Sox Still Kickin' and Other Notes

Not a ton of time today, but here are some headlines to keep you interested:

The Red Sox aren't dead yet, rallying from a 7-0 deficit to stave off elimination and beat the Rays at Fenway Park last night. Hmm ... where have we seen this before?

You can't feel good about this if you're a Tampa fan. Not only did you choke up a 7-run lead, but the Sox clearly have the mojo now and confidence must be at a premium in the bullpen, after the top three arms in it — Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler and J.P. Howell — all gave up runs last night.

The Washington Capitals won their third straight game, rallying in similarly astounding fashion — down 3-0 — to beat the Penguins, 4-3, in Pittsburgh. The Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry turned one notch hotter as the two apparently exchanged words in the hallways of Mellon Arena after the game.

The best sign for the Caps this young season? Ovechkin only has two goals and the team has scored nine total in its last two wins. If you're notching four goals a night and your MVP isn't even on track yet, you've got bright skies ahead.

One person who is clicking is Brad Boyes. I'll now take a second to answer that resounding "WHO?" I just heard you utter at your monitors. Boyes, a center with the St. Louis Blues, already has four goals this season, after lighting the lamp 43 times last year. The most remarkable thing about last year's feat? His shooting percentage topped 20-percent. One out of every five times he put the puck on net it went in. Sniper!

Blackhawks Coach Denis Savard will have some time on his hands, seeing as how he is no longer Blackhawks Coach. Savard was canned after a 1-2-1 start four games into the season. Ouch.

Joba Chamberlain is likely to start again for the Yankees in 2009.

The Padres are lining up suitors for a potential Jake Peavy trade.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo tries to impress everyone and play with a broken pinkie finger.

Splinters Magic Mail Bag and Press Pass with Broken Social Scene's Brendan Canning

The FCNP version of Splinters is up. This week I delve into my monthly Magic Mailbag to answer some questions of uh, avid, readers. It's so weird how this Joe G. guy keeps asking me about the Redskins...weird. I also explore the College Football scene as teams try to stay at the top once they reach No. 1. Easier said than done.

For Press Pass I sit down with Broken Social Scene's Brendan Canning to discuss the nuances of working with an ever-changing lineup that often consists of eight members or more on stage at the same time. And also when he likes to take his mid-set bathroom breaks.

Manny Becoming Manny

Sorry I have posted absolutely nothing this week, but I've been busy working on something.

Remember a little while back when I posted I was planning on writing a piece on the evolution of Manny Ramirez? It went live today, published by ESPN The Magazine's Web site, espnthemag.com.

The piece looks back at the phrase "Manny Being Manny" and the particular behaviors Ramirez flaunted on each occasion based on a Lexis Nexis search for the team. First guy to quip Manny Being Manny? Wouldn't you like to know ... You can find out here: A Brief History of the Phrase "Manny Being Manny"

Also be sure to check out fellow Hoya Ted Bauer's work catching up with Dennis Eckersley and Kirk Gibson 20 years after Jack Buck couldn't believe what he just saw.