Take Your Pick

So it is currently the busiest and most entertaining period of the year for sports. We are full blown into the Major League Baseball playoffs, with each league starting its championship series. We are near the start of the NBA season with the preseason under way. The NHL season starts this week, while the NFL is entering week six. And don't forget about college football, which is in full swing as well. Within the next month or two, college basketball will begin. For sports fans around the country and especially around New England, we simply can't go wrong.

In baseball, the American League Championship series between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees begins Friday night, and the National League series between the Philadelphia Phillie's and the San Fransisco Giants begins on Saturday. The Yankees are looking to win back-to-back World Series titles and the Phillies are looking for their second title in the last three years. On the other hand, the Texas Rangers are fresh off their first ever playoff series win and are looking for their first ever World Series title. The Rangers look for payback against the Yankees. In Texas's only other three playoff appearances, the Rangers lost to the Yankees in the first round. The San Fransisco Giants have not been in a World Series since 2002. They lost in seven games to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, despite a strong performance by legendary homerun king Barry Bonds.

In football, our New England Patriots are 3-1. They are in second place to the 4-1 New York Jets in the AFC East, and they are coming off their bye week to play the very difficult and powerful 4-1 Baltimore Ravens. The game this week is very important for the Patriots, and will be a true test for the team as they pursue victory the rest of this season. The Patriots are fresh off a blowout win against their AFC East rival Miami Dolphins. But, they are going to be without star
Wide Receiver Randy Moss, who was traded last week to the Minnesota Vikings. Randy Moss joins Hall of Fame Quarterback Brett Farve in Minnesota where the 1-3 Vikings look to make a strong push to the playoffs with two of the greatest players to ever play the game. In place of Moss, the Patriots signed veteran Wide Receiver and ex-Patriot Deion Branch, who was a vital part in the Patriots Super Bowl titles. He was named Superbowl MVP in 2005 when the Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21. He is familiar to the Bellichick system and the Patriot offense, and he has a great relationship with Tom Brady. Branch will be making his return to the Patriots this Sunday against the Ravens.

With all the talk about Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat being favored to win the NBA championship this year, the Celtics look to play spoilers of the Heat's plans and look to avenge last year's Game 7 loss handed to them by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are looking to win their third-straight title this year and sixth within the last decade. The Celtics added Hall of Fame superstar Center Shaquille O'Neal in the off season as well as Jermaine O'Neal. The team also brought back Coach Doc Rivers and the big three: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. The Celtics look to win a title with the Hall of Fame lineup for banner number 18. It would be their second title in the last four years with the big three. The NBA season should be one of epic proportions, with a star-studded cast on teams around the league and the excitement of such young talented players.

Clearly, this time of the year is a great time for New England sports fans. We should be very excited and grateful for such entertainment. Despite the fact the Boston Red Sox are not in this year's playoffs or the fact the Patriots traded such and explosive and talented receiver in Randy Moss, we are in good shape and should enjoy every moment in New England sports. We have won three Super Bowls, two World Series and one NBA championship in the last decade, and maybe one or two this year, so we really cannot complain. So sit back, get comfortable and enjoy.