I feel as though I've been dreaming the last two weeks. 12 straight games? Somebody pinch me. If the N.Y. Mets are the best the N.L. has to offer, the upcoming All Star Game should be a joke.

The Sox, like the energizer bunny keep going and going. This current streak is tied for the longest in team history. The Sox have not had an error in over 16 games. Alex Gonzalez hasn't committed an error in over 50 games. And we all have seen or heard about Coco's Superman immitation.

The starting pitching has been stellar - both Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett have 10 wins each. Only Detroit shares that honor. Papelbon's just awesome; he holds the rookie record for saves and it isn't even the All-Star break, wow! As for the offense I have just two words: Big Papi! (He of course is not doing it on his own, but man, he just doesn't ever let you down. Stretching doubles out of singles, hitting mammoth longballs and doing it all with style and a smile.

It may seem like I'm jumping on some band wagon, but aside from the less-evident pitching holes, I love this team!

More good news: Silver Slugger winner Manny Ramirez now wants to finish his career in Boston, leaves me a bit dumbfounded.

Why the change of heart? He must have liked the way Boston fans showed Pedro proper respect. That display alone may have tipped the scales. Maybe Pedro said something to him like, "Man, you'd be foolish not to stay there. There are no better fans."

Besides, Boston will continue to place character guys on the field. They will continue to surround Manny with a supporting cast. The have a committment to winning. That of course is really the bottom line.

Manny also must realize that his numbers will continue to grow in this lineup, in this ballpark. He is most definitely a Hall of Famer regardless, but it would be nice to go in with some flair.

I was actually debating Manny's future with a colleague recently. He suggested that the Sox try everything they could to keep Manny. And while I love him in the lineup, I just do not trust his fickle ways. Besides, what is he worth? Lord knows, Boston is not going to award him with a $20-million-a-year contract next time around. But what would they give him? $15? Something similar to Ortiz?

The bad news: The Globe reports that Manny is hurting and might miss the All Star Game. Sorry, fans. It is the All Star BREAK afterall. Manny is always hurting around the All Star break. This time however, I do not care as much. He's been absolutely amazing during the winning streak and if he wants three days off, so be it. I'm sick of beating a dead horse.

And even more good news: Interleague play continues. The Boston Red Sox face the Florida Marlins beginning at 7 p.m.

Mike Lowell and Alex Gonzalez will get a chance to see some former teammates though most have departed via yard sale. Those aquisitions along with Josh Beckett have proved fruitful. As you all know both have been huge defensively. But they have contributed quite a bit offensively. Of late, A-Gon has been a giant. During the win streak, he has hit .441 with 10 runs scored and five rbis.
Not bad for a guy hitting in the 8 or 9 hole.

Long weekend, I'll be off until Wednesday. Enjoy and be safe!

So all that worry for naught. Friendly Fenway welcomed Pedro back with not only a rousing standing ovation, but with a film of memories. Pedro watched and damn if I didn't see a tear.

Pedro said it reminded him of the '99 All Star Game. Which if you remember was indeed a special moment, for not only Pedro, who won the game's MVP, but for the fans of Boston. Hell, Ted Williams was there. If I recall correctly Williams even paid Pedro a compliment. It went something like this:

Pedro to Williams: "I'm glad I never had to face you."
Williams to Pedro: "Hell, I'm glad too."

OK, so it's not verbatim, but you get the drift. There was a mutual respect. And so it was Tuesday: Pedro giving props to Boston, its fans and its team and the fans honoring Pedro as best they could.

Pedro is someone special. In a pregame interview he joked with the media about begin back. He said all the right things. He said he "still cares about them," the fans. And that he was still a Red Sox fan, wishing them well, except when playing the Mets.

We still care about Pedro too.

After the game, he called the warm greeting "great."

If you haven't I urge you to see the videos on NESN.

We'll see today if those cheers continue. He'll take the mound in the bottom of the first. If he beats the Sox, I'll give him a friendly "booooo."

No, it's just one more walk-off hit.

I've read that the new movie, "Superman Returns," opens this week at local movie houses. Why see that when you can see a real-live superhero every night? Big Papi is my hero!

Okay, so he doesn't wear a cape. He does however come to the rescue day in-day out. And last night he did it again.

I now know why Philadelphia is 12 games back in the N.L. East. Even after witnessing the damage that Ortiz can cause, they still decided to pitch to him. Why? I realize Manny is good but you have a lefty-righty matchup. Until they replace balls with kryptonite, Ortiz will continue to win games.

