Randomness............

Random Thoughts from the week in sports:

First off, the NFL Draft--

--The draft had some serious surprises. Locally, David Ball wasn't selected, but has signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears.

--How about Brady Quinn dropping all the way down to the 22nd pick? That was something I did not see happening. I figured he could go anywhere from the third pick to maybe 12, but alas was wrong. I was actually thinking for awhile that Quinn would be the first pick with the logic being that Al Davis is in charge, so anything can happen.

--What wasn't a shock was Troy Smith being picked up in the fifth round. Smith has great ability, a strong arm, but he just isn't tall enough.

--Randy Moss to the Patriots for a fourth rounder threw me off a bit. Not just the fact the Raiders took a fourth for him, but that Moss the Pats are willing to take a chance on him. Moss is a tremendous talent, but as we all know, he is a bit of a malcontent. Bellichick will have his hands full, but if anyone can turn Moss around, it is Bellichick.

The Yankees:

Although the Yankees free fall isn't the fault of Joe Torre, I think he will be gone by Wednesday. Steinbrenner is fuming over the Crankees being in last place, but with all of the injuries to their pitching staff, what does he expect? The offense is there, and they can put up runs in bunches, but with a staff of rookies on his pitching staff, it is difficult to win while allowing eight runs a game. Torre, who is one of the best managers the game has ever seen, will end up being the fall guy when it is Brian Cashman who hasn't made the deals and failed to develop strong pitching in the farm system. Torre can only make do with what he has.

The Red Sox:

Deadly offense and strong pitching has this team rolling right now. The only concern I have is on the defensive end with Mike Lowell having an awful season at third, and the middle infield hasn't exactly been stellar. If Lowell sews up the holes in his glove, this is a team that very well could win 105 games this season.

The NBA:

Now, I don't follow the NBA much anymore because, well, it is the NBA. What has to be pointed out though is my beloved Golden State Warriors are up 3-1 on the Mavericks. Now, I know the Warriors had the Mav's number throughout the regular season, but I don't think anyone could have seen this one coming. The rest of the NBA Playoffs.......Who cares?

Sad News:

The Saint Louis Cardinals must think they are snake bit following Sunday's tragic death of pitcher Josh Hancock. Hancock's SUV crashed into the back of a parked tow truck and he was killed instantly. First Darryl Kile, and now Hancock. Terrible things are happening to one of the classiest organizations in all of sports.

Other stuff:

I had a blast doing the Opening Ceremonies for the Middlebury Little League on Saturday, and my own team in the Center City Little League kicks off on Saturday. We have a young team, we are going to have to scrap for runs, but man these kids have come a long way in a short period of time. There is nothing like being out on the field with a bunch of kids who are playing the game because they want to be there. If you are out and about on Saturday morning at 11:00, head over to Roosevelt Park in the Old North End and check out our Opening Ceremonies. Champ will be there, and some great baseball between my Red Sox and the Yankees will be the season opener.