The Boston Pro Sports Blog

Tonight Joe Thornton makes his return to the TD Banknorth garden to face his former team. Some members of the media have decided to stir the pot by claiming the return of the former franchise player might involve some tension. More importantly, it is an opportunity for Bruins fans to show their true colors. Ross McKeon reports that this game is “a chance for Bruins fans to show their appreciation for Thornton and send a loud message to Boston management or to reject Jumbo Joe’s return and take out frustrations over a 32-year Cup drought on him.” While the trade did cause some frustration with Bruins fans due to the immediate success of Thornton and the Sharks. Although the Sharks do find themselves in the basement of their respective division(along with the Bruins), they have shown significant improvement and find themselves with a record over .500(18-16-5) while the Bruins have yet to reach that .500 mark at 16-19-6. I would be naïve to think that the Bruins haven’t improved with the trade, however it is still frustrating to watch a team struggle on their way to what most people concede will be a play-off-less season. In his column, McKeon also stated that “It’s a chance in particular for Sturm and Stuart — two first-round draft picks by San Jose and considered integral pieces for a franchise that fell two wins short of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003-04 — to show their former bosses they made a mistake, at least for one night. “

Most importantly, from this perspective, it’s a chance for the fans to show their appreciation for Joe. A guy who practically grew up a Bruin in his seven years here and always gave his all on the ice. He became the face of the Bruins as their franchise player and willingly and maturely accepted his role as the star both on and off the ice. Unfortunately in justifying the trade, much of the Boston media scrutinized Thornton and his play. In reacting to the trade as well as Thornton’s return to Boston, Sharks defenseman and former Bruin Kyle McLaren stated that “I read the papers and the columnists after he left, and they were hard on him.” Whether it was justified or not is another story. What is important tonight is that Bruins fans still welcome Joe back to the city that raised him. I mean really, its not like he went to the Yankees via free agency or anything. McLaren attested that “The fans have always been good. They were good to me and they were good to him, so if you don’t read into as much of the media stuff, he’ll be fine.” Hopefully, tonight Mr. McLaren will be right. So rather than take our frustrations out on a guy who gave it all, lets give him the ovation that he deserves. Although I suppose it doesn’t really matter because it would be tough to here the ‘boos’ from the 38 people attending the game anyways. Oh well.

This is a bizarre and random tangent but I just need to get something off my chest. Think back to last Saturday’s Patriots game versus the Jaguars. In the first Pats possession(think back…think…it was before you were drunk), Tom Brady hit one of the referees square in the noggin. Upon a replay of the pass and a camera shot to see the referees recovery, it becomes blatanly obvious why this interference came into play.

The ref was wearing sun glasses.

But not just any sun glasses. These were strange black goggle sunglasses. They looked like a cross between Shaft sunglasses and the goggles that the Bud-Light Daredevil wears. Why on earth was this ref wearing these? I couldn’t decide whether he was shading the bright sunlight of a night game or about to go scuba diving. I can’t think of a possible reason why this man was wearing these in an NFL football game. He looked like a cross between Kareem Abdul-Jabar and giant fly. Can someone please explain this to me?

Yesterday in an interview with ESPN Deportes(the Spanish ESPN) slugger Manny Ramirez stated that “There will be no trade, I’m staying in Boston, where I’m familiar with the system and where I have a lot of friends, especially David Ortiz.” This is a slight turn in events since as early as yesterday Manny was doing his best impersonation of Spalding Smails from Caddyshack. “I want a trade, I want a contract extension, no…I want a…” Despite our appreciation for Manny, sometimes I wish someone in the Front Office would just pull a Judge Smails and tell Manny that he’ll get nothing and like it. I think we all have to take Manny’s latest digression with a grain of salt considering that he is a 10 year old trapped in a 33 year old’s body. Well, perhaps that “33” should go in quotations. I mean, he is from the Dominican Republic where birth records are about as well kept as a Nick Nolte mug shot.

In a chat with Boston.com two days ago, Peter Gammons acknowledged that “I do not think Manny thinks out certain situations very carefully.” I almost squirted milk out of my nose while reading this. You mean the guy who asks for a trade every year, takes a bathroom break in the middle of a pitching change and almost completely misses a play, and then knocks up another chick that’s not his wife causing him to want to get out of Boston doesn’t think things out very carefully? Really? Him? Thank you Dr. Gammons. Somebody nominate him for the understatement of the year. If I was a girl in college I would put that on my common room quote board.

However if Manny declares there will be no trade, there is a good chance there will be no trade due to his trade veto power. And despite the fact that Manny is as decisive as Ted Kennedy in a liquor store, this latest proclamation could finally put the stop to Manny trade talks and allow the disheveled Front Office to concentrate on more important and pressing matters. And as an average Boston fan, I can stop worrying that a blockbuster trade is going down any second and start putting all my energies into more pertinent things like wondering if aspirin cures calf injuries and how we are going to stop Fred Taylor this time.

As I watched NESN’s SportsDesk yesterday trying to get an update on the hype surrounding Saturday’s playoff match up against the Jacksonville Jaguars, I watched what appeared to be a disgruntled Tom Brady complain about not being supported consistently throughout the duration of this season.

