For Dempster, hindsight may prove to be 20/20

I will admit that in the heat of the moment, I cheered.

It was a snapshot reaction to what felt like a long overdue moment for the game of baseball. Ryan Dempster intentionally hit Alex Rodriguez in the second inning of last night's contest and Fenway Park ate it up. Dempster, a well-respected and liked player across the league, sent a message to the most narcissistic and tainted player in the game in Rodriguez.

Dempster essentially said to Rodriguez he wouldn't tolerate his actions any longer, let alone share the field with the embattled third basemen facing a 211-game suspension.

This situation was a ticking time bomb, a boiling point which finally exploded in the most heated rivalry in baseball. If there was a time and place for such theatrics, it is Red Sox/Yankees.

However, in hindsight, Dempster will most likely wish he hadn't picked the rubber game of a contentious three-game series as that exact time and place. Unfortunately, there are no mulligans in baseball.

The timing was surprising, even in the moment. Dempster took the mound after Boston's offense signed sealed and delivered a two-run lead to the innings-eater just a half inning before. He chose Rodriguez's first at-bat which coincided with the start of the inning. Dempster also needed four pitches to hit Rodriguez, after running a fastball behind A-Rod to start the at-bat and leaving the two next fastballs inside as well.

By the fourth pitch everyone, including Joe Girardi, knew the intent. Despite only a single player (Brett Gardner) coming off the bench and Girardi's promise of "someones gonna get hit (never happpened)," the Yankees manager's instant ejection served as the first public defense of Rodriguez by the New York Yankees, a telling moment throughout this entire debacle.

Dempster threw gasoline on a simmering fire last night. Ironically, it was one of the few Dempster throws which hit it's intended target, as he struggled immediately following the Rodriguez beaning. When you make such a bold statement like he did, you have to be able to back it up. Dempster certainly did not.

Not only did he relinquish the lead in that very same inning. Instead, Dempster relinquished seven runs on the night, departing in the sixth inning after loading the bases after already allowing a magnificently dramatic homer to Rodriguez himself in the very same inning.

Instead of hitting Rodriguez, Dempster would have been better served to continue pitching with the lead in hopes of recording an out in the 7th inning, something he's done only twice since June 14th. The man with a 6.25 ERA since the beginning of July needed a strong outing against the Yankees, needed to put his team in position to get back on track and take a pivotal series against a division rival.

The Red Sox, 3-7 in their last ten games, surely could've used a hard-fought win at Fenway before jettisoning off to the west coast to stat a difficult road trip. Instead, Dempster tried to play the role of baseball's moral police officer, in the process awaking a sleeping giant. Rodriguez's 3-for-4 performance including a WWE-style villain heel turn complete with a homer was nothing short of fantastic, the perfect response to what happened in the 2nd inning.

We despise Rodriguez because he cheated, lied and  put himself above the game and his teammates.

So why should we celebrate a pitcher for selfishly hitting him too?

Who will bring home the Wanamaker Trophy?

Editors Note: This is Mark Cunningham's second featured post on Mark's Thoughts. As our resident golf expert, Cunningham will offer his insights into the final major of the year. He is a PGA Professional of 12 years and has worked at a variety of clubs and corporations throughout the New England region. He graduated with a degree in Sport and Club management at Webber University where he also played collegiate golf. Mark is married with two children.

The final major championship is upon us at the famed Donald Ross course, Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY.   

A crescendo is building leading up to the final major and the FedEx Playoffs, built by no other than Tiger Woods and his seven shot victory a week ago at Firestone.  As dominating as it was the added pressure of a unique major such as the PGA Championship is no shoe-in for him. This is where the Club Professionals (PGA Professionals, not PGA Tour) have the opportunity to play alongside the world’s best.  It gives them a week off from the many responsibilities they shoulder- selling socks to Mrs. Havercamp,  listening to members recount their round of 93 shot by shot, or giving a lesson to take care of the repeatable hosel rockets- just to name a few.  The last victorious club professional to hold the Wanamaker Trophy was Bob Rosburg in 1959.

As I stated above, this major is like no other due to who comprises the field. But the one thing I’d like to touch on (before I do my predictions) is the golf course.  Donald Ross is by far my favorite designer and he should be yours too.  He lived in Little Compton, RI so that also helps.  Every golf course he has designed has been a work of art for the ages and should compare to Mozart and Di Vinci in their respective fields.  From Newport Country Club, to Seminole Golf Club, to East Lake, to The Country Club, and Pinehurst are only a few courses on his magnificent list of gems.  Ross was legend before his time using the natural terrain to take into account the design or move land using an ox (not sponsored by John Deere).  Remember, he started working in 1899 at Oakley Country Club in Watertown, Ma and ended his career in 1946 at the Golf Club of Hartford (CT).  

This week you’ll witness the false fronts, which are slightly raised greens that slope back to front (please keep it below the hole to survive), and the deep bunkers. But the one thing he doesn’t do is hide anything on the golfer.  Everything is out in front of you, what you see is what you get. However, Mr. Ross does make you think.  I would have to say the one amenity Oak Hill Country Club has over the other courses is its very own bowling alley in the basement (sorry The Country Club, you have curling), so if mother nature doesn’t cooperate Tiger Woods might be throwing some strikes.

Here are my four top choices to win the Wanamaker Trophy:


Tiger Woods:  He wins by seven shots at an equally hard golf course last week and seems to be in a happy place carrying his son off the green after the victory.  I’m sorry but he is overdue and it’s time he stops the critics.

Phil Mickelson:  Good Old Lefty feeling confident after his British Open triumph should have no problem handling the greens of Oak Hill.  He’s proven his success on Donald Ross courses already.

Dustin Johnson:  He’ll be able to subdue the 7100 yard course with his high flying 3-wood and can putt the eyes out of the ball.  He is so athletic too- he’s been known to throw down two handed dunks.  Plus, wouldn’t you like to see Paulina Gretzky run out on the green to hug her boyfriend?

Henrik Stenson:  This guy’s stats are just off the planet.  It just shows why he finished runner-up last week to Tiger and has put himself in contention numerous times this year including a second place finish at The Open.  The PGA Championship is not unchartered waters for Stenson where he finished 6^th in ’09 and 4^th in ‘08.  Will he be the first Swede to win a major championship?
Dark Horse:  Chris Kirk:  He’s been solid all year long but hasn’t sealed the deal.  He currently ranks 93^rd in the world and 27^th in the FedEx standings.  He’s a product the University of Georgia, so he has the pedigree (Dawg) to be a multiple winner on the PGA Tour.  Kirk is the Shawn Micheel of the 2013 PGA Championship.

I hope you enjoyed my blog as much as I did writing it and if you haven’t played a Donald Ross course, get off the chair and in the car to the nearest one.  Thanks for your interest in reading and see you soon.

Fairways and Greens,
Mark Cunningham, PGA

Red Sox Struggling to stay Ahead in Arms Race

It's really difficult to criticize a team just hours after a thrilling walk-off victory over an arch-rival.

But watching yesterday's 11-inning Red Sox/Yankees gem unfold--and believe me, there was nearly five hours worth of baseball to ingest--could do nothing to quell a growing concern.

The Boston Red Sox need pitching and they need it in the worst way.

Don't get me wrong, I love watching the likes of Drake Britton and Pedro Beato navigate extra innings baseball as much as the next guy, but in order to fend off an increasingly potent American League East Boston will need more in the reliability column.

Last night, Ryan Dempster labored through two innings, throwing over 50 pitches and quickly falling behind 3-0. Yet the Red Sox eventually scored seven straight runs, spotting Dempster--a notorious innings-eater--a four run lead which allowed him to pitch into the sixth inning.

A division leading team in the confines of its own ballpark is expected to hold a four run lead, especially with a series on the line and gargantuan match-ups against Tampa Bay and Baltimore on the immediate horizon.

Boston coughed it up quickly.

Craig Breslow, who inherited a three-run lead and two baserunners, promptly allowed back-to-back singles and a run. He came back out for the seventh inning and quickly allowed both Vernon Wells and Eduardo Nunez to reach base before being relieved for Junichi Tazawa.

Tazawa, who has seen his velocity drop since the beginning of the season, could not get out of the jam. Thankfully, all's well that ends well.

