I am making plans to be in Cooperstown for the induction ceremony in either 2012 or 2013.

One of my all-time favorites is sure to be in one of those classes.

I've been a fan of Craig Biggio ever since 1989, the year I started completing in fantasy baseball.

My first roster wasn't exactly stellar. However, I did have three legitimate "keepers," two on the fence and yet another that I could not remember today.

There was Julio Franco (still playing at the age of, hmm, 80?), Terry Pendleton, Bob Welch, Rob Dibble and, my favorite, Biggio.

At the time, Biggio had moved to second from the catcher position. I remember thinking, "What a luxury."

Watching his stats that year, he quickly became one of my all-time favorites.

Funny what numbers can say about a guy.

For instance, yesterday as a birthday gift to me, Craig Biggio got his 3,000th hit.

A feat only 26 others have accomplished in the history of baseball. This all but assures him a place in The Hall.

In case there is debate here are some more numbers.

Seattle isn't that good. Is it? Everytime the Sox head to Nintendoland they lose.
Yesterday Dice-K put forth his best effort to date and the Sox could not capitalize.

But it's OK. No, really it is. Today is my birthday; everything is just rolling off.

Losing three in a row is not as bad as losing say seven of the last eight, which is exactly what the Yankees have been doing.

Their savior has done nothing to help his team, either. Roger Clemens is 1-3 since rejoining the club. That's almost $6 million per victory for those of you keeping track at home. His WHIP is 1.48 and batters are hitting .284 against him bringing his ERA to a whopping 5.32.

A wise investment indeed.

Today, the Sox are celebrating my birthday. My present: a nine-game lead over Toronto. There will be no game.

However, it's a good opportunity for you fans to get your last All Star votes in. Voting ends today. Manny could use your help.

Speaking of help. After my birthday bash, Jason Varitek and some of the gang will be spending the rest of the day to raise money for charity at Varitek's Put Put challenge.

I was going to be there ($23 is a lot cheaper than a game ticket and chances are good you could get a closer look), but I have other partying to do.

If Francona is truly the genius I think he is, then it is time to shake up the rotation a bit.

He did well placing J.D. Drew atop the order. What arm options are available?

Rumor has it that Mark Buehrle may be available. I'm all for it, but before we even begin to entertain that idea, perhaps we should take a look at our current club.

Tim Wakefield, forgive me, just isn't getting it done and hasn't for a month. His ERA has jumped from 2.41 to 4.52. Not good enough on this staff.

I love Wake, but it may be time to put him in the 'pen; making room for either Lester, Gabbard or a Buehrle.

Would Wakefield be willing? He bleeds for his team, he is a realist and will undoubtedly do what the team feels is needed. He could be effective in that role.

Now on to the rumors. Surely, some shuffling has to happen should a deal get done for no-hit wonder Buerhle.

What would you give up? Would Chigago be interested in Gabbard and a Moss or Murphy? Would you do it? How about a Buchholz or Ellsbury?

Chicago likes the Buchholz or Ellsbury idea. And why not? The two are sure-fire prospects who could have an immediate impact.

But I can't see the Sox parting with either of these two, especially if there is no certainty that Buehrle will sign. To me, Ellsbury, Lester and Buchholz are untouchable.

I wouldn't part with the others either if Buehrle weren't going to stay beyond '07.

Why mortgage the future for a pitcher?

The same goes for any "available" free agent player whether it be Andruw Jones, Ichiro, whoever.

The Sox could win it with the team they have.

It may not even matter, the Mets may outbid Boston anyway.

Chicago Sun-Times' Jay Mariotti thinks the White Sox should stop the trade talk and sign Buehrle.

We'll see how this all will shake out.

Friday we get a sneak preview to what I believe will be this year's World Series.
Now, neither of these teams are exactly favorites, but they both have what it takes to get them to the championship - pitching.

The Padres are perhaps the best pitching staff in baseball with an impressive staff ERA of 3.02. What's even more important - none of the Padre pitchers walk anyone. They get a lot of first-pitch strikes which keeps the team in every game.

They have Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, a legitimate ace in Jake Peavy and an under-the-radar (eventual) No. 2 in Chris Young. They round out the rotation with homeboy David Wells and an up-and-comer Justin Germano.

The bullpen solidifies any flaws with former Sea Dog Cla Meredith and Scott Linebrink setting up future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman.

Chris Young is one of my personal favorites. He plays with a certain intensity exhibited by his, err, tiff with Cubs first baseman Derek Lee. Young is going to appeal the suspension for that incident. Good luck.

[Secretly I think the spat was over my fantasy baseball team. Both were once teammates on Walsh's Warthogs and this was the first meeting since Derek Lee was shipped to get Young's teammate Jake Peavy. But that is an entirely different story.]

Speaking of Peavy...

Okay so here we are in the middle of June, my Red Sox have a fantastic nine-game lead over the enemy.

Just when you think everything is going great, Curt Schilling is in need of a MRI on his (gulp) right shoulder.

Uh-oh.

So instead of continuing the road trip with the team, he's trotting to Boston for a visit with the docs.

Not too worry, they haven't found anything, yet.

The good news Curt only has (at most) three starts before the All-Star break. His next start is scheduled for Sunday in San Diego - in what I believe to be the 2007 World Series preview. (More on that Thursday).

It's time to shut him down, just until after the All-Star break. I'd much rather see a healthy Schilling in August, September than to potentially make matters worse in late June.

The door is about to open for Jon Lester.

