Quick Hits...

* Will the plaintive cries emanating from Boston after game 4 drown out the strains of "Icky Thump" being played yet again during a return from commercial on Fox?

* Is there a better way for Tom Osborne to resurrect his political future in Nebraska than to rescue its citizens from the morass of mediocrity currently surrounding Lincoln and its proud power running tradition? (And can you imagine the anguish of the boosters surrounding this program that they're willing to finance the departure of AD Pederson at a reported cost of $2.2 million and the inevitable buyout of coach Bill Callahan for more than $3 million?)

* I understand Francona's desire to not display a sense of panic by going to Beckett on short rest, but do you think that there's a sense of panic after losing three straight and knowing that, should they fight back and get to a game 7, the specter of Dice-K looms? (And I don't want to hear any of this "we take it one game at a time" stuff.) The Red Sox could have pitched Beckett in game 4, Wakefield in game 5, Schilling in game 6 (keeping him on extended rest), and brought Beckett back for game 7. The Sox have obviously come back from worse in the past but Beckett, Schilling, and Matsuzaka isn't the same as Pedro, Schilling and Lowe.

* Rarely do you see a trade, period, in the NFL, much less one in sports that makes sense for both teams. A terrific trade by the Chargers and Dolphins. Chambers will enable the Chargers to stretch the field (though whether or not Rivers can throw it that far with his shot put motion remains to be seen) and open things up underneath for LT and Gates. The Dolphins pick up a second round pick for a receiver they didn't need with little experience at QB behind the punch drunk Trent Green. The only way this trade is better was if they could have convinced the 'Fins to take Norv Turner along with that pick.

* Can someone inform the blogosphere christened "Schrutebag" that, now that the Rockies have won 21 of 22 to reach the World Series, they are a serious threat to take down whoever emerges from the ALCS, regardless of the fact that they have emerged from a weaker NL. 21 of 22 takes down all paradigms and, with a likely rotation of ace Jeff Francis, power pitching youngster Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Fogg (whose "Dragonslayer" nickname was uttered at least 200 times by Chip Caray), and a returning Aaron Cook, who was the Rockies second best pitcher all year, combined with their confident bullpen, impregnable defense, and deep lineup, will present a serious challenge to the AL pennant winner. So, abandon your now expired "conventional" wisdom and actually pay some attention to the stable of writers, far more qualified than yourself, from your own network, who are lauding this team.

* By the way, it's nice to be able to banish Cowturd now that an alternative exists to listen to in LA with the arrival of Dan Patrick on KLAC to fill in the gaps during Kevin and Bean commercial breaks. Dan Patrick in the mornings and Petros and Money in the afternoons makes commuting slightly more manageable.

* A serious fall from grace for Coach Fran. After a puzzling decision to leave Alabama for a less prestigious post at A&M, he may lose out on an $8 million check to go away because of the $30K plus that he earned from his insider newsletter. $8 million in one hand, $30K in the other...

* With Stoneman's departure from the Angels' front office, will the new triumvirate of Moreno, Scioscia, and new GM Tony Reagins be able to formulate an enticing offer to pry away Marlins' 3B Miguel Cabrera, who is bound for arbitration this offseason and likely to command a budget busting $11 million or more? After all, the Marlins will be able to request a higher premium for Cabrera, in spite of his battles with weight, than they will for a seemingly declining Dontrelle Willis.

* First prediction for the 2008 MLB season? The Indians' dust Manny in his first plate appearance against them next season after his decision to admire his shot at the tail end of the back to back to back chain the Red Sox put together tonight. No need to take revenge during the ALCS but I guarantee that the Indians will remember Ramirez's self-admiration.

* Curtis Granderson has already established himself a post playing career, bringing the personality and composure from the playing field to the broadcast desk. Good stuff.

* Did Peter Gammons just ask Paul Byrd if he's ever done a "triple pump"?