GLAD TO SEE IT

***IT ONLY TOOK 4 MONTHS***
This was a real pasting as the Yanks finally exhibited some dominance over Ped Sox (no typo there), but it did take a while to get here. A lot of interesting things in this game, which you don't normally expect in a blowout.
##I don't like Youklis, but you have to hand it to a guy who'll move around the diamond for the good of the team (hear that Michael Young?). Are there three more diverse positions than 1st, 3rd and LF?
##Bye-bye Smoltzie. I appreciate the effort of a 42-year old pitcher trying to come back from shoulder surgery, but... It's not just the Yanks, everybody has been beating up on him.I don't think he'll be on the September roster.
##Dustin PEDroia (this is fun!) is upset because they threw at him. Sure they did. And they walked 12 other Sox just to frustrate the team? Shut up and play.
##S-L-I-D-E. Just wanted to make sure Jorge recognized the word. For one of those old-time, play-the-game-right guys, that was ridiculous, especially considering the situation at the time. The final score does reduce the seriousness of that gaffe.
##Chamberlain was up to his old habits: nibble, nibble, nibble. Did you notice how the Sox kept stepping out after every pitch? They must have noticed Joba's pace in his last game. It worked, too. I can't wait to see how the Yanks handle this innings ceiling they have imposed on him.
By the way, why is it taking Big Papi 2 weeks to talk about his presence on "The List"? He says it's get information on what they found. Good thinking, Ortiz. You don't want to apoligize for taking one steroid when later they announce it was a different one. We certainly don't want to look bad. (Did I just say that?)
A good win, but it's just one game. There are three more coming. Tonight is an absolute MUST-WIN for Boston. Their pre-season vaunted pitching staff is all downhill after Beckett.

***THAT OTHER NY TEAM***
The Mets have announced that they are prepared to listen to offers for closer BJ Ryan. The rest of baseball has announced that they are prepared not to offer anything for BJ Ryan. Now that mental problems is an accepted illness for placement on the DL, how long before poor manager Jerry Manuel gets moved there?

***ANOTHER FORMER STAR***
Jason Giambi is due to come off the DL, but the A's don't seem interested in activating him. He may be all done, too.

***YOU CAN REST EASY NOW***
The Yanks traded for Chad Gaudin. Good move: a pitcher with a 4-10 record and an ERA of 5.13 is just what they need. I think he's going to be handling one of the infield rakes for the grounds crew. The Padres get a "player to be named later." It's Crash Davis (Kevin Costner).

***LEFTCOAST...***
"David Ortiz will call a press conference Saturday to discuss his positive 2003 test results. Early favorites in the pool include “a tainted supplement,” “borrowed from a teammate” and “I forget how speak English.”
"Question for the day. If so many over-the-counter supplements are tainted with steroids, why don’t more Americans appear to be in better shape?"

***WHAT'S GOING ON?***
The Washington Nationals have a five-game win streak. You didn't hear me. The Washington Nationals have a five-game win streak. ...and the worst record in the majors.