Merry Christmas 2007!

Since Dear Criss is not here, I can take a little advantage and use this pic as

Sporting Gals' Christmas/New Year's wish.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

And my Christmas wish for Theo is that he will recognize that perhaps Johan Santana IS NOT WORTH GIVING UP LESTER, BUCKHOLTZ, JACOBY, OR ANYONE FOR! Don't touch my boys. Let the stinkin' Yankees have Santana if they want him, and it still will not matter (they got the Rocket and the Unit once upon a time, right?). Let's grow our boys, let's stay with the family we have, because you know what? It's working.

Roxy

Photo: RedSox.com

Turning Your Head the Other Way

First of all, when you read this, it will either be graduation day or post-graduation day! CONGRATS TO DEAR CRISS!!!

But now listen, I'm sure a lot of people are heart broken by Roger possibly being a 'roid man - Red Sox, Astros, Blue Jays and Yankees fans alike. And those before and after pics are pretty interesting. But as to all of it being lies? OH MY GOSH!!! Pettitte even ADMITTED using the stinkin' steroids. So is there some truth to Namee McNamee's stories? Actually, of course none of your Yankees would ever do steroids. Excuse me. I know Donnelly and Gagne were included, but they came and went from the Sox faster than the left arrow at every major local intersection down here. And their troubles predate the Sox. Give me my good fat players who don't want to workout. Mitchell happens to be highly respected, buddy, and Selig isn't just gonna take his word for it without some back up.

So how' bout them Dolphins?! Whoa! That was exciting. I was listening in the car and caught the overtime fun on t.v., just in time. I'm happy for them, really. It was a tear-jerker moment. I don't think they even care about the other games or New England anymore!

And please, there should be a rule: no famous girlfriends at football games - ahem, ROMO!

Roxy

Photo: Doug Benc, Getty Images

Excuse me while I barf

While the Mitchell Report doesn't bother me, because we all deserve to know the truth, McNamee does. All of a sudden we have to believe a strength conditioning coach who was looking at jail time? I don't think so. And of course this Mitchell guy, a director for the Red Sox, is going to want to bury any player that has any ties or had any ties to the Yankees.

I say do more research before burying this guy whose work regimen is second to none! Why take the word of a shady guy who only wants to save his own a**? Give me cold, hard facts and then I'll believe you. Til then, Clemens is a hall of famer!

ARod finalized his 10-year contract with the Yankees! I think it's safe to say he'll be a Yankee forever :)

Thanks for the good wishes, Dear Roxy. I am finally done with school. And while it took me a looong time, I'm happy I stuck by it! Now, don't come rushing to my couch any time soon either.

This weekend is our little get-together. I need to speak to you for specifics though.

And yes, basketball hasn't been the same since your heartbreak and the Heat-Knicks rivalry. Let's relive those moments.

Did I mention the Dolphins will snap your team's perfect season?

-Criss

CRONIES!

No, I haven't been keeping track of basketball since the '90s NBA finals between the Jazz and Bulls. We all remember how that turned out. Heartbreak.

I have, however, been paying attention to the Mitchell report, Dear Criss. How 'bout putting some of those Yankees on the cover of ESPN mag? I bet you they won't, because ESPN looooves the Yankees. They'll sweep the steroid boys' dirty secrets under the rug. More than a dozen Yankees past and present named (out of 80+ names). What are you guys doing over there?

Anyway, I am so ready for Pats-Jets. The Dolphins could pull off an upset, seeing the history of the Pats-Dolphins games over the last few years. BUT THEY BETTER NOT TRY IT NEXT WEEK! And continuing on the Boston scene, Theo just had a baby with his wife. Don't think I didn't notice how it strategically happened post-season.

"Fa-la-la-la-Fabulous," says Isaac: Finally, I wanted to mention that I met Isaac Mizrahi at work. It's a long story that I'll tell you during our graduation/Christmas/birthday event, but I loved every moment. I've been a fan since high school, so imagine! Wait - is graduation this weekend?! Congrats on finishing classes!! Woo hoo!

Roxy

NYT file photos

eonline.com

Joba Rules

Well, the Steelers didn't win as they had guaranteed, Dear Roxy, which means the Pats are still undefeated.

I say the 0-14 Dolphins will play the 14-0 Patriots (pending their respective loss and win this weekend) and pull a massive, not to mention the worst upset in NFL history. I guarantee this! Wouldn't it be great for the '72 Dolphins! At least give us that.

