By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies editor
Shaquille O’Neal might be heading to Boston. I’ve heard mixed reactions from Boston fans on this, but here is mine. NO. GOD NO. WHY?!?!?!
Six Reasons Shaq should go away, even if they are a bit of a stretch:
1. While I was raised a die-hard Boston fan, I grew up in Orlando, and spent much of my formative years hearing one thing about Shaquille O’Neal.  He can’t hit a free throw. This was true, and as I watched the man hurt more than help LeBron James last season, I realized he still can’t. He’s averaged .527% over career, and in 2009 was at .496% Even if these numbers aren’t horrendous, nobody that tall should frequently miss a set shot like that, right?
2. Having two O’Neal’s will be too confusing. Just like two Allen’s were. There apparently wasn’t room enough for Tony and Ray, and neither of them are as huge as Shaq…see what I’m getting at?
3. He’s 38. Our team is old enough. ‘Nuff said.
4. He didn’t help LeBron win a championship, so who’s to say he’ll help us win one?
5. He played for the Lakers. And Orlando. And Cleveland. All Rivals of the Celts.
6. This picture [...]

By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Red Sox GM Theo Epstein did not make any big moves at the trading deadline.
Shipping reliever Ramon Ramirez to the Giants, bringing in once-promising minor league catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Texas and acquiring Eric Patterson from Oakland way back in late June were all shrewd moves by Epstein.
But they weren’t earth-shaking. They weren’t the kinds of moves that catapult a team that trails the two other best teams in baseball by over five games into first place.
All that said, Epstein believes that his current roster — which will eventually be healthy — has the ability to make a run at the Yankees and Rays for an AL playoff spot.
I have a tough time following that mindset. Boston is riddled by injuries, so much so that it’s been forced to call up minor leaguers like Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava well before they probably should be.
So far, you have to give props to Epstein, Terry Francona and all of the Red Sox reserves in 2010 for the tremendous job they’ve done. With a win over the Indians on Tuesday night, Boston improved to 61-45, the sixth-best record in baseball. And that’s with a team that’s made [...]

By Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Throughout the New England Patriots’ dynasty that encompassed the first ten years of the new millennium, one thing that was never stable was the running back situation.
The team got production from the position, whether it be Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon, or Kevin Faulk. However it was also the most inconsistent position. There was a rotating door of running backs due to spotty performances and an unbelievable amount of injuries.
Between the uneven play of the running backs and the star-studded quarterback the team has, the Patriots have evolved into a very pass-happy team, but the fans and coaches would like to add a little more balance to the attack.
Coming into the new decade, the team has found no complete answer. Players have shown flashes of brilliance, but then wound up benched because of turnovers or injuries. Who will the Patriots be able to depend on in 2010, an extremely pivotal season for the franchise?
Here is a look at the running backs on the roster.
Laurence Maroney: Maroney is arguably the most perplexing player on the Patriots roster. Drafted number 21 overall in 2006, he was the first running back New England selected in the first round since Robert [...]

By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
I pulled off the impossible Friday night.
My girlfriend is the biggest Red Sox fan I’ve ever met. She worships Bill Mueller, owns about 37 different Sox “player T’s” and even has a Dice-K poster that reads “The Gun from the Rising Sun.” She’s dedicated.
But like anyone who has followed the Red Sox this year, she has absolutely no confidence in their bullpen.
And on Friday night, with Boston leading 2-1 heading into the ninth inning and Jonathan Papelbon on his way into the game, something very weird happened.
Her: “I bet you [Papelbon] blows it.”
Me: “OK, you’re on. Loser buys a six-pack.”
Her: “Deal. Get ready to pay up.”
I actually got my girlfriend to root against the Red Sox — with beer on the line.
But can you really blame her? After all, once you get past Daniel Bard — who has 21 holds and a 1.71 ERA — in the Sox bullpen, the game essentially becomes a free-for-all.
Thursday night was the perfect example.
John Lackey was pitching his best game of the season, and one of the best of his career. He had a no-hitter through seven and two-thirds, and left the game after eight innings with a 6-1 [...]

Boston fans are all over the world. Sarah Lee Marks, former Bostonian and current Vegasian (I have NO IDEA what Las Vegas dwellers call themselves, but that just sounds weird), is excited to announce that Rondo is coming to town. As someone who lives in a sports city that’s known to be pretty lacking in sports culture, the USA Basketball Team’s arrival is a pretty big deal. However, not as big of a deal as Rondo, fighting for a spot. We all know he deserves it, just as much as he deserved that MVP this year, had those damn Lakers not won. (Yep, still not over it. Are you?)
Read her post here, (http://www.mycarlady.com/2010/07/18/celtics-rondo-to-las-vegas-for-team-usa/) and stay tuned for more coverage of training camp and possible photos.

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
At Thursday nights Red Sox game, I was reminded why I love this city and its fans.
The Sox were down 6-0 by the end of the first, 7-0 by the end of the second. Man, when Wakefield’s off, he might as well just start throwing underhand.
It seemed like it was going to be a long night. But then, enter wasted, stereotypical Red Sox fan. I love it.
This guy made it his sole mission of the night to start the wave. Now, from left field, this is a difficult task, because you somehow have to get the people on the Monster to participate. (see picture. he’s not happy with them). I don’t know why they think they’re too good for the wave, but it seems to be the case.
There is no possible way he had a voice the next day because he didn’t give up. “1, 2, 3, WOOOO! AGAIN. 1, 2, 3 WOOOO! THE WAVE GUYS! 1…” He even tried the reverse wave, which I don’t think has ever been done before, and was even less successful. Now, the eighty year old lady behind me plugging her ears did not enjoy this, but I think she [...]

Congratulations to Big Papi for killing it at the Home Run Derby, hitting 32 homers. I think the big guy needed it. I also think it’s finally safe to say, that he’s got his swing back. No, not just because he hit all those BP balls out of the park, but because he really has come back from the dark months of April and May when he found himself even getting benched. He kept telling us he’d figure it out and now he’s up to .263 and has hit 18 homers, tied for eighth in the AL, tied for first with YOUKK (who once again got screwed on the All-Star cut) on the Sox. Well done.
BUT, if his decision to participate in the derby screws up his swing and he slumps again, this congratulations might be withdrawn.
Also, Papi needs to chill. Now he wants an extension? Does he realize that he’s about to be 35? Does he realize that the last time he hit over 50 homers was in 2006? That the last time he hit over 30 was in 2007? Boston loves their Teddy Bear, but there’s still half a season left, and he needs to prove he’s worth [...]