This Week in Sports

Written By: Jamie Lazaroff
Edited By: Bob Lazzari

Although this is a national blog, I was born and bred in New England and still reside here. It is truly a great times to be a sports fan in New England. The Red Sox are in first place and just pulled off a great deal. In basketball, it appears the Celtics are back on the map.

*First up, the Red Sox just traded for Eric Gagne of the Texas Rangers. What a pick up! I know that Gagne has been injured the last few years and has struggled lately, but he'll still be effective; having both Jonathan Papelbon and Gagne, the Sox' bullpen is all set. If the bats can get hot and the starting pitching remains fairly strong, the Red Sox will be fine and win the American League East.

*I have some questions about the Celtics' recent deals involving Kevin Gannett and Ray Allen. To get KG, the C’s had to give up many of their young players. Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green (the slam dunk champion this past year) and Sebastian Telfair are all under 22 years old. In order to obtain Ray Allen on draft day, they had to give up Delonte West--who is also under 22 and led the team in assists last year. I would have chosen to deal for KG OR Allen--not both-- because they still had All-Star Paul Pierce in their lineup. My opinion is that two star players are better than three because:

A. They may have to divide playing time.
B. They would have more young players on their roster.
C. It just makes more mathematical sense--salary-wise.

The Celtics still have Kendrick Perkins and drafted Glen Davis (Big Baby) from LSU. The immediate future is surely looking bright, but will all the pieces fit together? That will be the question.

*I’m not a fan of fantasy football because I like rooting for an existing professional team (New England Patriots) and not individual players. It may enhance the football viewing on Sundays for most people, but it’s just not for me. Speaking of the Patriots, I can see another Super Bowl championship this year. Randy Moss will fit in nicely with his new team.

*This week's spotlight comes from the Paralympics website. Paralympian Lee Pearson from Great Britain has added three more titles to his impressive career at the 2007 International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Para Dressage Championships in Hartpury, Great Britain. Being born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, Lee Pearson made his competitive debut in 1998 and from there became one of the most successful riders in his class. At his first Paralympic Games in Sydney in 2000, he won three gold medals and did so as well in Athens in 2004. Even though his horse Blue Circle Boy had retired before the 2007 FEI World Para Dressage Championships, he once again won every competition he competed in. Lee has been nominated several times for the Laures World Sport Award and also for the Eurosport Sport Star Award, which he won in 2004. In May 2007, he became the first chairman of the FEI Athletes Committee. Career Highlights:

· Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games – Three gold medals
· Athens 2004 Paralympic Games – Three gold medals
· 2007 FEI World Para Dressage Championships – Three gold medals

That’s my take; I would like to hear yours.

Jamie Lazaroff