What I thought was going to be fifteen minutes of fame turned into an hour on The Morning Jab today. What an experience! Nerves perhaps got the best of me at times, but all and the segment went smoothly.

Shoe and Joe really put me at ease and the listeners provided plenty of fodder. Hey, getting a little praise from Angry Al, didn't hurt.

Talking about the Sox is as natural as breathing; the passion courses through the veins.

In fact, my wife thinks 40 other guys travel with us, eat at our table and attend most every family function; God love her.

So in case you missed the program I'll summarize some of the topics discussed. And offer some other tidbits.

I have a lot of respect for Jason Varitek. But, why was he in Monday's lineup. His average vs. Mussina is under .100. Meanwhile, Doug Mirabelli bats a whopping .412 against the crafty righty. Even with only 12 ABs, he is more likely to get a hit than Tek.

Regardless he was behind the plate and with his knowledge of the game, should not have been shaken off by Josh Beckett as many times as he was.

Mussina impressed, easily pitching his best game. David Ortiz and Manny looked dumbfounded at the plate. Even if the New York Daily News thought it an off night. Believe me sometimes it is most difficult with a huge lead, you can end up letting your guard down - something Mussina did not allow to happen.

Something isn't sitting right with Josh Beckett. He does not appear to have the confidence in his breaking stuff. If that is the case, the team must find a way to correct the issue. The American League East feasts on fastballs.

David Pauley should not be in the starting rotation. He looked like a deer in headlights last night as he watched Beckett get rocked. His first two outings and he faces the A.L. batting leaders in Toronto and New York's offensive threats in the Bronx. It is as though the Red Sox are dialing it in. Expectations are low, but I still think he has to give the team five innings, for the team to have a chance at winning.

Terry Francona did a marvelous job at preserving the bullpen last night. He gets a B+ overall this year, by my assessment. He has made some pretty decent moves and has become a pretty good field general thus far. His movement of the replacement players is proving to be a difference. The team believes in him and he does wonders in the clubhouse.

Shoe believes the Al Nipper needs to be called out. While I do not like to place blame on any one individua,l I do feel some altercations may need to happen in order for Boston to put a contender on the field. Nipper, as far as I can tell, does not have the vote of confidence from his staff. There have been rumors about Curt Schilling and he having heated discussions. Everyone misses Wally.

Jon Lester should be called up. He'll get his chance Saturday vs. Texas. I'm not looking for anything too special from Lester. Texas is a very offensive minded club. However, having the support of the hometown fans will be most helpful. Lester hopefully will treat this outing like any AAA game thus far. He could be up for a while.

What the New York media is saying:

The New York Times, If the Yankees are hurting, it's hard to tell. True enough, the team is without most of its star players (Matsui, Sheffield, Jeter) and is in first place after last night's game. It is surprising. But are they really that good? I don't think so. One game does a series make.

The New York Post's George King writes: "There is too much prime beef in the Yankees' barn to label them the 'Little Team That Could.'"

I don't even know what that means, talk about your mixed metaphors. But I think he's saying the same thing as the New York Times.

The New York Daily News is taking a different angle: "Yankees ride the Melk wagon" Oh my. Melky Cabrera did make a heads up play in the first.

But let's not forget A-Rod also made yet another error versus the Red Sox, his 10 of the season. No Gold Glove for you.

The newspaper's Mike Lupica (who I like) talks about the Yankee replacements.

The Devil must be hiding; so far, 6.6.6. is turning out not to be such a bad day.
The Sox have had some success against Wang, who I compare to Matt Clement. If only after once through the lineup he becomes hitable.

Go Sox.

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