Is there a better player in Boston? I think not. It's not just his hitting, it's his attitude. He's not greedy. He's in it for the love of the game. He competes for the fans as much as he does for his team.

Now, it's nine straight victories. Amazing!

Can they make it 10? The Mets are crashing Boston's party, writes the AP.

Over the weekend we witnessed some great baseball. The Sox have rattled off these wins with ease. They have not committed an error in 12 games. The Sox have had it all hitting, defense and of course pitching.

Josh Beckett pitched a gem. On Friday night, I played poker and listened to the broadcast, as best I could.

Baseball is a supersticious sport. Hitters have individual rituals during at-bats; pitchers do certain drills at warmups. Some players eat the same meal during a streak and some players hop over the foul line when exiting the field.

The same could be said about fans.

After reading the Associated Press story in today's Portland Press Herald, I felt a sense of resolution and fear.

The unnamed author feels, pretty strongly, that Boston is the team to beat. And while I love my Sox, I still feel the team needs to improve in order to contend for another World Championship.

Yes, the defense has been stellar - the best in the majors in fact. Kevin Youkilis, Alex Gonzalez, Mike Lowell and company have only 23 errors thus far. Only 13 have been committed in the infield.

Alex Gonzalez is quietly going for a record. He has not made an error in his last 48 games. The record for a shortstop is held by Mike Bordick, who went 110 consecutive games. And Gonzalez has only one blemish on the year. The seasonal record is three held by another Baltimore shortstop, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken. Ripken accomplished that feat in 1990. Quite the feat considering the number of touches a shortstop has to make during any given day.

Is this something to cheer? Sure. Will it help us win a title? Absolutely.

But you need more.

Though, I thought he would be here for at least two weeks, Kyle Snyder has been sent down to the minors. He was placed there to make room for sinkerball pitcher Jason Johnson.

The Sox acquired Johnson yesterday for basically some cash, though a player to be named was added to the mix. Theo Epstein said in an interview that the Red Sox are trying to add depth to the pitching staff and cheaply.

With a 5.96 ERA and a WHIP of 1.69, Johnson should be cheap.

The Sox must be thinking that Boston's No. 1 defense can help him out. That's really too much to ask. He's averaging almost 13 hits and three walks a game. He has had only one year in which won more games than lost (1999 with a 8-7 record).

Remember: you get what you pay for.

My worst nightmare, or well almost worst nightmare, has come true. A Boston Red Sox player admits to using roids. No, it's not Manny, or Big Papi, or any of our everyday regulars.

Instead it is Paxton Crawford. The 205 lb., 6'3" pitcher is not exactly the poster boy for steroid use. He didn't seem to benefit as did some other known users. His career at the Major League level lasted only two years, totalling 15 appearances.

Read Boston Globe's Eric Wlibur's report.

But his claims that everyone knew his secret to, err, success is a bit troubling.

I have shamefully turned a blind eye in uncomfortable situations. My actions may have been misconstrued as acceptance. Silence is not acceptance. The same may be said about guys like Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Trot Nixon, or any of the other 2000-01 ball players.

However, the article raises some questions: What is the role of a major leaguer? What is the role of the team captain? Is their silence no different than my own? Is steroids use cheating? Who cares? What are the ramifications? Who's to blame?

Curiousity is getting the best of us. Instead of celebrating Jon Lester's 10K moment in Red Sox history, we are wondering who else is using. While the Red Sox hammer on the National League, we are waiting for Jason Grimsley to name names. While the Red Sox are enjoying a first-place summer, everybody is ready to put an asterik next to Barry Bonds numbers.

Enough is enough! I don't care about Crawford's use. The action is on the field people! The whole issue is ruining my favorite sport. Let's please move on. Let's not make a mockery out of baseball. There's enough drama in the standings.

Now for some happier news:

The Sox are in the midst of interleague play and like most of the American League, they are taking advantage of the situation.

Face it, the American League is better than its counterpart.

One could blame the designated hitting factor, but that does not explain why teams like the Red Sox have done well in National League parks.

It is completely lopsided.

This may also explain why pitchers, like Bronson Arroyo and Derek Lowe have found new success after leaving the A.L.

