked not only their baseball careers but also their lives while stationed on battlefields around the globe. (For a complete list of Hall of Fame veterans, click here.)

On this Veterans Day, as New Englanders remember all the brave men and women who put their country before themselves, let’s take a look at some of our very own Red Sox greats who dedicated themselves to the armed forces during World War II.

Ted Williams

In 1941, Teddy Ballgame became the last MLB player to bat over .400 with an average of .406, (however, he lost the MVP to Joe DiMaggio and his 56-game hit streak). The following season, Williams hit for the Triple Crown, slamming 36 home runs with a .356 AVG and 137 RBI. Originally classified in the draft as 3-A by Selected Service, Williams’ classification was later changed to 1-A, a move that he would seek to appeal. After drawing much criticism, Williams decided to enlist with the Navy on May 22, 1942. He served as a naval aviator, attending the same training program as teammate Johnny Pesky. Before being released from active duty in January 1946, Williams received his wings and was commissioned into the Marine Corps on May 2, 1944. He returned to baseball in 1946 to win the MVP and lead the Red Sox to the World Series, which they would end up losing in seven games. In 1947, Williams won another Triple Crown, batting .343 with 32 home runs and 114 RBI. In 1952-53, Williams took another leave of absence from the game to serve his country in the Korean War.

Dom DiMaggio

Like his Yankee brother Joe, Dom DiMaggio enlisted in the military during WWII, missing the 1943-45 MLB seasons. Still the owner of a franchise-record 34-game hit streak, DiMaggio served in the Navy during three seasons of his prime years that many, including Bobby Doerr, believe may have cost him entrance into the Hall of Fame. Returning to baseball in 1946 to help the Red Sox win the AL pennant, ”The Little Professor” batted .316 and finished ninth in the MVP voting. A stellar center fielder, DiMaggio passed away at age 92 earlier this year on May 8, 2009.

Bobby Doerr

Considered to be the best second baseman in Red Sox history, Bobby Doerr was only 19 when he made his major league debut in 1937. In 1944, while Williams and DiMaggio were already off to war, Doerr finished in first place in the league with a .528 slugging percentage and second in the AL with a .325 average. After the season, Doerr joined the Army in 1945, missing the entire season at age 27. Returning to the team in 1946, Doerr batted .271 with 18 home runs and 116 RBI as part of the Sox AL pennant run. Though he retired from baseball at the early age of 33 due to back problems, Doerr was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1986 and is still viewed by many as one of the best second basemen of all time.

Johnny Pesky

Pesky’s rookie campaign in 1942 for the Red Sox was nothing short of a booming success after hitting .331 to lead the AL with 205 hits. However, before the season ended, Pesky entered the Navy to serve in Amherst, Mass. Missing three years of baseball, Pesky found his way back to the Red Sox along with Williams, DiMaggio and Doerr in 1946 to help the team reach the World Series. That year, the shortstop batted .335 with a .401 on-base percentage. Though he sacrificed what could have been some of his best years statistically, Pesky will forever serve as an icon to both Red Sox faithful and baseball fans around the country. Having his number retired by the Red Sox in 2007, his name will remain immortalized whenever anyone refers to the right field pole as “Pesky’s Pole.”

There’s a saying that you should be careful what you wish for because it just might come true. A day after watching his Phillies lose the World Series in six games to the Yankees, Jimmy Rollins may want to think twice before making a prediction in the future because it might not come true.

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.

One can only imagine the intensity of emotions that ran through Ricky Bobby’s head before he made his return to NASCAR to race in the Talladega 500.

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.

Pedro Martinez is like an elephant: he never forgets. All of his greatest achievements and every one of his subtlest mistakes from his illustrious career are etched in the back of his mind clearer than the morning sky. In the days leading up to last night’s 3-1 Game 2 defeat to the Yankees, there is no question that Pedro distinctly remembered all of his triumphs and failures pitching at Yankee Stadium in the past. Although he was tagged with the loss, Pedro showed flashes of his glory days, striking out eight batters in six-plus innings of work allowing six hits and three earned runs.

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.