Michael Vick got 23 months in jail. Who knows? He might still get a second chance to play in the NFL. Everyone deserves one....

... except for Barry Bonds. He still won't admit his guilt. If you don't admit it, Barry, how are we suppose to give you a second chance?

Pettitte was officially signed as a Yankee.

What happened with Santana? I haven't heard a word. All I know is that the Yankees' deadline has passed. I just hope they don't come back with a new one... unless is for some unkown player.

And I hope the Sox don't sign him either. We don't need him in the same division.

Oh, and you mean this Joba cover? If you ask me, I think he fits in pretty well :)

Have you been paying attention to basketball... somehow I haven't just yet.

-Criss

Photo: ESPN

Blog Hog: It was Supposed to Be Competitive

Oh man. I thought Pittsburgh would give the Pats a run for their money. I thought it would be a tight and exciting game - until halftime, apparently. Well, Tom, you better go perfect from this point on. I feel bad for Ben, but you know, he wasn't - and isn't - too shabby. I don't know if Tom had to exactly be in-your-face after that first touchdown. It wasn't necessary. That play spoke for itself.

Although I should give up the predictions, I'm gonna say the NFC championship will likely be Green Bay-Dallas. AFC? Pats-Colts or Pats-Steelers. Wait, is that last one possible? Hm. I gotta check the standings. Can you imagine Brett Favre and Tom Brady? Holy smokes!

Okay. I'm done for now, Dear Criss. Where are you? I mean, just because you're almost done with school and all...

Dolphins: Still winless. Eek.

And on behalf of Kim in Seattle and myself, I'm completely over ESPN magazine. My reasons: for not giving much coverage to the Sox in the playoffs and World Series (and, per Kim, they seem to be Coach K haters). One back page pic when we won the series, and one picture spread with the word "luck" included in a brief paragraph. But guess who's on the cover this week? Joba. There's plenty to read there. Oh goody. I'm sticking with SI, which had the guts to put Boston teams on the cover for four weeks straight.

Roxy

AP photo, Winslow Townson

Countdown to Pats-Steelers

Okay people, I am now in the 21st century. I have DSL. It's crazy. My life has changed for the better. I don't know what to do with myself. No more breaks to brush my teeth or to run to the bathroom quickly while something downloaded. Whoa.

So, Dear Criss, I purposely avoided being online because I've been nervous about Jacoby. I don't care about Santana - you know why? Because it seems like every star that comes to the Red Sox turns out to be a dud. Our homegrown kids are just fine. Do not touch Dusty, Jacoby or Lester. I nearly had a nervous breakdown at the thought. I still struggle with the possibility that Theo would be so stupid as to not have learned the lessons of the past few years.

You know I completely forgot about the Monday Night Football game with the Pats? The next morning, I held my breath as Regis recounted the game while I sat at the car shop waiting for my car. (Long story about them incorrectly changing my oil.) Scary. But prepare yourself for Pats-Steelers. I forgot my prediction (sticking to it), but I think it was Steelers by three in the last two minutes. I'm not so sure anymore, but if anyone's gonna knock the Pats off, it's the Steelers (so there's some Joe Namath-like guarantees being thrown around, I heard). I'm all about the perfect season, but what about Ben? I'm torn. Whoever wins wins. What can I do? Don't tell anyone I said that.

Roxy

Tom: Stephan Savoia, AP

Ben: Rick Stewart, Getty Images

Pettitte's back

And yes, I couldn't be any happier, Dear Roxy. Andy is back in pinstripes. With that said, we have our rotation set up.

And I never thought I would agree with you on this, Rox, but yes, say no to Johan! I can't believe they're even thinking about trading Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera! NO, don't do it!

Anyone would be so lucky to have Johan, but not if it means we have to let go of our youngsters!

I'm still fuming over last night's game. I mean, the Pats are good... really, really good, so they don't need the refs' help to win games! Some of those calls were very shady if you ask me!

Go 1972 Dolphins! I'll be rooting for the Steelers, Jets, Giants, and of course, the Dolphins in their upcoming games against the Pats.

Sean Taylor's tragic death is not to be taken lightly. I totally agree with you, Rox. Some of these local reporters, dj's and such have been very insensitive about the matter. The memorial was so emotional I couldn't help but get sad about it. May he rest in peace.

-Criss