People always ask me what do I think about the Arroyo trade now. Arroyo would not have these types of numbers if he had stayed in Boston. He is motivated by the trade. He wants to prove to the world, especially Red Sox Nation, that the trade was a mistake. Second, the N.L. Central is no match for the A.L. East. The Red Sox face two of the toughest offenses in baseball 19 times a year - Toronto and New York. Yes, the Reds have Houston and St. Louis to contend with, but as we have witnessed the last two years, those teams can be beaten. Third, Arroyo has the benefit of facing pitchers; aside from him, pitchers can't hit.

So all in all, I think the trade is still a good one. Granted the injury to Wily Mo Pena hurts, but that could not have been predicted. Yes, the Sox could have used another arm, with the losses of David Wells (could have been predicted) and Matt Clement (who hasn't been the same since getting hit on his noggin.)

Though they lost Coco Crisp for a period, Pena and a few pitchers, they remain in first place.

Tonight, my boy Jon Lester gets the call. I drafted him two weeks ago in my fantasy league, but opted not to start him - Bummer! He was impressive in his last start, I suspect he'll do well tonight.

Watching last night's game I almost fell asleep. The loud bats however kept me awake. After the Sox scored their sixth run, I knew the game was theirs.

The team has a new look to its pitching staff. Craig Hansen is up, Javier Lopez added, Jon Lester we've written about and Kyle Snyder has been added also.

There are two different camps when it comes to Snyder. Some that say if K.C. doesn't want him who will? Others suggest that K.C. assessment of talent over the years is so bad that they can't see a good thing when it's staring them square in the face.

I'm not sure where I stand. Snyder did well versus a lackluster Nationals team. His 12-6 curve was impressive. This is the right time to bring him up. He'll gain some confidence after his last outing. He should face Philly (which will be tough) on Sunday. Then his schedule seems a bit lighter - Florida and then Tampa Bay. I don't see him going much beyond that. Clement should be back eventually.

Then again perhaps we won't need Clement nor Snyder in a few weeks. Eventually the Braves are going to realize that they are done. I've got the fork right here.

And now that John Smoltz is willing to step up and do everything he can for Atlanta including a willingness to leave. That's commendable.

With that kind of talk though, teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Detroit and Dodgers have got to be mildly interested. Smoltz was even so bold as to dangle a carrot in front of Detroit - you know it's his home town, where he was originally drafted, etc.

I'm sure Atlanta is especially pleased to hear its clubhouse leader has essentially given up on the season. For that reason alone, I say forget him. I'd much rather have his teammate Tim Hudson.

I can't wait for the Minnesota Twins to get a new ballpark. I hate the Metrodome.

First off, baseball should not be played indoors, nor should football for that matter.

Second, the 26,000 fans sound like 50,000. Thus the reason for so many damn speakers!

Ah, the speakers. The Boston Globe writes: This speaker silences Ortiz.

David Ortiz was robbed. How could the hardest ball ever hit amount to a single? It was painful. You knew it was, er, gone once you heard it blast off the bat. Ouch!

Ortiz, Terry Francona and myself were disgusted.

Third, the ground rules are confusing:

Foul poles are in fair territory. Ball hitting roof or speakers in fair territory: if caught by fielder, batter is out and fielders advance at their own risk. Ball hitting roof or speakers in fair territory shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it hits the ground or is touched by a fielder. Any ball that hits the speaker or roof in foul territory is a foul ball; if, however, the ball is caught by fielder, the batter is out and base runners advance at their own risk. A ball that hits speaker in foul territory and ricochets back into fair territory is still a foul ball; if the ball is caught by fielder, the batter is out and base runners advance at their own risk.

A look at the Metrodome's dimension leaves one to wonder...

Left-field line: 343 feet Left-center: 385 feet Center field: 408 feet Right-center: 367 feet Right-field line: 327 feet Fence 7 feet Fence (RF) 23 feet

What's the ceiling height?

My hopes dashed; my heart sunk. The Sox have now lost four in a row. I can't remember the last time that happened.

Man that Joe Mauer can hit, tough. I was lucky enough to draft in my fantasy league. He leads the league in average and has a hit .637, or something over the last week, earning the A.L. Player of the Week Award.

Some are comparing him to Seattle's Ichiro. I would argue he is better.

He's only 23 and he's a catcher. Though I would suggest the Twins find a new position for him to play. They need to find a way to protect his knees, back. Perhaps third would suit him better. The Astros were smart moving Craig Biggio from the catcher spot to second. The same could happen here. The problem with moving him: he's a fine catcher.

With the loss, Boston trails New York by one game.

It's sad really the Sox have all of theiroffense and New York's is depleted. But there they are in first place.