But the Red Sox inability to get out of a jam posed a reasonable question; who can John Farrell rely on?

Hamstrung by two season-ending injuries to his oft-injured closers Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan, Farrell rode both Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa in the first-half of the season. Now, Uehara is the closer and Tazawa the most trusted set-up man, but is this sustainable?

According to Brooksbaseball.net, Tazawa saw his four-seam fastball velocity drop over a mile per hour from April to June before seeing a slight increase in July. He's also seen the amount of swings and misses generated on his split-fingered fastball cut in half.

The trend points to Tazawa's early season usage potentially wearing him out, a troubling sign for a critical reliever in the bullpen. Tazawa, a starter-turned-reliever, has already set a career-high in appearances and has thrown just one inning less than last season, a season in which he came back from Tommy-John surgery.

And if Tazawa is not who he once was, who can Farrell turn to in order to bridge the bullpen to Uehara?

Craig Breslow, the first lefty out of the bullpen, is stranding only 71.8% of runners on base and is posting a career-low in strikeouts per 9 innings with 5.03.

Matt Thornton is the newest addition to the bullpen but has struggled so far in Boston and has seen his fastball velocity decline from 96.5 MPH in 2011 to 94.5 MPH in 2013.

Other options include Britton, Beato, and Jose De La Torre.

Gulp.

And if the Red Sox are struggling to find answers in the 7th and 8th innings, how much longer can Uehara's magic run? Dominant since inheriting the closer role, Uehara has also struggled with heavy workloads and doesn't possess typical "stuff" for a back-end reliever.

The pitching woes don't end in the bullpen either. Clay Buchholz hasn't pitched since June 8th and is scheduled to visit medical grim reaper Dr. James Andrews. Jon Lester has shown outward signs of frustration with the media and has posted an ERA north of 6.00 in his last handful of starts.

As of now, Boston is treading water much in part due to resurgences from John Lackey and Felix Doubront. Tonight, they lean on Brandon Workman for stability. That's far from reassuring.

Fans and media personalities will clamor for Ben Cherington to "makes moves" and "get aggressive" at the trading deadline, imploring the Red Sox to magically fix everything at once. But for a team which is no stranger to how crucial pitching is to overall success (2011 anybody?), Cherington is faced with a difficult decision.

Where does he start?

The Open Championship at Muirfield

I'm writing this as my first of hopefully many posts in "Mark's Thoughts (and how fitting)." The Open, considered by many the Championship of Golf, will begin with Peter Senior hitting the first tee shot at 1:32 am EST (how's that for an early tee time?) on Thursday, July 18th at Muirfield Golf Club, which is a private all male membership. The Open is often considered the Championship of golf due to the many variables a golfer has to overcome to hoist the Claret Jug.

The Elements

First, there is the overbearing pressure of a major golf tournament. To know you could make international history among the likes of Old Time Morris (designer of Muirfield), Harry Vardon (Hello Francis Ouimet), Bobby Jones, Jack Nciklaus, Seve, Tom Watson, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods infuses many golfers with a mixture of adrenaline and energy.

Second, the elements of the infamous foolish weather. The weather changes faster than an oil change at Speedy, which forces me to believe there's a revolving door for meteorologists in England and Scotland. And if rain isn't enough, please enter hurricane-force winds which never blow the same way twice. Note to caddies: don't bother throwing grass up in the air.

The weather consistently commands attention of golfers and fans alike,
making navigation of Open Championship courses very difficult.
Matt Dunham/AP

Lastly, the conditions of the golf course. Tell me what is more yellow, the grass or the rain slickers which you often see littered across Open Championship galleries? Augusta National's membership would have a hemorrhage driving down Magnolia Lane if they saw this much yellow. The fescue grass is a thing of beauty as it fits so perfectly with the design of the golf courses.

Oh,and don't think I forgot to mention the sand bunkers. Some can be described as a meteor landing site; they are so deep even a St. Bernand couldn't find you. As much as it sounds so dramatically different than the three other major golf championships in the United States, the greens seem to be the same: firm and fast.

Winning The Open Championship

When it comes down to the bare essentials of winning at The Open, you have to hit every shot in the book in each element to be victorious.

I will give you my top four picks to this year's Open:

Tiger Woods hasn't won a major
in over five years and last won
overseas in 2006.

• Defending Open Champion Ernie Els: Els won last year and also won the last time Muirfield hosted the Championship in 2002. At age 43, he still has game to conquer another one.
• Matt Kuchar: Kuchar is perhaps America's best shot besides Tiger Woods. He's ranked sixth in the world, has a consistent golf game, is a great ball striker, and can putt strongly despite his soon-to-be illegal belly putter.
• Tiger Woods: Do I need to explain? 
• Luke Donald: The adopted son of Scotland, an Open Champinoship would finally put the argument of Luke's validity (previously ranked no. 1 in the world despite never winning a major) to rest in one of those cavernous pot bunkers. 

But will a dark horse with the same dream that Ben Curtis or Todd Hamilton had rise to the occasion? It might just be the underachieving Ryan Moore's turn to hoist the Jug. He was the "can't miss" kid coming out of UNLV when he won the NCAA Championship, U.S Publinks, Western Amateur, and the U.S Amateur in his final year before joining the PGA tour. Moore has the game and I'm looking for him to shine through the rain drops and wind at Muirfield.

I hope you enjoyed my first blog contribution and hope it gives insight to a tournament which is over 150 years young.

Fairways and Greens,

Mark Cunningham, PGA

Mark is a PGA Golf Professional who turned professionally in 2001.  He has worked at many 

private clubs and is currently a manager at Golfsmith International.  He attended school at Webber 

International University in Babson Park, Florida where he graduated with a degree in Sports and Club Management and played on the golf team.  He is married and has two children.  In the winter months, Mark coaches high school ice hockey at Bishop Feehan.

Mark's Musings: Part 2

Remember when I said I'd make these "mailbag" type posts weekly? Yeah, well, uh, that was months ago. And this is the second one.

Anywho, I decided now would be a good time to knock one of these Bad Larry's out because A) I've got free time to do it and B) there's so much going on in sports right now. I think we were all kinda dreading July too, seeing as it historically has been one of the less interesting sports months.

Thankfully, NBA free agency never ceases to amaze and Aaron Hernandez hasn't cleanly left a bar on his own terms in six years. The circus has died down but as is the case following anything newsworthy pieces have to be put together.

Throughout the past two weeks, Boston sports were effectively drunk. Stanley Cup mayhem, murder mysteries, unloading of superstars, The Hub had everything you could ever ask for as a sports fan and roughly 3% of the past two weeks was predictable and made sense.

And if the last two weeks was pure Bostonian drunken stupor, this week might be the hangover (at least until Fourth of July weekend officially starts, then everything is off the table.)

Let's get to it.

Tankapalooza 2013

Do you think Danny Ainge thinks he has us all fooled? The king of public deception, Ainge recently had the audacity to state the idea the Celtics would try and tank during the upcoming 2013 season was ludicrous. After all, this is the BOSTON CELTICS, rich with tradition, winning, and honor.

Me, tank? Never.

Except the current roster has none of that.

It actually stinks.

And they are going to tank.

So I guess we're now rooting for the esteemed Boston Celtics who just-so-happen to be tanking. You go Danny, you go!

Never before can I remember the idea of losing basketball games be so prominent. ESPN Boston did a fan poll which showed the majority of fans actually want the Celtics to lose games next year. Seriously, fans want their team to lose, in professional sports, in Boston.

I guess it's a relieving sign that fans are catching up to common sense. I could go on about how the NBA is poorly structured--after all, the only way to have a shot at becoming successful is to spend years being really, really bad and then HOPE you have some luck-- but instead I want to throw caution at the idea of tanking.

It all seems really simple actually. You take a roster which still has Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green, attempt to surround them with horrendous talent in the hopes they play as poorly as possible, pray that the 10 other teams doing the same thing do it worse than you do, and then rely on a ping pong ball to bounce your way and determine the fate of your franchise.

THEN, if by the good grace of God (David Stern) the Celtics end up with a top-3 pick, they can choose from relative unknown's Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, and Jabari Parker.

There's no possible way any of that could go wrong.

