So being from Boston and knowing Boston fans as well as I do there is basically two ways to look at this. One group will take the Boston of 10 years ago approach, throw in the towel, and simply criticize the Celtics from here on out for their lack of depth or working KG too hard. They will watch the games and enjoy any failure that comes upon them with a told you so attitude.

Group number two looks at it this way. “Who gives a shit. This is Boston bitches, title town USA, How many championships have we won in the past 8 years? Thats what I thought.” Sadly, there is no in between. Most people around here are either arrogant fucks or pessimistic impossibles (no offense to the Boston guys here, I am one of you so I have the right).

Myself and a few others are going into these playoffs pumped up. This is the Celtics chance to really stick it to the rest of the league, and the country. The Celtics are still a great team with great players. They have gone 17-5 without KG this season so all hope is not lost. If the Celtics win, fucking great! If they lose, oh well, it was a great run and they will be back next year. Regardless it has been more fun watching them play these last two seasons than my entire life before. No reason to let some fluke injury ruin the ride.

I will be the first to admit it, I loved Bud Selig’s newest ploy to make money. I was the first to post about it on the OSN forums, and I have been one of the few in this country that actually looked forward to it. I dismissed the injury concerns and the fact that these guys simply aren’t ready to play 100% just yet. I dismissed the fact that the games truly are meaningless because I desperately wanted to just watch my favorite players duke it out for the first time since October. I was blinded by my own selfish wants until today when it finally hit home.

Dustin Pedroia today strained his oblique after taking extra batting practice and infield drills while working out for Team USA in preparation for tonights second round game against Puerto Rico, the same injury mind you that rendered Josh Beckett all but useless against Tampa Bay last October. You can call me a hypocrite, a flip flopper, whatever you want, but this is bull shit and I am now standing in front of the picket line trying to get rid of this stupid thing. Pedroia is the most important piece of the Boston Red Sox. He is a catalyst in the lineup, on the field, and in the club house. Basically, this guy is the man. Reports are that the strain is mild, but if he misses a single game or is not ready in time for opening day, than it is not worth it for these players to be playing in such a stupid exhibition match. These athletes are being paid zillions of dollars to play for their MLB teams, not to play for the USA. I will bet you anything that good old Bud will be hearing from the Red Sox brass very soon.

I knew there had to be something wrong with me when I was actually on the same side of an argument with Bud Selig, I’m glad I finally got myself straightened out.