I find it interesting that when the Red Sox are struggling a bit fans appear to be despondent, silent.

I too have fallen into this trap. Though I try to bring reality back to situations when the team is on a high note, rather than kicking them when they are down. And they are down.

There is no question about it. It's nearing August and the Sox are entering their annual slump. The Nation had to be aniticipating the occurance. Yankee fans have.

Boston Herald's Steve Buckley writes Yankees creep back once again.

And Forbes Magazine (of all sources) points out how the Yankees have closed the gap.

Why does Forbes Magazine care? I'd venture to guess that most millionaires support the Yankees. It's all about money, money, money. I am not a millionaire.

Speaking of business taking interest in baseball...Business Week reviewed "Feeding the Monster: How Money, Smarts, and Nerve Took a Team to the Top" That team of course is Boston's Red Sox. The book takes a look at the team from 2000 through 2005's off season. I have not yet had the chance to read it, but it looks interesting enough.

You find Sox news in the strangest of places.

The media too seems to focus their attention on other events rather than the game. Can no one find positives?

Jason Varitek has caught his 990th Red Sox game, tying Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk for the honor. Certainly he will surpass the 1000-game milestone in about 11 or so games. This is certainly a positive. Though Tek has struggled offensively this year, there is no doubting his game-calling ability. If you add the fact that the Red Sox have had at least 10 starters, his job has been the toughest.

990 games! That's a lot of crouching. At least the Red Sox official Web site gives Tek props.

He'll get a day off today when Tim Wakefield takes the mound. Wakefield has been bothered by back soreness but again is willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. How many times has he done that? I swear he would pinch hit or run or coach third if asked.

Why is no one talking about Alex Gonzalez big double play? Granted it was close, but there was no argument and hell that was quite an acrobatic move. I've never seen anything like it. Can you say Gold Glove?

I thought for sure that the Red Sox would have at least split the series, especially since Eric Chavez was out. The A's managed to get by.

SFGate.com credits the A's for their defensive skills. I wouldn't go that far. It was the offensive display that was more of a factor. The A's outscored the Red Sox 28-15 over the four game span. And they did it with backups. Antonio Perez and Marco Scutaro at third; Bobby Keilty in the outfield; Adam Melhuse at first - it's almost embarrassing.

SFGate.com couldn't have watched the same games, for I saw a number of misplays this weekend. In fact, the A's committed an error every day of the series and two in Saturday and Sunday's games.

We can put this all behind us. The K.C. Royals come to the Fenz today. The Royals have been playing .500 ball lately. But considering their away record of 13-36, I would hope that the Red Sox can take advantage.

There is not much about the series. Instead the focus seems to be on Doug Mientkiewicz' return to Boston and his World Series ball.

Who's ball is it anyway? The Hall of Fame? The Boston Red Sox? Mientkiewicz?

Well, apparently Keith Foulke believes it's his. The Boston Herald reports Foulke wanted the ball sought out Mientkiewicz But Foulke has other issues. He's also disputing with the Hall of Fame about his World Series cleats.

Ah yes, it's July. The Sox are leading the Yankees by only a 1/2 game and the focus is on an injured pitcher's two-year-old shoes.

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