In theory, I enjoy the idea of tanking as much as the next guy. But in Boston, tanking rarely ever works out. Remember in 2007 when the Celtics put all their eggs into the ping pong ball basket only to receive the 5th pick? Thankfully Danny Ainge was able to perform voodoo magic on two other GM's and fleece the Timberwolves/Sonics for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Or how about in 1997, when the Celtics won 15 (yes, 15!) games under M.L Carr en route to tanking for the services of Tim Duncan, only to see the ping pong balls bounce in San Antonio's favor.

Simply put, it's not as easy as it sounds. Tanking is all fun and dandy until you remember you're relying on luck and college freshmen who have yet to play a minute of collegiate basketball. And in the Celtics' case it's easy to see what can happen when one part of the plan goes wrong.

Enough about tanking.

The Patriot Way

I've noticed multiple media members puff their chests in recent days, taking to the airwaves or the newspapers to subtly proclaim how they "had an idea" that Aaron Hernandez would be a problem or that the "Patriot Way" is unfolding.

To criticize the New England Patriots for not having a better grasp on Hernandez's social situation is, while partly revisionist theory, acceptable.

To attempt to take down the "Patriot Way" is incredibly foolish because it's only breaking down a theory the media spent years building up.

The media, in an effort to explain why they only received cookie-cutter answers to their questions in press conferences dubbed the tight-lipped Patriots method of doing business "The Patriot Way." It's a convenient moniker really, a three-word title which could define a franchise short on drama and long on winning.

Now, "the Patriot Way" is lost. Only, the Patriot Way really isn't lost, because there was never a Patriot Way in the first place. You still following me?

The Patriot Way was, and still is, winning. Last time I checked New England was still pretty good at doing that.

Instead the media is yet again reverting to laziness. Just as they lazily deemed Bill Belichick's brainchild of a franchise "The Patriot Way" they are now criticizing him for not upholding their imaginary standards. As if Bill Belichick cares what we think.

The Patriots certainly could use a change in philosophy on the field, but that has little to do with Aaron Hernandez and much more to do with adjusting to the new-age NFL. Belichick runs the gamble of picking up a headache every time he invests in a player with questionable background. As is the case with most investments, sometimes you hit and other times you come up dry.

While Belichick has come up dry in recent years--and maybe that has something to do with his control over the locker room (he's not getting any younger)-- assuming he had any idea what Hernandez is doing off the field is ludicrous.

The Patriots paid Hernandez a lot of money. With a fat contract comes responsibility and inherited maturity. The Kraft's have a longstanding history of trusting their players. These are grown men, adults, and professionals. Hernandez burned the Patriots in more ways than one, but blaming New England for not doing their due diligence (without having any basis for that argument, mind you) is irresponsible.

Dear John Lackey, I'm Sorry

Crap, I've already written way more than I was expecting. I'll try to keep this short.

I think Red Sox Nation might start to owe John Lackey an apology. Lackey, coming off Tommy John surgery which may have actually been more required than we were lead to believe, is currently the most consistent pitcher on a team which boasts the most wins in the American League.

Did I actually just write that?

Lackey currently owns a 2.81 ERA. His K/9 of 8.24 is the second highest of his career. He's never walked less batters per 9 innings than he is right now. He's stranding runners at an 80% clip, and this is all while allowing 1.15 homers per nine innings.

On a team which struggles to hit homers, has barely any power at any corner position, and currently has one of its top pitchers on the DL and the other struggling mightily, John Lackey is providing sorely needed reliability.

I can't believe I wrote that.

A Sudden End

A good friend of mine texted me late last night amid a saddened conversation about the current state of the Boston Celtics.

"Getting rid of legends blows."

Undoubtedly, he is correct. There's never an easy time to part ways with franchise cornerstones, especially in the case of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Last night as many know, Pierce, Garnett, and Jason Terry were dealt to the Brooklyn Nets in return for Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Marshon Brooks, Keith Bogans, Kris Joseph, and first round picks in 2014, 2016, and 2018 with the ability to swap picks in 2017.

Oddly enough, common sense suggests the fan base would be prepared for a breakup of the aging nucleus. After all, we're finally getting what we want right, a fresh start?  But there's a sudden finality which fans struggle to deal with and a realization that yes, Paul Pierce, will be wearing a Brooklyn Nets jersey next season.

There have been plenty of quick endings for Boston sports fans over the last week and a half. The Bruins let up two goals in 17 seconds to lose the Stanley Cup Finals on home ice, Aaron Hernandez is involved in at least one (potentially two) murder cases, and Doc Rivers now coaches on the other side of the country.

But with Pierce and Garnett, it's a slightly different feeling. What's the famous saying parents always use, "I'm not mad, I'm disappointed?"

I'm disappointed that Boston's second all-time leading scorer will no longer electrify The Garden on a nightly basis. Pierce has endured plenty of peaks and valleys in his time here in Boston which ranged from a near-death experience, the worst losing streak in franchise history, and ultimately a Championship and competitive end.

The Celtics pride themselves on tradition. Fans know the names and the stories of the likes of Larry Bird, Bill Russell, and John Havlicek, but it's been 20 years since Bird stepped on the floor.

Paul Pierce was, for all intents and purposes, my generations Larry Bird. The ultimate Celtic, the scorer, and the franchise leader. And if Pierce was Mr. Celtic, Kevin Garnett deserves endless appreciation for cultivating Pierce's talent and returning true Celtic basketball.

Garnett provided what Pierce somewhat lacked. Garnett brought an attitude to Boston. He knew the original Big Three of himself, Pierce, and Ray Allen was a baaaad crew and made sure to let everyone else know as well. Defensive intensity embedded itself in Celtics basketball and formed a team easy to cheer for. Paul Pierce was the ultimate Celtic, but Kevin Garnett defined Celtics basketball.

In the end, these were Danny Ainge's two biggest gamers. While the mercurial Rajon Rondo often pouted and role players came and gone, Garnett and Pierce remained the rock.

Sure, the deal had to be done. While I don't know if we'll ever actually see Humphries or Wallace in Celtic green, Humphries' expiring contract is an asset to have. The cream of the crop will be the three first round picks, providing the Celtics nine first's in five years. Ainge pressed the detonator, blowing up his roster in an attempt to totally rebuild around Rondo. Granted, the Celtics will still be over the cap next season, but there are certainly welcoming signs for change.

But today is not a today to look ahead. Instead, it's a time to appreciate all that Pierce and Garnett left on the floor for the Celtics. For six seasons, those two led Boston's basketball revival, reminding fans how exhilarating and rewarding championship-level basketball really is.

Ideally, two Celtics legends would be valued more than pawns in Trader Danny's game of chess, and they would get the departure they deserve. But as is life in the NBA, rarely are things done the way it is drawn up.

So long, Grit and Balls. Hopefully there's one or two more bar fights awaiting in Brooklyn.

Winter Sports Continue to Deliver the Heat

It's a mixed bag of Boston sports news this week, a week which supplied enough drama and speculation to last the rest of summer.

While the Bruins have provided an incredible playoff run (albeit stressful), the Celtics and Patriots are making headlines for less-than-celebratory reasons. For the most part, despite rising temperatures, the Red Sox have been relegated to the background even while sweeping a doubleheader against the Rays and sitting atop the standings in the AL East.

Let's jump right into it.

Bruins Finding Stride 

Faced with adversity in both games one and two, the Boston Bruins have narrowly avoided a potentially demoralizing 0-2 hole, instead swinging the series back into their grasp.

For many, a triple overtime loss on the road would spell trouble, and it seemed as if the Bruins were feeling the ill-effects early in Game 2. But Claude Julien reportedly ripped into his team on the bench, challenging his players to play with heart and force Chicago to play Bruins hockey.

What's resulted is a series rich with physicality and short on goal-scoring. The Bruins confidence has returned, in turn providing elevated defensive prowess. Boston looked dead in the water for stretches, which makes it all the more amazing its been able to turn around a series so quickly. Despite only leading 2-1, it feels as if the Bruins are knocking on the doorstep of their second Stanley Cup in three years.

Every strong defense is the beneficiary of superb goaltending and the Bruins are no different. As I wrote earlier, Tuukka Rask continues to excel while making a strong case for the Conn Smythe trophy which is awarded to the playoff's top performer.

