The Nest

Tek Time Table?
According to Ian Browne over at hotstove.mlblogs.com, Scott Boras met with Theo Epstein to discuss, among other things, Jason Varitek.

Seems the contract length may be a sticking point for the Red Sox veteran catcher. Given Boras’ reputation, something that minor might be an easy hurdle for the vaunted agent except that Epstein is no babe in the woods and might forego the comfort of having Tek behind the plate next season and try to fill that void in the lineup.

Manny’s New Deal
The Dodgers have extended what is believed to be a two-year, 55 million dollar offer to free agent Manny Ramirez. The thought is that Manny may want more security, in other words a longer contract. Personally, 25+ million dollars a year would provide me with enough security to last a lifetime but my wife has put me on a tight budget and Manny is a pro baseball player. He and other player/millionaires exist on a different (higher) plain than us regular folks.  When you’re talking contracts with these elites, it’s not as much about the money as much as if somebody else is making more. It’s the game within the game. He who plays for the most $$$ wins.

Patriots Players Like Presidential Pick
Many of the Pats players, when asked about the election said they were happy with the results. To some, it exemplified what the country is all about – equal opportunity to those that would aspire to reach for it. Obama was likened to quarterback Tom Brady by Ellis Hobbs who said “He’s calm under pressure”.

A young Deltha O’Neal used to poo-poo the other kids in school when they said they wanted to grow up to be president. After Tuesday night’s convincing victory, he’s changed his tune. Now, the Patriots cornerback says “The sky is the limit. I can tell my kids now, ‘Shoot for the sky. Don’t put limits on yourself and don’t let others put limits on you’”.  Wise advise.

My Take

On Tek: Take whatever Theo’s willing to give you and trust him to be fair. You’re a catcher in the big leagues. Realistically how many more years can you do that? Your knees and years have a limit

On Manny: You are (or should be) filthy rich. Even when you’re too old to chase balls in the outfield, there’s probably a DH role in your future. Roll the dice and hold out for a longer contract, more money and a better dental plan. What’s the worst that can happen?

On the Pats and Obama: Like me, the members of the Patriots probably thought they’d never live to see the day when an African-American was elected to the highest office in the land. They may have thought, like I did, that things were the way they were and there was nothing that could be done about it. Tuesday night changed all that. I haven’t felt this much pride in my country in a long time. I assumed we would continue our downward spiral, the rest of the world would continue to hate us and Americans would be considered second class citizens in the eyes of the world. Yes, Tuesday night changed all that. To see the crowds of people that man can inspire and motivate filled me with hope for our nation again.

Tuesday night changed us all.

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