It's tough not to get excited about what appears to be some serious intensity in the 2006 edition of the Red Sox. Yesterday, Josh Beckett challenged Phillies 252 pound first baseman, Ryan Howard, when he "pimped" after hitting a long fly ball.

Remember Spring Training 2005 when we were exposed to photos of the guys as they got pedicures for their Queer Eye for a Straight Guy episode? This year it's all about bean ball and unprintable obscenities. It's safe to say that the 2006 version of the Sox probably won't be watching Aha videos in the clubhouse.

UPDATE: This is what I mean - these guys have some "spunk":
Boston's Tavarez punches D-Ray's Gathright


Photo from Boston.com

Stats count one week from today.

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I was pointed to the interview "And An Idiot Shall Lead Them" (via deadspin.com) between New York Magazine's Steven Rodrick and Johnny Damon. It's an interesting story as it reinforces what we all thought -- that the Yankees players are "surly" and really do have "sticks up their asses." It seems that Damon is being paid the big bucks not to "simply to hit, catch, and run" but "to remove the stick." The best part though is when Damon discusses his sex life:

"As the conversation shifts to after-hours pursuits, Damon adds nonchalantly, '“My wife wants us to put a swing in our New York place....Damon gives a naughty, kidlike shrug. '“We'’re married; you have to keep it interesting'."” Read the full article from nymag.com

Uggh.

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