In responding to a question from the media, Brady responded “’I think we’ve been given up on by a lot of media people, a lot of fans, our own fans, and other people around the league.”

I sat and watched in shock. Was he really talking about us like that? Was he being honest? Did he really mean it or was it some attempt to convince himself and his teammates that was actually true in order to get motivated for the game. I suppose the latter is much more understandable. Although I am not sure I agree with Mr. Brady in this case. I suppose if I were to respond to him in person I would probably tell him a few things.

Firstly, Tom if you haven’t realized this yet, you are in Boston. Along with being the Hub of the Universe it can also be the Hub of Negative Sports Energy and although I love my dear city to death, I know how quick the media can turn and, even more so, I know that deep inside every Boston sports fan, there exists an innate tendency to always fear the worst and sometimes voice this sentiment(its ok its part of our therapy to talk about it). There is and always will be some grizzled veteran Boston sports fan who sits on his coach with a Budweiser in his hand and screams “They SUCK!” at the television(I hope to God this isn’t me in 40 years). I am sure even during some of Vinatieri’s kicks or Foulke’s flip for the final out there was still some bitter Boston fan who still threw his empty beer can at the screen while muttering incoherently. So Tom, I understand what you are saying to a certain extent. I am sure you have heard some negativity. There were moments this season that worried us all. Mostly because we had seldom seen our infallible Patriots suddenly seem so human. It was like a 12 year old son realizing his Dad is not the strongest guy in the world like he had believed for so long. But to say “I think people gave up on us a long time ago” like you did yesterday, well Tom, that just plain hurt my feelings. Because…

Secondly, Tom if you haven’t realized this year, you are in Boston. A city and area that is unequivocally obsessed with its sports franchises. We become so immersed in our teams sometimes through the duration of a season that every dropped pass, double play, or missed shot is taken personally. It hurts us just as much as it hurts you. We even feel that we know the athletes on a personal level, like we hang out, have a few beers, and share some laughs together or something. And as the New England Patriots you are our team. We will never completely give up on you. Perhaps the worst curse of any Boston fan is the perpetual feeling of hope. As a team that has delivered three championships in four years, we will especially not give up on you. I haven’t heard a Patriots fan yet that has said there is no chance that you guys can win the Lombardi trophy this year. I even believe that you guys could march into Indianapolis today and come out victorious. So to say that people gave up on you a long time ago is false. This doesn’t even take into consideration that the team is led by you, Tom Brady, as well as the pigskin mastermind prodigy that is Bill Belichick. There are few people that would completely give up on their team knowing you two are at the reigns, even regardless of your track record. I know Patriots fans that believed in Pete Carroll by the way. So please don’t think that everyone has given up on you. Its slightly insulting.

However, you are Tom Brady. And I am a forgiving guy. So I will let this one slide. If saying those hurtful things is what you need to do to motivate your team and prepare yourself for a third straight SuperBowl run then so be it. Ray Lewis visualizes someone raping and murdering his family to get pumped for games, Tom Brady claims a lot of people have given up on him. Hey, whatever wakes you up in the morning. But I am here to tell you that less people are counting you out than you think.

So I say to you Tom Brady that I along with my fellow Patriots-fan brethren have not, and will not give up on you. Even with less than 2 minutes to go in the game, down two touchdowns to the Indianapolis colts, on the road, in the playoffs, I will still believe in you. Perhaps that is my curse. But so be it. When its all said and done, I hope I am at least acknowledged for my support.

Just a few quick suggestions for New Years Resolutions for some of the people in the Boston sports scene…

Terry Francona: a resolution to stop rocking back and forth in the dugout like some autistic child subsequently making everyone who is watching more nervous about his managing ability and self-confidence.

Paul Pierce: a resolution to not make a pouty-bitch face for all of 2006(the latter half of 2005 was a big improvement)

Larry Lucchino: a resolution to stop trying to control the Red Sox’ General Managers(whomever they may be either now or in the future).

The New England Patriots: a resolution to win SuperBowl XL(do resolutions work that way?)

John Henry: a resolution to stop lying to the public about Theo’s role in the Red Sox organization. Just because Theo shows up to the office everyday in a gorilla costume doesn’t mean anyone is being fooled.

Manny Ramirez: a resolution to keep the snake in its cage.

Bob Craft: a resolution to never ever change the pink tie/blue shirt with white collar combo on game days. Why mess with a good thing?

Patriots Fans: a resolution to prove Richard Seymour wrong and transform Gillette stadium into one of the most hostile, rowdy, energetic, and loud football venues for the playoffs and the following seasons. Even if you get your season tickets taken away because the asshole in front of you complained that you were yelling too loud and he practically got drunk off your breathe. At least you can be a fan of principle.

Red Sox Fans: a resolution to continue to remind yourselves that its alright that we currently don’t have a short-stop, 1st baseman, lead-off hitter, or centerfielder because opening day is still a long way away.

Celtics Fans: a resolution to keep cheering for your team. Even if you sometimes think that you are watching a high school team.

Bruins Fans: a resolution to keep chee–…er…well, uh…keep watching the games anyways.