Unlike Chicago, a team which is lacking production from their top forwards and seemingly confused on which lines to play, the Bruins have remained committed to their system and are reaping the benefits. The top-six forwards are still playing at a high level, but the emergence of the makeshift third line is lifting the Bruins emotionally.

If the Bruins continue to see high-energy shifts from Daniel Paille and Tyler Seguin, they'll be tough to beat. Chicago's normally uber-aggressive defensemen are peaking over their shoulders, inherently aware of the impending forecheck from Boston. Without their ability to move the puck quickly and confidently, the Blackhawks are struggling to maintain entry into the zone.

And don't forget, The Jagr will get his soon...

We Love you, Now we don't, We love you...

Serious question, is there anybody in Boston feeling more awkward than Danny Ainge today?

With reports that his latest blockbuster attempt, which involved both Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett, has fallen apart, Ainge must now either mend fences or quickly put together plan-B.

I don't think it's any secret that Doc Rivers wants out of Boston. At this point, despite Ainge saying he would welcome the coach back, there's too much water under the bridge to envision any kind of reunion.

Both Ainge and Rivers are at fault for various reasons. Let's start with Doc, who signed a 5-year contract extension a season ago only to quickly turn heel a year into it.

It's difficult to fault Rivers for not wanting to take part in a rebuild. At 51 years old, owner of a ring and a devoted following, Rivers shouldn't necessarily have to sit through excruciatingly painful down-years. But shouldn't he have anticipated this when he signed his 5 year pact?

While Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul both took criticism for demanding trades while still under contract, Rivers seems to be skating by any heavy abuse. To this, I question why?

Rivers is the Celtics strongest asset. This hasn't changed since last off-season, where Danny Ainge pressed on with the idea the Celtics could compete with their aging core as long as Doc led the way. Doc's presence alone was Ainge's strongest selling point to free agents, a presence which undoubtedly factored into the signings of Jason Terry and Courtney Lee.

Now, after realizing what he had was not enough, Rivers has essentially hog-tied Danny Ainge. Ainge is now forced to try and find a trade partner for Rivers while still dealing with the aftermath of contract extensions to Jason Terry, Courtney Lee, and Brandon Bass. If the Celtics plan to go full-rebuild, none of those three players offer much value, which allows me to believe this will be a lengthy project in Boston.

Which brings me to my next point, how did the Clippers not accept Danny Ainge's offer? Ainge knows the Clippers have to make a splash in order to A)move to the next level of the NBA's elite and B) appease Chris Paul as a free agent. Likewise, the Clippers know the Celtics are somewhat forced to make a deal because Rivers wants no part in a rebuild.

The last reported deal, Rivers and Garnett for Deandre Jordan and two first round picks, makes too much sense for the Clippers. I could choose to focus on how Ainge is giving up a top-5 coach and skilled forward for an athletic specimen who can't score and two low picks, but I'll instead continue to wonder how the Clippers could seemingly deny that deal.

At what point do fans have enough of their owner being "too cheap," to put it simply. Deandre Jordan will never be a game-changing player and late first round picks are about as big of a crapshoot imaginable. The only detractor for Los Angeles was the money in both Rivers' and KG's deals, a detractor Donald Sterling posed to be too large to move forward.

And that is a damn shame.

And while we're on the topic of basketball, how much fun have the Finals been? Granted, I don't see how the Spurs can regroup both mentally and physically in 48 hours after fumbling away a chance to close out the Heat, but these have been some of the most exciting basketball games I've watched in recent memory. Between LeBron's battles within himself to Boris Diaw's emergence as the round mound of defensive fortitude, it's been fun for all types of fans.

Hopefully Game 7 does not disappoint.

Rask Delivers as Stakes Rise

Some will call it karma, others acknowledge the irony.

Still, others will deem Tuukka Rask's concluding save Friday as fitting, the final bow on a series which was anything but ordinary.

As Rask calmly snatched a wrist shot amid a last-ditch flurry of shots and activity from almost-Bruin Jarome Iginla, a crescendo of noise and emotion washed over the TD Garden. On the surface, Rask was only doing what he mastered throughout the relatively painless four game series, save pucks.

In fact, Rask saved all but two Penguins shots over the series, stymieing the "greatest show on ice" in addition to blanking both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of any point production. Rask posted a .985 save percentage, stopped 134 total shots, and dazzled many a time, including a dramatic 53 save performance in a potentially momentum-turning Game Three double-overtime thriller.

A performance as impressive as Rask's would be appreciated by any hockey town in pursuit of Lord Stanley's Cup. But it's arguable that Rask's flare for the dramatic came at the perfect time for a team desperate for a story-line to ride deep into the heart of the 2013 playoffs.

There was a time long ago (alright, maybe it was only a couple weeks) where the entire framework of the Boston Bruins hung in suspense.

Fueled by rabid sports talk radio, rumors of Claude Julien's demise and roster overhaul plagued the Bruins. The general scene on social media as the Bruins trailed the Toronto Maple Leafs by three goals in the third period of Game Seven was ugly. Shockingly, the Bruins were ready to roll over on home ice and hand the Leafs the keys to another round of playoff success.

Fortunately for Bruins fans, history was made and the Bruins are still standing today. And while Patrice Bergeron and the offense will receive plenty of credit for turning the tide in rapid fashion, many will forget a play made with 3:37 left in the contest. Clinging to a two-goal lead, Toronto's Matt Frattin had a chance to end it.

Here, Tuukka Rask's playoff run was born.

Rask stonewalled Frattin with a magnificent pad save, preserving the current score and allowing the comeback to proceed.

Since that moment, number 40 has protected the net of the Black and Gold for 32 periods. He's allowed 12 goals and lost only one game.

Hockey is a fickle beast. In no other sport can teams become a beacon of destiny just as quickly as they can be written off as a forgotten foe, an early casualty in a grueling playoff grind. Momentum is real and it is spectacular, often becoming just as important as more tangible factors.

Much like in baseball where momentum is only as good as the next day's pitcher, a lot of carryover success in hockey stems from the goaltending. No team has embodied the play and spirit of their goalie more than the Boston Bruins.

Tuukka Rask is a calm goalie. Late-game losses withstanding, Rask is generally regarded as a cool character, even described as one of the more "normal" goaltenders by coach Claude Julien. On the ice, Rask is confident and capable. His dominance within his crease is a result of calculated movements and steady mechanics.

Rask could not be more opposite than his predecessor Tim Thomas. Despite the contrasting styles, Rask has answered questions and heard comparisons to Thomas throughout his tenure in Boston. Thomas' 2011 Stanley Cup performance will forever be considered etched in Boston lore, which makes it all the more difficult for Rask to operate within his shadow. Up until his most recent series against Pittsburgh, Rask's largest playoff moments of note were his 2010 collapse against the Philadelphia Flyers and his infamous "butt-stumble" against New York.

Now, Rask oozes confidence and is quickly manufacturing playoff success. His play has energized his defense and instilled a quiet confidence throughout the team, providing a steady hand during the most stressful time of year. It's taken only a few weeks for Rask to turn from playoff question mark to budding superstar.

Rask needs only one more series to fully erase any memories of 2010 and anchor his place as one of the game's strongest goalies. And while Rask lacks the highlight reel signature saves that punctuated the 2011 Stanley Cup run, he plans to emerge from Tim Thomas' shadow by writing his own script.

Hopefully he reuses the same ending.

The Original Podcast

Hey all,

In addition to the rather infrequent blogs, I've decided to try my hand at podcasts. This is the original, and there is some definite room to add to it, but it's a start. Let me know what you think and what you want to hear or not hear!

http://chiarellimark.podomatic.com/entry/2013-06-05T06_31_36-07_00

Super Bowl in New England? No thanks.

When Robert Kraft has an idea, you listen. 

He saved New England football from the brink of relocation, built the model professional sports franchise, and restored an era of dominance and success to the Boston area unseen since the Larry Bird days. 

Further, Kraft privately funded Gillette stadium without a penny of public support, an act both rarely done while also endearing to the fans which he strives to please. Kraft built Patriots Place into one of the strongest shopping venues in the state and turned Foxboro into more than just another town on your way to route 95. 

Kraft's brilliance as an owner cannot be understated, which makes his most recent comments all the more puzzling. 