Though his eight-game sample while in Pawtucket is small, Lester has posted some outstanding numbers (2.11 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) but has had very little run support.

He pitches today but there is no reason to believe he could not be ready for Monday's game in Seattle.

Not only does Lester have the numbers (25Ks in 38 innings), he also brings with him a certain spiritual energy the team may need right now.

What can be more uplifting than seeing a teammate back in the bigs after fighting cancer?

The Sox nine-game lead is not in jeopardy. There's no need to panic. Pitching Lester for three weeks could prove very valuable in assessing the teams needs down the stretch.

Wow, the New York media is already predicting a return to 1978, when the Sox lost their 14-game lead to the Yankees. The author claims it would make a great story should the Yankees do it again.

I can't believe what I'm reading.

I was 10 years old at the time and didn't understand the business part of the game.

When the collapse happened, I didn't think much of it. I didn't realize what "1-9-1-8" meant. I probably thought we'd get them next year. Ignorance is, afterall, bliss.

The situations are undoubtedly similar, but looking at 1978 roster, the depth isn't as visible as it is on the current Sox squad.

The Sox have backups (good ones) at every position (Hinske, Cora, Pena) with some itching for their chance in the minors (Ellsbury, Lester, Buchholz).

The Sox have a much better pitching staff (tough Torrez and Eck did well). The '07 Sox have a solid bullpen and a dominant closer (However, I question the release of Romero instead of Timlin; Blastphemy, I know.)

Baseball as a whole has changed. You won't see very many pitchers with 268 innings for instance.

That said, I'm concerned about the lack of production. Perhaps the lineup experiments will turn things around. But there is a hole.

This Red Sox organization learned from the mistakes of the past. They are built for a championship run. If they need a little help, the front office will fid it. I would not be surprised to see a deal. I hear Adam Dunn may be available; Drew wouldn't be so bad in center. It may be as simple as Coco and a prospect.

The Yankee staff, while better with Clemens, still has an uphill climb. To think the Red Sox are going to whittle away and die isn't realistic.

Today the Colorado Rockies play the first of a three-game set at Fenway Park.

This will be an interesting series and features two home-comings and an abundance of good hitters.

Colorado's Todd Helton used to play in the Cape Cod League, way back in the day, and Josh Fogg (Wednesday's starter) is a Lynn, Mass. native.

Helton was subject of off-season rumors that would place him in the spot now held my tried and true Youkilis.

MLB.com was there when Helton recalled the near-deal.

We are reminded by Theday.com that both Lowell and Tavarez would have been a part of that deal.

Can you imagine?

Hmm. Youk would have been back at third (makes sense); Helton, first base Gold Glover and hitting champion, would man the five-hole;
Lester would be the fifth in the rotation.

Except for the fact that hitting lefty, Helton would allow for a more balanced lineup, it's a near wash.

But better? I think not.

I've watched Todd Helton's power numbers decline over the past few years and worry about his ability to produce runs. He only has six home runs and 29 RBIs thus far. This where the air is a bit thinner than at Boston's sea level Fenway (short porch or not).

He's playing for a weaker team, but traditionally speaking, Colorado can score runs.

Lowell on the other hand is playing for a new contract: batting .312 with 11 HRs and 47 RBIS. Not too shabby from your No. 6.

Tavarez has really blossomed as a starter, so much so, Lester is staying in Pawtucket.

Some of the best deals are the ones not made.

With the Red Sox losing their fourth straight game, I'm focusing on the future (at least for the next few hours).

In an effort to bring some buzz to its draft, MLB has decided to televise the event. Well, at least part of the 50 rounds. It all begins at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.

I'm somewhat interested. But unlike the NFL or NBA, I'll probably not see any of these projected stars for quite sometime.

The Red Sox lost its first rounder when aquiring Lugo from the Dodgers. However, they do have two first-round supplementals for losing Gonzalez and Foulke. That's pick 55 and 62 for those keeping track at home.

I just can't wait to see who they pick. No, really I can't.

In 2002, the Sox picked Jon Lester with the 57th pick. In 2004, they got Dustin Pedroia at 65.

The Sox organization is confident they can get quality again.

Who's next?

The Associated Press says the Sox will pick high schoolers.

Only the scouts know.

Truly they're just names until I see them in Sea Dogs uniforms.

This could be interesting. Or not.

I'm not trying to sound pessimistic, but the Yankees have taken another game away from the Red Sox lead.
According to ABS, Yankees still believe they can make it to the playoffs.
The Sox AL East lead is now down to 9, and the Sox are 11 1/2 over the Yankees.
Ouch. I'm not too worried about the Toronto Blue Jays, they have been dealing with injuries and I can't see them recovering anytime soon; though they have won three in a row.

Yes, it's that time again boys and girls - Yankees v. Red Sox.

But the Yankees are without a couple of their horses, yet again.

Jason Giambi as got himself a mysterious ailment. I say mysterious because Matt Watson has a theory. He'll be out for three weeks or as the New York Post believes the rest of the season. It is a bit curious. Shortly after he gets in trouble with the commish, the Yankees talk of voiding his contract and he suddenly finds himself on the DL. Hmm?

I'm also a bit surprised that Roger Clemens is not going to pitch during this three-game series.

Two more bits from recent Fenway trip.

Not sure if this made the television set or not, it never does. But in the eighth inning, out of right field fans were treated with an all-too familiar sight.
A over zealous fan jumped the wall and made his way towards second base.
Now this happens pretty regularly. But what was different about this event was the speed this kid exhibited.