Wild Card

Hello, folks, and welcome to Wild Card Lite: I don’t know about the taste, but it’s certainly less filling. I figure since this is the final column before Thanksgiving, I’d head into the break with a little Turkey Day tribute. So, before you all go home to stuff your faces with turkey or vegetables, let us sit down and reflect on a few things we can give thanks for in the world of sports. I guess the first thing to give thanks for is the Boston Red Sox. Red Sox Nation has waited anywhere from 86 years to the very moments before victory to see the Curse of the Bambino meets its official end. Most people would agree the Curse died in the ninth inning of Game Four against the Yankees, but given the 1986 World Series, it had to be over before anyone would say so. A little more drama against St. Louis would be nice, but hey, it’s been almost nine decades; let’s not get greedy. Thanks go out to the New England Patriots, too. Their déjà vu Super Bowl victory gave New England sports teams the first of two championships in 2004, and it hasn’t stopped there. The Patriots continue to steamroll over the competition, now 22-1 since Week Five of 2003, and very little stands in their way. If the Patriots can figure out Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and the offensive powerhouse in Philadelphia, 2005 may be another good year for New Englanders.The Detroit Pistons earned thanks this year as well. Their victory over the star-powered Los Angeles Lakers put an end to the Western Conference domination that has haunted the East. Doesn’t seem to have made much of a dent out west this season, though: five Western Conference clubs are currently outperforming the top team in the East. Still, there’s always hope. Maybe the Celtics will get into the mood.And how about a big thank you to the Tampa Bay Lightning? Nothing drives a nail in the coffin like shipping the Stanley Cup to a state that can’t naturally produce the substance on which the sport plays. Three words to the NHL: Location, location, location. If the league ever starts up again, it might be wise to consider going international. Most of the league is imported anyway. Why make the rest of the world suffer because we’re apathetic?Sorry to cut things short, but classes call. Enjoy the extra time off, and here’s hoping to full strength in December.