With news of Super Bowl L (That's 50, I think) being awarded to San Francisco, the thought process has shifted dramatically among the dominant powers in the NFL. No longer does a Super Bowl host location specifically need to be deemed "warm-weather," a shift no more apparent than in New York, where plans are already unfolding as the city prepares to host next year's event. 

Naturally, much like any neighborhood, Robert Kraft's ears have perked up and his eyes gaze to his neighbors to the west. If New York can host a Super Bowl, why can't Boston? Of course, this all hinges on New York successfully executing Super Bowl week as the experiment could be deemed a total failure.

But Kraft seems to be content with the initial framework of holding the nation's most prolific sporting event at Gillette, an idea which centers around a dual host-site in Boston/Providence.

Unfortunately, in this case, some things are better left untouched.

Understandably, the idea sounds nice. Holding the Super Bowl in one of the countries most impassioned sports cities at New England's crown jewel is rich with both story lines and potential economic boom. But is Boston, and for that matter Providence, really suited to host a Super Bowl?

Any host city is required to offer at least 35,000 hotel rooms to accommodate fans. For this to work in the Boston area, fans would be transplanted throughout much of eastern Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island, as suitable hotel rooms would be utilized west of I-495. 

In theory, the host of any party's main goal is to impress his or her's guests. I can think of nothing more impressive than housing out-of-town NFL fans somewhere in Rhode Island and then asking them to fight New England traffic to commute back and forth to the site of all activities. Heck, residents in the Boston area cannot figure out how to commute in and out of the city, yet we'll increase the traffic for a week amid confusing logistics?

And if the idea is to impress, the NFL can also do better than Providence, Rhode Island. Sure, Providence is great for what it is, a small-city with decent college night life. But in the cold of February, who in their right mind wants to peruse the streets of Providence during a week of celebration? Fans will only be able to suffer so many trips to the Providence Place Mall. AHL Bruins games, and B-level hookah bars before disappointment sets in.

There's an incredibly high standard set for Super Bowl host sites. Miami and New Orleans specifically offer extravagant night life within proximity of the stadium and are renowned for their ability to,well, throw a party. Boston does not offer the same allure, especially when the city enforces it's prehistoric drinking curfew of 1AM. 

The Super Bowl is a constant party, a constant struggle to impress and satisfy guests. The party's last great event is the game itself. In New England, many would yet again find themselves disappointed. 

Sure, Gillette Stadium is nice. It offers adequate seating and fairly simple concourses. Outside of the "red seats," the stadium offers little in eye-popping luxury. Compared to other stadiums recently built, Gillette struggles to compare, especially when holding it in the same light as New York's Met-Life stadium or Houston's Reliant Stadium. Hosting the game at Gillette would be similar to Hugh Hefner holding a Playboy bash in his pool house while keeping the mansion gated and locked. 

And can you really picture loads of people piling into Foxboro for an event like the Super Bowl? Imagine, a spectacle this grand being held within Route 1. The night life is rich (Red Fox Motel) and there's plenty of places to, uh, buy a car? Ah, who am I kidding, fans can spend the week at Bass Pro Shops or catching up on all the latest movies. 

Boston is great at what it is, a sports town. More specifically, it's our sports town. Most people outside of Boston don't like us anyways and rarely is there a time where the nation's sporting spotlight is on the actual city itself. 

The Super Bowl is an entirely different animal, a situation better off to be left alone by Robert Kraft. Because while it sounds nice, I don't believe a dual-site plan offers the same allure once push comes to shove. 

If the goal is to impress, it'd be best for Robert Kraft to continue to let his product on the field do the talking. I have a funny feeling that many would leave New England disappointed, as a cold-weather Super Bowl in this area can't compete with the luxuries and attractions of other venues.

Sorry, Providence. 

Hanrahan Highlights Closing Woes

Have you ever been asked to follow up an impossible-to-outdo situation?

We've all been there before,whether at work or at school. For me, it would be trying to sell a golf club after a fellow employee locked down a jaw-dropping sale. There's also always that one classmate who makes a full-video presentation when the professor or teacher simply asked for three PowerPoint slides. And don't forget showing your face at the dinner table after your little sister unloaded the dishwasher, walked the dog, and set the table while you took a 2 hour nap.

The Boston Red Sox are having trouble outdoing themselves. More specifically, General Manager Ben Cherington has yet to find a pitcher to secure the ninth inning quite like folk-hero Jonathan Papelbon.

Following Papelbon is no simple task. The oft-opinionated, irish jig dancing, flame throwing right-hander endured his ups and downs in Boston, much like many of the other polarizing athletes to pass through town. Papelbon won a World Series, immortalized "Shipping up to Boston," and left town in a hurry. In many aspects, Papelbon enjoyed the current life-cycle of many Boston athletes. Times of joy, hardship, and ultimately a bitter departure.

And while Papelbon had his moments of ineffectiveness in Boston, far and wide he was dependable.

The same cannot be said for anyone who's attempted to close games since.

In 2012, six pitchers recorded a save for Boston. This season, through 34 games, the Red Sox have anointed Junichi Tazawa the newest member of the illustrious "closer by committee," following both Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan. Third times the charm, right?

ESPN Boston stat-guru Jeremy Lundblad summed up Boston's closer woes nicely, highlighting how difficult the ninth inning has been.

Red Sox have converted 61% of saves since 2012. Jonathan Papelbon? 92%
— Jeremy Lundblad (@JLundbladESPN) May 9, 2013

A season ago, seven different pitchers blew saves for the Red Sox, mainly because Bobby Valentine was forced to cycle through closers as if they were socks.

There were ups as well as plenty of downs for Boston. Initially, Andrew Bailey looked to be the back-end of the rotation, only to (shockingly) spend most of the season hampered by an injury. There was Mark Melancon, who lost his first two appearances in Boston and was sent down to the minors for over a month following an appearance in Texas where he allowed three homers, six earned runs, and failed to record an out. And let's not forget the Alfredo Aceves experience, which included 10 losses, eight blown saves, and a 5.36 ERA.

In that span, Josh Reddick (Bailey trade) mashed 32 homers and Jed Lowrie (Melancon deal) hit 16 more, throwing salt on the wounds of Cherington.

Jonathan Papelbon's success in Philly makes it
 all the more painful for Red Sox Nation.

But 2013 is supposed to be different because the only thing better than one "proven" closer is two proven closers. Cherington, in an effort to make up for the disaster that was 2012, dealt for Joel Hanrahan, a former All-Star in Pittsburgh.

Fittingly, Hanrahan is in the midst of a loss season, as news broke today that he'll be placed on the 60-day disabled list and has plans to visit Dr. James Andrews, a seemingly giant red flag in terms of Hanrahan's future health. It's not as if his performance on the field has gone any better, as Hanrahan's blown two saves in 9 games and currently owns a 9.81 ERA.

As the vultures circle around team offices in Boston, Junichi Tazawa will attempt to end the frustration in a stretched out and overworked bullpen. Tazawa, who has one career save, has the physical tools to succeed and I personally believe he'll make a fantastic closer one day. But it also returns us to the performance of an old friend, Jonathan Papelbon. Let's have fun with numbers for a second.

In 2012, the big three of Bailey, Aceves, and Melancon combined for..

3-13,  6.20 ERA, 32 saves, 12 blown saves, while allowing 21 home runs and posting a 4.29 xFIP.

And while those numbers are slightly skewed due to appearances outside of the 9th inning, it gives a general ballpark for the production of those three relievers. In comparison, Jonathan Papelbon posted...

5-6, 2.44 ERA, 38 saves, only four blown saves, and a xFIP of 2.79.

Combined, the Red Sox paid the three relievers $5.6 million a season ago, while the Phillies paid $11 million to Papelbon in the first year of a 4 year-$50 million pact.

Of course, in addition to the theory of declining performance, the Red Sox let Papelbon walk because of the length and money total of his contract. The team saved $5.4 million a season ago, but needed two extra roster spots to fill a job which could have been filled by Papelbon in a much more effective manner.

This season, while still premature, seems to be headed down the same path of poor value in the Red Sox bullpen.

Hanrahan is scheduled to make $7.04 million in a contract year while Bailey will make $4.1 million and is eligible for arbitration next season. Currently, the two have combined for a 1-1 record with a 5.64 ERA, nine saves and three blown saves. Both have missed time due to injury.

