Happy Festivus New England!!!!!

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

With the clock ticking, and members of Red Sox Nation waiting on the edge of their seats like kids waiting for Santa Claus, Red Sox Management and Scott Boras/Daisuke Matsuzaka came to an agreement in principle that will see the "best pitcher not in the major leagues" pitch at Fenway for the next six years - for a mere $52M or $8.65M per season. And if you thought the news couldn't get better, the Red Sox are expected to resign resident crybaby Doug Mirabelli - who always has Boston on his mind...no matter where he plays (think that is his way of saying he has a crush on Hazel?).

Back to John Henry/Theo Epstein and Scott Boras/Daisuke Matsuzaka drama - this came off as being so contrived, so hollywood, so full of crap that I'd be embarrassed to be a Red Sox fan (hell, I'm embarrassed and the Sox come in at a distant second to the Dodgers). Where do I start?

• How about Curt Schilling letting it be known that he is going to learn Japanese?
  
  
• Theo Epstein saying that it was up so "Matsuzaka-san"?
  
  
• John Henry, in an almost tearful voice, saying that Boras had refused to "ne-go-SEE-ate" (jeezus...didn't he every watch Seinfeld? "Ne-go-SHEE-ation Jerry...NE-GO-SHEE-ASHUN")
  
  
• Scott Boras talking about how his man was a premiere pitcher and should be paid like one - $12 - $16M per season - but settling for 2/3 or 1/2 of that depending on what Boras really wanted.
  
  
• The drama of the Sox Management boarding a plane to "go to Boras' door to negotiate" and bring Matsuzaka "home". (????)
  
  
• The countdown clocks on the Boston Globe and Boston Herald sites.

It's Festivus in New England!

The $8.65M per season should temper expectations - damn, if Gil Meche and Ted Lilly can get $11M and $10M per season respectively, 12 wins for Matsuzaka should be considered a good deal; even though Red Sox Nation insists on adding the posting fee to Matsuzaka's contract ($100M).

However, with all the talk, the fanfare, the assessments of "unnamed GMs" - anything less than 16 wins and an ERA under 3.50 will likely be considered a failure. Good luck Theo, your reputation is going to be based on this guy's performance. More on this in the coming days...you know my pal Renee will be wading in on this one - we think she was tied up last night (NO...NOT THAT KIND OF TIED UP! I meant busy!) .

Light night in the NHL last night, with the Ducks, Penguins, and Avalanche all winning.


HAZEL'S THREE STARS
Pittsburgh Penguins wonderkid Sidney Crosby had a goal and five assists last night in an 8-4 beat down of the woeful Flyers - looks like Bob Clarke's return has had an impact huh?

Anaheim Ducks RW Teemu Selanne scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over the suddenly not so high flying Thrashers.

Portuguese International (and Azorean born) Pauleta (Pedro Miguel Resendes) scored two goals yesterday to lead Paris St. Germain to a 4-0 victory over Panathaniakos from Greece - the victory lifted PSG into the knockout phase of the UEFA Cup. By now we should all know the deal - ya, Hazel probably doesn't give a rat's ass about European Football, but the "Porkchop" rule superceeds Hazel's sports interest...until she tells us different.


THURSDAY THREE PLAY
Another very good night for us with both Pittsburgh and Colorado winning. We finished the night at + $125, bringing the total for the week up to a very respectable + $350 - for those of you keeping track or "playing" we are 7-0 for the week. Not bad for freebies huh? We'll go with three more tonight.

Buffalo over Florida - Florida is in a tailspin, while the Sabres seem to be pulling it back together after a bit of a rough stretch. Lay $50 on the Sabres tonight.

Nashville over Ottawa - the Tards got lucky against Detroit the other night, but the Predators won't let the Tards off the hook - they are younger, quicker, faster and more talented than the Tards. Lay $50 on the Predators.

Detroit over Chicago - the Red Wings are smarting after dropping one to the Tards, they won't let the Blackhawks off the hook. Lay $50 on the Red Wings.

That's about it for tonight gang - Christmas party with friends tonight...Guinness on tap tonight!
I'll be back Friday with NFL Picks vs. Spread - I took Seattle -9.5 for 11 points tomorrow. Have a great one peeps!

HAZEL'S THURSDAY HOROSCOPE
You will get help if you ask for it. This is a great day to travel or connect with someone you may want to partner with on some level. The easy-come, easy-go syndrome will be your enemy. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - for Theo Epstein bringing Festivus to New England (we'll give it a few days before the airing of the grievances).

Chanukah Song - Adam Sandler

Might be time to start thinking of this year's Twelve Days of Christmas and what Hazel could bring...

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!