Is Red Sox nation in panic mode? It's still a little early. Heck, the team has been able to get on base, they just aren't driving the runners home. hey have had some weak pitching moments, but the defense is the strongest in the league.

Their have improved on 2005 record thus far and with a little push over the next two weeks we'll be right back at the top, right?

Besides, the fans will get another glimpse of the future when Jon Lester takes the mound tonight against Atlanta. That's right, the beginning of the interleague fortnight is tonight.

I receive the Red Sox newsletter to get wind of different events that may happen at Fenway as well as team updates. I generally enjoy getting the news first-hand. Well, me and thousands of others.

So when today's e-mail "Nothing beats a picnic at Fenway" came flying into my mailbox, I was intrigued. Yes, indeed nothing would beat a picnic at Fenway Park.

It has been a goal of mine to somehow get onto the field without getting a police escort off the field. I've come pretty close sitting in a line waiting for the opportunity before some of the games. But either the tickets were already sold out or I didn't get there in time, rushing instead to get to my seat for some BP and bullpen sessions.

I often watch with envy as those with the passes around their necks being walked around the field, into the dugout and eventually disappearing behind the scoreboard. Lucky bums.

I would love to be able to touch the Green Monster, feel the sacred grass, stand where so many greats have stood.

With those dreams in mind I clicked on the offer to find out more. There would be food, players signing autographs and live entertainment. Oh this is going to be good...

I read on. I stopped at "General admission tickets are $300.00 per person. MVP tickets are $500.00 per person."

$300 bucks! Doing some pretty complicated math I figured out for my wife, child and me that's $900 greenbacks!

Who has that kind of money for a picnic? I do not have that kind of cash, well at least not for a picnic.

Geez, I've entered lotteries for playoff tickets, Green Monster seats and Yankee games - Nothing.

I've bought hats, shirts, balls, photos, baseball cards, and of course tickets. I've purchased Sullivan Tires, Dunkin' Donuts and looked into buying a Ford F150 for Cripes sake. I've paid lots of money over my 37 years on peanuts and crackerjacks, not to mention a few beverages of choice.

When is the organization going to make an effort to reach the average fan? When is the organization going to cut me some slack? $300! Forget it. If you have the cake then I would recommend it. I do not. So perhaps, I'll eat a sandwich or two with my wife and child at some local beach, and listen to the Sox play Philly, that to me would be priceless.

Perhaps my pessimism doomed them. Perhaps my lack of faith in the bullpen killed the opportunity to win a truly great game. Perhaps, I'm to blame. Or perhaps Julian Tavarez sucks.

Before Tavarez, threw his first pitch, I rolled my eyes and said aloud, "Here we go again," though no one was in the room to hear me.

As I watched the bases load up, I almost cried. The Sox can't go out like this, can they?

I had just witnessed perhaps the best game of the season. Two former Cy Young Award winners dueling for eight innings (Johan Santana has 12 Ks through the first six; Schilling was painting the corners and a pitching masterpiece).

I saw a spectacular defensive display by both teams led by Kevin Youkilis who protected the corners, stretched the doubleplays and was simply masterful at first. J.T. who? Then there was a great catch by Minnesota's Torii Hunter.

I had seen two of baseball's best closers (Twins' Joe Nathan and Boston's Jon Papelbon) come into the game without a save opportunity for two innings each - Papelbon lowered his ERA to an unthinkable 0.28. MSN has a good article in which they get to the bottom of his entrance tunes.

But I digress...

I thought 6.6.06 had gone well, before I heard that my father-in-law, Don Antonelli, had passed.

He lived in the heart of Red Sox Nation, on the South Shore and watched most every game. Don's enthusiasm for baseball went way back. He had a relative - a cousin or an uncle - I forget which, who pitched for the New York Giants. Johnny Antonelli, was a five-time All Star in fact. And in 1954, had the best ERA. Don was modest, mentioning it only once, but I went out and collected everyone of Johnny's baseball cards, displaying them proudly.

Don was a gentle, quiet man. I had only heard an outburst when he watched his beloved Red Sox team or when the Patriots were on the tube on Sundays.

He was a traditionalist. When Johnny Damon was with the Sox, Don would shout "cut you hair" at the television everytime the man entered the batter's box.

He is now in a much better place, where perhaps the Sox win every year and beat the Yankees every day.

I'm not looking for sympathy. I only write this in case over the next week or so I'm unavailable. Some things are more important than the Sox.

