I'm not sure Major League Baseball has the best interest of its players in mind. I mean playing three games in the pouring rain, ridiculous. Thank goodness no one got hurt. I'm sure after that and heading on a road trip against Toronto and the Yankees, we are bound to see some effects.

Illnesses come to mind. Heck there have been some players like Milwaukee's Ben Sheets, who got an inner ear infection, hasn't pitched in a month. Then there's San Francisco's J.T. Snow out for two weeks with "flu-like" symptoms.

Apparently some things are more important than health; money comes to mind.

MLB.com reports that the interleague weekend was a blockbuster in ticket sales and tv ratings. So, it's all good.

I may also be a little biased. I missed four innings of Saturday's game, assuming a rainout. At least it gave the Fenway's faithful another chance to boo one of the newer players.

Some Sox fans are pretty quick to protest the play of Edgar Renteria. One fan interviewed by NESN's Eric Frede during Friday's game wishied the Sox re-signed Orlando Cabrera instead.

I find it difficult to believe that some would rather see Cabrera. I like Cabrera. I thought he was most certainly a cheaper alternative, but Renteria is the better player. In fact, Cabrera is batting .223, people.

It has taken Renteria a little time to adjust to the American League and may take him a little more time. But in the second half, I think we'll see why he is a $10-million player.

Boston.com says he has the support of his teammates and he has my support. Give him some time; it's been only six weeks.

Talk about support...I wasn't a bit surprised to see Matt Clement go the distance Sunday. It only made sense. Keith Foulke has struggled so far this year.

It's gotten so bad that I can't even trade him in my fantasy league. He's gotten some saves but his ERA is 7.29; his WHIP is 1.59. What's the problem? I'm not sure but something's amiss.

After taking two of three from the Braves this weekend in the rain, the Red Sox deserve a day off. Today would have been a good day for it - no regular season game is scheduled. However, the team has been invited to play the Hall of Fame Game today against the Tigers. MLB.com gives a preview.

For most that day off will have to wait.

In the meantime, the players are expected to play this meaningless game, participate in a home run derby contest and then travel for another road trip.

I find it sort of funny that Johnny Damon will represent the Red Sox in the homerun derby. He isn't exactly known for his power. Perhaps he'll be allowed to run the bases for inside-the-parkers. I'm sure at least one of his opponents will have fun with this - David Ortiz. Now if I were a betting man...

I don't quite understand the timing of the Hall of Fame Game. Why hold it now? Why not incorporate it with the All Star game break? Better yet, pick two teams that have nothing at stake right before the post season. Or include it with the induction ceremony.

Many minor leaguers will be on hand for the Tigers. The Red Sox will also use a few to pitch. No need to put the World Champions in danger of injury - the game doesn't count.

The one good thing about today's game - former baseball legends will be on hand. That includes a few that met Sunday night in Cooperstown. Some that I hold particularly close to my heart - Johnny Pesky, Dom DiMaggio and Bobby Doerr, a Hall of Famer himself.

At the Q and A session, most of the questions centered around former teammate, friend and brother, Ted Williams. But they were also asked about the current team, the World Series and differences in eras. Oh, how I wish I could have been there.

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