Papelbon will make $13 million for a Phillies team struggling to stay afloat. His performance has been affected accordingly, as he's appeared in only 13 games and had only five save opportunities. Still, the biggest knock on Papelbon has been his inability to pitch outside of save situations. This season, he currently has a 1.38 ERA over only 13 innings.

Hindsight is certainly 20/20. But in his short tenure in Boston, Ben Cherington has struggled to effectively find a pitcher who can assume ninth inning duties. Each pitcher who closes for John Farrell places more of an emphasis on a missed opportunity in old friend Jonathan Papelbon.

Now, with Hanrahan already facing the crossroads in potentially his only season in Boston, Cherington yet again must find a way to rectify a crumbling bullpen. And as the relievers come and go from Pawtucket and the waiver wire is scoured intently, Cherington must deal with the haunting idea that his solution left two winters ago.

Editors Note: Daniel Malone brings up a great point as well.

@mark_chiarelli And don't forget how they Joba'd Papelbon's heir apparent, Daniel Bard.

— Daniel Malone (@Daniel_Malone) May 9, 2013

The End of an Era in Boston

Paul Pierce continues to hang in the rafters, speaking about his drive for banner 18 while contemplating his inability to bring a championship to Boston a season ago.

As ESPN haunts me with their popular NBA playoffs commercial, it also reinforces a point which is all but finalized.

The Celtics aren't coming close to a championship this season either. 

They have one game remaining in the 2012-2013 season and if the first three games of their opening round playoff series against the Knicks are any indication of what to expect, someone find me a broom.

What's perhaps most disheartening to the common fan is the way the Celtics have lost. Dismal shooting, bleak effort, the inability to stop Raymond Felton from dictating the flow of the game, this is not Celtics basketball. 

You know that saying a picture tells a thousand words? Thanks to Comcast Sports Net, one telling image of Kevin Garnett opened up a can of Boston sports fan worms for yours truly. With the Celtics facing an  insurmountable lead, an emotionally and physically worn out Garnett slumped at the waist, beads of sweat dripping to the parquet with his eyes only able to focus on the ground.

Kevin Garnett is a defeated man.

The soul of Celtics basketball and the backbone to a once-vaunted defense simply has nothing left to offer. Believe me, the will is there. The chest-thumping, scowl inducing, verbally abrasive Kevin Garnett has risen to the emotional level required to succeed in the playoffs. You can tell Garnett wants to win so badly and believes he'll find a way to pull it off. He defines the heart of a competitor, of a champion.

But what can Garnett do when he searches within himself for answers that are no longer there? When the mind and the body no longer operate on the same page? 

I suppose this is what we asked for after all.

A year ago the Celtics came within one win of an improbable NBA Finals run, perhaps delivering their gutsiest playoff performance in the "Big Three" era. Danny Ainge could have left it all in Miami, as Ray Allen rode off into the sunset and Garnett and Paul Pierce made their last challenge.

But he didn't, and now we are here. One loss away from irrelevancy, one less away from another long summer.

This isn't how it was supposed to end.

Not for a team like the Celtics. In an age of young superstars and high flying offense, the muddied, gritty style of the Boston Celtics offered a throwback to previous era's of basketball. There wasn't often glitz and glam and rarely did they rebound, but man did the Celtics fight. Under Doc Rivers the Celtics scratched on offense, clawed on defense, and backed down to nobody.

Maybe that's why this past week has been so disheartening as a fan. Playoff basketball in Boston didn't mean turnovers and fragile mental psyche's, it meant 48 minutes of battle. This isn't how I wanted Paul Pierce to go out, missing nine shots and turning the ball over five times. Since when did Kevin Garnett pull in 17 rebounds and lose by 14?

Sunday may mark the end of an era. Granted, this has become an annual fear, but this could be the last time Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce take the floor together, the final time the skeleton of a roster once rich with toughness takes the floor in a maddening season of basketball.

And I don't think I'm ready for it all to end. 

Dealing with Grief

There are no words to make tragedies better. 

In fact, it's beyond me as a writer and a thinker to fully comprehend today's attack on the Boston Marathon. The bombing which, as of now, killed three people and injured at least 138 more is an unmitigated disaster. 

There is someone who awoke on Patriots Day with the intent to strip us of our freedom, of our piece of mind, and ultimately of our lives through an act of terror. Patriots Day is a celebrated holiday in Massachusetts, a day filled with sport, fun, friends, and most of all, family while celebrating our freedom.

Perhaps that's why the tragedy which occurred at the finish line of the 116th Boston Marathon  rendered me immovable, glued to a television screen as one of our worst nightmares unfolded right in our backyard. 

No, I haven't lived in Boston. I live in one of the safest suburbs in Massachusetts and rarely feel the need to venture directly into Boston unless I'm attending a sporting event or someone is willing to buy me a nice dinner. But through years of avid sports viewing and general proximity, I've been to the city countless times. I've been to the Boston marathon, I've walked down Boylston street, and I know people who volunteer and run in this great event each year. 

This hits close to home. Today, we are all Bostonians.

I haven't cried often in the past few years, but today I shed tears. I can't remember the last time I've felt so helpless, but today I sat on the couch without any clue how to deal with my emotions and not having a way to help. I assume I'm not alone in my response to today's events. 

No one woke up today dreading a disaster at the Boston Marathon. But anyone who's lived in the area or has a connection to the area felt an immediate attachment to the tragedy which unfolded. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and others were affected today. Hopefully, by the grace of the powers above, none of our closest family members and friends were directly affected. 

But maybe that's why the emotions raged within me, knowing that it very easily could have been any of  us who decided to hang out near the finish line. 

To be honest, I have no real direction or real point to be made with the blog post. At 8:45pm, roughly 6 hours after the events took place, I'm pissed off. I'm angry that someone attacked my city, injured my people, and ruined the innocence of one of the greatest holidays and events of the year. I'm angry that I can't help, I'm angry that all of this happened.

A few hours ago I was more shocked than anything. Incapable of moving, incapable of thinking, just watching and occasionally letting out a few sobs. It's a horrible feeling, something I hope I never have to feel again. Unfortunately, I most likely will.

Lastly, I'd be remiss to mention all that was good today, however hard it may be to find good in such evil. As President Barack Obama stated, Boston is tough and resilient and won't be knocked down from this. While the ideals behind terrorism is to strike fear into the hearts of free citizens, one can hope that this will only strengthen the Commonwealth. 

And while it may take the darkest of days, today also brought out the greatness in our society. There are some deplorable, cowardly people out there, but today we saw that the good will always outweigh the evil. We saw Boston Police officers rush bravely towards the explosions. We saw volunteers tear through debris to rescue hundreds, and we saw over 1200 civilians in Boston offer their homes to displaced runners. 

I don't know whether it was the right move to write something while the emotions from today's attack are so raw. Honestly, I don't know what to think about today. But I do know that writing often helps deal with sorrow and frustration, at least for me. And hopefully, through reading this, I've helped some of you as well. I'll leave you with words much wiser than mine. 

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of disasters, I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers, so many caring people in the world." -Fred Rogers

Jarome Iginla: So Close, Yet So Far

As if waking up at 7:00 am wasn't terrible in its own right, I awoke to downright confusing news. 

Hours before, Jarome Iginla was headed to Boston in a alleged deal which would fortify the front lines of a team struggling with bouts of inconsistency as the playoffs grow near. Iginla, the most talented player available across league trade blocks, figured to be the defining piece of whichever team he joined. The aging veteran would take Boston by storm, immediately make an impact while awing fans with his offensive skills and a willingness to buy into the team concept employed by Claude Julien. The narrative, and for the moment the deal, were set in place. 

But this morning offered a different tale. Things did not go as planned for Peter Chiarelli, as I had the privilege of finding out in the early hours of a gloomy Thursday morning. And as more of you awoke to the news of Iginla's deal to a rival (hopefully at a later time without an exam to stress over), the general mood stayed consistent. Shock, confusion, anger, jealousy.

Those damn Pittsburgh Penguins. 

