Running on E

16 years in a Packers' uniform and a Super Bowl ring should have defined Brett Favre's NFL career. Instead he's going to be remembered for simply not going away.

At the end of the 2007 season, he gave Green Bay fans a teary farewell and entered retirement. A few months later he decided to play for the Jets. After finishing 3rd in the Tom Brady-less AFC East, Favre decided to hang it up and retire. Yesterday, Favre signed with the Packers' biggest rival, the Vikings.

Brett Favre has ruined his image. He was an outstanding QB in his prime, and had the opportunity to bow out gracefully. But after playing for the Jets and now for the Vikings, he is running on empty. Sure, he's got a lot of good tools in Minnesota, and yes they'll be a tough team this season. But, is some faint chance of glory really worth alienating every fan who has ever cheered for you?

My thought would be no, especially for someone with a following like Brett Favre. He says he can still play. He sure showed us last year in New York. Why should Minnesota be different?

Know your limits, otherwise you'll be pushing the car to Mississippi.

More Money Than God

Tom Brady is a man's man.  He is a 3-time Super Bowl champ, volunteers his time for Best Buddies, and is married to a beautiful woman.  On top of all of that, he is a multi-millionaire.  So, I find myself asking why I'm reading a story about a man who just underwent brain surgery to pay back a $4,000 debt to number 12.

David Paiva is a 61-year old convicted bank robber.  He took planters he found behind Brady's Boston condo he believed were put out with the garbage and sold them for $450.  He was arrested after surveillance tapes showed him taking the planters.  As part 

of a plea agreement, Paiva agreed to pay Brady $4,000 restitution for the stolen planters.

But following brain surgery, Paiva was forced to panhandle to repay the New England Patriots' star.  After reading Paiva's story in The Boston Herald, a local businessman came forward and paid the debt in full.  Paiva called the generosity, "...a dream come true."

A spokesperson for the Patriots said he doubts Brady is aware of the situation, and I 

want to know why he hasn't been made aware.

Brady has been hit hard on the field turf of Gillette.  He can afford the small hit to the wallet to help this man turn his life around.

"Let's Go Red Sox!"

In two consecutive games at Nationals Stadium in Washington, DC, the Nationals have set new record attendance for their ballpark. There is just one downside...most, if not all of the fans are there to cheer for the visiting team...The Boston Red Sox.

It seems that wherever the Sox travel, they always seem to have a very strong following (maybe with the exception of Yankee Stadium). There are fans in Florida, California, Texas, and even Canada! I don't really know the mass appeal of the BoSox outside of New England. Is it just because they're a good team? Or is it deeper than that? Maybe I'm getting too philosophical. Either way, it seems like Red Sox Nation really does stretch from sea to shining sea.

Yet it seems odd that with the crowds at opposing stadiums chanting "Let's Go Red Sox!" followed by rhythmic clapping, Boston is only 19-17 on the road this season. Their home record is an MLB best 25-10 (tied with the LA Dodgers).

Maybe this streak of selling out stadiums will catch on for the Sox. 500+ games in Fenway, 2 games in DC...

Let's just hope for the sake of Red Sox Nation that it gives them home field advantage with a new twist.

H8 Being a Yankees Fan?

The Boston Red Sox have had an interesting season thus far. David Ortiz has taken forever to get into the swing of things, their starting pitching has been off and on, and they have a pretty good winning streak over a certain team.

In fact, the New York Yankees haven't beaten the BoSox since the first game of a double header at Fenway on September 28th of last season! The Sox have taken the first 8 games of this season, and the final game of last season. I'm proud to say that I've been present for 2 of the 9 total wins over the Evil Empire. I was at the 2nd game of that double header in the rain, and was at Fenway again to see Jacoby Ellsbury steal home.

Red Sox fans have waited a long time to see their team put such a beating on the Yanks. The last time the Sox won 8 in a row over the NYY was back in 1912 when Fenway Park was brand new. Boston also added a shiny World Series trophy to their collection that year. Maybe it's a sign of things to come? I guess we'll have to wait and see. The rivalry doesn't start up again until August! Hopefully Red Sox Nation can go that long without chanting at A-Rod.

Mr. Harrison Doesn't Go to Washington

The champion from every one of the four major sports in the U.S. get certain perks.  They're on the cover of Sports Illustrated, all over ESPN, and they are even honored at the White House.  But, one Steeler has decided that last item isn't all that impressive.  Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison didn't travel with his teammates to Washington, DC to visit President Obama.

"This is how I feel — if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he would've invited Arizona if they had won," Harrison said.

That's kind of the point, James.  To the winner goes the spoils.  The Steelers won, so they visit the president.  I wonder if he stopped eating Wheaties too?

Harrison's move isn't any kind of political statement. He skipped the visit to the White House to meet President Bush when the Steelers took Super Bowl XL.

"Why is it a big issue now that I'm not going if it wasn't a big issue the last time?," he asked.  

I think the big deal here lies with the fact we have a new president, one that has a relationship with owner Dan Rooney.  Rooney, who is a lifelong Republican, openly supported Obama during the Pennsylvania primary, and through the general election.  So, I think the overlying issue here isn't about Harrison not showing up in DC.  The real issue is the lack of respect he has shown to one of the best owners in the NFL, and to the Office of the President of the United States.

Too bad they don't give a trophy out for that...

John Nathans

This story was posted in today's edition of The Boston Globe. It details the recovery (or lack thereof) of former Red Sox catching prospect John Nathans. Almost two years ago, Nathans was struck in the head by a bat wielding Jose Offerman. He hasn't been the same since. This story simply breaks your heart.

A dizzying turn - The Boston Globe

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Blue Jays Aim High

Here's a report I did fron Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida. Last month I traveled throughout the Grapefruit League with WEBN Sports.