Welcome to the Cheap Seats

I'd like to welcome everyone to my favorite cheering section; the cheap seats. Where, I will do my best to humbly offer my opinion on the different sports topics of the day. Thoughts, comments, constructive criticisms and suggestions are all welcome and encouraged. In case you are wondering; the url pays homage to those of us who were "priveleged?" to sit in the old Boston Garden and in the grandstands at Fenway Park. Where we became so accostumed to the poles that obstructed our view of the game, they became like an old friend. So much so infact, I've heard some people even complain that the TD Banknorth Garden just isn't the same because there are no poles.

On to the topics of the day...

Roger, Roger, Roger, I'd like to say I'm shocked about all of this Mindy McCready nonsense, but I"m not. This guy has thrown everyone, including his wife and mother under the bus during the steriod controversy. Now it comes out; he may have been unfaithful with a woman half his age, and I'm not shocked. There is nothing that could come to light at this point, short of murder, that would shock me about Roger Clemens.

As a young child growing up in the Boston area during the 80's, I idolized Roger. I practiced pitching everyday, trying to emulate his delivery. If I had a sports hero growing up, it was Roger.
Back then my father warned me about Roger, he never liked him. "There is something not right about that man." He would say. Ofcourse being the awestruck kid I was, I thought my Dad was nuts. While my father was in the tiniest of minorities when it came to Roger in New England, he was not alone. The late, great Boston sports writer, Will McDonough liked to call Clemens the "Texas Con Man" McDonough, like my father could see the true character of this man.

Roger, I emplore you, just go away. You are going into the hall, pick a damn cap and shut up. No one really cares anymore. There is actuall baseball to worry about. So please, no more law suits to "save your reputation" it's gone. No more press confrences to try and convince me how badly you've been attacked. You did it to yourself. Please stop raging against the dying of the light and please do go quietly into that good night.

Elsewhere,

The NHL playoffs are in full swing and the conference semis are well...pretty much over. Hardly a match in any of them. Here is hoping that the conference finals provide a bit more drama. I will say this though, being a recent transplant to Dallas, the Stars sure are fun to watch. I will be in attendance tonight at the American Airlines Center as they go for the sweep of San Jose.

The NBA playoffs aren't much better in their first round match-ups. However, the Boston - Atlanta series is proving to be 100 times more interesting than everyone thought. Being a lifelong Celtics fan, I am ofcourse rooting for them. However, it's nice to see an 8 seed taking some pride in their game and coming to play. Hopefully, win or lose, this will give the Atlanta franchise something to really build on. Besides I'm so sick of the Eastern conference being the Leastern confrence. We need some teams to step up.

In MLB, I woke up to see the Orioles and Rays fighting for first place? Did I wake up in another dimension? Good for them, the O's fans certainly deserve it, and the Rays like Carl Crawford do as well. There was great pitching duel in the AL East where cancer survivor and Red Sox lefty Jon Lester 8 ip, 1 hit, 0 er, out dueled Toronto ace Roy "Doc" Halladay. Although the Sox couldn't put a run accross the plate til the ninth inning, so Lester got a no decision. I'll have a more complete rundown of the MLB tomorrow.

In the NFL, teams are now getting ready for mini camps and working on signing their draft picks. Who did you think were the winners and losers this draft weekend. Leave a comment and let me know.

Thanks for dropping by and this has been my slightly obstructed view...

From the Cheap Seats