For the second time this week, Peter Chiarelli found himself on the losing end of a battle for Eastern Conference supremacy. His opponent on the other end, Ray Shero, General Manager of the Penguins. Shero has turned a combination of draft picks and middling prospects into Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, and Douglas Morrow, strengthening a team that didn't offer many flaws to begin with. 

To pour salt in the would, as if Bruins fans haven't had enough already, Shero came incredibly close to becoming the lead executive of the Bruins in 2006. Ironically, talks broke down at the last second, and Shero instead fled for Steeltown USA.

Funny how that works. 

Now, the Bruins are left reeling, left to scour a rather slim trade market as injuries mount and pressure from other conference foes increases. After another blown 3rd-period lead to vaunted rival Montreal, Boston must quickly change focus and look for improvements at essentially any position. These past few weeks haven't been kind to either Chiarelli or Julien, as noticeable flaws in defensive consistency and an inability to score timely goals have turned the Bruins from definite cup contender to and erratic bunch filled with question marks.

Would Jarome Iginla have solved every problem? Maybe not.

And to be fair, it's impossible to place blame on Boston. Chiarelli made a competitive offer, as a combination of Alex Kokhlachev and Matt Bartkowski coupled with a first-round draft pick trumped Pittsburgh's deal in the eyes of Calgary GM Jay Feaster.

Unfortunately, much like Brenden Morrow's situation in Dallas, Jarome Iginla did not want to play in Boston. And while that sounds shocking to those who live and die by the black and gold, Iginla's preference to skate with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh makes too much sense. With playmakers all over the ice, Iginla can breathe in Pittsburgh in hopes of rekindling the scoring prowess which made him one of the best in the NHL.

Now, the Bruins are left to pick up the pieces, again. Chiarelli now has two options. Stay content to ride it out with a roster which has won a cup before, or go "all-in," moving prospects to secure notable talent which can compete with Pittsburgh. But will it be enough? 

The season hangs in the balance for the Bruins. Can Peter Chiarelli make another timely trade, a theme Bostonians have become accustomed too at the NHL trade deadline? Or have the Penguins turned this into a NBA-esque arms race?

Time is running out.

What's Going On in New England?

Take a deep breath, Patriots fans.

Despite a relatively minimal presence throughout the first day of free agency, New England rocked the football landscape on day two, naturally creating an uproar throughout the region.

There's a lot to process. 48 hours ago, Wes Welker was strongly leaning towards staying in New England. In fact, barring "something unforseen," Welker would remain a Patriot and it was more of a "dotting the I's and crossing the T's" scenario. Alas, as things often do in the NFL, things changed. In hours, news on Welker picked up like a tidal wave, gaining strength throughout the day until it crashed in a crescendo late Wednesday afternoon amid reports that Welker would sign in Denver.

And just as we thought things were settling down and sports talk radio could fill hours upon hours of endless Welker talk, New England dropped another bombshell. Not only did they let Welker walk for what seems like a minuscule 2 years/$12 million, but they signed his doppelganger Danny Amendola to a monster 5 year/$31 million deal.

What?

Granted, there's a lot to comprehend, so let's dive right into it.

Wes Welker

I, along with many others including prominent Patriots beat writers, presumed Welker would end up with New England. Due to numerous factors including Tom Brady's "pay cut," Welker's success with the team, and reports indicating a deal was close, the news of his departure blindsided many.

Many fans were angered, others confused. Few defended the Patriots, and for good reason.

The ultimate narrative is that Welker felt spurned by the Patriots low-ball contract offer, and ultimately took his talents to a team which could immediately impact New England's chances at another elusive Super Bowl title. While that makes sense and very well could be the case, I don't believe the Patriots ultimately envisioned ever re-signing Welker.

Bill Belichick and co. had their opportunities to sign Welker and never took them. After a productive career in New England reports indicated that Welker intended to pursue a contract offer which reflected his value as the league's best slot receiver. The Patriots reportedly offered $10.5 million over 2 years.

As Mike Wallace received a 5 year, $60 million dollar deal and the free agency market boomed, would you be insulted? Heck, I was insulted, and no one plans on paying me to play receiver in the NFL anytime soon.

But to think the Patriots truly believed Welker would accept that offer is naive. At age 32, New England believed Welker would be phased out of their offensive focus and would not provide value comparable to what they would need to pay. Instead, armed with an unacceptable contract offer, Bill Belichick let Welker go, ushering him out the door like a matador baiting a bull.

And perhaps that speaks to the arrogance of the New England Patriots. For years, it's been the "Bill Belichick" way. He set a number for prospective free agents and they better like it, or they could go elsewhere. Stars could chase the glory of a large contract elsewhere for all Belichick cares because in his mind, every player is replaceable. But Belichick has never cut ties with a player of such importance to the success of an offense, nor has he jettisoned someone so popular with the fans.

Do I agree with it? Not at all. For $10 million guaranteed and 2 years, I'd much rather the dependability of Wes Welker over the potential of Danny Amendola, who we will get to in a minute. But do you blame Welker for leaving? He didn't get the length or value contract he hoped, so he got the next best thing.

In the end, the negotiations turned from business to personal, and history proves those rarely work out in successful matrimony. The Patriots, for whatever reason, decided it'd be best to insult Welker with an embarrassingly low contract offer. In return, undoubtedly upset, Welker turned to Denver to line up in the slot for Tom Brady's most notable rival Peyton Manning, in what is primed to be the most potent offense in the AFC.

But hey, In Bill We Trust, right?

Danny Amendola

Just when you found your football thirst quenched by the results of another crazy day in NFL free agency, the Patriots trudged on.

Armed with cap space and a gaping hole at slot-receiver, the Patriots fulfilled what was previously considered plan B by many in signing Danny Amendola. To compound the confusion and frustration, the previously stingy front office extended a rather gracious offer to Amendola at 5 years/$31 million.

Roughly two hours after the Welker news went final, the swift reversal of course by the Patriots was staggering. After being led to believe the Patriots wouldn't pay Welker, the team over-extended to Amendola, locking up the injury-prone receiver to a 5 year deal?

First, let's pump the brakes on the contract. While it seems large, and technically it can be, Amendola will never see all $31 million. In fact, both Welker and Amendola received $10 million in guaranteed money, essentially setting the market for slot receivers. Ironically, the contract bares many similarities to the deal New England offered to Welker five seasons ago, when he was 27 years old.

There's no denying the talent of Amendola or the natural comparisons to Welker. Both are caucasian, both are perfecting their craft in the slot, both graduated Texas Tech. Unfortunately for Amendola, he must now face the impossible tasks of filling Welker's shoes in both the offense and the hearts of Patriot nation.

In theory, Amendola can provide much of what Welker was able to do in New England. But it will take time to develop the rapport Welker and Tom Brady shared. The other problem is Amendola's inability to stay on the field.

It would be ignorant to say Amendola is not tough. Amendola is very tough, and we'll see him absorb many of the same hits Welker took. Durability is the issue. Amendola has missed 20 games over the past four seasons with various injuries including a dislocated elbow and broken collarbone. An optimist would say he's suffered numerous freak injuries, but it isn't a chronic situation. A realist would doubt his ability to stay on the field for 16 games, plus a probable playoff run.

The most concerning aspect is Bill Belichick's trust in Josh McDaniels, who is quietly turning the Patriots into a collaboration of his favorite players from his previous two stops in Denver and St. Louis.  Brandon Lloyd, Daniel Fells, Michael Hoomanawanui, and now Danny Amendola. The Patriots currently do not have a receiver on the roster who caught a pass for them last season, and are putting their trust in a coach who's ability to identify talent is highly questionable.

In 2011, the Rams offense, to put it nicely, was horrendous. They averaged 12.1 points-per-game, good for 11th worst all time. McDaniels also drafted twice as a head coach, picking notable standouts such as Tim Tebow, Knowshon Moreno, Robert Ayers, and Alphonso Smith

Nervous yet?

Essentially, the Patriots offense has become Josh McDaniels brainchild. While schematically talented, his faults as a talent evaluator don't exactly help me sleep at night. Is Tom Brady the difference between success and failure for McDaniels? That seems to be asking a lot from a 35 year old QB who's struggled with pressure the past 8 seasons, and just recently had his binky snatched away from him.

Obviously, the season isn't won in March. Free Agency is still alive and well, and if the Patriots make reasonable additions to the team, I'm sure they'll look fine heading into 2013.