However, I watched Tuesday's game with as much interest as I could muster. It was a welcome distraction. The young rookie made quite an impression, taking the mound in the Bronx against a surprisingly tough first-place Yankee team. David Pauley showed guts. The look of awe, present the night before, had disappeared. He listened to his coaches and more importantly to his battery mate.

His efforts were lost. Eight innings of good pitching, only to have Rudy Seanez walk in the winning run. Sorry, Pauley.

It's pretty ironic that the very guy that Pauley showed appreciation for in his last start would be a reason of why the team lost. Somewhere, somehow, Manny got the notion that he had the speed of Seattle Slue. He doesn't and Damon tossed a throw to second with plenty of time. Damon was the happiest of the bunch.

Then in the ninth, Manny's best effort was stolen when Melky Cabrera jumped to take an obvious home run away from the Silver Slugger. Again Johnny Damon celebrated, jumping perhaps even higher than Cabrera, arms extended. Yes, he is now a blue-blooded Yankee.

Melky is sure making the most of his opportunities. He has also developed that smug Yankee expression. The "I'm better than you" attitude, whether the statement be true or not, is more than I can take.

Now the Sox are 1 1/2 games out of first and need to take the next two in the Bronx to salvage the road trip.

Tonight, Schilling faces Jaret Wright. How is it that Curt Schilling never faces Randy Johnson? I can never figure out how the schedule can be only one game off. It has to happen eventually, right?

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.

I have mentioned The Morning Jab's segment reluctantly to friends and family. Hey, I'm excited. I've always wanted a chance to be on the radio. What better format than on that radio show?

Reluctant only because it is my first time on the air. I have a face for radio to be sure, as I do for the Web, so that at least is not of great concern. But now the public can put a voice to the words. Shaky as those words may be.

However, when mentioning it to "friends," their first response is "That's great, I'll have to tune in to heckle you." This has happened on more than one occasion. There are many that want to heckle, though I doubt I need their "help." I'm sure I can fail on my own with the likes of Angry Al and Erroneous Eric lurking about. But by my count, and I'm no mathematician, the Morning Jab's listeners will increase by a small percentage.

The other thing that troubles me - the date...6.6.6. So not only do I have my heckling "friends," Angry Al and Erroneous Eric, but the Devil himself may be out to ruin my day.

Add the fact that the Red Sox are playing the Yankees and I'm doomed, simply doomed.

Wish me luck.

The Red Sox did exactly what they needed to do this weekend in Detroit, take two of three from the Tigers. Done.

Though the Tigers' young pitching staff tried to hang in there it simply wasn't enough. Jeremy Bonderman of course was the only difference maker. He is something special.

Luckily, I guess, I was unable to watch thay game, the satellite dish on Frye Island, where I spent the weekend, was kicking out. Bummer. There may be some correlation between the losses and my viewing, but I'd have to do some extensive research to prove that theory. I'm not saying the Sox always win when I watch, but they always lose when I don't. Hmm. Needless to say, I don't miss many games - out fo fear.

Sunday, the day was a little brighter and the results also were favorable. The Detroit Free Press reports few things went right for the Tigers leading to Jim Leyland's ejection.

One thing is for sure, Zach Miner is yet another up-and-coming pitcher on the Tigers' staff. Yesterday's outing was not a bad one considering who he faced for his first time out.

Images in the rear view mirror are closer than they appear. With the injuries to both the Red Sox and Yankees clubs, Toronto has an opportunity to make a name for themselves this week.

The Yankees have lost Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui to injury and Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon are also banged up.

The Sox losses are not as dramatic, but it would appear that its pitching staff is in a state of disarray.

Toronto on the other hand is only 2 1/2 games out of first. And this week, the schedule is in their favor. The Blue Jays face Tampa Bay (currently last in the AL East) then Baltimore (who are a good 7 1/2 games back), while the Red Sox and Yankees will be trying to kill each other Monday through Thursday.

Add the fact that the Red Sox face a good Detriot team this weekend and the Yankees face Oakland next weekend, opportunity knocks.

Do they have enough in the tank? Their offense has proved formidable; starting pitcher Roy Halladay is solid, better than solid actually; the closer B.J. Ryan is almost as good as our boy Papelbon.

TheStar.com says the Blue Jays could roll on the road. I hoping the wheels come off.

This leaves the Red Sox in a must-win situation - two of three from the Tigers and at least break-even on the four-game road trip through New York.