But it's become a theme in New England. Gone are the reliable mainstays such as a hard nose defense and playoff tenacity. Now, the Patriots continue to roll the dice, more often than not ending up painfully short of another Super Bowl.

Mark's Musings

 I started today with the intent of writing a post about Wes Welker and the ever-constant headache that is the NFL rumor mill. But after a conversation with a close friend (AP, if you're reading, thanks) about the current state of the Celtics as the playoffs loomed, I had second thoughts.

So you know what? I'm going to combine it all. Surprisingly, there's a lot of sports views running amok throughout my otherwise fairly barren mind, and this is an outlet of release. So without further adieu, let's tackle all that is relevant in the world of sports.

Despite the odds, the Boston Celtics keep Winning 

It's safe to say the boys in green have our attention. A stunning, come from behind victory over Eastern Conference favorite Indiana leaves the Celtics (and their fans) riding high. There's a multitude of impressive feats about this victory, so it's tough to really judge where to start.

Going into this game, the Celtics were 11-18 on the road. The 2nd night of a road back to back against a tall, athletic, well rested Pacers team spelled trouble for a depleted Celtics roster. For the most part it did look to be trouble. The Pacers led by as much as 13, but per usual, the Celtics fought their way back. Doc Rivers drew up a fantastic play to get the last shot and the rest is history.

What's potentially most frustrating, outside of the fact this is all getting done without a top-5 point guard, are the cliches. This year promotes inexplicable moments, and in order to describe what simply does not make sense to the common basketball mind, we fill empty space with cliches. This is a "winning team." They have characteristics such as heart, grit, determination. We want to make it the classic underdog story. And as much as I search for tangible, statistical reasons to prove why the Celtics are sustaining such effective play, it's increasingly easier to simply attribute it to something intangible, something we can't prove.

And honestly, I think I'm alright with that. Some things are better left unexplained, and I'd be more than happy to immerse myself with every positive, David vs. Goliath story line.

But the real loser in this situation? Rajon Rondo. He's worked so hard to become a better leader and a better player, but as soon as he goes down the Celtics seemingly flip the switch. Not only is this demoralizing, but it also may begin to diminish his value. Rondo's contract status continues to be a focus of discussion, and if the Celtics continue to improve and win without him, what is his true worth to the franchise? Is he a centerpiece (another cliche, I know), or simply a talented facilitator?

PS. Don't look now, but the Celtics are quickly going from potentially entering the playoffs as the 7 or 8 seed to sneaking in to the 4th seed. Just 1.5 games back of Brooklyn.

What in the world is Happening with Wes Welker?

You know what the problem is with the Wes Welker free agency drama? It's like an antagonizingly slow movie that doesn't end. It's the film with proven actors, a solid base, but slows considerably in the middle, and drops multiple faux-endings. Each time we hope for the sake of viewership that it's over, the show trudges on.

Patriots fans know what Wes Welker can contribute to this team. Excluding 2010, Welker's gone over 1,000 yards each year and remains Tom Brady's most reliable target. Gimmick offense or not, the effectiveness of Welker within this offense cannot be matched elsewhere.

He's also 31 (32 when the season starts) coming off a season where he led the league in drops with 15. He was also targeted a league-high 174 times, and took an absolute beating for long stretches of the year, so take that for what it's worth.

There's also been reports that Welker had "mild disdain" for the Patriots after the early-season controversy surrounding his playing time, a report from Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports. Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe confirmed this report, going as far to say there was more than mild disdain at one point, but it's been cleared up for the most part.

 I have no clue what goes on in that locker room, nor do I pretend to comprehend what goes on between the ears of Bill Belichick. All I can judge is what I see, and what my eyes see and what my heart says are two different things. So many fans base their opinions off their emotional endearment to Welker. Surely he can't leave, we love Wes! Right? Right?

Well, maybe not. If Welker's main motive is to be valued as a top-tier wide receiver, feel free to chase the money elsewhere. Belichick's been known to say that an increasing drop total for a receiver indicates their legs are showing signs of slowing down due to high mileage. At 32 years old, it's fair to assume Welker will begin to slip athletically, even if ever-so-slightly. At this rate, a three-year deal would be risky business.

Conversely, Welker also begins to have the "Kevin Garnett" effect. His value to the Patriots is superior to anyone else, and his ability to withstand cringe-worthy physical abuse captivates the hearts of Patriots nation. Justifiably, the Patriots need Welker's production, but Welker also needs Tom Brady and this quick-timing offense as well. Does he risk leaving to chase the dollars, where his best chance to produce and win a championship is most likely in New England?

I think Welker will be back. But I also think the debate over his worth is a precursor to a slight drop off in his production moving forward. That doesn't necessarily reflect on Welker as much as it does a philosophical shift. Having Welker has a safety blanket and a 3rd-down conversion machine is fantastic, but moving forward, I question whether he should be the primary target of the offense.

Tough Times in New York

Alright Yankees fans, I'm going to let you in on a little secret I've learned over the past two seasons of watching Red Sox baseball.

Injuries suck.

Unfortunately, the injury bug does not operate independently. It attacks like a tidal wave, infiltrating your locker room and claiming multiple casualties. This seems to be no different in New York, where an already thin roster now faces it's limits already in early March.

As of now, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson will both put their season debuts on hold until at least late May, most likely early June. Alex Rodriguez already hit the rehab trail, attempting to return from a serious hip injury which will sideline him until mid-summer. Yankees fans have yet to see Derek Jeter, who hopes to make his spring debut soon as he continues to rehab from a fractured ankle at the age of 38. Oh, and their 43 year old closer Mariano Rivera returns from an ACL tear, C.C Sabathia is attempting to return from injury, and there's unconfirmed rumors of potential steroid controversy looming around New York.

Are you having fun yet, New York?

Somehow, in a crazy twist of narrative and irony, the Yankees $12 million man Kevin Youkilis will suddenly be asked to anchor the middle of a lineup for at least the first two months of the season. Travis Hafner, the newest injury-prone, aging slugger to fill the Yankees DH role, goes from "added production is a bonus" to "we're relying on you." The other members of the lineup forced to carry Robinson Cano and Jeter? Brett Gardner, Ichiro, Eduardo Nunez, Dan Johnson, and Francisco Cervelli.

Times are changing in the A.L East.

What's in the Water in Chicago?

Dear Blackhawks,

You do understand it's alright to lose, right? In fact, we'd suggest it, as you're making us look bad.

Sincerely,
The Rest of the NHL

A clutch goal by Daniel Carcillo and multiple big games from Patrick Kane extend the NHL's most improbable streak. Hockey fans who happen to watch ESPN can thank the Blackhawks, who's dabble into history has left ESPN executives no choice but to cover at least a pinch of NHL. It's practically pulling teeth to get any kind of ice to show up on Sportscenter, unless it's an ice sculpture of Tim Tebow.

On an unrelated note, how creepy are the Allstate commercials where Dennis Haysburt voices over  other characters talking? I can do without seeing 9 year old girls and middle-aged women with Haysburt-esque vocal chords, Allstate. Thanks.

Good Luck, Ryan

Bittersweet news from Fort Myers yesterday, as former Red Sox top-prospect Ryan Westmoreland announced his retirement at the age of 22.

Westmoreland's faced the daunting challenge of recovering from two brain surgeries, the second of which resulted in a complication while rehabbing from his first surgery. Following Westmoreland from afar, his progress made has been an inspiration from everyone. At one point, he was unable to walk and normal day-to-day life seemed like a distant dream.

But Westmoreland battled back, progressing so much he eventually returned to baseball activities before a setback resulted in a second surgery.

It's sad to see such a promising career derailed, but what's more important is Ryan's overall health. He's been dealt multiple tough hands so far in his young life, and has looked adversity in the eyes and overcome it. Well wishes to him, as he returns to schoo to get his degree and hopefully return to baseball in another capacity.

Got a question you want to talk about? Comments, criticism, concerns? I enjoyed doing this, and this may become a periodic type of "installment" for me, and I'd love to answer any questions or share an outside opinion when talking about what's relevant in the world of sports.

Feel free to drop a comment, or find me on social media @Mark_Chiarelli or Mark Chiarelli on Facebook.